July 25, 2003, Vol. 3, No. 30

Sponsored by:

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STACY SNIDER MAKES HISTORY AT T OF C
by Michael Patrick Shiels, Michigan PGA Golf Writer

Stacy Snider made history by becoming the first female to win the 54-hole, $100,000 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions Wednesday at Boyne Mountain Resort. Snider, 23, competed against a mixed field of winners of sanctioned Michigan golf tournaments, including professionals and amateur men, women, seniors and juniors. Snider, 23, graduated from Michigan State University in May and turned professional two weeks before the tournament, which was founded in 1992 by Michigan PGA CEO Ken Devine and Boyne USA's Stephen Kircher. Snider, who qualified for the tournament by winning the 2000 Michigan Amateur Championship, began the round two-shots behind five-time Michigan Open champion and former Nationwide Tour player Scott Hebert, 34. Snider, who'd opened with rounds of 68-68, closed with a 71 to win the championship at 207 (-9), a shot better than Hebert.

"I now know what people mean when they say they are speechless," said Snider, fighting back tears moments after sinking a five-foot par putt to win. "When I made the putt, I didn't know what to do. Everything I've done in my career I've done myself andSvIt's just nice that it finally paid off." MORE http://64.45.205.48/pga_25/index.cfm

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MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION- DOUBLE FEATURE

FIFTH THIRD BANK WOMEN'S MICHIGAN OPEN

Vanessa Bell, Futures Tour player and Michigan Golfer Television reporter, brings you the final day action of the Fifth Third Bank Women's Michigan Open at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. In our show, Vanessa interviews winner Breanne Hall, course architect Bill Newcomb and resort teaching professional and former LPGA star, Elaine Crosby.

DAVE PELZ OPENS SHORT GAME SCHOOL AT THE HOMESTEAD RESORT

Dave Pelz has opened a number of short game schools in Michigan, Homestead Resort, being one of them. Join us as our host, Nick Nerbonne, takes us for a brief tour of Homestead, gives us a look at the teaching facility and chats with Dave Pelz, one of the most dynamic teachers in the game.

Michigan Golfer Television
24/7
Always On
http://michigangolfer.tv

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MARSH RIDGE RESORT ON THE BLOCK

Marsh Ridge Resort, formerly Nordem Hem, is officially on the real estate block, as owners are asking 3.9 million for the property. The property, owned by Jack Bott, has come full circle as a resort. It was known for many years as Nordem Hem, a cross country resort. In the early 80's it began marketing itself to the golf crowd as part of the Gaylord Golf Mecca and then went totally after the market by building Marsh Ridge Golf Course, under the emerging architectural hand of Mike Husby.

Jack Bott turned it over to his daughter to run along with the administrative stewardship on Ted Bott. Unfortunately, it became a victim of the golf recession and began a retrenchment by closing its doors in the winter season. Larry Bowden, owner of Beaver Creek Resort had looked at the property as one that would compliment his own, but a deal could not be worked out.

Mike Husby, who had put together a group of investors to build the golf course at Marsh Ridge, said he had taken Mr. Bott for a ride to show him the property. The group needed another infusion of capital to get the course up and thought, Bott, a member of Michaywe might be a suitable candidate. After the ride, Mike ask Mr. Bott if he would be interested in investing with the group and he told Mike, better than that, he wanted to buy the whole thing. Bott also owns Fenton Farms Golf Course.

http://marshridge.com

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MICHELLE WIE TO PLAY THE BAY MILLS OPEN

In just over a month from now, Michigan's Upper Peninsula will be hosting the largest tournament of the season on the Canadian Tour, the "Bay Mills Open", The Players Championship From August 18th through August 24th, players from world-wide locations will make the journey to the famous Wild Bluff Golf Course, located in Brimley, Michigan.

http://www.4baymills.com

Wild Bluff is part of the popular Bay Mills Resort & Casinos and is hosting its second tournament on the Canadian Tour. Last year's inaugural event was won by 2000 U.S. Amateur Champion, Jeff Quinney. This year's Bay Mills Open is the last event on the Canadian Tour schedule this season; much is at stake with this tournament. The top two players on the "Order of Merit" are exempt through the first round of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. In addition, the top eight in the season long standings are exempt in the 2003 Canadian Open on the PGA Tour. The importance of the event is highlighted by The Golf Channel- airing 4 days of live broadcast of the tournament.

The championship is closed for members of the Canadian Tour. The Tournament Committee has created a special invitation condition that allows six international amateurs an opportunity to test their skills against the talented field. The tournament will debut the sensational Michelle Wie from Hawaii. "The tournament makes perfect sense for Michelle to compete.", said Mike Husby Tournament Director. "Wild Bluff is long and lays on the shores of Lake Superior. Players must deal with treacherous winds just like one would have to learn to handle in Hawaii.", Husby went on to say.

