Golf Travel More Affordable

Each year, Michigan Golfer writers bring forth stories about some of the wonderful out state golf that is available to our readers. As a state with one of the biggest golf inventories in the nation, it stands to reason that we play an enormous amount of golf outside the state once people start cross-country skiing on our fairways.

In years past, it seemed the only airline deals for a golfer was to Myrtle Beach; that is changing. Pro Air, who began service out of Detroit City Airport on July 4, 1997, has established low cost routes to two of the states that many Michigan golfers frequent with some regularity, Florida and Indiana. Their action has forced Northwest to lower their prices to these areas as well. It is a win-win situation for golfers and golf course destinations alike. Tom Bach, executive in charge of setting fares for Northwest, said in a recent interview, "There's a maxim in this industry. There's no loyalty that five bucks off can't overcome."

Florida, one of the few states that has more of a golf infrastructure than Michigan, has Pro Air providing flights to both Orlando and Tampa. It is really no big deal to grab a flight to one of the thousand plus courses that are ubiquitous to this state. Courses such as Grenelefe, Saddlebrook, Innisbrook, Black Bear, Mission Inn, Grand Cypress or Falcon's Fire are as close to you as your wallet.

Indianapolis, Indiana, which is increasingly drawing its share of Michigan golfers, is now very affordable. At press time the round trip airfare was only $156. Golfers can try out those two new Pete Dye courses in Indianapolis_The Fort or Brickyard Crossings_or grab a car and drop down to southern Indiana and try out Sultan's Run or French Lick.

Art Moreau, of Pro Air's marketing department, indicated that many Michigan travelers are enticed by Pro Air's new fleet of aircraft, the convenient parking of Detroit City Airport, its new renovation and the overall hassle-free environment they will find.

All in all, the prices of outstate golf has just dropped as assuredly as a two-inch putt.