http://michigangolfer.com MICHIGAN GOLFER Publisher/Editor Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com Editor Emeritus Terry Moore
Associate Publisher/Producer Jennie McCafferty Writers Jeff Bairley Paul Bairley Susan Bairley Phyllis Barone Jack Berry Mike Duff Greg Johnson Doug Joy Vartan Kupelian Brad King Tom Lang Chris Lewis Brian Marshall Scott Moore Bill Shelton Scott Sullivan
Photo/Video Paul Bairley Kevin Frisch Gary Morgan Dave Richards Carter Sherline Scott Sullivan Liliana Zylstra Director of Accounting Cheryl Clark
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Meadowbrook CC Centennial Celebration: The Early Years Shirley Spork A Tour of Canthooke Valley - Manistee National Golf and Resort A Gary Pulsipher Design Arthur Hills : His Early Years as a Golf Architect Art Hills: Induction to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Oakland Hills CC - Hills, Forrest & Smith - The North Course Gets A Makeover Maumee Bay GC - An Arthur Hills - Steve Forrest Design Art Hills - Steve Forrest Joins the Firm - The Firm Goes International An 18 Hole Tour of Fieldstone GC in Auburn Hills An Art Hills/Steve Forrest Design Fieldstone GC - An Art Hills and Steve Forrest Design Jack Berry with the Interview Andy Staples Previews the New Meadowbrook Golf Course with Jack Berry Andy Staples: Members Walking Tour of the New Meadowbrook CC Jack Berry - A Ladies Man With His Own Parking Place at the Masters Meadowbrook CC : The Championship Years with Jack Berry Drummond Island Resort - Fall, Food and Fun with Frank Jones and Jennie McCafferty William Newcomb Series: Boyne & Newcomb Build Courses in California & Alaska A Fall Day at Black Lake Golf Club Black Lake Golf - A Tour Treetops' Threetops - Best Par 3 Course in the Country Harry Bowers & Treetops Meadowbrook CC Centennial Celebration Mark Stevens & Professionals The Rock at Drummond Island with Harry Bowers and Three Finger Louie 2016 MGCOA Golf Course of the Year - Belvedere Golf Club With Jack Berry 2003 - 2016 MGCOA Golf Courses of the Year Meadowbrook CC - History Recalled - Jim Kohl, Jana Fetters & Jim Dales Harry Bowers - Pierce Lake, Inkster Valley, Caberfae Peaks & Captains Club MGCOA Awards Dinner, Soaring Eagle, 2016 Boyne Highland Fire and Recovery LPGA and EMU Teaching Icon Shirley Spork & Her Pro-Am on 4/03/2017 Alpine GC at Boyne Mountain - A William Newcomb Design Robert Trent Jones Interview: Jack Berry, Terry Moore & Rick Smith An Interview with Robert Trent Jones Sr. - 1987 - Grand Opening at Treetops WMGS First Tee of West Michigan - With Lily Zylstra Continues on p. 4
SPRING 2017 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
In This Issue VOLUME 35
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SPRING
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NUMBER
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Online: New Videos
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Gaylord Golf Mecca –– ‘Still the One’ at 30
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Online: Videos Recently Transferred to YouTube By Susan and Paul Bairley
Gaylord’s Golf Ambassador – Paul Beachnau By Susan Bairley
The Berry Patch – Stan Jawor By Jack Berry
Superintendents Face the Heat By Brian Marshall
Destination Golf . . . Lakewood Shores and Red Hawk By Mike Duff
The Michigan Golf Show: From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition By Chris Lewis Double JJ Resort Rides its Thoroughbred By Susan Bairley
Wabooz Run for Short Game Fun By Jeff Bairley Slice of Life – Wheels Up By Terry Moore
About the cover:
Michigan Golfer News
Arnold Palmer, Fred Couples, Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson compete at the 2002 ESPN Par 3 Shootout on the Threetops course at Treetops in Gaylord.. (Photo courtesy of Treetops)
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Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Fund Raiser WMGS Everett's Landscaping with Lily Zylstra J.T. & Gaylord CC - Gaylord Golf Mecca @ 30 The Lynx GC - Clearing Trees, Shaping Tees and anything else to Please WMGS Meijer LPGA Classic Preview Lakewood Shores Resort - What's New Michigan Open Black Lake Golf and Conference Season Preview with Nick Aune GAM's David Graham Discusses 2017 and Attracting Youth to the game Scenes - West Michigan Golf Show, 2017 & Cart Valet Treetops is Tops for Youth Golf in Michigan The Beauty of Michigan Golf Courses - A Michigan Golfer "Drone Ranger" Video Treetops @ 30 - Remembering, Jones, Melling, Rulewick, & Bowers Hemlock Golf Club, Ludington, MI Cart Valet Scenes at the 2017 Michigan Golf Show - Todd Smith Announcement of the Michigan Women's Golf Association Hall of Fame A-Ga-Ming's Clubhouse is Coming with Mike Brown Dave Graham on the GAM - Benefits and Youth Golf Gull Lake View Adds Stoatin Brae for Their Six Pack Grand Traverse Resort - Dave Pelz Short Game School Michigan's Golf Blogger - John Retzer The Inns of Sanibel With Brian Kautz Red Hawk GC - Owner Richard Doak with Art Hills Dominican Republic - Teeth of the Dog and More Great Courses Bermuda Tourism - Golf and the America's Cup Pine Cone Accommodations - Comfortable