Sponsored by:

SHANTY CREEK RESORTS-SUMMIT. SCHUSS . CEDAR RIVER
$99 Summer Golf Package http://shantycreek.com/golf/packages.html
Spa Packages http://shantycreek.com/spa/spapackages.html

THE NATURAL / MARSH RIDGE: CELEBRATING 16 YEARS OF GREAT GOLF-JOIN US IN 2008
Double Play Golf Packages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvHhaw1rCS0
The Natural Golf Course: http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/natural/

TREETOPS RESORT http://treetops.com
Rick Smith Golf Academy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGY7_h-0Fpc
Treetops Ladies Golf School http://youtube.com/watch?v=aLbT63A6QkE
Golf Packages http://www.treetops.com/index.php?method=golf&subpage=golfpackages
Golf Preview with Kevin McKinley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5UZF8CLleE

OSPREY GOLF-2008 RATES AND PACKAGES
"WE ARE MICHIGAN GOLF"
http://www.golfospreyonline.com/
Black Forest & Wilderness Valley, Gaylord http://youtube.com/watch?v=PH6nRXCKgnA
Manistee National, Manistee http://youtube.com/watch?v=qFl7636RXCo
Medlaist GC, Marshal http://youtube.com/watch?v=FBmrh_vozzA
Otsego Club-The Tribute and Classic, Gaylord http://www.otsegoclub.com/allpackages.php
Ridgeview GC, Kalamazoo http://youtube.com/watch?v=QLDpexEh84Q

VIDEO GALLERIES
Boyne http://glsp.com/boyne/
The Natural http://glsp.com/natural/
Treetops http://glsp.com/treetops/
True North http://glsp.com/true_north/

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__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER ON THE ROAD
Bellaire-Bellaire Golf Club, Hawk's Eye and Shanty Creek Resorts
Petoskey-Boyne Golf
__/ UPCOMING MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION SHOWS
__/ FERRIS STATE'S EMILY FLETCHER HIRED AS NORTHWESTERN WILDCAT'S COACH
__/ GOLF COURSE SALES
__/ MICHIGAN PGA JUNIOR TOUR IN IT'S THIRD SEASON
__/ INFORUM GOLF CLASSIC DATES SET
__/ WEST COAST REPORT: By Terry Moore
__/ GOLF MOTIVATOR DENNIS WALTERS NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2008 PGA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
__/ CRYSTAL ADDS SCHRIBER TO JUNIOR ACADEMY
__/ WEVE GOT MAIL - SPARTAN MAIL
__/ UP SUPER PACKAGE OF COURSES
__/ PAUL ALBANESE MAKES THE PLAID JACKET CLUB
__/ ELECTRIFYING NEWS FROM THE LOON
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER COURSE PREVIEW-CANDLESTONE GOLF & RESORT
__/ MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS
__/ HELP DESK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ supplied by Jim Neff

Edited by Art McCafferty
artmccaf@glsp.com

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MICHIGAN GOLFER ON THE ROAD
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Bellaire
Bellaire Golf Club
As noted in our Golf Course Sales item, Bellaire Golf Club has been sold by an oil and gas company, and most likely discontinued as a golf course.

***
Hawks Eye
We stopped by Hawk's Eye to check out their clubhouse and condo development and ran into head golf professionals Dave Hill. He showed us around the facility and the one remaining condo out of a total of nine left, priced at $310,000. It is an eye popping building, with generous views of the golf course. We did a preview show of the golf course with architect John Robinson back in 2005 http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/hawkseye/ Hill says the bookings for The Chief and Hawks Eye are up 15% this year. He also recommended Lulu's for some great dining in Bellaire.

***
Shanty Creek Resorts
I was the guest of the resort this week, as they invited me up to check out the improvements they have made. I had seen the new lobby and restaurant, The Lakeview Restaurant and Lounge previously, and reported on that in the MGN a few months ago. It is striking in every detail. They have opened up the space and give full priority to one of the best resort views in Michigan. The property also has Arnie' Grill, Weiskopf's Grill, Schuss Pub, Ivan's and for a little Italian, LaVigna, to round out their restaurant inventory.

Half of the rooms in the Summit Hotel have been totally redone with the rest to follow. The beds are great, there are a thousand pillows in the room, flat screen tv's for your viewing pleasure, wi fi, a bathroom area with everything new including some killer shower heads and freshly carpeted stairways and hallways.

In talking with Jon Stultz, their V.P. of Sales and Marketing, they have many more plans. The entrance will be entirely redone, with the driveway pond/fountain eliminated along with their signature sculpture. The new area will compliment the newly designed lobby entrance.

