June 27, 2003, Vol. 3, No. 26

Sponsored by:

Bay Mills Resort and Casino/Wild Bluff-Brimley
Web: http://www.4baymills.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show11/index.html

Crusecom Technology Consultants, LLC -
Your Strategic Internet Solutions Partner!
http://www.crusecom.com

The Club Card-Value Golf:Gaylord/Cadillac/Mt. Pleasant/Livingston
Web http://www.golfclubcard.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/packages/golfclubcard/

Golfing Upper Peninsula's Delta County- Escanaba & Gladstone
http://www.travelbaysdenoc.com/golf.html

Upper Peninsula-Michigan's Other Golf Mecca
Premium Courses at Reasonable Rates
http://upga.org
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Association Subscribers
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan PGA
http://michigan.pga.com
Michigan Women's Publinx Golf Association
http://www.mwpga.com
Michigan State Amateur Golf Association
Dick Loring-skillplay@aol.com

Edited by Art McCafferty
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__/ MGN ON THE ROAD
Ann Arbor-Polo Fields
Birmingham-Oakland Hills CC
Traverse City-Park Place Hotel, Elmbrook GC and Grand Travers Resort
__/ BOB ACKERMAN WINS DETROIT NEWSPAPERS MICHIGAN OPEN FOR THE SECOND TIME
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION-BANK OF ANN ARBOR FUTURES GOLF CLASSIC
__/ THE HAIG VISITS THE HAIG
__/ PELZ SHORT GAME SCHOOLS DEBUT IN MICHIGAN
__/ US SENIOR OPEN- ARTHUR HILLS/STEVE FORREST TWEAK VENERABLE INVERNESS
__/ TIGER TO DEFEND AT BUICK
__/ 4TH OF JULY SPECIALS
__/ TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO THE COURSE WEEK
__/ BECKSTROM CRUISES TO VICTORY IN FAST AND FRIENDLY FINALS AT MICHIGAN AMATEUR
CHAMPIONSHIP-by Tonia Branch
__/ BODY BALANCE TO WORK THEIR MAGIC AT THE TYLENOL PAR 3 SHOOTOUT
__/ HELP WANTED-FOUR LAKES COUNTRY CLUB QUESTION
__/ 4TH OF JULY SPECIALS
__/ QUOTE OF THE WEEK
__/ GOLF CALENDAR

***
MGN ON THE ROAD
Ann Arbor-Polo Fields
http://www.polofields.org/

Craziness was the order of the day at the annual Jeff Daniels Golf Jam. Each hole featured one or more actors, acting out scenes from the top 100 motion pictures of all time. There was the hole for "Dueling Brandos", in which among other things, they would yell, "Stellaaaaaaaa" line from Streetcar named Desire movie, during your backswing. There was a hole for the infamous Mrs. Robinson of "The Graduate", where she enticed those on the tee to share a moment with her on her bed.

The winner is always the team that comes in 6th place, thus making any plans to capture the tournament a bookmaker's nightmare. The Chelsea Room provided the music during the pre tournament activities and the host, Jeff Daniels had to head out after opening the tournament to catch a plane for Toronto, where he was filming his next movie. Fun tournament. We hope to have some footage of the craziness up on Michigan Golfer TV later on this summer.

Traverse City-Park Place Hotel-We stopped by to see Bill Knopp of the Park Place Hotel, and the affable one is in the midst of planning the "Ultimate Traverse City Golf Package Tour with some of his cooperating courses.

"The Haig" wanted to visit Oakland Hills CC, before he headed back to LA. He had just completed a number of television shows depicting his life and was anxious to get back to his first professional job in Michigan. The Haig was the club professional for a year at the club, and then turned pro. He came in fourth at the 1924 U.S. Open there. On hand to chat with The Haig, was Robert Beardsley, Oakland Hills member, Bill McMachan, Thad Gutowski, a friend of the Hagen family, Tey Shay, with Beach Communications, Dave Jacobson from DayBreak Marketing Group, Dave Griscom, the new National Sales Director or Clock Tower Press and Bill Shelton, host of the Michigan Golfer TV Show. The Haig was in fine form as he regaled his built in audience with stories of his exploits.

I suggest you head out the door this morning or afternoon to grab a Detroit News, Freep or Grand Rapids Press to read about the stirring victory of Bob Ackerman over Bryan Snyder in a one hole playoff. Ackerman, last won this tournament in 1975. He is the first person to hold both the Michigan Open and the Michigan Senior Open in the same year. He won the Senior Open at Bedford Valley earlier this month.