Beds and a Full Fridge Manitou Passage with Director of Golf Lee Houtteman Premier Travel - Golf in Jamaica, Cancun and Cuba Fieldstone GC - 2017 With Gordon Marmion & Jack Berry Thoroughbred GC - An Art Hills Design - Double JJ Arcadia Bluffs GC - New Lodge, New Course - Same Greatness LochenHeath GC 2017 - Great Course, Great Instruction & Great Food Gaylord Golf Mecca - 30th Anniversary Women's Golf Summit V - MWGA With Susan Bairley Albanese & Lutzke: Sweetgrass, Timberstone, Sage Run & Pete Dye Work Timberstone GC - Jerry Matthews Design - Paul Albanese Associate Paul Albanese and the Sweetgrass Golf Club - With Dave Douglas Bowers, Albanese & Lutzke- 21st Century Golf Architects Mt Shasta Resort - Great Golf in California Greywalls: Course and Architect - Rising in the Polls Harry Bowers, Tom Monaghan, Bob Hope , Dinah Shore & The Rock Boyne, Berry, Bernie and Bowers on Improving the Game Treetops @ 30 - Jones, Rulewich, Bowers, Melling, Smith & Owens The Jones Boys: Like Father Like Sons - With Harry Bowers Lakeview Hills Resort - Lexington The Golf Club at Mt. Brighton - Peter Allen Reports
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Continued from p. 2
Continues on p. 6
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Continued from p. 4 Recently Posted on YouTube: MWGA 20th Anniversary, Washtenaw Country Club, 2006 Native American Cup, Traverse City, Michigan, 2006 Hebert Wins 6th Michigan Open, Traverse City, Michigan, 2006 Boyne Golf, Everett Kircher and The Boynes, Michigan, 2006 95th Michigan Amateur Championship at Boyne, Michigan, 2006 Boyne First Tee, Michigan, 2006 Everett Kircher, Robert Trent Jones and The Heather, Boyne, 2006 Boyne Country: Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Boyne, Buck's Run Golf Club, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 2006 The Majestic at Lake Walden, Michigan, 2006 The Natural at Beaver Creek, Gaylord, Michigan, 2006 Timberstone Golf Course, Iron Mountain, Michigan, 2006 A Tour of Hawk's Eye Golf Resort, Bellaire, Michigan, 2006 Gary Wiren & Jack Berry, the Hickory Open at Kingsley Club, 2006 Golfing Ireland with Jack Berry, 2006 Greatest Game Ever Played, Movie, 2006 18th Annual Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational, Gaylord, Michigan, 2006 18th Annual Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational, Harry Melling, 2006 Bay Mills Open, Brimley, Michigan, 2005 Native American Cup, Traverse City, Michigan, 2005 Native American Cup, Notah Begay Lesson, 2005 Michigan PGA Championship, Michigan, 2005 Walter Hagen, Played by Mike McCafferty, Michigan, 2005 The Concession, with Tony Jacklin and Vanessa Bell, 2005 Michigan Open, Michigan, Jack Seltzer Interview, 2005 Michigan Open, Michigan, 2005 True North Golf Club, Grand Opening, Harbor Springs, 2005 Art Hills and Red Hawk Golf Club, East Tawas, Michigan, 2005 Bunkers at Christiana Creek GC, Elkhart, Indiana, 2005 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Terry Moore, 2011 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Art Hills, 2011 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Meriam Bailey Leeke, 2008 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Bruce Fossum, 2007 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Ted Woehrle, 2007 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Jeanne Myers, 2006 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Thomas Chisholm, 2006 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Jerry Matthews, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Joan Garety, 2005 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Jeff Roth, 2005 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Elaine Crosby, 2004 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Dan Pohl, 2004 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Jack Berry, 2003 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Sara Wold, 2003 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Betty Richart, 2002 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Mary Fossum, 2002 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Robert McMasters, 2002
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Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, W. Bruce Matthews, 1993 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Ray Maguire, 1993 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Ben Davis, 1992 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Randy Erskine, 1991 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Everett Kircher, 1989 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Gene Bone, 1988 Gene Bone, Jack Berry Interviews, Michigan Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Bud Stevens, 1986 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Pete Green, 1986 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Dave Hill, 1985 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Walter Hagan, 1985 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Walter Burkemo, 1983 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Chuck Kocsis, 1982 Arnold Palmer's Turning Point Invitational, 2004 Celebration of