The golf at Shanty Creek is legendary. Their first course, The Summit, was designed by William Diddel. According to the Diddel's website http://billdiddel.com

"Bill Diddel, a native Hoosier, was one of America’s great golf architects, yet much of his work is relatively unknown. If a golfer shot his age or better more times than Bill Diddle, there's no record of the achievement. He is said to have recorded that feat over 1,200 times in his life, as well as having won the Indiana Amateur title five times. Bill also holds the record of 12 strokes under his age, when in 1970, he shot 74 at the age of 86 on the tough Country Club of Naples course in Naples, Florida.

Bill was an all-around athlete, and participated in sports at Manual High School and as a senior won his first golf championship - the Indianapolis City Amateur. He went on to Wabash college to become a four-sport letter man - basketball, baseball, track and football (no collegiate golf competiton at that time). In his senior year at Wabash, he was selected as the best basketball player in the USA.

But Bill's chief legacy to golf has been a series of strong if under-appreciated courses, most of therm in the Midwest. Recognized as an outstanding golf course architect, he designed approximately 300 layouts, beginning with Ulen Country Club in Lebanon, Indiana. Bill was one of the founders and a Charter Member of the American Society Of Golf Course Architects."

Diddel designed most of his golf courses in the Midwest, three of them in Michigan; theForest Lake Country Club (1926) in Bloomfield Hills, The Otsego Club in Gaylord and The Summit Course, here at Shanty Creek in Bellaire.

Schuss Mountain is one of Warner Bowen's creations. I have not met Bowen, but I did have a memorable interview over the phone one day. He is a bulldozer guy, who liked to do a course a year, doing most everything himself. Jobs just seemed to come to him, so he never got in to promoting himself. Here is his Michigan body of work : Alpena Country Club, Alpena Golf Club, Benona Shores Golf Course , Cedar Creek Golf Course, Dearborn Hills Golf Course, Double R Ranch Resort and Golf , Glenkerry Golf Course, Holland Lake Golf Course, Midday at Centennial Acres , Prairiewood Golf Course , Rogue River Golf Course , Rolling Hills Golf Estates, Sunrise at Centennial Acres, Sunset at Centennial Acres and The Schuss Mountain Golf Course at Shanty Creek Resort. Schuss Mountain was considered one of Michigan's most beautiful courses, prior to the building boom we had in the 80's 90's and the early part of this century.

The course that really put Shanty Creek on the golf map was The Legend, an Arnold Palmer design, with major assistance from the equally legendary Ed Seay. With the opening of The Legend and The Bear at the Grand Traverse, Michigan's golf building boom began, and suddenly up north golf was hot. The Legend is a terrific golf course on a undulating piece of ground. It has grabbed its share of awards, 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, being one of them.

The final course in Shanty Creek's foursome of golf, is the Cedar River Golf Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf. It too has attracted its share of writers and photographers that capture the beauty of the course with prose and pictures. The course has garnered its share of awards, one being a "Top 100 Golf Course in the Country" by Golf Magazine.

Stultz indicated that their bookings are up over 20% for May and June, with July and August looking strong, as well. They have had some special pricing which has proved to be very attractive to value conscious golfers.

Shanty Creek has a new webste, that will give you all kinds of helpful information along with some great golf deals. http://shantycreek.com It is still a little dusty here and there as workmen continue their make over.

For years, their signature greeting has been, "It's a beautiful day at Shanty Creek". The beauty is back big time and once more the staff has had a make over of their own, as the place is getting all gussied up.

****
Petoskey
Boyne
We stopped by to see Bernie Friedrich, Vice-President of Golf, Marketing and Retail Operations, to firm up details of two golfing events this summer. The first is WJR's Fastest Round of Golf (FROG) to be held on July 20. A cooperative project with Detroit's flagship station, WJR, they will attempt for the second time to break the current Guiness World Record for the fastest round of golf which is 8 minutes, 10 seconds for 18 holes as recognized by the Guinness Book of Records.

The event format requires golfers to be grouped in teams, with no limit to the number of participants on a team. Each team strategically places its golfers on the tee boxes, in all possible landing areas along the fairway, and around the greens. The timer begins once the opening tee-ball is struck, with golfers in the fairway running to hit the ball as soon as it comes to rest. As golfers on the green sink the putt, a player on the next hole immediately hits the next tee shot. Watch for our Michigan Golfer TV coverage later on in the day.

Michigan Golfer Television will also be catching the action at this year's Tournament of Champions Pro-Am and Tournament of Champions. Our coverage starts at the Pro-Am reception on Friday night and then we switch to the Tournament on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In a first for MG TV, we will be putting up a show on each day's action approximately two hours after the last putt has rattled in the cup for the day. Jack Berry, the recipient of the PGA Lifetime Journalism Award http://michigangolfer.tv/2007shows/jackberry/ , will be on hand to provide commentary on each day's action. In addition, Berry will interview some of the past champions of this storied event.

