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May 12, 2006 Vol. 6, No. 19

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BAY MILLS RESORT AND CASINO/WILD BLUFF GOLF COURSE
Video: 2005 Bay Mills Open Players Tournament Preview
-with Rob Lussenhof
http: //www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/baymillsopenpreview/

OTSEGO CLUB & RESORT-GAYLORD
Golf Packages http://otsegoclub.com/allpackages.php

SHANTY CREEK RESORT & CLUB
Golf Packages http://www.shantycreek.com/golf/package.html

DESIGN YOUR OWN IRELAND GOLFING GETAWAY
Click on - http://www.sullivangolf.ie/quoteform.html
Sullivan Golf & Travel ­ The Ireland Golf Travel Specialist

IN GAYLORD, GOLF THE NATURAL: A JERRY MATTHEWS COURSE
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/natural/
Golf Packages http://golfthenatural.com

Edited by Art McCafferty-Producer/Publisher, GLSP

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__/ MGN ON THE ROAD
Boyne Falls-Everett's
Brimley-Wild Bluff
Drummond Island-The Rock
Harbor Springs-Harbor Point Golf Club
Hillsdale- Hillsdale CC
Jonesville-Mill Race GC
Sault Ste. Marie-Sault Ste. Marie CC
__/ MG-TV
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER UPCOMING TELEVISION SHOWS
__/ MOORE MUSINGS by Terry Moore
__/ MICHIGAN'S OTHER CENTURY OLD GOLF COURSES
__/ GTR&S READY FOR SUMMER AND THE NATION'S GOVERNORS IN 2007
__/ MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ON CHOK RADIO 1070 ON YOUR DIAL-The Otsego Club
__/ SPRING EDITION OF THE MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE NOW ONLINE
__/ 2006 MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER ONLINE RESOURCES

MG ON THE ROAD
Boyne Falls-Everett's
You can add Everett's to the list of great watering holes in Michigan. Everett's, located within the confines of the new Grand Mountain Grand Lodge & SPA has some photos of Everett Kircher, the bar's namesake, embeddened under glass that covers the top of the baR. Kircher, an inductee to both the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame is also recognized as a Hall of Fame member of the U.S. Fly Fishihg Hall of Fame. Everett's has a number of Kircher's trophies gracing the walls.

Brimley-Wild Bluff GC
Rob Lussenhop is starting his third year at Wild Bluff GC. This year, will be less hectic as the Bay Mills Open concluded its run last year. Rob has two assistants, Matt Phipps, who previously worked in Kentucky and Jacques LeBlanc, a home grown product, who is the second Assistant. LeBlanc indicated that he would be playing in this year Native American Cup.

Wild Bluff, escaped the winter with hardly any winter mold. In fact, Rob Lussenhop indicated to CHOK's Tom Gibson that "give the course another week and you could play the Bay Mills Open on it."

http://wildbluff.com

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Drummond Island-The Rock
GM John Archambeau is not letting any turf grow under his feet. With the softening of the golf economy, Archambeau is concentrating some of the resort's resources on the development of the Turtle Ridge ORV Park. There are only five Michigan Park's where you can use ORV's and ATV's and Drummond Island is one of them. For years now,they have hosted the Jeep Jamboree and people have enjoyed the wilderness that is available on the island.

Other members of the Drummond Island team include Chuck Hessel, Director of Golf and Marilyn Anderson McGuire, who works on the real estate side. For those who enjoy the sport of snomobiling, you might ask Marilyn McGuire about her 120 MPH ride across the Ice Bridge.

"The Rock" awaits all of those golfers who journey to this part of the state. MORE: Check out our article on Island Golf in the latest MG http://michigangolfer.com/spring06/index.html

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Harbor Springs-Harbor Point Golf Club
Harbor Point Golf Club (1896) was included in GOLF Magazine's 1995 list of "The First 100 Clubs in America." Located on South Lake Shore Drive in Harbor Springs, Harbor Point is a challenging but not overwhelming course. Designed by Dave Foulis in 1896, and meticulously maintained. It is semi-private from late June through the first week in September and fully public in the spring and fall.