The stories of Walter Hagen flew around the Elmbrook Golf Course as fast as the gutty golf balls. What a day it was for golf, fond memories and a herculean cause, as the Grand Traverse Heritage Center drew closer to its funding goal.

"The Haig" was the order of the day, as the great one made his appearance during the tournament and at the banquet. Congrats to the committee of Rick Coates, Joe Gadbaw, Marie Hooper, Peg and Dan Jonkhoff, Christy and Lindsey Jonkhoff, Dave Krause, Sally Modzel, Denton Nelson, Carolyn and John Olson, Roger Putman, Cherrie and Kelly Robinson and Dan Truckey.

It was a "hoot" according to Jim McIntyre, VP of Knorr Marketing. Everyone was dressed to the nines, no make that the "eighteens", with their vintage clothes and hickory clubs. It was a great tournament held under spectacular skies on a classic golf course.

Join our host Bill Shelton and reporter Vanessa Bell as they bring the exciting final day action of the tournament to your screen. Vanessa Bell, a member of this year's Futures Tour, and our reporter, brings you all the insider information of the tournament that held at Forest Lake Golf Club this past week.

She chats with winner, Ju Kim who indicated that her game has changed in the past few years. "I was very young two years ago and tried to go for everything, now my game is different," said 21-year-old Korean, who captured the $60,000 Bank of Ann Arbor FUTURES Golf Classic by shooting a final round six-under 66 for a total of 209 (-7). "My mind is so much better. Before I used to get uncomfortable and nervous when I hit a bad shot, now I just say 'that's golf, it doesn't matter' and try and concentrate on the next shot."

We put this show up last week and it was the most watched program on MGTV this year. Click on to Bill Shelton, Art Hills and Steve Forrest as they chat about how the course has been set up to beat back the challenge of the players in this week's U.S. Senior Open. See how they toughened up the course while keeping the design work of Donald Ross intact. http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show13/index.html

Buick recently announced that Tiger Woods is scheduled to play in the 2003 Buick Open, July 28-August 3 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc.

Woods, who captured the $594,000 first prize at the 2002 Buick Open, will attempt to become the first player to win the tournament in back-to-back years since Tony Lema in 1965.

"We are really excited about Tiger returning to the Buick Open to defend his title," said Larry Peck, Buick's golf marketing manager. "As the number one player in the world and golf's top attraction, Tiger's appearance brings a higher level of excitement to a tournament that always has a top-caliber field." For Buick Open tickets and information, call 1 (800) 878-OPEN (6736) or go to http:/www.buickopen.pgatour.com.

Join Gull Lake View on July 4th to help them celebrate their Fortieth Anniversary. The 9:00 AM Shotgun on Gull Lake View West, which opened in 1963. Green Fees will be $2.50 for 18 Holes, the same as they were in 1963! Cost of this tournament is $41.50 for Non-Members & $39.00 for all Gull Lake View Members Price Includes: 18 Hole Green Fees & Electric Cart, Prizes, Morning Snack and Lunch Cookout.

The Strategic Fox and Fox Classic courses will host, "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week", July 7-13. They want you to bring your daughter (age 17 or younger) out to the golf course for a round of golf and introduce her to your favorite pastime. With each paying adult, a daughter plays for free. A credit card number is required to hold a reservation and a confirmation number will be assigned. Call 734.453.7272 to make your reservation or for more information.

The leaders in short game and putting instruction will be in town to help Michigan golfers learn to shoot their lowest scores ever. The Dave Pelz Scoring Game Tour visits Detroit's Cherry Creek Golf Club with a series of one-day clinics designed by popular "Scoring Game" instructor, Dave Pelz, June 25 - July 6. Spots are still available for the second week's sessions.

Pelz recently opened his first three-day school in Michigan at The Homestead in Glen Arbor. This scenic Lake Michigan site is hosting Pelz's three-day schools and one-day clinics throughout out the summer. Three-day sessions are held weekly, Thursday through Saturday, while one-day clinics are being offered in select weekdays at the popular freshwater resort.

Each six-and-one-half-hour clinic, taught by instructors from the renowned Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, contains a three-hour putting session and a three-hour wedge session. Clinics begin with indoor theory presentations, then move quickly outdoors so students can practice under the staff's supervision.