The Tournament of Champions Pro-Am will be held at Boyne Mountain & Bay Harbor. Packages include three nights of lodging at Boyne Mountain, two rounds of tournament golf on The Alpine at Boyne Mountain and The Links/Quarry at Bay Harbor Golf Club with a PGA golf professional.
Contact Dan Turcott at dturcott@boyne.com or call 231.439.4016 for additional details.

The Tournament of Champions, a Michigan PGA sanctioned event, brings together the most diverse field of talented golfers in the state. Professionals, amateurs, males and females ranging in age from 14 to 84 compete against each other from various tees on The Alpine at Boyne Mountain. Format is 54 holes of stroke play with a cut after the first 36 holes. Past champions of major tournaments from around the state qualify to play in this event. For details and entry information visit http://www.michigan.pga.com .

Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to interview Ken Devine about how he and Steve Kircher started the tournament. You can catch this history at http://youtube.com/watch?v=2flCPqmkbtY
For other Boyne related shows, see http://michigangolfer.tv/2006shows/boynegolf/

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UPCOMING MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION SHOWS
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May
Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Indianwood

June
Golf for Breast Cancer Prevention - The Legend GC - Shanty Creek Resorts
Michigan Open Championship - Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Sights and Sounds of the Buick Open's 50th Anniversary

July
Tournament of Champions - Boyne Mountain
WJR's Fastest Round of Golf - Boyne Mountain
The Alpine Golf Course - Boyne Mountain
The Monument Golf Course - Boyne Mountain

August
Sights and Sounds of the PGA Championship

September
Amateur Par-3 Shootout - Treetops
Ryder Cup - Kentucky
21st Annual Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational - Treetops

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FERRIS STATE'S EMILY FLETCHER HIRED AS NORTHWESTERN WILDCAT'S COACH
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Northwestern Director of golf and men’s head coach Pat Goss announced today the hiring of Emily Fletcher as the Wildcats’ women’s head golf coach.

“I have known Emily for over 15 years and had always thought she would make a great college coach,” Goss said of Fletcher’s hiring. “I am especially impressed with her background and relationships in professional golf. Our goal is to attract women who want to pursue golf with the goal of playing professionally. Emily has a strong belief in what Northwestern University and our golf programs stand for. I have no doubt she will lead us toward our goal of being the top team in the Big Ten and a consistently top-20 program.”

A 1987 graduate of Ferris State University, Fletcher was an AIAW Division II All-American in 1981. She has been a PGA member since 1987 and was named as the reader’s favorite instructor in Golf For Women magazine in 1997.

“These are exciting times in women’s athletics at Northwestern,” Fletcher said. “We’re eager to put women’s golf on the same level as softball, lacrosse, tennis and the other women’s programs at Northwestern. The bar has been set by some of these other programs, and I’m excited for us to achieve at the same level.”

Fletcher replaces Chris Regenberg, who announced in September she was stepping down after serving 16 years as the program’s only head coach.

Taken and edited from an article in the Chicagoland Newshole

http://chicagolandgolf.com/thenewshole/

Thanks and a Tip of the Tam to Jack Berry for this birdie.

====================
GOLF COURSE SALES
===================
Golf course real estate continues to pop into the news as a number of transactions occur. You read last week where Candlestone Golf and Resort was sold and this week, we find out that the Bellaire Golf Club has been sold to an oil and gas company for drilling purposes. There are no plans to keep the course open.

We also see that Charlevoix Country Club is up for sale and that sealed bids will be opened on Wednesday, June 25. For those interested, you can contact
Hilda W. Allen Real Estate, Inc. at hilda@hilda-allen.com There are a number of preview dates listed on their website.

The Links of Birch Run Golf Course, a now closed 27-hole executive golf course located on I-75, will be sold onsite May 22, with opening bids to start at $100,000. This course is offered by Williams & Williams contact: tanya.feazell@willliamsauction.com

Eagle Beach Golf Club in Alanson is up for sale according to Jane Elbert, of Countryside Realty, Inc. Larry Mancour was the designer and Bob Shorter was at one time the general manager. If interested you can get with Elbert at candj1@centurytel.net