the Ryder Cup, Oakland Hills, 2004 Ryder Cup Through the Years, 1927 - 1990's Tom Bendelow, the Forgotten Architect Sundance with Jerry Matthews, 2004 Bay Mills Open Players Championship, Brimley, Michigan, 2004 Michigan PGA, 2004 Rose Creek Golf Club, Edmond, Oklahoma, 2004 Ken Devine, the Last Hurrah, 2004 Dick Weber Memorial Golf Tournament, 2004 Upper Peninsula Golf, Michigan, 2004 Mike Tirico at the GAM, 2004 Rick Smith and the Big Break, 2004 The Caddies of French Lick, 2003 The Bull, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, 2003 Bay Mills Open, Brimley, Michigan, 2003 The Western Amateur at Point O' Woods, 2003 Ray Hearn and Paul Albanese , Golf Archiects, 2003 The Michigan Open, 200 The Haig Tournament, 2003 Arthur Hills at Inverness, 2003 A Michigan Golf Architect Family, Harley and Greg Hodges, 2003 Hawk's Eye and Hawk Ridge, 2003 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, 2003 Michigan PGA at Shanty Creek, 2002 Pheasant Newest Nine, Canton, Michigan, 2002 Bay Mills Open, Brimley, Michigan, 2002 Angels Crossing, Vicksburg, Michigan, 2004 Bank of Ann Arbor Futures Classic, Michigan, 2004 W. Bruce Matthews III, 2001 Moose Ridge Golf Course, South Lyon, Michigan, 2001 The Scott Family of Gull Lake View, Michigan, 2001 Arnold Palmer and the ESPN Par 3 Shootout, Michigan, 2001 Mike Husby Talks About Designing Golf Courses, 2001 William Newcomb, 2001
SPRING 2017 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Gaylord Golf Mecca – 'Still the
Photo courtesy of Treetops
By Susan and Paul Bairley
e One' at 30
Tom Fazio’s Premiere, Hole No. 8, Treetops
You're still the one That makes me shout Still the one That I dream about We're still having fun And you're still the one - Lyrics from 1976 Orleans song
R
emember the rockin' 70s tune, 'Still the One?' Today, that song resonates as the perfect anthem for the 30th Anniversary of the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Since 1987, there have been some dramatic entries to Northern Michigan golf and some courses that have made quiet exits, but the Gaylord Golf Mecca is 'still the one' for true golf enthusiasts. Its dramatic, natural beauty, the quality and challenge of the courses – many designed by legendary architects, and the fact that all 15 comprising the Mecca are either in, around, or in easy driving distance of Gaylord make it a premier golf destination.
Often branded as America's Golf Mecca, Golf Digest has ranked it 11th in its list of Best Golf Destinations. The Gaylord Golf Mecca was formed by the Gaylord Tourism Bureau in 1987, under the leadership of Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dick Weber, who at the time, was general manager at The Otsego Club. “He was new to the area and we started working really closely together,” Beachnau said. “With the six golf courses we had, we thought we had something pretty special. In addition, the first golf course at Treetops was being built by Robert Trent Jones and that really gave us a name. Kind of like the perfect storm, the right people, the right courses, the Treetops course, everything came together at the right time.
“Preliminary research showed the Midwest states had really high numbers of golfers and high participation rates, and that if we just got our message out in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, we could be pretty successful,” he said. Little did they know how right they would be. Originally, the group was composed of seven courses – Otsego Club, Treetops, Michaywe, Gaylord Country Club, Wilderness Valley and Garland, which had two courses. Since then, the Mecca has had as many as 22 members, including The Rock at Drummond Island, which for a short time, even flew golfers to and from Gaylord, but the 15 mark seems to be the Mecca’s sweet spot. Gaylord Golf Mecca courses we visited last year include:
Black Lake Golf Club
Photo by Jennie McCafferty
Designed by Rees Jones, Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway is both challenging and playable. With its wide, tree-lined fairways every hole plays with undistracted focus. Carved through beautiful hardwood and evergreen forests, it is scenic and rolling. With five sets of tees, it plays from 5,058 to 7,030 yards. In addition, the course makes fine use of the natural topography yet adds dramatic and exquisite bunkering throughout.
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Black Lake Lodge
Since opening in 2000, Black Lake Golf Club has received numerous recognitions. It was ranked 34th in Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest Public Courses in America” in 2009-2010 and placed ninth in Best Value. The course also was named
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Photo by Paul Bairley
The Loon, Hole No. 13 one of the Top 50 public golf courses for women by Golf for Women magazine. In addition, the 773-yard Little Course at Black Lake is a fun, walking nine that offers excellent short game practice. While the tees are mats, the greens and the approaches are professionally maintained. Grab a pitching wedge and/or nine iron and putter, a couple of balls, a bottle of water and have some fun!
