Michigan Golf News-July 2, 2004 VOL. 4, No. 27
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Sponsored by:
Bay Mills Resort and Casino/Wild Bluff-Brimley
Celebrate Ryder Cup 2004, September 14-19-Oakland Hills CC
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Michigan Travel Television
Treetops: Home of "Rick Smith and The Big Break" and "The Tylenol Par-3 Shootout"
Edited by Art McCafferty-Publisher, Michigan Golfer __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/
__/ ROTH OPENS WITH TWO BIRDIES - COMMANDS DETROIT NEWSPAPER'S MICHIGAN OPEN by Tim Hygh
ROTH OPENS WITH TWO BIRDIES - COMMANDS OPEN TITLE Jeff Roth, head professional from Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield, has won his second Detroit Newspapers Michigan Open Championship. The 46-year-old, who won the championship in 1998, shot 68 in Thursday's final round to finish the $110,000, four-round championship at 12-under-par. He collected $13,000 for the effort and was very emotional after the victory. "The competition is tough. Better every year. To shoot 276 on this golf course is really something," said Roth through tears. "It's really something special. I appreciate the quality of the field I beat. There are so many good young players. To beat them is special for me." Roth is one of the state's winningest players, having also won four Michigan PGA Championships, and the PGA's national Club Professional Championship during his career. He showed his mastery and battle-tested experience by opening the final round with two consecutive birdies. "The last time I won it happened fast. I shot 65 in the final round and won in a playoff. This time, I played most of the tournament with the lead. It's tough to play with the lead," said Roth. "I guess if Jack Nicklaus could win a major at the age of 46, I can too - and on his course." Eric Jorgensen, a mini-tour player from Grandville, led the Michigan Open after three rounds, but his fourth round even-par 72 disappointed him. "I didn't play as well as I wanted to today. I struggled with chipping all week and hit a bad chip on the first hole. For the way I was hitting the ball, I was proud of the score I shot. I'm proud of the way I prepared myself," said Jorgensen. "I'll have to come back next year and take it away from him." This was Jorgensen's fourth Michigan Open appearance - his best previous finish was T-6 in 2002. His rounds of 68, 70, 68 and on Thursday, 72, put him at 9-under par - three strokes behind Roth. Mike Austin, of Burton, shot 71, 71, 69 and closed strongly with a round of 68 that included a front-nine 30. "I lipped out for 29," he said. Austin finished the tournament at 9-under-par, 3 behind Roth. Austin used to live on the Flint Golf Club, where Roth worked for 13 years, and admitted that Roth is a fine player. Austin was nonplussed about finishing T-2 to Roth. "I had a fine time out there. I wasn't worried about my score. I wanted to enjoy it. I can't complain," said Austin, who will try to play in Nationwide Tour events in the coming weeks and hopes to qualify for the Buick Open. "Good memories are always good." Scott Hebert, a five-time state champion who was, at one time, an assistant professional at Grand Traverse Resort, closed hard but failed to catch Roth. "When I got to the first tee and saw that the wind was out of the northwest, I knew 12-under would be a good score," said Hebert. "Roth's ball doesn't curve and he's a good putter." Hebert, who last won the championship in 2002, opened with lackluster rounds of 72 and 75, but rebounded in the third round with a 65 and closed with a 68 to finish the championship at 8-under-par-4-strokes behind Roth in fourth place. Hebert won his first Michigan Open in 1997, and then ran off four-straight from 1999 through 2002.