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MICHIGAN PGA JUNIOR TOUR IN IT'S THIRD SEASON
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The Michigan Section PGA has launched the third season of the Michigan PGA Junior Tour sponsored by Carl's Golfland and Nike Golf. Boys and girls ages thirteen (13) to eighteen (18) will be able to compete at top quality facilities throughout the state of Michigan.
The Medalist, Marshall - June 17th
Battle Creek Country Club, Battle Creek - June 23rd
Timber Ridge / Eagle Eye (36 Holes), East Lansing- July 1st,2nd
Garland Resort (36 Holes), Lewiston - July 10th, 11th
Bloomfield Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills - July 14th
Country Club of Lansing, Lansing - July 15th
Bucks Run, Mt. Pleasant - July 17th
Kent Country Club, Grand Rapids - July 21st
Boyne Highlands (36 Holes), Harbor Springs - July 23rd, 24th
Travis Pointe Country Club, Ann Arbor - July 28th
The Fortress ( 36 Hole Tour Championship), Frankenmuth August 4th,5th

The initial membership fee for the tour is $100, the cost for a single day event is $50 and two day events are $100. The tour will consist of seven (7) single day events, three (3) two-day 36-hole events and a season ending 36-hole Tour Championship at The Fortress in Frankenmuth, Michigan. A Player of the Year will be awarded in each age division for boys and girls. Age divisions will consist of boys and girls ages thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) and ages sixteen (16) to eighteen (18).

The boy and girl winners in the sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) division of the season ending Tour Championship will each earn an exemption into an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) event. In addition, all of the 36 - hole events will be nationally ranked on National Junior Golf Scoreboard, www.njgs.com . Osprey Recreational Properties have committed to the scholarship program that will provide scholarships to graduating seniors in 2008.

Information and online registration can be obtained at the official website of the Michigan PGA at http://www.michigan.pga.com
Contact: Justin Phillips jphillips@michiganpga.com
Taken and edited from a Michigan PGA release
Inforum Golf Classic events support programs that help women lead and succeed in the workplace

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INFORUM GOLF CLASSIC DATES SET
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Ttwo Inforum Golf Classic events will be held this summer, at Twin Lakes Golf and Swim Club Oakland Township on June 11 and the Country Club of Lansing on July 21, to support programs that help women rise to leadership positions and succeed in the workplace.

Proceeds will benefit the Inforum Center for Leadership (ICL), a non-profit organization that conducts research and offers highly regarded leadership development programs that allow women to challenge themselves and reach the next level in their careers.

For details or to register for the Inforum Golf Classic in Southeast Michigan or Mid-Michigan/Lansing, visit http://www.inforummichigan.org or call 877.633.3500.

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WEST COAST REPORT: By Terry Moore
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Sergio Garcia’s sudden death victory (more on that later) over Paul Goydos in the Players Championship took a back seat last Sunday to a bigger local golf story. Grand Rapids native and former Michigan State University player Allison Fouch tied for second at the LPGA’s Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill, earning a whopping $138,548 thus almost assuring her another year on the circuit. In spite of finishing seven shots behind winner Annika Sorenstam, Fouch fired a final round seven-under par 64 and finishing at 12-under par 272. Punctuating her best round to date on the Tour, Fouch even birdied the 18th hole and never carded a bogey for the day. In her post-round interview Fouch said, “It was surreal. I played the best round of golf I've ever played. I made everything I looked at, which was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the competition.”

Echoing the adage of sports psychologists to just enjoy the competition, Fouch credited a relaxed attitude for her breakthrough week. “Honestly, I didn't stop smiling this week; I enjoyed it so much. Some people may think I'm crazy, but I had so much fun playing there and my golf followed suit.”

In a quick check of the records online, Fouch’s T-2 finish is the best LPGA tournament result ever by a West Michigan woman golfer on the LPGA tour. Ionia’s Sue Ertl --who played in the ‘80s and early ‘90s—once finished 4th in the LPGA Championship. The last victory by a Michigan native on the LPGA Tour was in 1999 by Kelly Robbins of Mt. Pleasant who won the HealthSouth Inaugural

Meanwhile, the windy conditions and the difficulty of the Players Course made for riveting theatre on Sunday at the Players Championship. Hey, did you notice Tiger didn’t play? Watching the world’s best players tackle the Pete Dye-designed course under those trying conditions and with major-like pressure upon them made for terrific television. And the story lines of journeyman Paul Goydos, rising star Jeff Quinney and especially Sergio Garcia were all compelling. But if the Players really wants to be a major then it ought to revise its playoff format. One windblown shot on the 17th hole should not decide a championship. Yes, Garcia had to hit the same shot and it too could have gone into the water but a fairer way to determine a winner is an aggregate score playoff of several holes, as done in the British Open and the PGA.

Of course, this more equitable format flies in the face of the television-dog-wagging the Tour-tail and organizers who want to end the event in a timely fashion. A three-hole playoff would require the Tour to move up the starting times by at least an hour or more on Sunday to allow for the extra playoff time. But doing so would not only be more fitting for this “fifth major,” it would seem to be in the best interest of the competition and the players themselves. It is the Players Championship, right?

