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Please welcome our newest sponsor:

GOLF IN IRELAND...WHERE HEAVEN AND EARTH MEET
Plan your Ireland Golfing Vacation of a Lifetime
Visit: Sullivan Golf & Travel
Web: http://www.sullivangolf.ie
Video: Jack Berry's Ireland Golf Vacation-Coming December 16

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BAY MILLS RESORT AND CASINO/WILD BLUFF GOLF COURSE
Video: 2005 Bay Mills Open Players Tournament Preview
-with Rob Lussenhof
http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/baymillsopenpreview/

SHANTY CREEK RESORT & CLUB
Golf Packages http://www.shantycreek.com/golf/package.html
Web:http://www.shantycreek.com/golf/package.html

MICHIGAN GOLF SHOW, ROCK FINANCIAL SHOWPLACE, NOVI, MARCH 10-12
Web: http://michigangolfshow.com
http://rockfinancialshowcase.com
Video: http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/michigangolfshow/

OTSEGO CLUB & RESORT-GAYLORD
Home of the 54 Hole Blowout Golf Package
Web: http://otsegoclub.com

GOLF SHOW CALENDARS
WEST MICHIGAN GOLF SHOW
West Michigan Golf Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, February 10-12
Web: http://westmichigangolfshow.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/wmgs/index.html

Edited by Art McCafferty-Producer/Publisher, GLSP
http://glsp.com

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CONTENTS

__/ MG ON THE ROAD
Grand Rapids-MGCOA
__/ ERIN GO SULLIVAN GOLF & TRAVEL
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION
__/ UP IS GOOD
__/ MIKE AUSTIN, GOLFER'S TOP GUN, PUTTS OUT
__/ HOLIDAYS LIGHTS! CAMERAS! ACTION!
__/ KING PAR SUPERSTORE HIRESPGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL BILL BALDWIN
__/ PATTI BUTCHER NAMED IN TOP 50 WOMEN GOLF INSTRUCTORS
__/ BOOK REVIEW: "WANNA BET?"- DON WADE
__/ REQUEST FOR 2006 MGN CALENDAR DATES
__/ DECEMBER SNOWS
__/ CALENDAR OF GOLF EVENTS
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS

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MGN ON THE ROAD
Grand Rapids-MGCOA
Michigan's golf course owners gathered in GR this past week to network, check out the latest marketing trends, map strategy and re energize themselves and their staffs for 2006. There is plenty of great golf in this part of the state. The GR area features Boulder Creek, Tullymore, St. Ives, The Golf Club at Thorneapple Pointe, Lynx, Meadows at GVSU, Moss Ridge, Pilgrim' Run, Ravines, Saskatoon, Thousand Oaks, Scott Lake and Throughbred to name a few.
http://golfgrandrapids.com

Kate Moore, Executive Director, leads the MGCOA with help from John Dodge. Active members include Jim and Charlie Scott, Tom Schwark, Toni Joers of Concord Hills, Larry Bowden of the Natural, Stewart Healey of Handicomp, a strong contingent from Fox Hills and Bill Fountain of The Majestic.

MGCOA, now with their own lobbyist, is working hard with the legislature to inform them of their water conservation and use policies, their position on municipal courses and the management of on course fertilizers and chemicals.

The MGCOA also presented their annual awards. This year's award winners were:

Jerry Matthews, "W. Bruce Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award"

Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is presented to an individual whom over the span of a lifetime has provided steadfast leadership, outstanding service, and continuous commitment to the Michigan golf industry. The award is named after W. Bruce Matthews, a golf course owner and architect, who has spread his expertise throughout the fairways of Michigan. Past recipients are W. Bruce Matthews (1996), Everette Kircher (1997), Bill Howard (1998), Darl and Letha Scott (1999), Kapnick Insurance Company (2000), Terry Moore (2001), Art McCafferty (2002), Estelle Dul (2003) and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (2004).

Note: See Jack Berry's interview of Jerry at the Hall of Fame dinner.

http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/ghf/jerry/

Tom Schwark, "Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award"

Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award: This award is named after one of the founders of the MGCOA, who helped create a voice for Michigan golf course owners. The recipient is an individual who has displayed distinguished service to the MGCOA and the golf industry. Past winners are Lyle Leeke (1996), Cecil McKay (1997), John Dodge (1998), Marcia Johnson (1999), Jeff Hoag (2000), Jim Scott (2001), Kathy Aznavorian (2002), Meriam Leeke (2003) and Lynn Miller (2004).

Treetops, "MGCOA Golf Course of the Year"
Entries are judged according to specific criteria including:
1.exceptional quality of the course
2.exceptional quality of ownership and management
3.outstanding contribution to the community in which it does business
4.significant contribution to the game.

This year, the group selected Treetops as their course of the year.
http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/treetops/harrymelling/

2004 Course of the Year-Timberstone GC
http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/timberstone/

2003 Course of the Year- Fox Hills

For further information
http://www.mgcoa.org

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ERIN GO SULLIVAN GOLF & TRAVEL
Cathay Sullivan is the owner of Sullivan Golf & Travel with the tag line, Ireland Golf...where Heaven and Earth Meet. We welcome Cathay to the electronic pages of Michigan Golf News and hope that you visit their very attractive and efficient site http://www.sullivangolf.ie

To get into the mood, we invite you to visit a couple of our past shows

Ireland and the Celebration of the Ryder Cup-with Vanessa Bell http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/irish/index.html

Ireland: Site of the Next Ryder Cup with Vanessa Bell
http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show7/index.html

We also want to alert you to Jack Berry's Ireland Golf Vacation coming to Michigan Golfer Television on December 16, 2005

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MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION
Review and Preview of Michigan Golf Shows
Laurie McCann chats with Jennie McCafferty during last year’s Michigan Golf Show, about the show, its over all make up and their new 2006 home at the Rock Financial Showplace.
http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/michigangolfshow/
http://rockfinancialshowplace.com

West Michigan Golf Show
Jennie McCafferty chats with Carolyn Alt of the West Michigan Golf Show during last year's show. This is one of Michigan's great golf shows and this year, the headliner will be Bart Lower of Big Break II and IV.