-The 89th Michigan Open Championship was contested Monday, June 28
through Thursday, July 1. Sponsored by the Detroit Newspapers, the
field of 155 players was vying for a purse of $110,000 with the winner
receiving $14,500. All four rounds are held on The Bear at Grand
Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, MI. 1st JR ROTH Knollwood Country Club 67 70 71 68 276 $13,000
2nd
4th
5th
7th
9th
MGN ON THE ROAD Atwood-Antrim Dells
Kathy and Mike Morrical are the next generation to administer Antrim
Dells Golf Course. They moved up from Chicago last year to continue a
tradition of 15 years ownership of the 30 year old Jerry Matthews
designed course. Word has it, that their greens are back to the
original standard, when they were one of the co-hosts of the Michigan
Amateur. Grand Traverse Resort-Detroit Newspapers Michigan Open While the Michigan Open said hello to a new champion, JR Roth, they also said goodbye to an old friend, Ken Devine. Devine, COO, of the Michigan PGA, will retire from the organization after the Ryder Cup. See related story on tournament by Tim Hygh. Great news, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has gone wireless in their lobby and tower. For those folks that like to be online when they travel, you can now find it here. Also, congrats to Mike D'Agostino, for his continued support for Michigan's golf media. Gaylord-Tylenol Par 3 Shootout It was another love fest for ESPN and the Gaylord area, as ESPN cameras once again captured the beauty of Threetops, Treetops and the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Couples found the stash and copped $270,000 in cash, with Mickelson picking up $130,000, Trevino $130,000 and Fuzzy Zoeller picking up $10,000. Muskegon Ah Muskegon, you would not recognize it if you have not been there for a couple of years. Pere Marquette Park, the new Lake-Express Ferry, Milwaukee Clipper Tours, the Summer Celebration Midway, Michigan Adventure, Wild Water Adventure and lots and lots of great golf all add up to a crisper and cleaner image of this Lake Michigan city. The Muskegon area features, the W. Bruce Matthews III layout, Moss Ridge, Clearbrook, Old Channel Trail, the Art Hills/Steve Forrest masterpieces, The Thoroughbred and Hawkshead. And while there is plenty of golf on this side of Lake Michigan, what awaits you on the Wisconsin side are Whistling Straits, The Irish Course, The Bull at Pinehurst, Blackwolf Run, Geneva National and Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. The Lake Express is a two and a half hour trip, four times at day. This will really kick tourism off in both of these towns, as you can rid yourself of the Chicago drive time. Traffic anyone? We also stopped by Grand Haven during one of their art fairs, and it was just a great time and loads of fun!! *Note, readers can check out the new The Bull at Pinehurse at http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/thebull/index.html Thompsonville-Crystal Mountain Resort-Park at Water's Edge Opens According to Joan O'Neil of Crystal, the water is in the pool, the lily pads are in and they have all but turned on the jets and bubbling spouts to launch their new Park at Water's Edge. The launch of the park will take place this Saturday.
To check out photos, click on this link: Williamsbury- Tom Doak's remarks were the high point at High Pointe It was a name droppers paradise and it might be easier to list the golf glitterati who weren't there at Wednesday's night's Conversation with Tom Doak at the High Point Golf Club. It was certainly a love affair of the first order, as golf owners, professionals, designers, media and admirers from all over the state, were on hand to celebrate the celebrity of their own Tom Doak. Golf glitterati included: Dave Richards, Kevin Frisch, Brad Dean, Rodger and Kathy Jabara, Tom McKee, Carol and John Olson, Phyllis Barone, Don Hayden, don Hayden Jr., Tom Mead, Mike D'Agostino, Steve St. James Bill Knopp, Doug Grove, Jack Berry, Greg Johnson, Jim and Debbie Scott, Tim Hygh, Doug Bell, Ian Ziska, Dave Hill, Mike McGeath, the Haydens, Jeff Peek, Larry Adderley, Mike Shiels and Jennie McCafferty, Special kudos to John Jessup, for this killer idea, which also provided a nice segue to his new job with the Traverse City CVB. Doak, who 15 years ago, brought High Pointe to life, has been on an international roll the past few years, with his deft creations at Pacific Dunes, Kidnappers Cove in New Zealand and his new Sebonack GC collaboration with Jack Nicklaus on ground that cost 45 million to acquire. MGTV taped the evening and it will be available later on this summer. MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION "CRAIG STADLER INTERVIEWED FOR THE UPCOMING FORD SENIORS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP" Craig Stadler, winner of last year's Ford Senior Players Championship at the TPC of Michigan Dearborn, chats about his win, the Champion's Tour, wine and his Ryder Cup matches at the annual media day for the event. Stadler and Son, have been burning up the courses of late. Last week, Craig, won the Bank of America Championship and pocketed $232,000 in winnings, while his son, Kevin, won on the Nationwide Tour by defeating Bubba Watson and Michael Long in a sudden-death playoff at the Lake Erie Charity Classic at Peek 'n Peak Resort. His take was $76,500. And how was your week?