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GOLF MOTIVATOR DENNIS WALTERS NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2008 PGA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
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PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters of Jupiter, Fla., whose dream of a Tour career ended after a paralyzing accident in 1974, only to become one of golf's most popular and best traveled trick shot entertainers, has been named the recipient of the 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award.

Walters, 58, will be honored in a ceremony in conjunction with the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Mich. The award presentation will be conducted Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Max M. Fisher Music Center. The PGA Distinguished Service Award is the Association's highest annual honor.

"Dennis Walters' courage and determination to rebound from a life-changing tragedy is one of the remarkable success stories in sports," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "When told that he would never be able to return to the game, Dennis took that as a personal challenge.

"For the past 34 years, Dennis has demonstrated to thousands across the country that you must never abandon your dreams. The PGA of America is proud to bestow the PGA Distinguished Service Award on Dennis Walters, a man who remains one of our generation's great ambassadors of the game."

Elected to PGA Honorary Membership in 1992, Walters has taken the Dennis Walters Golf Show to 49 states, covering more than 2½ million miles and performing more than 2,600 programs for audiences of all ages.

"I am extremely humbled by this award, the significance being that it comes from my peers in golf," said Walters. "It is the highest recognition that you may receive. I feel that one of my responsibilities is to grow the game of golf. I enjoy introducing golf to youngsters, encouraging them to continue and never give up their dreams. They are the future of golf."

On July 21, 1974, at Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham, N.J., while attempting to meet friends on the course, Walters was thrown from a golf cart and suffered severe spinal cord damage. The accident left him a paraplegic.

After his release from a hospital and ensuing months of therapy, Walters began practicing hitting golf balls from a wheelchair. With the help of his father, a swivel seat was mounted on a golf cart with a seat belt. He began to develop his talents in trick shots, having watched film of legendary Joe Kirkwood and attending an exhibition by Paul Hahn Jr.

In 1977, Walters gave a performance at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. That performance ignited Walters' new-found career, generating countless contacts within the golf industry. As he developed his stage repertoire and polished a message of hope, Walters also added a pet co-star for his traveling show.

His third trusty sidekick, nicknamed Benji Hogan, was rescued by Walters from the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter in 1996, and soon became a major attraction. Benji Hogan would bark answers to mathematical and sports trivia questions, and the terrier mix became the darling of past presidents, Hollywood stars and athletes - once defeating Tiger Woods in a foot race. On May 1, Benji Hogan passed away due to cancer.

The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.

PGA Distinguished Service Award Recipients

1988 Herb Graffis 1998 Paul Runyan
1989 Bob Hope 1999 Bill Dickey
1990 No recipient 2000 Jack Nicklaus
1991 The Hon. Gerald Ford 2001 Mark McCormack
1992 Gene Sarazen 2002 Tim Finchem
1993 Byron Nelson 2003 Vince Gill
1994 Arnold Palmer 2004 Pete Dye
1995 Patty Berg 2005 Wally Uihlein
1996 Frank Chirkinian 2006 Fred Ridley
1997 The Hon. George H.W. Bush 2007 Jack Burke Jr.
2008 Dennis Walters

Takens and edited from a PGA Julius Mason release

Editor's Note: We had the opportunity to interview both Dennis and his dog Benji when he was touting his book, "In My Dreams I Walk With You", for Clocktower Press back in 2003. It is worth a look The Michigan Golf Vault and Time Machine http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/clocktower/index.html

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CRYSTAL ADDS SCHRIBER TO JUNIOR ACADEMY
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Crystal Mountain Golf Schools’ Junior Golf Academy is adding PGA Professional Adam Schriber to its staff as a lead instructor.
“Our Junior Golf Academy students have had great competitive success at the junior, collegiate, and professional level,” said Brad Dean, Crystal Mountain director of golf. “Adam’s wealth of knowledge developing young talent, like Anthony Kim, will only enhance our program’s success.”

As Lead Instructor within Crystal’s Junior Golf Academy, Schriber will work with a range of students from beginner level to those in the Junior Elite program which has produced three of the last six Michigan Amateur champions. He will also continue working with high profile professionals like Anthony Kim and Candie Kung. Kim, the winner of this past weekend’s PGA Tour Wachovia Championship, stands fourth in FedEx Cup points and fifth in the Ryder Cup standings. Candie Kung is currently among the top 30 money winners on the LPGA Tour.

