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Michigan Golf News
May 7, 2004 VOL. 4, No. 19
MGN ON THE ROAD-GAM MEDIA DAY Detroit The Golf Association of Michigan held its annual meeting at Detroit Country Club this past week. Those on hand to welcome members, were President; Paul Beaupre, Executive Director; David Graham, Director of Communications & Member Services; Tonia Branch and Executive Secretary Rosie Rodkow; the media representative and members of the GAM staff. The meeting was headlined by, Barton Hills CC member and ABC broadcaster, Mike Tirico. Other association types at the meeting, were Kate Moore of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association and Ken Devine, COO of the Michigan PGA. We played a little golf on the South Course on the brisk and sunny day. We shared a biridie or two and other lies with Marland Foutz, a GAM representative of Hickory Hollow GC. We also chatted with Lee Woodruff, COO and Director of golf of the Detroit Golf Club and Jon Gates, the Head Golf Professional. Woodruff brought us up to date on the September, 15th, Ryder Cup Captains Challenge that will be played at the Detroit Golf Club. DGC is currently undergoing some substantial remodeling around the pool area, but the course was in wonderful shape for so early in the year. The news at the annual meeting was generally, upbeat. GAM private and public club members feel that golf participation and interest will be up this year. The GAM has, once again, put together a robust agenda for the year. Kate Moore, Executive Director, of the MGCOA, indicated that her association will continue to work on legislative issues that could impact the industry, like water usage and entertainment tax. Ken Devine, the COO of the Michigan PGA, is in the process of stepping down from his position. The new CEO has not yet been selected. Devine, will retire sometime after the Ryder Cup. Mike Wiegand, a tireless worker for the GAM and a recently retired educator now living in Tampa, received the DSA Award from the GAM. http://gam.org TOM BENDELOW: "THE JOHNNY APPLESEED OF GOLF" I had two wonderful conversations with Jack and Stuart Bendelow this week. These two gentlemen are the grandsons of Tom Bendelow, the Johnny Appleseed of American Golf. Jack was the golf professional at Old Channel Trail from 1966-1979. Though retiring in '79, he continue to teach another six or seven years after that. Jack was a tennis player at Northern Illinois University, but could not find a tennis job in Northern Michigan after he graduated. Realizing that golf and golf instruction, might be the answer, he got a job in the golf business and has loved it every since. He remembers his famous grandfather, who died in 1936 when he was 11, primarily for the fishing trips he took him on. Stuart, who is planning a book on this grandfather, currently lives in Hilton Head. His grandfather, who died before he was born, has always been a source of interest to him. Tom Bendelow, has his name on over 500 courses in the U.S. Stuart Bendelow, in his book, wants to make sure people know about what a great and inventive golf architect his grandfather was. Tom Bendelow, will be featured in the upcoming June issue of the Michigan Golfer magazine. http://michigangolfer.com FREE GOLF FOR MOMS ON MOTHER'S DAY-AT OLD CHANNEL TRAIL GOLF COURSE Old Channel Trail Golf Course continues its tradition of paying homage to golfing mothers with the return of the annual 'Moms Golf Free' on MotherÕs Day event, Sunday, May 9, 2004. "As a woman-owned business and as a golfing-mother-owned business, we think Moms should take time out for themselves more often," said Heather Leeke, Old Channel Trail Marketing Director. "We understand it's tough to make time, but on Mother's Day, of all days, families have no better excuse to spend time with Mom in the healthy sport of golf." Moms who golf on Sunday will receive complimentary greens fees all day long. The course is also offering free gift wrapping on all purchases made for Moms the entire week of May 2 - 9, and featuring sales on apparel for women in the pro shop. Tee times recommended for Sunday, as this promotion has been very popular in years past. Old Channel Trail Golf Course is a 27 hole facility with a pro shop, driving range, three practice holes and a picnic area on the majestic bluffs above Lake Michigan. Located just 6 miles off of US 31, Old Channel Trail Golf Course was founded in 1926 and offers professional