cent views; The Lakes, with its front nine meandering through pine forests and hill country, while the homeward nine plays around enchanting Lake Michyawe; and, The Ridge (the former Marsh Ridge), sporting dramatic elevation changes, natural surroundings, roller
coaster fairways and stunning views. Together, the varied designs and natural splendor offered by these three courses make staying and playing at the Loon Resort a favorite in spring, summer and fall. Along with exciting and superbly
A long-time member of the Mecca, the Loon Golf Resort has golf and lodging opportunities and three distinct courses: The Loon, which has evolved into a wonderful track since it opened in 1994, with generous fairways, tall trees, large greens, ample bunkers and magnifi-
Photo by Paul Bairley
The Loon Golf Resort
Summit Grill at The Ridge
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Photo by Paul Bairley
Michaywe Pines, Hole No. 1 maintained championship golf courses, the Loon Golf Resort has excellent food and guest accommodations, including newly constructed guest townhouses. It is also home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf. During our last visit to the area, we played the par 72, Loon course, which ranges from 4,890 to 6,367 yards (red to blue tees), with the black championship tees listed at 6,677 yards. The Loon requires accurate shot placements to negotiate its water and sand hazards. There also are trees and woods everywhere. A scenic place, it easy to get lost in the solitude that is northern Michigan. Fairways are generally rolling and generous, and the greens are large. Traps are well maintained and overall course conditions are impeccable. There are a few forced carries over water or wetlands, and the approach 12
to the signature 18th, which must carry the lake, is as exciting for the golfer as it is for spectators watching from the clubhouse deck. Regardless of skill level, golfers will enjoying playing this course.
Michaywe Pines Golf Course A founding partner in the Gaylord Golf Mecca, Michaywe has long been a staple of northern Michigan golf. Opened in 1972, the course is classic, fairly level and very playable. In order to help keep the course competitive and to facilitate maintaining its great course conditions, Michaywe Pines underwent renovations and upgrades in 2004. The course is as beautiful as ever, and plenty challenging with tee sets that range from 5,200 to 7,000 yards. It also has a youth caddie pro-
gram, which adds a nice element to the golf experience. Michaywe caters to and supports a large residential community as well as seasonal golf enthusiasts, so it comes as no surprise that its restaurants vary from casual to fancy. Choices include the upscale Inn the Woods restaurant, Schneider’s Pub and Jack Pine Grill.
The Otsego Club & Resort Located just east of downtown Gaylord, on a pristine tract of land that features a 20-mile view across the Sturgeon River Valley, the Otsego Club is often thought of for its private ski club memberships, offered since it opened in 1939. Still a year-round resort, guests enjoy skiing and golf along with unique dining experiences and a variety of fabulous lodging options.
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Photo by Paul Bairley
wonderful bunkering make for an unforgettable golfing adventure. The lodges at Otsego Club are spectacular, with rugged hewn timber construction and folk art furnishing and dĂŠcor. If you like the ambience of alpine log-style accommodations, and nouveau wilderness furnishings, this is the place for you. Award winning dining options are also featured at The Duck Blind Grill, which has gourmet offerings and culinary imaginings, and an amazing panoramic view for the Sturgeon River Valley. For lighter fare and beverages, the cozy Logmark could be one of the most beautiful rustic pubs in all of Michigan. The Otsego Club & Resort also features a conference center (accommodates 500), and a four season outdoor thermal pool, lighted tennis courts and a 1,200 acre wildlife preserve.
Photo by Paul Bairley
The Lobby at The Otsego Club
The Otsego Club and Resort features two golf courses: The Classic, a very traditional layout designed by William Diddle, and a founding course of the Gaylord Golf Mecca; and The Tribute, the flagship course built on 1,100 glorious acres of private wilderness along the headwaters of the Sturgeon River. Designed by Rick Robbins and former PGA Tour Professional Gary Koch, the Tribute offers a northern Michigan golf experience like none other. The 20-mile vistas, breathtaking views, incredible topography, expansive greens and
The Tribute, Hole No. 3, Otsego Club
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Photo by Art McCafferty
Threetops, Hole No. 7, Treetops
Treetops Resort Often referred to as “Michigan’s Most Spectacular Resort,” Treetops has 81 holes of exhilarating golf, with its five courses comprising one-third of the courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Along with championship golf and the phenomenal Threetops, there is a golf academy that offers workshops and lessons, a full spa, conference center, facilities for banquets and weddings and wintertime downhill and cross country skiing. The five courses located at Treetops and Treetops North include: The Masterpiece, the final Michigan golf course design by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a masterpiece which he called “his crowning glory.” The Masterpiece is a wonderful design that fully utilizes the steep valleys, ravines 14
and plains created by the headwaters of the Pigeon River. The Signature, rated a Top 50 course for Women by Golf Digest, is an upland course with large contoured greens and undulating yet wide, forgiving fairways. Its large undisturbed natural areas enhance its beautiful setting. The Tradition, a links-style course that features wooden pins and pennant flags, pays homage to golf’s origins. The course design follows the higher ridges and hilltops, making it Treetops' only walkable course. Also, holes one through 9 loop back to the starter house, so nine-hole play is possible if time is limited. The Premier takes full advantage
of drastic elevations changes as it cleaves its way through northern hardwoods forests. It is a nice balance of length, challenge and forgiveness with a few holes leaving the woods for the open plain. Renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio only designed one course in Michigan – this is it. When asked to name a signature hole, Fazio replied, “All of them.” Finally, of course, is the magnificently imaginative design by Rick Smith of perhaps the greatest par three course in the country – Threetops. The innovative course has been receiving national accolades since it opened in 1992, and is still rated as the #1 par three-course in America by many golf publications. Threetops received national attention during the years it hosted the
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ESPN Par 3 Shootout. You simply have to play this course while you’re here! Still on our list to visit or revisit are:
Founded in 1924, Gaylord Country Club is one of northern Michigan’s oldest golf clubs, although it moved to its current location, just west of Gaylord, in 1975. This semi-private club meanders through the hills and hardwoods and is a classic city park-style design, much like early 20th century courses. With four sets of tees, the course plays 5,171 yards from the front tees to 6,472 yards from the tips. Home to about 150 valued members, Gaylord CC welcomes the public to its privatecourse ambiance.