Taken and edited from a Crystal Mountain release Brian Lawson

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WEVE GOT MAIL SPARTAN MAIL
============================
Congrats to the EMU golf team and all that, but It appears you missed the other NCAA Golf story. Or did I miss an issue ?
Larry Adderley

Editor's Note: No, Larry we missed it. Go Spartans

***
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Fresh off its third Big Ten Championship title in four years, the Michigan State men's golf team was an automatic qualifier for the 2008 NCAA East Regional Championship, announced this afternoon on a conference call by the NCAA offices. Competition will be held May 15-17 at the Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.

With the Big Ten title, the Spartans are riding a wave of five-straight top-five finishes and have totaled eight in 11 events this season, including two wins. Individually, the Spartans have five titles, led by four from senior Ryan Brehm, who set a new single-season record in wins. Michigan State has had great depth all season, as five MSU golfers have posted a top-three finish, while seven have finished among the top-10.

Michigan State has appeared in the NCAA regionals in five of the last seven seasons and has totaled eight appearances dating back to 1992. The Spartans tied their best finish last season, finishing eighth to qualify for the NCAA Championship.

The Spartans, who are currently ranked No. 20 in the Golfweek/Sagarin ranking, are among the 27 schools selected to the east region, hosted by Tennessee-Chattanooga. Joining MSU is No. 2 Georgia, No. 9 Charlotte, No. 12 South Carolina, No. 13 Chattanooga, No. 14 Duke, No. 16 Auburn, No. 21 East Tennessee State, No. 28 UAB, No. 31 Mississippi, No. 32 NC State, No. 34 Virginia Tech, No. 38 Mississippi State, No. 45 North Florida, No. 47 Georgia State, No. 49 UC Irvine, No. 50 Augusta State, SMU, Middle Tennessee State, Coastal Carolina, Memphis, Virginia, Western Carolina, Colorado State, New Mexico State, Western Illinois and Jackson State.

In all, 81 schools and 18 individuals were selected this afternoon, split among the west, east and central regions. The central region will be held at The Ohio State University Golf Club Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio, while the west is hosted at the Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.

Tee times and pairing for the three-day event will be released at a later date.

The top-10 finishers from each region will advance to the 111th NCAA Championship, held on May 20-23 on the Kampen Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. All-time, MSU has participated in 16 NCAA Championships.

Taken and edited from a Spartan press release

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UP SUPER PACKAGE OF COURSES
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The Island Resort & Casino – home to the Sweetgrass Golf Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – recently unveiled the “Perfect 4-Some” a value-laden stay-and-play package offered in tandem with nearby and acclaimed Greywalls and TimberStone golf clubs.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, the Island Resort & Casino and Sweetgrass are the launching points for a variety of upscale golf-experience choices.

The Perfect 4-Some starts at $229 and includes three rounds of championship golf and two nights at the Island Resort & Casino.The three rounds can be played on any combination of the three courses and the rates are based on double occupancy in the Island Resort.

"We can’t wait to hear what people think of the Island Resort & Casino and our new Sweetgrass Golf Club," says Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. “We believe they will discover an outstanding, upscale golf experience, and, with Greywalls and TimberStone, a rising star golf-and-resort destination.”

Sweetgrass Golf Club is scheduled to be unveiled in early July. In the meantime, the Island Resort & Casino will host guests while they play the other featured courses.

Golf course architect Paul Albanese paid homage to Tribal legend – directly and indirectly – via design features at Sweetgrass. The name, itself, refers to an aromatic herb, a sacred plant, used in Indian peace and healing rituals, and is found along the course.

For more information on Sweetgrass Golf Club and Island Resort & Casino visit www.islandresortandcasino.com or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2125.
Take and edited from a Buffalo Communication release- Rob Thomas

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PAUL ALBANESE MAKES THE PLAID JACKET CLUB
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Eight Associate members successfully completed all requirements and were elected Regular members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) at the group’s recent 62nd Annual Meeting in Scotland

Attaining regular membership in ASGCA were Paul Albanese, Rick Baril, Grant Haserot, Greg Martin, Scot Sherman, Mike Smelek, Brit Stenson and Jason Straka.
Paul Albanese—Principal, Albanese & Lutzke Golf Course Architecture, Plymouth, Mich. Albanese’s recent work includes Mill Creek Golf Club, Churchville, N.Y. and Sweetgrass Golf Club, Harris, Mich.
Rick Baril—Senior Partner, von Hagge, Smelek and Baril Golf Course Architects, Spring, Texas. Baril’s recent work includes The Atchafalaya at Idelwild, Patterson, La. and Anfi Tauro Golf Course, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Grant Haserot—Lead Designer, Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz. Haserot’s recent work includes Canyon River Golf Club, Missoula, Mont. and Copper Canyon at Sun City Festival, Buckeye, Ariz.
Greg Martin—President, Martin Design Partnership Ltd., Batavia, Ill. Martin’s recent work includes Coyote Run Golf Course (reconstruction), Flossmoor, Ill. and Whitetail Ridge Golf Course, Yorkville, Ill.
Scot Sherman—Senior Design Associate, Bobby Weed Design, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Sherman’s recent work includes White Manor Country Club (redesign), Malvern, Pa. and Ponte Vedra Inn & Club – Lagoon Course (redesign), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Mike Smelek—Senior Partner, von Hagge, Smelek and Baril Golf Course Architects, Spring, Texas. Smelek’s recent work includes Plantation Preserve, Plantation, Fla. and Admirals Cove East Course (remodel), Jupiter, Fla.
Brit Stenson—Director of Design, IMG Golf Course Design, Cleveland, Ohio. Stenson’s recent work includes The Country Club (restoration), Pepper Pike, Ohio and Tam Dao Golf & Resort, Hop Chau Commune, Viet Nam.
Jason Straka—Golf Course Architect, Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. Straka’s recent work includes The Club at Bond Head, North Course, Bond Head, Ontario, Canada and Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.