Web: http://westmichigangolfshow.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/wmgs/index.html

Also!!!!!!

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HOLIDAY LIGHTS! CAMERAS! ACTION!
Our cameras visited the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, Downtown Detroit, Park Place Hotel, Grand Traverse Resort and listened to the choirs of Grosse Pointe and Ypslianti High School in bringing you this holiday show of music and lights. Enjoy.
http://michigantravel.tv/2003holidays/holidaysqt.html

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UP IS GOOD
Same-store rounds played were up 0.6% in the month of October 2005 vs. October 2004. Rounds have been in positive territory for four of the last six months, bringing the year-to-date figure through October to -0.5%. October data was reported by 1,813 golf facility operators across the U.S. (Same-store rounds means, for example, that only facilities reporting rounds for both October 2005 and October 2004 are included in results.)

Four regions experienced large swings, up or down: Northeast, (-18.4%); Central/South Florida (-13.6%) [note: Hurricane Wilma, October 24]; Upper Midwest (+12.8%); and Mountain (+16.7%). In each case, the change correlated with play days. For example, in the Northeast, operators posted an average of 27.6 play days out of 31 last October vs. 22.9 play days in October 2005.

Source:Jenny Wood-Research Coordinator-NGF
http://ngf.org

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MIKE AUSTIN, GOLFER'S TOP GUN, PUTTS OUT
In 1974, and at the age of 64, Mike Austin took part in a professional golf tournament and hit a drive 515 yards. Yes, there was a 27 mph tailwind, but still, most of could not get that kind of distance will teeing it up in Katrina. The record still stands with PGA Tour player, Davis Love III, being second on the list at 476 yards

Mike passed away last week at the age of 95.

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HOLIDAYS LIGHTS! CAMERAS! ACTION!

Our cameras visited the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, Downtown Detroit, Park Place Hotel, Grand Traverse Resort and listened to the choirs of Grosse Pointe and Ypslianti High School in bringing you this holiday show of music and lights. Enjoy.

http://michigantravel.tv/2003holidays

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BOOK REVIEW: "WANNA BET?"- DON WADE
MGN met Don Wade at the PGA Merchandise Show a couple of years ago when he was out promoting his latest at that time, "Take Dead Aim" a golf mystery novel. His golf journalism credentials are very impressive, serving as Senior Editor of Golf Digest for 18 years. He also authored "And Then Jack Said to Arnie..." series and another book entitled, "Swing Thoughts".

"Wanna Bet?" is great little read to have lying about the house during the holidays. You can pick it up and get a quick read about gaming and golfers; whether they were professionals, amateurs, Presidents, business people or royalty. There are a lot of short fun articles for your enjoyment.

The book is published by Thunder's Mouth Press and is $24 at Borders.

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KING PAR SUPERSTORE HIRESPGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL BILL BALDWIN
King Par Golf in Flushing, MI has just added PGA Master Golf Professional, Bill Baldwin to its staff. Bill will be responsible for the development and operation of the new King Par Golf Academy.

The new King Par Golf Academy is part of a new plan to update and enhance the teaching facilities and opportunities at King Par, one of Michigan's largest retail golf shops.

Taken and edited from a Resort & Golf Marketing release

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PATTI BUTCHER NAMED ONE OF TOP 50 WOMEN GOLF INSTRUCTORS

Patti Butcher, fresh off her being named as one of the Top 50 women golf instructors by Golf for Women magazine for the third time in 4 years, announced she has been selected to provide golf schools at the top golf resort in the Caribbean - Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, home of four Pete Dye designed courses.

Butcher is both a PGA and LPGA professional, with studios in Grand Rapids. In season instruction is provided at Thousand Oaks Golf Club. Find Patti at www.golfenterprises.com.

Taken from Michigan PGA
http://michigan.pga.com/index.cfm?menu=2&openitem=2

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REQUEST FOR 2006 MGN CALENDAR DATES
We are preparing our 2006 MGN Calendar and would therefore welcome any dates that your club or association feels would be of interest to our Michigan audience. Send info to Art McCafferty at artmccaf@glsp.com

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DECEMBER SNOWS AND OUR WINTER WONDERLAND

December 8 - 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the seasonand the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12 - The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14 - Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.

December 15 - 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16 - Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17 - Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20 - Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Damn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22 - Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to poop. By the time I got undressed, pooped and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.

December 23 - Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24 - 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the the saddistic creep who drives that snowplow I'll drag him through the snow by his gonads and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25 - Merry -bleeping- Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26 - Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here?  It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27 - Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze, plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28 - Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE WIFE is driving me crazy!!!

December 29 - 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30 - Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver he is now suing me for a million dollars, not only for the beating I gave him but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his butt. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.

December 31 - I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8 - Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Submitted by Tammie Bruneau.

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MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR 2005
http://michigangolfer.com/calendar.html

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MICHIGAN TOURNAMENTS
http://michigangolfer.com/tournaments.html

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/
Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.com
Michigan Publinx Seniors Golf Association
http://mpsga.net
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org
National High School Golf Coaches Association
http://www.nhsgca.org

Comments to artmccaf@glsp.com
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