Indian River Golf Club
Photo by Terry Moore
Gaylord Country Club
Paul Beachnau Gaylord Golf Mecca's newest edition, Indian River Golf Club, was established in 1922. The course is a challenging, yet walkable track with a variety of tees for all levels of golfer. The course also offers plenty of diversity with elevation changes, water and tree lined and open fairways.
The Natural The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort, located on the west side of Otsego Lake is a championship 18-hole golf course designed by Jerry Matthews. Golfers of all abilities can enjoy exciting challenge amid a beautiful landscape of oak, maple, birch, and pine; rolling terrain and beautiful wetlands. The course is said to be a perfect example of how golf and wetlands can coexist in a harmonious manner. For more information on Gaylord Golf Mecca packages, call 1-800-345-8621 or visit gaylordgolfmecca.com . - MG-
Gaylord’s Golf Ambassador – Paul Beachnau
P
aul Beachnau loves Gaylord.
He grew up there, and while he left to attend Michigan State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1985, he returned to Gaylord after graduation and accepted the job as director of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, where he’s worked ever since. Still executive director, he’s a natural year-round ambassador for the area, and was co-creator of the Gaylord Golf Mecca – a cooperative marketing association of area golf courses, in 1987. Since its inception, the Gaylord Golf
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Mecca has been heralded for its success in growing Michigan’s golf prowess nationwide. Had that group not come together, Beachnau said, the Gaylord golf landscape would have been markedly different. “The area would have continued to grow, but I think what we did was put a spotlight on golf in the state of Michigan,” he said. “Besides Myrtle Beach, we’ve been one of the longest golf marketing co-ops in the U.S. “Also, because golf clientele generally represent an upscale tourism demographic, it has helped the whole region to expand,” he said. “It’s led the growth in a lot of dif-
ferent ways, including new course development. “People ask, ‘Why Northern Michigan?’ and I say, first off, the variety of terrains is as good as anywhere you’re going to find in terms of hills and valleys, woods, ‘viewscapes’ and water. The affordability of land here has always been a value, and we have really have really sandy soil, which makes for good drainage. You take those three things, and our proximity in the Midwest, where 20 percent of the nation’s golfers live in a five-state region, and I think you have something pretty special,” Beachnau said. “We also pride ourselves on our
lodgings, offering a variety of golf packages, and we cater to golf groups,” he said. So what has sustained Beachnau’s passionate enthusiasm for the Gaylord Golf Mecca during its 30 years? “The people I’ve worked with have been phenomenal,” he said. “Their willingness to work together to form co-ops and to put money into marketing pools and work cooperatively always impressed me. “The feeling from day one has always been a rising tide raises all ships,” he added. “If we’re doing a good job of promoting Gaylord as a golfing destination, and everyone is doing a good job as far as taking care of the customer, then everyone is going to get their fair share of the business. “People don’t worry so much about what their neighbor is doing, as much as their willingness to say, If we’re (Gaylord Golf Mecca) successful, then we’re all going to be successful. Years ago, when we were in Chicago or Cleveland, people would ask, “What are you doing? Who? What?’ and now they say, “Oh my gosh, you’re from Gaylord! We love it up there. Give us your information.” — Susan Bairley - MG -
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SPRING 2017 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
The Berry Patch – Stan Jawor
H
By Jack Berry
Photo by Art McCafferty
e gave Mike Ilitch his first golf lessons. He gave a lesson to Joe Louis who thanked him three days later saying “I killed ‘em! I shot 67!
Ilitch and Louis are names that have been prominent in the news lately. Mr. I, as the Red Wings and Tigers who played for him called him, Jack Berry passed away. Joe Louis, the Detroit world heavyweight boxing champion whose name is on the big riverfront arena that may be demolished, was a good golfer and both of them knew Stan Jawor, one of five brothers who became PGA professionals and over the years gave hundreds of thousands of golf lessons at the public courses around metropolitan Detroit. “I taught Mr. Ilitch at Rouge,” Jawor said. “That was in the days when he was selling garage doors. He’d come with a group of guys and they’d have a skins game and have a 18
good time. A couple years later I was going into the K-Mart in Garden City and I hear ‘Stan! Stan!’ It was Mr. Ilitch. We talked and I asked him what he was doing and he said he had two pizzerias! Stan said he uses the “Mr.” as respect. “Mr. Louis was a regular at Rackham. He was a good player and he’d come up with some tournaments for the regulars. I think I won $75 or $100 in one of them. One day I was giving a playing lesson to two ladies and we’re on the 10th hole. Mr. Louis came along and whistled to me. He said he needed a lesson. That was Monday and I helped him. I didn’t see him Tuesday, didn’t see him Wednesday. On Thursday he came in and was real happy. He said “I killed ‘em!” The lesson must’ve worked because he shot 67. “One time he was playing a local guy who liked to gamble and Mr.
