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Michigan Golf News
July 11, 2003, Vol. 3, No. 28 Sponsored by: Bay Mills Resort and Casino/Wild Bluff-BrimleyWeb: 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/ Upper Peninsula-Michigan's Other Golf Mecca Premium Courses at Reasonable Rates http://upga.org Edited by Art McCafferty-Publisher-Michigan Golfer Magazine __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/__/__/ __/ MGN ON THE ROAD Gaylord-Otsego Club Hartland-Dunham Hills GC __/ MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION-THE HAIG RETURNS __/ FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK-by Terry Moore __/ HAL SUTTON SIGNS ON FOR THE BUICK OPEN __/ DON'T RULE OUT, "GOLF RULES EXPLAINED" __/ TEAM USA CAPTURES NORTH AMERICAN CUP __/ REALITY GOLF AT TREETOPS __/ GREGLUS/SAMPLES WIN SHANTY CREEK CLASSIC-by Tim Hygh __/ HELP, WE NEED SOMEBODY, HELP __/ IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN- PUTT 4 PAR __/ GOLF SHOW DATES __/ HOLE IN ONE CLUB __/ QUOTE OF THE WEEK __/ GOLF CALENDAR *** MGN ON THE ROAD Gaylord Otsego Club- Word has it from Scott Chesley of the Otsego Club, that their New Woods Cabins should be hitting the market in the next few weeks. They will have 20 units with log exteriors and contain 1,800 sq. ft. Some units will front The Classic and several will also front the slopes of Otsego Ski Club with an outstanding view of the valley. Dunham Hills GC What a difference a half a decade makes. Dunham Hills GC in Western Oakland County, has long been a favorite of locals and out country folks as well. It has a variety of unique and challenging holes, some of which have been softened up in the past few years. The big news, to me, is the terrific clubhouse that they have built. I helped start a tournament there over 25 years ago, with Peter Allen of Hornung's and John Joannides our friend. I had not played it because of scheduling conflicts for the past seven years and heard about the new structure, but had not seen it. They thought of taking the club private during the construction stage, but the market was just not there yet. The addition of this structure to their great golf course makes it a must play for those who have not of late. Tad VanSchoick and Mike Spranger, the assistant golf professionals, were on hand for our outing. It was a great day on a great course. MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION-THE HAIG* RETURNS Walter Hagen returned to Traverse City in late June to play in "The Haig" golf tournament. While in town, he had a wonderful time bumping into a number of his friends and pals. "The Haig" was a hickory club, gutty ball tournament that brought out Traverse City's finest. Sponsored in part by Bank One, Corporate Title, Delta Dental, Cherry Capital Auto and tens of other contributors, the tournament was set up to support the Grand Traverse Heritage Center. Join host, Bill Shelton, emcee, Jim McIntyre, reporter Jennie McCafferty and many of "The Haig's" friends, including Arnold Palmer, as they recall the special times that they had with him. "The Haig", also visits one of his old haunts, Little Bo's, and reminisces about his time there. http://michigangolfer.tvAlways On 24/7 *The Haig is portrayed by Michael McCafferty *** FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK by Terry Moore It's always nice to have a home game when covering golf. This week it's a major of the Champions Tour--the Ford Senior Players Championship at TPC of Michigan. Stewart Ginn, the one with the beard and the Afro-style hairdo, is the defending champion. Besides his love for the game, Ginn is also a car and racing buff. So those PR folks at Ford made a smart move to have Ginn substitute for Gary McCord (who withdrew from the tournament due to a death in the family) at a special event at Ford's Dearborn Proving Ground. Ginn received driving tips from NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett as they sped around the track in a Ford SVT Mustang Cobra and later in a SVT F-150 Lighting. Let me report that Ginn was a most willing and excited participant. "This was like having sex with your pants on" quipped the Australian native who has owned a fleet of sports cars. "I love cars. It was awesome." Giving Ginn pointers was Jarrett, Ford's all-time race winner in Winston Cup racing. "It;s important to learn here on the race track or out on the highway, to decelerate into the turn and then accelerate through it," said Jarrett. "It's like golf in many ways: you have to take it back easy and then accelerate. And you have to keep your mind always on what you're doing." Later, Ginn and Jarrett went to another driving range--the practice tee at the TPC of Michigan where the teacher-pupil roles were reversed. Jarrett is a 14-16 handicap golfer who plays several times a week at Catawba CC in Newton, North Carolina--a highly regarded Donald Ross design. After watching Jarrett warm up with his sand wedge, three wood and then driver, Ginn advised him to work on his posture at address and play for his normal hook (or was it a pull?). And take the club back low and slow," urged Ginn. Jarrett finished on a high note--long, high and straight drive. After the driving sessions, Jarrett and Ginn spoke