Associate members of ASGCA have each designed at least five 18-hole golf courses and have practiced golf course architecture for a minimum of eight years, though the average member has more than 20 years experience and dozens of golf courses to his or her credit. Regular membership in ASGCA is earned after a member has been an Associate member in good standing for at least three years and has designed and seen through to opening two additional 18-hole golf courses.

Taken and edited from an Aileen Smith ASGCA release
http://www.asgca.org
Editor's Note: See our interview with Paul Albanese, with Pete Dye and Chris Lutzke at http://youtube.com/watch?v=xP8GwAh6SIM We also found a second interview with Albanese when he was working with Ray Hearn at http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show19/index.html . Finally, and this is a fun one, we catch Albaneses creating a bunker with a team of Belgium horses at Christiana CC http://youtube.com/watch?v=I1fOgOlbsZw

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ELECTRIFYING NEWS FROM THE LOON
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The Loon Golf Club in Gaylord, doesn't have to fuel their carts with gasoline, so they are passing on their savings on to you. All during the month of June golfers will recieve $10.00 off on golf. Anyday, Anytime, or $35.00 during the week, and $45.00 on weekends.
Video Tour of The Loon http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/Loon/

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MICHIGAN GOLFER COURSE PREVIEW-CANDLESTONE GOLF & RESORT
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Last week, Mike Husby discussed the West Michigan Amateur that is now being held for the 20th time at Candlestone, this week he chats about the course and the amenities at Candlestone.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dsmdrlmkyaM

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2008 MICHIGAN GOLFER CALENDAR
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MAY
17-18 West Michigan Amateur, Candlestone GC, Belding
http://www.westmichigangolf.com/2008/2008%20Schedule.htm
18 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Indianwood Golf and Country Club, Lake Orion
http://michigan-golf-foundation.com
19 City Match Play, Crystal Springs CC, Grand Rapids
http://www.westmichigangolf.com/2008/2008%20Schedule.htm
23-25 Memorial Day Madness, Gaylord
http://glgmagazine.com
29/6-1 Memorial Golf Tournament, Dublin, OH
http://www.thememorialtournament.com/site.htm
30 U.P. Michigan Highs School Boys State Championship
http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/bgf/index.htm
30 U.P. Michigan Highs School Girls State Championship
http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/ggf/index.htm

JUNE
5 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series, The Medalist, Marshall
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
6-7 L.P. Michigan High School Boys State Championship
http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/bgf/index.htm
9-11 Michigan Open Championship GTR (Wolverine / Bear)
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
VIDEOS
2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=fxbcNcHxS-o
2003 http://youtube.com/watch?v=XCp4xY5wE9Y
2004 http://youtube.com/watch?v=0jujJU7JCc8
2005 http://youtube.com/watch?v=0UXyyORdG8c
2006 http://youtube.com/watch?v=HGt79-025lQ
2007 http://youtube.com/watch?v=ySQ5SH3M_Oc
12 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series-Polo Fields, Ann Arbor
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
12-13 Kent County Amateur, LE Kaufman GC, Grand Rapids
http://www.westmichigangolf.com/2008/2008%20Schedule.htm
12-15 U.S. Open Torrey Pines Golf Course. La Jolla, CA.
http://pgatour.com
17 Mizuno Junior Tour-Centennial Acres, Sunfield
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
17-21 97th Michigan Amateur The Moors Golf Club
http://gam.org
VIDEO
2006 Michigan Amateur http://youtube.com/watch?v=m-69kM2wz30
20 Walter Hagen Golf Tournament, Elmbrook Golf Course, Traverse City
http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/hagen/
23 13th Annual St. Mary Mercy Hospital Tee It Up Golf Classic, at Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville,
http://www.stmarymercy.org
24 Mizuno Junior Tour Grand Ledge CC, Grand Ledge
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
24-25 Club Car Michigan Senior Open , Bedford Valley GC
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
26-29 Buick Open, Warwick Hills, Grand Blanc
http://pgatour.com
26-29 U.S. Women's Open, Interlachen CC, Edina, Minnesota
27 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series-Forest Akers -West-East Lansing
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
30 Mizuno Junior Tour-The Emerald GC, St. Johns
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/