Although the 2003 Michigan Amateur Championship finals was one of the youngest and fastest matches on record, that was not the most impressive aspect of the match. Colby Beckstrom (North Muskegon) defeated local golfer AJ Balulis (Baldwin) in one of the friendliest matches in the Michigan Amateur Championship. Beckstrom and Balulis cheered for each other throughout the match, which ended with a heartfelt embrace between the players when Balulis conceded the 15th hole to give Beckstrom a 5&3 victory at the 92nd Michigan Amateur Championship.

The final match was a very young matchup for the third year in a row, matching the 19 year-old Balulis against the 20 year-old Beckstrom. Last year's final match featured 19 year-old Andy Ruthkoski and 18 year-old Korey Mahoney, and the 2000 finals also featured two college-aged golfers (Andy Matthews and Brent Goik). The final match was also one of the fastest final matches on record, playing 15 holes in approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. Throughout the match, the gallery struggled to keep up with the two players.

Beckstrom got off to a fast start, winning the first three holes. Balulis fought back, cutting the lead to 1up after six holes. Balulis said, "I was trying to come back, I thought I was going to make it go 18 holes, but then I missed those two putts on 13 and 14. That was huge." He was quick to credit Beckstrom, though, saying, "It just took the air out of my sails when he chipped in on 14. That was awesome."

Beckstrom outplayed much of the field throughout the tournament. In the final match, he had five birdies in fifteen holes in the final match. Despite his impressive play, Beckstrom said he was still a little shocked that his name will end up alongside many golf legends on the prestigious Staghorn Trophy. He said, "It was surprising (to win the tournament). That's what I came to do, but you don't really expect it. It's exhausting out there playing as much golf as AJ and I played this week, but my brother (who caddied for me during match play) made it so easy for me to go out there and play. He was so confident, so positive about everything."

In this morning's semifinals, Beckstrom defeated Eric Cowles (Perry) 1up. It was only the second time in five matches up until that point that his match went to the 18th hole. In the other semifinal match, Balulis eliminated reigning "GAM Player of the Year" Russ Cunningham (Dewitt) 2up. Balulis ran to the tee, arriving just in time for his 8:15 a.m. tee time. Balulis said, "I got here and basically had to warm up in ten minutes. I usually get here an hour early, so my routine was off a little. That was a little scary, but I played really well in the first match. Russ is so straight, so I knew I had to hit good shots." Beckstrom and Balulis were friendly even after the match, making plans to meet up for a possible friendly rematch later this summer.

Rick Smith recently announced his association with Body Balance for Performance, a golf specific health and fitness training program. "It's extremely important to partner with the right people," Smith said. "This is a match that was made to happen."

Body Balance for Performance will provide Pre-Round stretching for the up coming Par Three Shoot out Pro-Am on June 30 and July 1st.

I have enjoyed some of your articles on golf history in Michigan and am wondering if you have more information on a particular course, or know where I might find a scorecard or drawings of the course layout or even the original design drawings. The course I am interested in is the Four Lakes Country Club (private) built in 1935. I believe the course went out of favor in the 1950's with some residential being built in the surrounding area. However, my parents bought the house (which was formerly the clubhouse for the course) and some vacant acreage in the early 1960's and I grew up in the house that was the clubhouse.

I am interested in trying to figure out how the course was laid out because there is still significant vacant land surrounding the house.

"I doubt if Craig Stadler, who won the U.S. Amateur at Inverness 30 years ago, would notice any difference in the course after our work." Art Hills
...on his efforts of bringing Inverness into the decade of long hitters, while still keeping the basic design of the legendary Donald Ross.

Tour and Association Calendars

Associations
Golf Association of Michigan http://www.gam.org/champ/schedule.cgi
Michigan Section PGA http://www.Michigan.PGA.com
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association http://mgcoa.org
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America http://www.gcsaa.org Shanty Creek http://www.shantycreek.com/calendar.html

Tours
Canadian Tour- http://www.cantour.com
European Tour- http://www.europeantour.com
Hooters Tour- http://www.ngahooterstour.com
Futures Tour- http://www.futurestour.com
PGA-- http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/pgatour.html

• Michigan Runner http://michiganrunner.net
• Michigan Runner Archives http://michiganrunner.com
• Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv
• Running Network: http://runningnetwork.com
• Michigan Golfer http://michigangolfer.com
• Michigan Golfer TV http://michigangolfer.tv
• Michigan Skier http://michiganskier.com
• Michigan Skier TV http://michiganskier.tv
• Michigan Travel TV http://michigantravel.tv
• GLSP http://www.glsp.com