Louis beat him. The guy said he’d pay him tomorrow. It was $300. Mr. Louis reached over to the guy’s bag, pulled out the driver and said he’d give it back when he was paid. I played with him sometimes and caddied for him sometimes. He was a wonderful man. I can’t say enough good things about him.” That was in the 1950s and Chevrolet was sponsoring a new pro tournament in San Diego in 1952. Chevy gave Louis, the boxing hero from Detroit, a spot in the pro-am but the PGA, which had a Caucasian-only clause in its membership, refused to let Louis play. Ironically, Horton Smith, the professional at Detroit Golf Club, was PGA president at the time. Louis and friends petitioned California Gov. Pat Brown, saying it was unconstitutional and Louis played. The PGA finally removed the clause in 1961. Another irony, Louis’s son, Joe Louis Barrow Jr., is head of the First Tee program.
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Getting a membership in the PGA wasn’t easy for every Caucasian either. It was pretty much a closed circuit of professionals at the private country clubs. Stan was the first brother to attain membership and although he became a professional when he was 18, he didn’t become a member until 1953 when he was 28. Chet made it at 1958 and was head professional of Detroit’s six municipal courses. Frank became a member in 1963 and younger brothers Cass and John became members in 1969. Frank was pro at Warren Valley and advanced through the chairs at the Michigan PGA Section to become president. Chet opened a popular range and golf store in Roseville and always boasted his range balls were the best in town. John managed at several suburban courses including Hilltop, Harbour Club and Braeburn. Cass was two-time MVP and conference champion on the Wayne State golf team and is in the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Frank, Chet and John have passed on and big families are a rarity these days. Only the seven Turnesa brothers of suburban New York City beat Michigan’s five Jawor brothers as PGA professionals biggest family race. The Turnesas were on the national scene in the 1930s and 1940s. Stan is 91 now, has a bad hip, uses a cane, hasn’t played in “four, five years” but still is active, mentoring in Bushwood Golf Club’s junior program. Stan could play despite starting with a real handicap. When he was a kid he caught his left index finger in the washing machine roller.
Those machines were called “manglers” and Jawor’s finger had to be amputated. There had been gangrene “and I nearly lost my life.” “I had my left arm in a sling for awhile and I just played with my right arm. I could hit the ball 200 yards.”
went out to watch a class at Rouge. Stan took the kids on the course to show them how the game is played. First hole, par 5. Stan eagled it. Easy game. I have to add that I played with him once at Ironhorse, an Art Hills course in Florida. Stan had a hole in one.
The Jawor family – seven boys and four girls for Frank and Victoria -- had a four acre farm in Dearborn Heights with a milk cow, pigs and chickens and the “clubs” were shovels to plant for vegetables. “We learned to cook too. John said I made the greatest potato pancakes.” Stan played high school golf at Chadsey and Mackenzie, won a city championship, dropped out of school and worked two years at the Lilac Brothers repair shop and taught himself the game.
His low round was 62 at Warren Valley’s west course and he’s had four aces and one double eagle and thought he might get a car at the Buick Open when “the best 2-iron I’ve ever hit” stopped an inch away from falling in the cup on the 11th hole.
“Nowadays they’ve got coaches, cameras, the clubs are different and the balls are different. I played in whatever tournaments we had around here and one time I had $400 and got a Greyhound bus to Louisiana for some tournaments there. I ran into Al Kocsis, Chuck’s brother, and he had a car and asked me if I wanted to join him. We went down south, played four or five tournaments, went broke and came home. Even if you won there was hardly any money.” So Stan taught golf, working at Glen Oaks, Harbour Club, Grand Blanc and 10 years at Rouge where he taught Mike Ilitch. At the Time the Free Press and Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation sponsored golf lessons for juniors, a program. I was at the Free Press then and
Jawor played in Buicks, Motor City Opens, five United States Senior Opens making the cut twice and he won two Michigan PGA Senior Championships, a SeniorJunior and a Senior Pro-Am. Stan’s younger brother, Cass, was the top player of the five brothers. He was MVP as a junior and senior at Wayne State, won the conference championship and is in the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was runnerup four times in the Michigan Open, losing one of them in a playoff. He won two Michigan Senior PGAs, two Pro-Ams, a Pro-Assistant and a Senior-Junior. He played on the PGA Tour, was practically adopted by Gary Player, had a third in the St. Paul Open and fifth in the 1969 Michigan Golf Classic at Shenandoah. Despite the hip and some surgery in January, Stan’s still on the ball, trying to help an old friend with his short game. “Spank it,” he says. I spank. - MG -
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Superintendents Face the Heat By Brian Marshall
T
he heat was on golf course superintendents during the 2016 season. Literally.
Last summer's June-July-August period was one of hottest in state history per daily high temperatures. For an added bonus, it also was one of the driest on record.
Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan Golf Course
Superintendents were put to the
test to keep their their courses in prime condition. The sticky summer also provided learning tools in preparation for the 2017 season. "Every season you learn something new. It’s changed some of my thinking going into this season as far as water usage and how monies will be
allocated through the year," said John Wessels, course superintendent of Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon. "We'll be using some of the things that have worked in the past but also last year. The forecast sounds like a little warmer spring and hopefully a little easier summer than last year. One would hope." The obvious weapon to battle
Photo by Brian Walters
Water usage was up last summer at Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon. the hot, dry conditions is monitoring watering levels and frequency. There is an important practice many superintendents utilize as a starting point. "The key to me was testing the soils. In 2010 before I tested the soils, I was tearing my hair out," said Scott Rockov, superintendent at the University of Michigan Golf Course since 2010. "To me the foremost thing is soil sampling and water sampling. Once you do sampling and know what you need, and what you’re missing, you make an effort to get those nutrients into your soils, It’s really not that hard." Thomas Nikolai, Ph.D. Associate Coordinator of the Golf Turfgrass Management program at Michigan State, described the purpose of soil testing.
"TDR -- Time Domain Reflectometry -- measures the volumetric moisture content of the soil," Nikolai said, "Once you calibrate it, you learn how to not waste water. It's the most efficient way to conserve water." Once the composition of a course's soil is established, watering patterns are planned. Watering, as well as the usage of wetting agents, provide the primary methods course superintendents have at their disposal to keep their tracks healthy. First, of course, comes the water flow. "Typically if there is a stress issue, something is wrong with your irrigation system," Rockov said. 'The other thing that can always hurt you is somebody put some-
Photo left: Scott Rockov, course superintendent at the University of Michigan Golf Course, says soil testing is the key for how to maintain the course.
thing down the wrong way. This course is kind of bullet proof. Even though our fairways are heavy clay, you just don’t put much water on. We don’t lose a lot of grass out here very often." Computerized systems to monitor watering revolutionized the practice. "Our computer program is Lynx by Toro, said Wessels. "It tells us how many gallons we’re going to be using that night. We check it at beginning of year, then monthly. Percentagewise I'm not sure, but I know we were up from the year before. Generally managing water is a very important part of my job, whether it’s a wet season or dry season." Then there are wetting agents. Nikolai, considered one of the top Golf Turf Management experts in the country, explained the function of wetting agents.
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"Wetting agents will hold water," he said. "As the soil gets older, it accumulates organic matter, Water tends to flow right through it. A wetting agent helps maintain, hold the water in a way that's plant available. They can also conserve water." Ross Miller, superintendent of Country Club of Detroit, is a huge believer in the benefits of wetting agents.
said. "Some of the wetting agents that we were used to using and had success with were just not cutting it. We had to find alternatives or different ones. "What we have is very sandy conditions. Normally the water penetrates and goes through well, but under extreme conditions it doesn’t go through as well. These wetting agents allow the water to penetrate
Experience has taught Rockov to change his thinking about green management. "Early on I’d freak out," he said. "We’d top dress every two weeks. In the last three years, it doesn’t seem to matter. If it gets really hot and humid, we’ll turn back the water and do a lot more hand watering on the greens. Getting too wet will get you in trouble. Your greens will not
Generally managing water is a very important part of my job, whether it’s a wet season or dry season. –– John Wessels, course superintendent, Forest Dunes Golf Club "With wetting agents, we're not reactive with it, we're preventative with it," he said. "We start in early May usually and we try to stop at the beginning of September. Especially if it looks like it's going to be warmer. We're going to start earlier and run em later to use less water." Wessels, of Forest Dunes, has had to tinker with the wetting agents he uses. "We had to get a little more creative with our use of wetting agents and managing our water," Wessels 22
better and be available for the grasses."
be very playable. Ball marks everywhere. That will slow them down."
Greens, of course, require the most attention on a course. Last summer's balmy conditions caused some concerns.
If 2017 brings another torrid summer, Rockov won't be surprised. He will, however, be prepared.
"Because of the humidity stretches we got a couple times, the roots in our greens really shrunk up because they were saturated," Miller said. "The soil, root base got very hot very quickly so the roots shrunk. I would have liked those a little deeper, thicker, but you can't do much about that with the heat and humidity."
"It seems like very year is frickin' hot lately so it's kind of like becoming the norm, especially in the July area," he said. "There are a lot of tools you have out there." Brian Marshall is a freelance writer from St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
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- MG -
Destination Golf... Lakewood Shores and Red Hawk
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
By Mike Duff
Sarradella Course, Hole No. 9, Lakewood Shores Resort
T
here are many destination golf locations around the state. Most offer a choice of 3 or more courses to play all for a reasonable price and usually includes an overnight and breakfast. I visited Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda last fall. It claims to be "Michigan's Best Value Resort". It may well be, especially as it relates to the price/value. Weekday and weekend packages
start at $229 and $259 respectively for 2 nights and 3 rounds of golf during the summer and $129 and $159 for spring and fall. Breakfast is included. The consensus of the six members of our group was a rating of 4 out of 10 for the resort. The number was higher for the courses. Those comments were made based on the old over-used and outdated furniture, musty smelling rooms, soiled carpet, and poor food, mainly breakfast. On a positive note, the service was great and Golf
Professional, Craig Peters went out of his way to make our visit a good one. Lakewood Shores is located at 7751 Cedar Lake Rd, Oscoda MI. Call 1-800-882-2493 or at http://lakewood shores.com. We played all three of their courses with the exception of the Wee Links, their short pitch and putt course. If you're looking for diversity in course management golf,
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then you have chosen the right destination. All three courses are distinctly different. We played 54 holes on this visit. Two 18's and two 9 hole scrambles.