Taken and edited from a Bay Mills Open press release

http://www.baymillsopen.com

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DAVE PELZ'S 10 MINUTES A DAY TO BETTER PUTTING

Well I must admit, after having recently had the opportunity to meet Dave Pelz at The Homestead Resort during the launch of his new short game school, I reached for his new book a little faster than I normally would. Pelz is an extremely articulate individual and his knowledge of golf is vast. His newest book, might not have the firepower to buy him a plane, like his last one, but by the looks of it, it should do well enough to buy him a hangar. the four color hard cover book is filled with a variety of tools, tips and timely topics to help you with your putting. The book sells for $29.95 and can be ordered from

http://elton-wolf.com

Don't forget, we are featuring this golf guru on Michigan Golfer TV this week.

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WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Two recently conducted surveys reveal the golf course superintendent profession has strengthened its position in the marketplace.

Employing the resources of the National Golf Foundation, GCSAA repeated its 1996 survey "Avid Golfer Attitudes and Perceptions: Report of Key Findings Regarding Golf Course Conditions, the Environment and Superintendents." An online survey of 510 avid golfers (those who play 25-plus rounds annually) from across the nation provided the feedback. Among the key findings were:

* 91 percent of avid golfers believe that golf courses are in better condition than they were 10 years ago, compared to 84 percent in 1996.
* It appears the superintendent is the most critical key to the success of any golf course. Course conditioning is again the single most important reason avid players select a course, far outdistancing price, speed of play, name designers and proximity. 90 percent of respondents selected it either a five or six (1 - least important to 6 - most important) for the reason in course selection. In 1996, that figure was 82 percent.
* 75 percent of avid golfers identified the term "superintendent" (rather than "greenkeeper") as the appropriate designation for the person in charge of course conditioning, compared to 61 percent in 1996.

"The findings validate what we have been hearing anecdotally in recent years," said GCSAA President Jon D. Maddern, CGCS. "Avid golfers are gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of the superintendent and golf course management issues. Ultimately that leads to a better decision-making process at facilities and a more enjoyable experience for the golfer."

GCSAA contracted with Survey Research Associates LLC to compile its "2003 Compensation and Benefits Report." Again, the results were encouraging. The average salary for golf course superintendents in 2003 jumped 10.5 percent to $63,065 from $57,057 in 2000. For certified golf course superintendents, salaries rose 9.8 percent to $77,023 from $70,134 in that same time frame.

Taken and edited from a report by, Jeff Bollig, GCSAA Director of Communications
800/472-7878 (ext. 430) or jbollig@gcsaa.org

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MICHIGAN TRAVEL TELEVISION-NOW SHOWING

"THE INN AT BAY HARBOR"

Our cameras and host, Jennie McCafferty, dropped by the Inn at Bay Harbor to chat with Maureen Vipperman and visit her spa, do some stretching with Eric Huffman and his yoga school and then have a conversation with Brian Sanderson of their golf complex. This is one of Michigan's great resorts. If you have not been there, you can check it out with our show.

Also Showing:
Ypsilanti's Civil War Muster
http://michigantravel.tv/2003civilwar/

Halloween on Mackinac Island
http://michigantravel.tv/2002halloween

The Michigan Legacy Art Park
http://michigantravel.tv/2002artpark/index.html

Washtenaw: County Your Advantage
http://michigantravel.tv/2003washtenaw/

Next Month:

Labor Day Celebration: The Crysler Art, Eats and Beats Festival in Pontiac, and the Detroit Jazz Festival

MICHIGAN TRAVEL TV SHOW
http://michigantravel.tv
24/7
Always On

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MORE ON BROADBAND GROWTH

Turns out there really was a good reason that metro Detroit wasn't included in the Nielsen/NetRatings study two days ago of growth rates in America's top 10 wired cities. That's because we're -- you guessed it -- No. 11. (The cities are ranked on total number of people in the metropolitan area online.) However, Detroit showed a really nice growth rate over the year that, if it continues, should get us into the top 10 next year. Detroit had 2,072,000 unique Internet users in June 2003, up 13 percent from 1,831,000 in June 2002. That growth rate trailed only No. 1 Atlanta (19 percent growth rate) and the two cities tied for No. 2, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., both at 14 percent. The number of Web users overall in the United States grew 7 percent over the year. You can check out the study at http://www.netratings.com/news.jsp.

Taken from Matt Roush, The Great Lakes IT Report Technology

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MICHIGAN GOLF LIVE

Finally caught Michigan Golf Live this past weekend. Bill Hobson interviewed Mike Husby and Judy Mason from Wild Bluff and one of Mike's former students Todd Campbell,with Jon Bloom at Garland. In addition, they also had a live report on from the British Open. It was a pretty terrific show. You can catch them each week on the following radio stations.