to the media and some nice tidbits were picked up: In his racing heyday, Jarrett used to practice and train by riding around town without air conditioning and with the window rolled up in 100 degrees and sweat to prepare myself. Ginn said he once drove his Porsche 933 Turbo to the max--around 195 mph. But he quickly added: "That was when I was young and gung-ho and I wouldn't do it now. Jarrett has played in several pro-ams but never a Senior or Champions Tour pro-am. He's played with Carlos Franco, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley and Danielle Ammaccapane. (Fortunately, he never caddied in the same group with Danielle.) Dale Jarrett, Ned's son and NASCAR star, is an avid golfer and with a 6 handicap. Ned said Dale arrived home from Daytona 500 this year (where he competed) at around one or two o'clock in the morning but was at the golf course practicing at 8 AM. * * * Champions Tour President Rick George announced that beginning in 2004 the tournament fields will be reduced from 81 players to 78 and that Monday qualifying spots will be reduced from 4 players to 2. Also, the tour qualifying school will be reduced from 8 players to 7 while the top 30 (instead of the top 31) on the 2003 money list will receive an exemption for 2004. George pointed out that these changes were in response to feedback from fans who want more name pros in the field. "This gives us a tighter product," said George. The Champions Tour is in the first year of a major re-branding effort aimed at making the formerly named Senior Tour more appealing, fan friendly, and successful. * * * PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced that a new cooperative effort between the Tournament Players Club Network and The First Tee Chapters across the country. Essentially, the TPC network of 23 clubs in the U.S. will provide complimentary golf and access to the participants of First Tee while providing support to its fundraising efforts. The First Tee of Detroit program is at Detroit䴜s Belle Isle Practice Center. The other current First Tee chapter is in Battle Creek with another is being planned for Lansing in September. * * * McDonald's Corporation made a $50,000 donation to Driving 4 Life, the fundraising organization started by Tom Watson, his caddie Bruce Edwards, and former Tour player Jeff Julian. Both Edwards and Julian suffer from ALS or more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Later Watson mentioned how he and Edwards were at the Golf Writers Association of America's awards banquet in April when Jeff Julian accepted an award while using a hand-held voice-generator computer. It was tough watching Jeff... It showed us how blunt the disease is," said Watson who has spear-headed the recent effort to raise public awareness about the devastating disease. ***TEAM USA CAPTURES NORTH AMERICAN CUP Congratulations to Team USA on capturing the inaugural North America Cup on Friday, as the Americans defeated Team Canada in the three day match play event 17 points to 11. Team USA, composed of members of the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) and Team Canada, represented by members of the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA), provided some entertaining golf for those in attendance at The Weston Golf and Country Club in Toronto. Team Canada fought hard, but couldn't t find a way to overcome clutch putting by the American contingent. Regardless, players from both nations proved that the future of junior golf is in good hands during the course of the event. Taken and edited from a report from the Canadian Junior Golf Association http://www.cjga.com. 1-843-785-2444 ---------ADV----------------------------------------------------------NOW PLAYING ON MICHIGAN GOLFER TV-"THE HAIG TOURNAMENT" http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/hagen/index.html Sponsored by Bank One Corporate Title Delta Dental Cherry Capital Auto Dick's Sporting Goods Featuring Host-Bill Shelton Emcee-Jim McIntyre "The Haig--Mike McCafferty Special Guest-Arnold Palmer Michigan Golfer Television 24/7 Always On ----------------------------------------------------------ADV---------- *** REALITY GOLF AT TREETOPS Treetops Resort has been selected to be the host resort for the Golf Channel's own Survivor-like "reality" program titled "The Big Break." Rick Smith, the resorts own star and managing partner, and Golf Channel trouble-shooter will host the series. "The Big Break" will feature ten scratch golfers all bunking together at Treetops and competing in a series of golf skills challenges. There will be ten episodes with one golfer being sent home at the end of each episode. The last player standing will win a chance to compete in a handful of pro tournaments (likely Canadian Tour events) televised on the network in 2004. The various challenges are expected to take a slightly different approach than the usual long-drive or closest-to-the-pin competitions. The various skills competitions will include, golfers seeing how many golf balls they can hit between a football goal post in a minute as well as contestants attempting to hit golf shots to smash a series of television screens lined up down the fairway. The series is scheduled to air in October and November.