instruction, outings, events and more. More information about the course and its facilities can be found at http://www.OCTGOLF.com GRANDPA EDITOR Kudos to our son Michael and his wife Sarah, who brought a new golfer into the world this week. Kiernan Altman McCafferty, was born on Sunday, May 2, in Los Angeles. The six pound 10 ounce Kiernan, will inherit the genes that will allow him the skills to carry on the tradition of the "McCafferty slice". MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION-DOUBLE FEATURE "CELEBRATE RYDER CUP 2004" Tim Hygh chats with Kevin Frisch of Resort and Golf Marketing Services, about the effort that Michigan is putting forth to leverage the publicity that the state is getting from hosting the Ryder Cup. Both Tim and Kevin attended the last Ryder Cup held at the Belfry and offer their observations. http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show8/ BOBBY JONES STROKE OF GENIUS We invite you to watch the "Bobby Jones Stroke of Genius" trailer now playing at http://vbuttons.com/ec/1096/index.php?em_id=796545 The movie opened nationwide last week and has received some positive reviews. BANK OF ANN ARBOR STILL HAS A FEW PRO-AM SPOTS LEFT Gilda Johnson, co-owner of host course, Lake Forest Golf Course, indicates that there are still a few pro-am spots left in the The Bank of Ann Arbor Futures Classic Pro Am tournament. The tournament takes place on June 3rd. The Morning Pro Am registers at 7:30, afternoon at 12:30. The cost is $250/player - all proceed go towards funding the $60,000 purse. All participants are invited to the "Outback Steakhouse Meet the Pro's" party on June 2nd at Lake Forest Golf Club which starts at 6 PM. Over 20 of the pros who played in our Pro Am in 2003 are currently playing on the LPGA tour - the pro am provides an opportunity to play with some of the best talent in women's golf, at a reasonable rate For Information contact Gilda Johnson at the Lake Forest Golf Course MARK LYE ADDED TO FARMERS CHARITY CLASSIC Mark Lye, winner of nearly $2 million through his PGA Tour and Champions Tour career, and widely recognized as lead analyst for The Golf Channel, has accepted a sponsors exemption for this year's Farmers Charity Classic field. Although highly visible through his work on The Golf Channel, Lye has compiled an impressive golfing career, being named a collegiate All-America while at San Jose State in 1975 followed by 486 starts on the PGA Tour. Lye's best season was 1989, when he placed 56th on the money list and closed out the year with 4 top-ten finishes. Contact: Brian Kemp MERIAM LEEKE TO RECEIVE HER LETTER FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Old Channel Trail Golf Course owner, Meriam Leeke, won the Women's Western Championship in 1957 while a student at Northwestern University. This was 15 years before Title IX came into effect in 1972. On November 20, 2004, Meriam will finally receive her letterman's 'N' from Northwestern during the half-time show at the NU/Illinois football game. That's just 47 years after her undergraduate playing days. Thanks and a Tip of the Tam to Heather Leeke for passing on this birdie. -------ADV----------------------------------------------- MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE SPRING ISSUE NOW ONLINE EVERYWHERE http://michigangolfer.com *Editor's Note-We have divided up the Michigan Golfer by stories, in our PDF presentation, You can now download a story, without having to download the entire magazine. Try it you'll like it. Art McCafferty ----------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS MICHIGAN'S GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS-W.BRUCE MATTHEWS AND ROBERT TRENT JONES-PART I By L'anse Bannon and Art McCafferty We have chosen W. Bruce Matthews http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-4.pdf and Robert Trent Jones http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-9.pdf for the first of our series, on "Michigan's Golf Course Architects ". Both were born at the turn of one century and died, as a new one was to begin. We hope you enjoy our words, and just as importantly our supportive video. While it is always interesting to study and write about the accomplishments of architects, it is quite another thing to offer readers of a magazine the opportunity to become viewers, by simply clicking on a link. THE BIG BREAK VISITS THE GAYLORD GOLF MECCA http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-16.pdf by Vanessa