"THE GOVERNOR VISITS MICHIGAN'S SUNRISE SIDE & THUNDER BAY RESORT" Governor Granholm, recently stopped by Thunder Bay Resort as part of her Michigan Hidden Treasures Tour. Thunder Bay Resort, an anchor golf property on the Sunrise Side of Michigan, has added Elk Tours to those that not only want to shoot an eagle and a birdie, but also want to grab a camera and shoot an elk. http://michigantravel.tv/2004thunderbay/index.html THE DUH FACTOR CREEPS INTO MGN ONCE AGAIN Arthur... re that course you played near San Diego...what kind of boat did you take to get out to it since it was "30 miles WEST of San Diego"? Jack Berry *Note. Once again,the skills of our editor have been called in to question. The last time this happened, we docked him a week's pay. Apparently, this financial slap on the wrist was not enough. This time we will dock him a month's pay and put him on triple secret probation. Thanks and a Tip of The Tam to Jack Berry for spotting the error of our wheys. TIGER WOODS TO PLAY IN 2004 BUICK OPEN Buick recently announced that Tiger Woods is scheduled to play in the 2004 Buick Open, July 26-August 1 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc. "The Buick Open is the PGA Tour's only stop in Michigan, so we're thrilled for golf fans that Tiger is planning on attending," said Larry Peck, Buick's golf marketing manager. "Tiger is the top player in the world and draws more attention that anyone else. His presence changes the magnitude of a tournament." For Buick Open tickets and information, call 1 (800) 878-OPEN (6736) or go to http://www.buickopen.pgatour.com Edited from a Al Abrams Buick Golf Communications release PHIL MICKELSON, RICK SMITH, FRED COUPLES, AND 'HOOTIE' HEADLINE SATURDAY'S MICHIGAN GOLF LIVE BROADCAST Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Rick Smith, Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish, 2004 Michigan Amateur Champion Jeff Cuzzort and The Grande's Head Professional, Steve Southard will appear on this Saturday's show. MGL is heard live each Saturday morning from 8-10am on 11 stations around the state and is hosted by Bill Hobson, Jon Bloom, and Todd Arner. For more information on the program, affiliates, and partnership opportunities, please visit the official website of MGL - http://michigangolflive.com ALLEN BELYEA JOINS ALBANESE & LUTZKE Allen Belyea, who has worked for both Jerry Matthews and Ray Hearn before, has reunited with longtime friends and colleagues Paul Albanese and Chris Lutzke. He bring substantial credentials to the firm, having worked on Mistwood GC in Chicago, Currie West in Midland and Ag-A-Ming at Torch Lake. http://golf-designs.com MICHIGAN GOLF WEEKLY SCHEDULE hosted by Jeff Lesson and Janina Jacobs Saturdays at 11:30 WWJ, CBS Detroit, Channel 62.
Jul 03 White Pine National GC, Spruce OLD CHANNEL TRAIL INVITES JUNIORS TO PLAY FREE DURING 'JUNIOR JULY' Old Channel Trail Golf Course will offer free golf for juniors throughout July as part of a month long Junior July celebration at the course. Juniors up to age 14 receive free greens fees when accompanied by an adult player. "Golf is unique among sports in that young people can play with older people, men with women - it's a sport for a lifetime," said Old Channel Trail Golf Course's Director of Operations, Bill Leeke. "I started playing as a little kid and it was always an activity I shared with my grandparents, my parents, my wife, and I hope to someday share it with children of my own. Golf bridges generations." More information about the course and its facilities can be found at HTTP://www.OCTGOLF.com 2004 FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FACTS & FIGURES SITE: Tournament Players Club of Michigan; Dearborn, Michigan PAR: 36-36 -- 72 YARDS: 7,057 DESIGNER: Jack Nicklaus (1990) FORMAT: 78 players, 72 holes of stroke play, no cut PURSE: $2,500,000 ($375,000 to the winner) 2003 CHAMPION: Craig Stadler (67-73-65-66?271); defeated Tom Kite, Tom Watson and Jim Thorpe by three strokes. TELEVISION: The event will be televised by the USA Network and CBS. USA will provide live coverage on Thursday and Friday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., while CBS will televise the weekend's play from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (All times are local). TOURNAMENT HISTORY
1983 - Miller Barber - 71-69-70-68--278 (-10) *denotes playoff; # -- weather shortened; Note: Championship was played at Canterbury GC in Beachwood, OH from 1983-1986, at Sawgrass CC in Ponte Vedra, FL in 1987, at the TPC at Sawgrass (Valley) in 1988-1989, at Dearborn CC in Dearborn, MI in 1990 before relocating to the TPC of Michigan in Dearborn in 1991. Note* See our interview with Craig Stadler on http://michigangolfer.tv
HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH AT FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP On the music stage at the 18th hole Sunday night, July 11, Ford Division is sponsoring the Hootie & The Blowfish concert following the final round of play. Fans will be treated to the free concert (included in the price of golf ticket) immediately after the Championship's trophy presentation. Hootie & The Blowfish won Grammy Awards in 1995 for "Best New Artist" and "Best Pop Performance by a Group." This is a landmark year for the band, which released a new album in March - "The Best of Hootie & The Blowfish: 1993-2003." It's the 10th anniversary year for the spectacularly successful 1994 debut of "Cracked Rear Window." Tickets may be purchased by calling (866) FSPC-TIX, or are available for ordering on-line at http://www.fordseniorplayerschamp.pgatour.com ARTHUR HILLS-STEVE FORREST AND ASSOCIATES-RECEIVE DESIGN AWARDS It was an award-winning year for Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates. The firm's designs were recognized throughout the country and in Europe for their excellence in the year 2003. "It was a special year, as there seemed to be a lot more people taking note of our work. For me it is especially gratifying to see this recognition translate into success for our clients," said Arthur Hills. The Boardroom Magazine, one of the country's premier private club magazines, announced that it selected the firm as its "Architect of the Year" for the complete make-overs at Colonial Country Club in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia. Other recognition for the year 2003 included being named as Washington Golf Monthly and Golf the Mid Atlantic.com "Architect of the Year." Golf Magazine recognized five golf resorts with Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates-designed golf courses on their Top 75 Golf Resorts list. These resorts included Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs, Michigan; Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas; The Inn at Bay Harbor in Bay Harbor, Michigan; Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in Half Moon Bay, California. Travel and Leisure Magazine's 2003 list of "Top Golf Resorts" included Bay Harbor, Boyne Highlands and Palmetto Dunes Resort. Taken and edited from a Quentin Lutz release
LPGA TEACHING TIP OF THE WEEK Lana Ortega, McGetrick Golf Academy, Denver, Colo. "A proper grip makes all the difference" How you place your hands on the club, or the "hold," is probably the most overlooked fundamental, yet it is so important to good golf as it is the only connection the golfer has to the club. An inefficient grip sets up a chain reaction of one inefficient move after another as you struggle to hit the ball with the desired distance, direction and trajectory. For right-handed golfers, place the handle of the club in the fingers of the left hand. Close your hand so that the heel pad of your left hand is on top of the handle. A common mistake is to position the handle of the club too high in the palm of the left hand. When the club is too much in the palm, it is difficult to hinge the wrists properly during the swing. Match your right hand to the left by putting the club in the fingers, and pressing the lifeline of your right palm snugly against the left thumb. For a right-handed player, both hands should be turned slightly to the right so that the "v's" formed by the index finger and thumb of both hands point to the middle of your right shoulder. If you're someone who curves the ball to the right too much, chances are the "v's" are pointing more to your chin than your right shoulder. The effects of holding the club too tightly can also be disastrous to your golf shots. If you hold the club too tightly, you create tension that inhibits proper body motion. Conversely, holding the club too loosely fails to control the club throughout the swing. Proper hand pressure is just tight enough to support the weight of the club throughout the swing. If you think of hand pressure on a scale from one to five, with one being the lightest possible pressure and five being the tightest, your hold pressure should be about three for most circumstances. Improving how you hold the club may not feel comfortable at first, but it is one of the simplest things you can do to improve the quality of your golf shots.
19TH HOLE A single golfer decides life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house. He took the box back home, found a good location for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to the golf course with him, so he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to golf course with me today, and hit some balls." But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked him again, "How about going to the golf course and practicing some putting." But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. He decided to ask him one more time; this time putting his face up against the centipede's house and shouting, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to the club or not?" A little voice came out of the box:.. "I heard you the first time! I'm putting on my shoes."
MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIBERS
Golf Association of Michigan
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
Michigan PGA
Michigan Women's Golf Association, MWGA
Michigan State Amateur Golf Association
Upper Peninsula Golf Association
ONLINE ADVERTISING DOMINATES CANNES LIONS INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING FESTIVAL From the pages of USA Today, comes the news that, "Internet ad spending is forecast to rise nearly 16% in 2004 vs. 7% for newspaper, magazine and outdooradvertising combined. 'Marketers in general are spending about 10% to 15% more every year, on the Internet"', says Robert Greenberg, president of the Cyber Lions jury." Theresa Howard- USA Today June, 24, 2004
...AND THEN GOD CREATED GOLF-BOOK REVIEW When our minister used to come into the grocery store where I worked, he sometimes chided me for using the church more for ping pong playing then serious religious study. I would counter at time by saying, "Reverent Oberon, it has been a month of Sundays since I have seen you." Cheeky as I was in those days, I still had a lot of guilt about skipping Sundays and playing ping pong on Wednesday evenings. James Bolley, has written just the thing for those that feel guilty on the first tee on Sunday morning, or whatever day you worship. His "...And Then God Created Golf", a new book by Cook Communications Ministries, allows golfers to gain some Inspiration through the telling of golf anedotes, supplying reflections, suggesting prayer and referring to scripture. While it might not improve your game, it might lessen the guilt. HOLE IN ONE CLUB-DANIEL BIDWELL-AT CEDAR RIVER GOLF CLUB Daniel Bidwell of Grand Rapids, got his ace with a 6 iron on hole #17 (145 yards) at Shanty Creek's Cedar River Golf Club. This is the first time Daniel has shot a hole-in-one. GOLF CALENDAR 2004
JULY 07/05-11 Ford Senior Players Championship TPC of Michigan Dearborn http://www.fordseniorplayerschamp.pgatour.com 07/12 Fore Kids Golf Classic, Moravian Hills CC, Clinton Township 07/15-18 Detroit Newspapers Tournament of Champions-Pro Am-Boyne Mountain and Bay Harbor http://michigangolftour.com 07/23-28 Michigan PGA Womens's Open Pro-Am and Tournament 2004, Crystal Mountain Resort Web: http://crystalmountain.com Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show17/index.html 07/26 Mike Weir Dino Ciccarelli Charity Classic, Huron Oaks GC, Sarnia. Ont http://www.tourismsarnialambton.com 07/27 Mike Weir All-Star Challenge, Huron Oaks GC, Sarnia, Ont. http://www.tourismsarnialambton.com 07/26-08/01 Buick Open, Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER 09/04-05 Par-3 Amateur Shootout http://treetops.com 09/8-9 GAM Senior Amateur, Belvedere GC http://gam.org 09/11-12 Michigan Net Amateur, The Loon 09/14-19 The Ryder Cup -Oakland Hills CC http://rydercup.com 09/15 The Ryder Cup Captains Challenge, Detroit Golf Club 09/16 The Ryder Cup Champions Invitational, Oakland University 09/16 Irish Night and Ryder Cup Celebration at The Henry Ford 09/25-26 Atlas Trophy Matches (Men & Women), Yarrow GC 09/25-27 PepsiŽ Fall Charity Invitational http://treetops.com 09/28 GAM Tournament of Champions Egypt Valley CC http://gam.org
OCTOBER 10/07-9 Boys Golf Regionals -- October 7, 8 or 9 10/15-16 Boys Gol MHSAA Finals -- October 15-16 http://www.mhsaa.com/
NOVEMBER 11/28-30.MGCOA Annual Meeting at the Somerset Inn in Troy http://mgcoa.org
Michigan Golf Calendar 2005 JANUARY
01-27-30 PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, FL
FEBRUARY
02/04-06 West Michigan Golf Show, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids
02/11-13 London Golf and Travel Show, London, Ontario
02/25-27 Lansing Golf Show, Lansing Center, Lansing
MARCH 03/05 Midland Golf Show, Valley Plaza Resort
03/26-27 Lakeshore Golf Show and Travel Show
03/11-13 Michigan Golf Show, Novi Expo, Novi Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show1/index.html
ASSOCIATION LINKS American Association of Golf Course Architects http://asgca.org
Golf Association of Michigan
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Michigan Section PGA
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
Michigan High School Athletic Association
Hichigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
National Golf Course Owners Association
National Golf Foundation
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