For more information on Treetops Resort, please visit GREGLUS/SAMPLES WIN SHANTY CREEK CLASSIC by Tim Hygh A week ago, John Gregus and Guy Samples didn't have a clue they'd be paired together at the Shanty Creek Classic. Samples was set to play with Eric Martin in the 36-hole two-man team event. That pairing fell apart after a holiday wave-runner accident put Martin on the disabled list. Samples hit the telephone and the jackpot with Gregus. Not only was he available, the two paired together to win the 22nd Classic by shooting a final round 60 on the Schuss Mountain Golf Course. "It's the first time we've every played together," Samples, the 34-year old General Manager and Head Professional at Owosso Country Club said. "We just know each other from playing in the same Michigan PGA Sectional events." It didn't take long to get well acquainted. The pair shot a first round 5-under par 67 on The Legend "and we missed 7-putts within 10 feet" Gregus said. "So we practiced last night and were the last ones on the range. We knew then we had a chance." To win they had to overcome a charge from two other teams they were tied with going into the final round including the defending champions, Bob Petchauer (Bennington Golf Club) and Jake Pilot (Sylvan Glen GC). But they along with the team of Andy Bethune (The Sawmill Golf Club)/ John DalCorobbo (Forest Acres GC) came up one shot short firing final round 61's and settling for a second place tie. "This is the best I've ever putted," Samples said. Gregus echoed, "It's nice when your partner is hot and you don't have to putt for 5-holes in a row. We meshed as a team. We didn't get too high or low out there and we learned to club each other." But it was a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole by Gregus (Copper Ridge GC) that sealed the championship. First round co-leaders Doug Hanson (Golf Jackson) and Dave Kendall (Miles of Golf) slipped to 5th place. The other first round leaders and 3-time champions of the classic Jeff Gniewek (Prestwick Village CC) and Frank McAuliffe (Ann Arbor CC) could only manage a final round 64 and fell to a tie for 16th. "Today, golf was not a fun sport," Gniewek surmised. The winners split a paycheck of $2,500 and earned playing positions in the $100,000 Tournament of Champions. They have already promised to defend their title next year even if Eric Martin has recuperated from his injuries. ***HELP, WE NEED SOMEBODY, HELP Dear MGN, Please, could someone tell me the name of the golf course which was located on the south west corner of 7 mile rd. and Newburgh road in Livonia? I cannot find any information about this course. The club house was torn down about 15 years ago. I had also heard stories about Detroit's "Purple Gang" frequenting the place in the 1920s and 30s. Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance, Kathleen Collins" <kdc383@hotmail.com> *** HAL SUTTON SIGNS ON FOR THE BUICK OPEN Hal Sutton, captain of the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup team, has committed to play in the 2003 Buick Open. Sutton, 45, will be playing in his 16th Buick Open. He is currently ranked 11th on the all-time Buick Open money list with $415,608. Sutton, who turned professional in 1981, has 14 career PGA Tour wins, including the 1983 PGA Championship. He is currently 58th on the 2003 PGA Tour money list with $723,031 and 13th on the Tour's all-time earnings list with $14,928,978. He has three top-10 finishes this year, including a t-5 at the Bank of America Colonial and a t-6 at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Taken and edited from a release from Al Abrams of Momentum *** IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN- PUTT 4 PAR Dear MGN- GOLF SHOW DATES 10/17-18 Fall Golf, Ski and Travel Show- Novi Expo 