Bell and Brian Manning The Golf Channel launched "The Big Break" reality TV show this past fall, and it was a hit. Vanessa Bell, Art McCafferty and Brian Manning bring you the story, as they interview "The Big Break" host Rick Smith and 2nd place winner, Rochester Hills' Anthony Sorentino. THE PERFECTION AND PARFECION OF NOTRE DAME'S TYRONE WILLINGHAM http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-10.pdf by John Wukovitz Tyrone Willingham, Notre Dame head football coach, chats with John Wukovitz about the parallels between football and golf. Wukovitz thought he might catch the coach in a more laid back atmosphere. It was nothing doing as Willingham seems to be just as uptight as a golfer as he is as a coach. RISK AND REWARD:REACHABLE PAR FIVES http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-12.pdf by John Bebow John Bebow, formerly of the Detroit News and now a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, discusses the risk and rewards of the 3rd hole at The Bear, the 16th at Eagle Crest Resort and a number of other temptations that golfers will find interesting. SLICE OF LIFE http://MICHIGANGOLFER.COM/spring04/spring0304-18.pdf by Terry Moore " Pardon the interruption, but I must get a few things off my chest. Usually a nice, comforting essay about some aspect of golf is in order for this column but spring fever and the emergence of the Michigan golf season have gotten the better of me. There have been so many incidents and media tempests surrounding the game that I must jump in and offer my two cents worth. Terry Moore offers another look at his view of the golf life." MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE SPRING ISSUE NOW ONLINE EVERYWHERE http://michigangolfer.com ----------------------------------------ADV----------------- SCHOTT WILL GIVE MARYWOOD A SHOT Bill Schott, owner of Hickory Hills and Burr Oak golf courses in Southwestern Michigan, recently purchased Marywood GC in Battle Creek. Marywood, built in the 1920's, has changed hands a number of times during the past ten years. A beautiful and well kept course, Marywood has been fighting for market share in the tough Battle Creek market for years. Marywood, has been up against the marketing machine of Jim Scott et.al at Gull Lake,the opening of the new Medalist (formerly The Wishbone) and Yarrow, However, Schott has been around a long time and seems to know how to make money in golf. Also, Partridge Creek will be keeping The Hawk open this year, while decisions are made by the new developer. This is the same situation that the Links of Novi and Eldorado are in. The future plans of M-5 and aggressive developers are changing the golf landscape in this part of Michigan. Thanks and a Tip of the Tam to Peter Allen of Hornungs for the information 19TH HOLE-AN UGLY MAN An ugly man walks into his local club with a big grin on his face. "What are you so happy about?," asks the bartender. "Well, I'll tell you," replies the ugly man. "You know, I live by the railway. Well, on my way home last night, I noticed a young woman tied to the tracks, like in the films. I, of course, went and cut her free and took her back to my place. Anyway, to make a long story short, I scored big time! We made love all night, all over the house. We did everything, me on top, sometimes her on top, every position imaginable!" "Fantastic!," exclaimed the barman. "You lucky bastard. Was she pretty?" "Dunno... never found the head!" UNDERWOOD AND STINSON HEADLINE MEADOWS GOLF INSTRUCTION SCHOOLS University golf coaches and PGA professionals Don Underwood and Lori Stinson provide the instructional options offered at The Meadows Golf Course at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. The centerpiece of all instruction at The Meadows is The Golf Academy, located adjacent to the golf course. Featuring a practice range that includes outdoor and sheltered hitting areas, a large short-game practice area and a 10,000-square-foot putting green, The Golf Academy also employs a two-hole practice course that can be utilized by the public. "It's become our single most important instructional tool," says Underwood. Located fifteen miles west of Grand Rapids on the campus of Grand Valley State University, The Meadows is open to the public. For further information: http://www4.gvsu.edu/meadows/ HOLE IN ONE CLUB -ANTHONY SANTAVICCA Anthony Santavicca of Dearborn Heights, Michigan drove an ace (hole-in-one) with an 8 iron on hole #14 (142 yards) at Shanty Creek's Schuss Mountain Golf Club. This is the first time Anthony has shot a hole-in-one. Shanty Creek is a four-season resort offering 72 holes of championship golf, 47 downhill skiing slopes on two mountains, 30 km of Nordic ski trails, snowboarding and extreme tubing runs. http://www.ShantyCreek.