There are two ponds that come into play on three holes. The fairways are narrow and were built on rolling terrain. The greens are undulating, some elevated and it is a relatively short test of one's game. The forward tees are 5,034 and the back, 6003.

Shawn Bezilla is the club professional, having moved to the club after a number of successful years at Little Traverse Bay GC, also located in Harbor Springs.

http://www.harborpointassociation.com/
(Under Development)

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Hillsdale Golf & Country Club (1907)
Hillsdale has been getting its share of ink with it having its 18-year old mayor, Michael Sessions, featured on the front page of the Detroit News. We were in town to capture the Gina Hillsdale Relay for the Michigan Runner Television show, but wanted to comment on the storied country club in town.

The online article linked below is by Kelly Hill and Art McCafferty. The article included the following comments on Hillsdale Golf and Country Club

http://michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_12-17a.pdf

Hillsdale Golf and Country Club was formed in 1907 by Hillsdale citizens who contracted the Spaulding Company of Chicago, Illinois to design a nine-hole golf course. Scotland native Thomas Bendelow laid out a very challenging design with emphasis on the short game. The 5,775-yard course has humbled many a fine golfer over the years. The clubhouse opened in 1910 and has been an institution in the area ever since.

Located on the west side of Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale County, the Hillsdale Golf and Country Club is a one-of-a-kind establishment. A challenging nine-hole course with beautiful views of the 420-acre lake provides for a relaxing round of golf.

It is accompanied by a beautiful dining room overlooking the lake, a grill room for that after-round drink, and a banquet room that can be rented for meetings. An expansive deck overlooking the lake is often used for the club's varied social calendar filled with fun events.

Bendelow designed the challenging 5,775-yard course with emphasis on the short game. The course is known for excellent greens and course conditions geared with the player in mind. With a PGA professional always available, oneís golfing experience will be more than pleasant with opportunities for lessons, club fitting, and merchandise. Tee times are readily available, and leagues and tournaments are scheduled throughout the summer.

After a round, whether you choose the Baw Beese Dining Room for an elegant dinner, the Grill Room for the casual social after golf, or the outside deck terrace overlooking magnificent Baw Beese Lake, the facilities may exceed your expectations. Serving trend-setting selections as well as traditional specialties, the club can accommodate a luncheon for 10, a casual barbecue for 50, or a gourmet banquet for 100.

The recently remodeled clubhouse, overlooking the lake, is central to the social events of the club, which include theme parties, live entertainment, bridge groups, a euchre club, wine-tasting club and private parties. Additional amenities include a lakefront swim area, great sledding , boat-slip rental, and reciprocity with other Golf Association of Michigan clubs.

http://www.hillsdalegolf.com

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Jonesville-Mll Race Golf Course
We drove by this nine hole Art Hills design last week. The course was built in 1973 and has changed little since then. It was on the auction block in March and we assume the ownership has changed hands. The course looked in fine shape and golfers were providing some nice cash flow..

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Mackinaw City- Wilderness GC
Greg and Mary Mitchell have taken over Wilderness GC from Mary's father and mother, the Dankerts. This nine hole course built in 1967, is in the process of some new TLC from Greg and Mary. They left a great job in the suburbs to return home. As Mary's daughter, about seven years old was playing outside on the green, Mary looked out the window and said, "That is what I used to do when I was her age. In fact, some men on our men's league are still golfing in the league after all these years. Dankert
http://golfwilderness.com

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Sault Ste. Marie- Sault Ste. Marie CC
Last year, the city celebrated the 150 year anniversary of the Soo Locks. This year they are welcoming the Tall Ships as they pass throught the locks to and from Chicago this summer.

Sault Ste. Marie GC will turn 105 years old this summer. Over the past century there have been many stories that have evolved concerning the course. Among the more interesting historical notes is that former club pro John Rueter designed the original "Bulls eye" putter while working at the Sault Country Club. He sold the patent rights to Acushnet, and the "Bulls eye" went on to become the best-selling putter of all-time under the Titleist brand name.