03/05-07 12th Annual Michigan Golf Show- Novi Expo 03/19-21 6th Annual Lansing Golf Show- Lansing *** DON'T RULE OUT, "GOLF RULES EXPLAINED" David Barret, senior editor at "Golf Magazine", has just had his latest book "Golf Rules Explained: Interpretations Based on Real-Life Situations", published by Lyons Press. I started to glance through it and frankly, it caught my attention enough for a quick read. Golfers love to read about golf rules and they will love this easy to understand book. $14.95. I am sure you can order it online. http://globepequot.com *** HOLE IN ONE CLUB-Eagle Crest Resort and Greystone Golf Club Zack Zimerle, a 13 year old from Belmont, hit his 3 wood 190 yards to ace the 4th hole at Eagle Crest Resort in Yplsianti. He had to buy a round of sassparilla for everyone at the bar. John Wooters, from Morristown, New Jersey, grabbed his trusty 8 iron and aimed it at the 6th hole at Eagle Crest Resort, a par 3 hole of 125 yards. While he was able to leave his putter in the bag, he had to grab his wallet for "drinks on the house". It was his first hole in one. Carolyn Turgeaon, of Rochester Hills, got her first ace after playing the game for 10 years. She hit an 8 iron 82 yards on the 12th hole of Greystone GC and watched it check up like a butterfly with sore feet and then dive into the hole. ***QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Golf is not and has never has been a fair game, I think I fail just a bit less than everyone else." Jack Nicklaus *** GOLF CALENDAR July 07/07-11 87th Annual Michigan Women's Amateur Championship, Black Lake GC, Onaway 07/07-11 2nd Annual Michigan Women's Senior Amateur Championship, Black Lake GC,Onaway 07/07-13 Take Your Daughter to the Course Week 07/13-14 2003 Independent Insurance Agent Junior Classic, Fortress GC, Frankenmuth, MI 07/14 Dick Purtan Annual Golf Outing, Oakland Universtiy, Rochester 07/14-16 Fifth Third Bank Michigan Women's Open Tournament presented by Detroit Newspapers-Crystal Mountain Resort 07/14-15 GAM Women's Mid Amateur Championship, Glacier Club, Washington 07/08-14 Ford Senior Players Championship, TPC of Michigan, Dearborn 07/21/23 Detroit Newspapers Tournament of Champions-Boyne Mountain Resort 07/28-31 Michigan Junior Boys Championship, Battle Creek CC, Battle Creek 07/28-29 Michigan Senior PGA Championship,The Loon, Gaylord 07/28-08/03 Buick Open, Warwick Hills GC-Flint 07/30-08/03 Western Amateur, Point O'Woods, St. Joseph August 08/11-13 GAM Championship, Grand Haven GC, Grand Haven 08/14 MGCOA Golf Outing, Gull Lake View GC, Augusta 08/16-17 Michigan Women's Publinx State Championship, Forest Akers West GC, East Lansing 08/17-18 Wendy's Charity Golf Classic LPGA Pro-Am, Country Club of Jackson 08/18-20 Michigan PGA Championship-Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire 08/18-19 GAM Women's Championship, Clio CC, Clio 08/18-24 Bay Mills Open, Brimley-Wild Bluff GC 08/25-26 GAM Women's Senior Amateur Championship, Crystal Mountain,Thompsonville 08/28-29 GAM Men's Mid-Amateur Championship, Treetops, Gaylord September 09/08-11 Lincoln Mercury Classic-Pine Lake CC 09/03-04 GAM Men's Senior Amateur Championship, Lakewood Shores Resort, Oscoda 09/13-14 Michigan Net Amateur Championship, Pilgrim's Run 09/20-21 Atlas Matches, The Loon, Gaylord 09/30 Tournament of Club Champions (Men and Women) Egypt Valley, Ada October 10/17-18 Fall Golf, Ski and Travel Show- Novi Expo 10/19-21 The GOLF 20/20 Conference, World Golf Village, Florida March 03/05-07 12th Annual Michigan Golf Show- Novi Expo 03/19-21 6th Annual Lansing Golf Show- Lansing http://golf2020.com *** --------------Michigan Golf News 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 Upper Peninsula Golf Association http://upga.org
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