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 Golf Association, MWGA http://www.mwgolf.org Michigan State Amateur Golf Association Dick Loring-skillplay@aol.com skillplay@aol.com Upper Peninsula Golf Association http://upga.org GOLF QUOTE OF THE WEEK-STUART BENDELOW, GRANDSON OF TOM BENDELOW "Well, I have been told that if I want to 'set the record straight' about Tom Bendelow, I should get his story into print. My intentions are to gather as much factual evidence as I can to document his life, ideas, work and general contributions to the game of golf in America and then write his biography. I have gotten a lot of encouragement from other writers and members of the Golf Collectors Society " Stuart Bendelow-former Professional at Old Channel Trail and Grandson of Tom Bendelow, America's Johnny Appleseed of Golf. GOLF CALENDAR 2004 MAY 05/16 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Outing-Indianwood http://michigan-golf-foundation.com 05/17 2004 CAN AM Cup, Port Huron Golf Club 05/22 Play Golf America-Carl's Golfland in Plymouth 05/22-24 Girls Golf MHSAA Regionals -- L.P. -- May 20, 21, 22 or 24 U.P. 05/24 Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam 05/31-06/06 Farmers Charity Classic, Egypt Valley CC, Ada http://www.farmerscharityclassic.com JUNE 06/04-6 Bank of Ann Arbor FUTURES Golf Classic, Ann Arbor http://futurestour.com/2004/AnnArbor.html 06/04-5 Girls Golf MHSAA Finals -- L.P. -- June 4-5; U.P. 06/05 Greyhound Tournament, Cattails GC, South Lyon http://www.mhsaa.com/ 06/12 Dick Weber Memorial Golf Tournament, Michaywe Pines, Gaylord 06/16 Washtenaw County Hospitality Golf Outing, Lake Forest GC, Ann Arbor 06/21 Mel Trotters Marathon of Hope, Kent Country Club, Grand Rapids 06/22-26 Michigan Amateur-Grosse Ile G&CC http://gam.org 06/24-25 Izzo Mariucci Golf Classic, Timberstone and Pine Grove Golf Courses http://imclassic.org 06/25-26 3rd Annual Hickory Open, Kingsley Club, Traverse City http://www.hickorygolf.com 06/25-27 2004 Michigan Open-Pro Am-Grand Traverse Resort and Spa http://michigangolftour.com 06/28-07/01 Detroit Newspapers Michigan Open Championship, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. http://michigangolftour.com 06/28-29 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout, Treetops Resort, http://treetops.com 06/28-30 Michigan Girls Jr. Amateur-Midland CC 06/27- 5th Annual Great Lakes Junior Masters Golf Championship, Shanty 07/02 Creek Resort JULY 07/05-11 Ford Senior Players Championship TPC of Michigan DearbornÊ http://www.fordseniorplayerschamp.pgatour.com Ê 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 http://crystalmountain.com 07/26-08/01 Buick Open, Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc AUGUST 08/2-8 Jamie Farr LPGA Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger, Highland Meadows GC, Sylvania, OH http://jamiefarrowenscorning.com 08/9-10 GAM Championship,Plum Hollow CC http://gam.org 08/16-17 GAM Women's Championship, Owosso CC http://gam.org 08/19 MGCOA Summer Meeting and Outing, Gull Lake View, Augusta http://mgcoa.org 08/20-23 PGA Championship Pro Am-Shanty Creek http://michigangolftour.com 08/23-29 Bay Mills Open Player Championship,Wild Bluff GC - Brimley http://baymillsopen.com 08/3-0 Turning Point Invitational, Country Club of Detroit, http://turningpointinvitational.com 08/30-31 GAM Women's Senior Amateur, Mt. Pleasant CC http://gam.org SEPTEMBER 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 09/25-26 Atlas Trophy Matches (Men & Women), Yarrow GC 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 http://pgamerchandiseshow.com FEBRUARY 02/25-27 Lansing Golf Show, Lansing Center, Lansing http://michigangolfshow.com MARCH 03/05 Midland Golf Show, Valley Plaza Resort 03/11-13 Michigan Golf Show, Novi Expo, Novi http://michigangolfshow.com 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 High School Athletic Association http://www.mhsaa.com/ Hichigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association http://migca.com National Golf Course Owners Association http://ngcoa.org National Golf Foundation http://ngf.org
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