Affiliate Station Location
WXDX 1310 AM Detroit
WBBL 1340 AM Grand Rapids
WTRX 1330 AM Flint
WVFN 730 AM Lansing
WKLA 1450 AM Ludington
WMTE 1340 AM Manistee
WKJF 1370 AM Cadillac
WCCW 1310 AM Traverse City
WTVB 1590 AM Coldwater
WIDG 940 AM St. Ignace
WATJ 1560 AM Cleveland, OH
WTKA 1050 AM Ann Arbor

They have also indicated that they will be doing a special Buick Open Show from 6-8PM on the final day. Some, but not all of the stations above will be carrying the show.

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ARTHUR HILLS/STEVE FORREST RENOVATES CATAWBA ISLAND CLUB

A golf course renovation project designed by Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates is featured in the latest improvements at the Catawba Island Club. The condominium communities at The Sanctuary and Harbor's Edge are the latest in several phases of construction at this private resort on the shores of Lake Erie near Port Clinton.

Catawba Island Club is located midway between Toledo and Cleveland, just north of the State Route 53 North (Catawba Island) exit off of State Route 2. Contact Ted or Cathy Greene with Realty One's Catawba office at (877) 734-5751 or (419) 563-4968 for additional information regarding The Catawba Island Club, Harbor's Edge or The Sanctuary, or to schedule an appointment.

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GOLF COURSE FOR SALE AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING ONE

We received an email from Mike Kahn of Golfmak, Inc, that indicated that an 18 hole course in Rocky Mount, NC was available for 2.7 million. For those of you that might be interested you can go to their site and get the details.
http://www.northgreengolfclub.com.

What was most helpful, was a check list of things to look for when buying a course, For example, they point out that a golf course ages about 10 faster than a human. The courses main arteries, the irrigation system, generally has a life expectancy of 10-15 years and might have to be repaired soon after that. Anyway, for those of you that have dreamed about owning one of the 17,000 golf courses in the U.S., it is an information read. Just go to their website.

http://www.golfmak.com/golf-course-buyers-guide.htm

We also visited our own McKay Golf Properties website at
http://mckaygolf.com
and found a number of Michigan properties on the block. We have a number of new exclusive listings on Michigan courses for sale. Contact us to receive more information.

#MI 2008 Central Michigan: 9-hole, 3,000 yards, par 35 layout on 99+ acres. Designed by the world renowned architect Donald Ross, the course has rolling hills, surrounded by mature woods and presents challenges for all levels of play. Clubhouse contains pro shop, dining/banquet facilities, bar/grille and locker rooms. Several building sites are included with the property. An updated automatic irrigation system and pond were completed in 1998. One of a kind.
Price: $ 695,000.

#MI 2016 Southwestern Michigan: 18-hole, 6,500+ yards, upscale course. The property has 265+ acres of pure golf. Its topography consists of rolling hills, a mix of tree and water lined holes, and visually outstanding landscapes of wetlands and a 10 acre lake. Close to a large population base. A striking 7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with golf shop, bar/grill and dining room. The lower level has private dining/meeting room with great golf views. There is a large patio located off bar/grille for events. It is a secluded course , allowing you to enjoy nature and the true spirit of the game.
Price: $ 4,500,000.

#MI 2014 South-central Michigan: A golf practice facility and discount retail outlet situated on 18+ acres. The practice facility includes a full-length driving range with a simulated fairway and target greens. It has both grass and mat outdoor stations and heated indoor stations for poor weather days. Other practice amenities include a putting green, chipping green with sand bunkers and a fairway sand bunker. The facility host a golf learning academy under the supervision of a PGA professional. A 4,500sq. ft. merchandise show room with a separate club fitting room. An excellent opportunity to own the practice faculty of your dreams.
Price: $ 600,000

#MI 2018 South-central Michigan: 27-hole golf facility. The property has 200+ acres with rolling topography, a mix of tree lined fairways and water hazards, and has been well maintained. Ideally positioned in the market and the flexibility of 27 holes are a few of the properties strengths. The clubhouse is well appointed with a golf shop, bar/grill and dining room/banquet center. There is also a patio for outside events. Additional development land is also available (not included).
Price: $ 3,650,000.

#MI 2020 Southwestern Michigan: 18-hole, upscale course. The property has 282+ acres with rolling topography, a mix of tree lined fairways and wetlands. In a vacation area with easy access to major state highways. A clubhouse with golf shop, bar/grill and banquet facilities. An additional amenity is the expansive practice facility.
Price: $ 2,500,000.