The Sault course has also had its list of prominent players. One that stands out is former club member Vonnie Colby, who won the Upper Peninsula women's championship in 1949 and 1951 and went on to play on the LPGA Tour.

Once a private club founded by a group of Union Carbide employees, the Sault golf course has been a 9-hole layout for most of its existence. But in the mid 1980s, the course was expanded to 18 holes, all of the ponds were added and three of the old holes were also redesigned. A fund-raising project was spearheaded by club member Roger Paris and well-known Michigan architect Jerry Matthews designed the new layout.

More: http://michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_12-17a.pdf

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MGTV
Bart Lower's Big Breaks-with Terry Moore
Bart Lower has had a couple of great years since he became television famous on the Big Break II and Big Break IV shows on the Golf Channel. Lower, a graduate of EMU's business school and member of the golf team, has a new career working for Pulte Homes near Naples and a new family as well. Join our host Terry Moore, as we explore the story of Michigan's native son, Bart Lower.

http://michigangolfer.tv/2006shows/lower/

Gary Wiren and Jack Berry: The Hickory Open at The Kingsley Club Gary Wiren, neatly attired in his knickers, is interviewed by Jack Berry during the last year's Hickory Open at The Kingsley Club. Wiren has one of the largest collections of hickory clubs in American. Wiren chats about hickory club golf, the Kingsley Club and golfing with Donald Trump in this Jack Berry interview.

http://thekingsleyclub.com
http://michigangolfer.tv/2006shows/wiren/

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MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION UP COMING SHOWS
Jack Berry's Ireland Golf Part IV
Tom Doak and Jack Nicklaus Design Sebonak
Buck's Run Golf Course-A Jerry Matthews Design
The Tribute at Otsego Club
Arnold Palmer's-The Legend at Shanty Creek Resort
The Michigan Amateur at The Heather Course at Boyne Highlands
The 2nd Annual Native American Cup
The 2nd Annual League Championship Series
Harbor Point Golf Club
Upper Peninsula Golf-Greywalls, Chocolay Downs, Timberstone and Wild Bluff

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MOORE MUSINGS
by Terry Moore
In the past week it was announced that Hootie Johnson was stepping down as Chairman of Augusta National GC and that Billy Payne will take his place. Regardless of one's political or golf sensibilities it would be hard to argue against the notion that Johnson was one of the biggest "change agents" in the history of the club and the Masters. Of course, others might argue he was one of biggest "status quo" agents too. Certainly, Johnson was not your low profile, shrinking violet Chairman. Just consider what transpired on his watch: 1) Automatic invitations to the Masters for PGA Tour winners being dropped. 2) Redesign, adding a second cut, and lengthening of Augusta National in response to concerns with Tour players' longer modern game; 3) Informing certain former Masters champions they no longer had a lifetime exemption; 4) Resisting enormous social, media and political pressure to admit women as members into the club; 4) Releasing its television sponsors for the Masters so as to keep them out of the Martha Burk controversy and boycott; 5) Allowing the first commercial-free telecast of a major sporting event on network television. I mean, this all happened in the last seven years!

But what I'll most miss about the Hootie Johnson tenure is his annual State of the Masters press conference held on Wednesday of tournament week. With the exception of the champion's interview on Sunday afternoon, this is the one interview I looked toward with the most anticipation. Maybe it was how he presented himself: the senior Southern gentleman, speaking in a deliberate, sparse drawl but with absolute and unwavering conviction. But in the heat of the Burk controversy, I'll always remember these lines and statements of Johnson at the press conference:

When being pointedly and persistently challenged by a Chicago Tribune golf writer as to taking more questions on Augusta National's membership matters in the middle of the Burk controversy, Johnson says, "I made my statement. We are here to have the Masters Tournament. I just told you if you have a question, I'll answer it but donıt lecture me."

When asked by the esteemed Furman Bisher of Atlanta: "Did your career as a blocking back (at South Carolina) prepare you for a controversy such as this?" Johnson replied:"I don't think I have experienced anything quite like this assault."