JULY
7-11 92nd Michigan Women’s Amateur Walnut Hills CC
http://gam.org
7-8 E-Z-GO Shanty Creek Classic presented by Page & Tuttle Shanty Creek Resort (Cedar/Schuss)
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
8 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series-Eagle Crest Resort-Ypsilanti
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
9-12 The 1st Annual Greater Jackson Michigan Classic Golf Tournament, Arbor Hills Golf Club, Jackson
10-13 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, Highland Meadows GC. Sylvania, OH
11 Mizuno Junior Tour-Morrison Lake CC, Saranac
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
12 Michigan PGA Women’s Open Pro Am , Crystal Mt. Resort
14-16 Michigan PGA Women’s Open Crystal Mt. Resort(Mountain Ridge)
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
VIDEOS
2007 http://youtube.com/watch?v=dlFF0NjXlks
2006 http://youtube.com/watch?v=bK0XHozrtIw
2003 http://youtube.com/watch?v=O53bf7K3FSc
15 Mizuno Junior Tour-Royal Scot of Lansing, Lansing
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
15 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series, Oakland University Golf and Learn, Rochester
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
18-19 Tournament of Champions Pro Am , Boyne Mountain / Bay Harbor , Boyne Mountain (Alpine)
21 Mizuno Junior Tour-The Medalist, Marshall
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
21-23 Tournament of Champions, Boyne Mountain / Bay Harbor , Boyne Mountain (Alpine)
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
22 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series-Meadows GC, Grand Valley University, Allendale
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
28 Mizuno Junior Tour-Willow Wood GC, Portland
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
28-29 Michigan PGA Sr Champ / Sr. CPC Qualifying, Forest Dunes Golf Club
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
28-31 30th Mi Junior State Amateur Forest Akers - West
28-8/3 Western Amateur, Pointe O'Woods, Benton Harbor

AUGUST
1-3 Western Amateur, Pointe O'Woods, Benton Harbor
4 Mizuno Junior Tour-College Fields GC, Okemos
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
7 Taylor-Made-Adidas Collegiate Series-Golf Club of Coldwater-Coldwater
http://www.juniorgolf.org/FMCS/index08season.htm
7 Mizuno Junior Tour-Forest Akers, East Lansing
http://www.mizunojrtour.com/
7-10 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP , OAKLAND HILLS CC,
http://pgatour.com.com/
11-12 87th GAM Championship Orchard Lake CC
http://gam.org
24 Michigan PGA Championship Pro Am Eagle Eye GC
25-27 Michigan PGA Professional Championship, Eagle Eye GC / Hawk Hollow GC,
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
30-31 Treetops Amateur Par 3 Shootout
VIDEO
2007 http://youtube.com/watch?v=U9gOvRGTgP8

SEPTEMBER
TBA 22nd GAM Senior Championship Point O’Woods G & CC
http://gam.org
15-18 Michigan PGA Match Play presented by Boylan Sales/ProLink, Polo Fields Golf and Country Club
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
19-21 Ryder Cup, Vahalla CC. Louisville, KY
http://pgatour.com.com/
VIDEOS
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=ryder+cup+glsp+television+network&search_type=&search=Search
28-30 21st Annual Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational
Web: http://treetops.com
VIDEO
20th
18th 2005 http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/treetops/
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=treetops+television+network+&search_type=&search=Search

OCTOBER
TBA GAM Chrysler Club Championship Indianwood Golf & Country Club
http://gam.org
12 Michigan PGA Fall Merchandise Show Eagle Eye Golf Club
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6
13 Fall Meeting / Michigan PGA Fall Merchandise Show , Eagle Eye Golf Club
http://www.michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=6&openitem=6

==================
ASSOCIATION LINKS
==================
American Association of Golf Course Architects
http://asgca.org
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org/
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
http://www.gcsaa.org
Michigan Section PGA
http://www.Michigan.PGA.com
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan Golf Foundation
http://michigan-golf-foundation.com
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
http://www.migcsa.org
Michigan High School Athletic Association
http://www.mhsaa.com/
Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.org
Michigan Publinx Seniors Golf Association
http://mpsga.net
Michigan Women's Golf Association
http:// www.mwgolf.org
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org

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HELP DESK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ supplied by Jim Neff
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