Contact McKay by calling 800-833-7726

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THE PLAYER LINE UP AT BUICK OPEN

Following is the preliminary 2003 Buick Open field:

Steven Alker
Steve Allan
Ken Allard
Stephen Ames
Chris Anderson
Billy Andrade
Tommy Armour III
Woody Austin
Paul Azinger
Briny Baird
Aaron Barber
Craig Barlow
Todd Barranger
Doug Barron
Brian Bateman
Pat Bates
Cameron Beckman
Jay Don Blake
Jeff Brehaut
Mark Brooks
Olin Browne
Jason Buha
Jonathan Byrd
Tom Byrum
Chad Campbell
Jason Caron
Jim Carter
Alex Cejka
Greg Chalmers
Brandel Chamblee
K.J. Choi
Michael Clark II
Gavin Coles
John Cook
Ben Crane
Robert Damron
Marco Dawson
Glen Day
Chris DiMarco
David Edwards
Bob Estes
Keith Fergus
Todd Fischer
Carlos Franco
Robin Freeman
David Frost
Fred Funk
Jim Furyk
Jeff Gallagher
Brian Gay
Kelly Gibson
Tom Gillis
Bill Glasson
Matt Gogel
Mathew Goggin
Jason Gore
David Gossett
Paul Gow
Paul Goydos
Ken Green
Mike Grob
Gary Hallberg
Donnie Hammond
Dudley Hart
Mike Heinen
Nolan Henke
Brian Henninger
J.J. Henry
Gabriel Hjertstedt
Glen Hnatiuk
John Huston
Peter Jacobsen
Per-Ulrik Johansson
Richard S. Johnson
Kent Jones
Skip Kendall
Jeff Klein
Greg Kraft
Cliff Kresge
Kenichi Kuboya
Hank Kuehne
Neal Lancaster
Scott Laycock
Ian Leggatt
Thomas Levet
Peter Lonard
Andrew Magee
John Maginnes
Billy Mayfair
Scott McCarron
James H. McLean
Spike McRoy
Rocco Mediate
Shaun Micheel
Andy Miller
Kiyoshi Miyazato
John E. Morgan
Arron Oberholser
Geoff Ogilvy
Anthony Painter
Rod Pampling
Brenden Pappas
Deane Pappas
Carl Paulson
Dennis Paulson
Pat Perez
Craig Perks
Tom Pernice, Jr.
Kenny Perry
Tim Petrovic
Dicky Pride
Brett Quigley
John Riegger
Jeff Roth
Akio Sadakata
Gene Sauers
Tom Scherrer
Brent Schwarzrock
John Senden
Patrick Sheehan
Scott Simpson
Joey Sindelar
Heath Slocum
Jeff Sluman
Mike Sposa
Kenneth Staton
Darron Stiles
Hal Sutton
Phil Tataurangi
Esteban Toledo
John Traub
Ty Tryon
Bob Tway
Stan Utley
Vance Veazey
Scott Verplank
Grant Waite
Brian Watts
Jay Williamson
Garrett Willis
Dean Wilson
Mark Wilson
Willie Wood
Tiger Woods
Cameron Yancey

Submitted by Al.Abrams@momentum-na.com

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JAMIE FARR KROGER CLASSIC FIELD GROWS

Beth Bauer, Natalie Gulbis, Grace Park, Kelly Robbins, Meg Mallon, Kelli Kuehne, Beth Daniel, Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb, and amateur-Michelle Wie have announced that they will be atttending the 2003 JFKC.

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WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT IN MARKETING GOLF PACKAGES

I was in the midst of quaffing down a can of Coca Cola during the Ann Arbor Art Fair, when I noticed the can had an ad on it promoting golf packages at Shanty Creek.

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HOLE IN ONE CLUB-EAGLE CREST RESORT AND FOREST LAKE GOLF CLUB

Anthony Evans

His team was in plenty of trouble as Anthony Evans of Troy, stepped up to the 6th tee at fabled Eagle Crest Resort in Ypsilanti. He knew he was pumped up and that he would have to club himself downward because of the fury that he was about to unleash. He grabbed his sandwedge and muscled into the shot. It seemed to hang there forever before it dropped onto the green and then dove into the hole. The applause from his group was deafening. It was Anthony's first hole in one, but at age 41 he knew there would be more. Mike Crawford

Mike, hit his 5-wood 177 yards to the 3rd green at Forest Lake Country Club and then watched it trickle into the hole. Mike is from Dearborn.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK-BILL NEWCOMB

"My finishing holes stood up." Golf architect, Bill Newcomb, after following around participants of the Fifth Third Bank Women's Michigan Open and observing that they did not break par for the tournament on Crystal Mountain's courses.

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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://mwpga.com

Michigan State Amateur Golf Association
skillplay@aol.com

Upper Peninsula Golf Association
http://upga.org

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GOLF CALENDAR

July

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 2004
March

03/05-07 12th Annual Michigan Golf Show- Novi Expo
03/19-21 6th Annual Lansing Golf Show- Lansing

http://golf2020.com

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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
Tours

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