Asked if he felt due to the controversy if the tournament had been maligned: "Well, it's been maligned but I don't think it's been damaged. The Masters will continue to be one of the great sporting events of the world, next year and the year after and the year after."

When asked about Tiger Woods statement that he believes there should be women members: "I won't tell Tiger how to play golf if he doesn't tell us how to run our private club."

When asked whether or not the club's stance on membership matters might discredit Johnson's past history of supporting progressive causes: "I do have a reputation for fighting against discrimination. But our private club does not discriminate. Single gender is an important fabric on the American scene. There are thousands (of such organizations) all across America. Both genders. Health clubs. Sewing circles, Junior League, Shriners, and we should not and we are not discriminating."

When asked about his tenure as Chairman in the midst of the membership controversy, Johnson said: "I do want to make one point, though. If I drop dead right now, our position will not change on this issue." Stressing this statement with firm strokes of his index finger on the desk, Johnson adds: "And I promise you what I'm saying is, if I drop dead this second, our position will not change."

All of these exchanges contributed to a highly charged atmosphere and terrific theatre. It's my contention that Johnson's determined defense of the constitutionally protected rights of a private club (which Augusta National followed to the letter of the law) will be his most lasting and probably least appreciated legacy. In the midst of the highly politicized Burk furor and ferocious media pressure, Johnson held his ground on the matter of principle and sure legal footing. As such, I doubt if Billy Payne will veer far from the course Johnson set. I also doubt future State of the Masters press conferences will ever be as riveting and as entertaining.

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THE OTSEGO CLUB FEATURED TODAY ON CHOK GOLF SHOW-1070 ON YOUR DIAL
Scott Chesley, Director of Real Estate Sales for the Otsego Club, chats about the Classic and The Tribute golf courses at the club. Check out the action at the CHOK Golf Show with Tom Gibson. The show runs from 10:00 to 11:00 on CHOK, 1070 on your dial. http://chok.com

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MICHIGAN'S OTHER CENTURY OLD GOLF COURSES
By Art McCafferty, Publisher and Kelly Hill, Managing Editor

Since this MGN has already spoke of three century old courses, we thought we would introduce you to others.

Wequetonsing Golf Club (1896)
In 1888, New York's St. Andrews opened. Six years later it provided the site for the nation's first invitational amateur championship. 1894 also was the year when some pioneering Michigan golfers teed it up at Roaring Brook Course in Harbor Springs. Roaring Brook Course is gone now, but Harbor Point and Wequetonsing Golf Club remain. According to Nancy Duray of Harbor Point and "Red" Wilson of Wequetonsing, these two Harbor Springs courses opened for play in 1896.

One of the more colorful character's in Wequetonsing's storied history is former caddy master Ford A. Moulton. In 1972, Moulton was featured in the Harbor Light, the weekly newspaper of Harbor Springs.

"When the majority of summer residents arrive in the Harbor Springs area and start to play golf, those playing at Wequetonsing Golf Course will undoubtedly say hello to a man who is starting his 25th year as caddymaster at the course, Ford A. Moulton." the Harbor Light story read, in 1972. Now 67, Ford, as everyone called him, remembers when he had 175 caddies under his direction. Those times have passed. "Now I am down to about 60 caddies. The reason is other jobs. Kids are looking for other jobs, not caddying. The boys are getting younger and smaller every year," he said.

In his 25 years, Moulton served under three golf pros, starting with Cliff Booth, then Lee Kosten and then with Frank "Red" Wilson, who was the pro in 1972. John J. Wilson is now the head professional at Wequetonsing.

A private course, Wequetonsing also is not particularly long, given todayís standards. Wequetonsing usually plays 5,201 yards from the front and 6,150 yards for the average club member.

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Les Cheneaux Club & Golf Links (1898)
Located in Cedarville, in the eastern Upper Peninsula, Les Cheneaux is traditional links in its essential features. The nine-hole Les Cheneaux Golf Club was laid out and chartered by the early members of the Les Cheneaux Club and was ready for play in May of 1898.

Play is from the water and back to the water, sand and water are both natural hazards, as are forest and rock, and the design of the grounds is dictated by the land, not imposed on it. By 1900, the club had posted both a professional nine-hole record score of 38 (by W.V. Hoare) and an amateur record of 41.

