Fairways & Greens
by Terry Moore

In December, Michigan golf lost one of its champions, Greg Matthews of Indian Run GC. A former Michigan Professional of the Year, Matthews passed away after a long battle with diabetes. In 1970, Matthews lost his sight to diabetes but it never deterred him from being a tireless, unselfish golf professional who also contributed countless hours to the Lions Leader Dogs for the Blind charity. Matthews was a humble, good-humored man who looked for the best in others and in the game he loved. "Indian Run was his dream and we'll keep it going," said Tim Matthews, Greg's son and former Michigan Open champion... Last fall, the Michigan PGA Section honored the following pros: Gene Bone II, Golf Professional of the Year; Brad Dean, Teacher of the Year; Dave Mocini, Horton Smith Award; Gordon Marmion, Bill Strausbaugh Award; Jim Dennis, Junior Golf Leader; Ted Tallefson, Assistant of the Year; and as Merchandisers of the Year... Jon Gates, Kevin O'Brien and Brian Sanderson... Chris and Jim MacInnes, owners of Crystal Mountain Resort, were winners of '98 Governors' Award for Arts and Culture in the Business Honor Roll category... The Michigan Turfgrass Conference in January honored Dr. Paul Rieke, who'll retire from M.S.U. in July, after a long tenure of distinguished teaching and research... In course and resort award kudos, Boyne Highlands, Shanty Creek, Garland, and Grand Traverse Resort all earned Silver Medals from Golf Magazine's annual resort survey based upon reader and rater questionnaires... Meanwhile, in Golf Digest's annual and much waited new course awards, the Jerry Matthews-designed TimberStone GC in Iron Mountain claimed third place honors in the Best New Upscale Course category. No other Michigan course earned recognition. Meanwhile, Rees Jones, whose Thousand Oaks GC in Grand Rapids and Black River GC in Cheboygan County will open in '99, won acclaim for his Nantucket GC in Mass. as Best New Private Course... 5-year-old Keith Long of Saline had to be the youngest hole-in-one golfer in 1998. Using a driver, Long aced the 140-yard par-3 fourth hole at Gracewil Pines GC in Jackson. This "little Tiger' has been playing with cut-down clubs since he was two... The American Lung Assoc. is offering the 1999 Golf Privilege Club. For $35, golfers can receive free green fees at 180 courses, clubs and resorts while aiding a worthy cause. Call 800-LUNG-USA... .If you haven't ordered a golf calendar for '99, you may be interested in Golf Michigan, a first-class calendar with photos by Dave Richards and published by Vision Sports of East Lansing. Call 888-715-6500x In a recent issue of Club Leaders Forum, a newsletter for the private club trade, included the following clubs as being the "riskiest clubs for managers to work for:" Interlachen, Edina, MN; Medinah CC, Medinah, IL; Olympia Fields CC, IL; The Vintage Club, Indian Wells, CA; and Indian Springs CC, Boynton Beach, FL. But don't fret too much for the GM. In the same issue, a recent survey indicated that the "average total compensation package for golf club managers was $125,275."... The Wolverine is the name of the new Gary Player GC set to open this summer at Grand Traverse Resort. Originally dubbed "Northern Knight" in pun homage to its famed designer, The Wolverine will now join The Bear and the newly renovated Spruce Run at GRR's golf collection.