Though there have been some changes since the very early years, such as lengthening some holes, the essential character of the links has changed little. Many of the hazards are overgrown piles of the fieldstone cleared from the original fairways and the perpetual hazards of the forest and rock outcrops remain challenging.

Les Cheneaux is open to the public and plays 2,852 yards from the middle tees. For more information, visit: www.lescheneaux.org/recreation/golfing.html. ---
Washtenaw Country Club (1899)
In the fall of 1898, two young, entrepreneurial Ypsilantians, Cora (Cornwell) Henry, having just returned from a summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard, and I. Newton Swift, a student at Yale, introduced their friend, Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., to ìa wonderful gameî being played on the East Coast.

Convincing a friendly farmer on the west edge of Ypsilanti to allow them to sink three topless tomato cans in his freshly-cut hay field, the threesome invited friends to join them for the new game of golf. Enthusiasm for the game was infectious.

On July 11, 1899, a group of 15 Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor residents met and officially formed Washtenaw Country Club. Signers of the Articles of Association included A.A. Van Cleve, S.E. Dodge, R.W. Hemphill, Jr., E.C. Cornwell, J.B. Colvan, H.S. Platt, Charles D. Church, Henry W. Douglas, William Gardam, David B. Dodge, D.L. Quirk, Jr., I. Newton Swift, W.L. Pack, Duane Spalsbury and David R. Morford. On July 18, 1899, the club was incorporated.

While it has been acclaimed ìthe second-oldest golf club in Michigan,î Washtenaw actually is the third. Detroit Country Club was started as a nine-hole layout in about 1889, while Saginaw Country Club opened its course in early 1899, a few months ahead of Washtenaw.

For more information, visit: http://www.washtenawcc.com/

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GTR&S READY FOR SUMMER AND THE NATION'S GOVERNORS IN 2007
Over $11 million has been invested since 2003 at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. "We've worked diligently to re-create our facilities and restore Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to grandeur," stated Executive Vice President & General Manager Andrew M. Bateman. "We think our guests will find the Resort to be an amazingly new and inspiring experience. We extend an invitation to past guests and new guests to visit us and experience Michigan's premier resort."

Three years of renovations are complete, but only for the moment, because future renovations are planned as the Resort prepares to host the 2007 National Governors Association Summer Conference as it did 20 years ago.

Taken and Edited from a GTR&S release
http://grandtraverseresort.com

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SPRING EDITION OF THE MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE-ONLINE
Spring Issue 2006 Vol. 24, No.1
http://www.webgolfer.com/
The Heather at Boyne Highlands: Robert Trent Jones and Everett Kircher Shared a Dream
by Jack Berry
Villegas: The PGA Tourıs Colorful Colombian
by Kelly Hill
Michiganıs Island Golf Courses
by Art McCafferty
Tournament Action to Take Few Breaks This Summer
by Kelly Hill
Book Review-Match Made in Heaven
by Bernice Phillips
Book Review: King of Swings-Book Jacket
by Lanse Bannon
Slice of Life: Masters Memories
by Terry Moore

Readership of the Michigan Golfer Ezine averaged 9,789 per issue in 2005.

http://www.webgolfer.com/

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MICHIGAN TOURNAMENTS
http://michigangolfer. com/tournaments.html

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2006 MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR
http://michigangolfer.com/calendar.html" ASSOCIATION LINKS
American Association of Golf Course Architects
http://asgca.org
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org/
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
http://www.gcsaa.org
Michigan Section PGA
http://www.Michigan.PGA.com
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan High School Athletic Association
http://www.mhsaa.com/
Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.com
Michigan Publinx Seniors Golf Association
http://mpsga.net
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org
National High School Golf Coaches Association
http://www.nhsgca.org

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MICHIGAN GOLFER ONLINE RESOURCES
Website: http://glsp.com
Ezine http://michigangolfer.com
News: http://www.webgolfer.com/news.html
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv
Podcast: http://glsp.com/podcasts.html

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