Sarradella Our first round was on the Sarradella course designed by Bruce Matthews. Unlike the Gailes and the Blackshire courses, Sarradella is
a classic flatland course with minimal hazards, wide fairways and large greens. If you like the traditional look then this course offers you that perspective because, in addition to the spacious fairways, it also features beautiful floral arrangements highlighting each hole. This is a challenging course because of its length. The course plays to 6806 from the tips, 6511 from the middle and 5295 from the forward tees.
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
The Gailes
Blackshire Course at Lakewood Shores Resort
The Gailes, the highly rated course considered by Golfweek magazine for 2016 ranked #90 in the US and was the highest rated resort course in Michigan. This was certainly a real
test of golf. This links style course had rolling fairways, table top greens, long par fours, long fescue grass and pot bunkers everywhere. It gave you the feeling of playing in Scotland. There were 4 tee boxes to choose from ranging from nearly 7000 yards to 5246. Kevin Aldridge designed the Gailes and Blackshire and made each of them distinctive in their own way.
The Blackshire Each afternoon we played two 9 hole scrambles. The Blackshire had a different feel to it compared to the Sarradella and the Gailes. The course had an abundance of waste bunkers on nearly every hole crisscrossing nearly every fairway. The greens were quite undulating and forced you to take careful aim. Blackshire actually gave you the look of an up-north course with hardwoods surrounding every hole. This is truly a target shot golf course. Blackshire has 5 tee boxes to choose from ranging from 6800 to 4800 yards.
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
Some general comments. • Better signage is needed on all three courses. • General clean-up, especially trash containers. They were overflowing with beer cans and other items. It looked like they hadn't been emptied for days. • TLC needed to the course grounds; traps, fringes etc. • Improved food quality.
Red Hawk.
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The Gailes Course at Lakewood Shores Resort SPRING 2017 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
I have always had a passion for this course. Blair Conklin, Director of Golf, greeted us upon our arrival. An Arthur Hills design that reflects the
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
The Gailes Course at Lakewood Shores Resort, Hole No. 11
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
Comments from our group: Beautifully landscaped, terrific condition and a lot of character. If you take a moment to enjoy the natural setting of pines and birch then you will realize how spectacular this course is. You have a choice of 4 tees ranging from 6500-4500 yards. Red Hawk was rated 24th in the US and 13th in the state by Golf Digest magazine. Red Hawk forces you to plan out every shot. It definitely is a thinking man's course. Number 16 is a long par 5 that finishes to an elevated table top green. Getting there takes 3 precise shots, if you're lucky. Truly a magnificent hole. Number three, a par 3 is spectacular too. Every hole seems to have its
own character. The beauty of a course is it's hidden twists and subtle turns. All the holes are nicely framed by birch, pines and hardwoods. It is a very playable course for all skill sets. The true test for how popular Red Hawk is, are the number of rounds per year played.
This past year they turned 13-14000 rounds.....a true testimonial to being one of the best courses in the state. Red Hawk is located in East Tawas at 350 w. Davison Rd. Call 1-877733-4295 or at http://.redhawkgolf.net. -- MG -
Photo courtesy of Lakewood Shores Resort
classic style of northern Michigan. The course fits the natural forms of design yet integrating the natural forests and terrain/ topography.
Blackshire, Hole No. 11
Blackshire , Hole No. 2
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The Michigan Golf Show: From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition By Chris Lewis
B
y the time the 28th annual Michigan Golf Show ended on March 12, president and owner Todd Smith, along with his large staff of loyal employees, were basically sleep deprived. After all, over the last three days, Smith had hosted what he calls “a dinner house party at home” with only one primary difference—he just had roughly 40,000 guests, an all-time record for the show. Founded with humble beginnings in 1989 (20 exhibitors who were mainly local, as well as 3,000 attendants, participated in the first show), the Michigan Golf Show has since become the United States’ largest public consumer golf show, with nearly 450 exhibitors participating this year, 80 of which had never participated beforehand. In preparation for the show, which is annually hosted at Novi’s Suburban Collection Showplace, Smith and his staff began to establish floor plans and identify potential new exhibitors in September 2015. About 10 days before the show began on March 10, Smith’s team members shipped in tables, chairs, carpet, and signs. And then, on March 9, Smith, along with his crew of 85 employ26
ees, 10 electricians, 10 carpet installers, and six truck drivers, set up approximately 250,000 square feet of space and 450 booths—24 hours before exhibitors arrive. “When I first started the show, there was a considerable need to offer golf supplies to everyone, whether they were beginners or scratch golfers,” Smith says. “Now the show has evolved into an event that still maintains its focus on supplies, but has also expanded to a myriad of other opportunities, including travel deals, training centers, and golf schools.” In addition to its hundreds of exhibitors, who featured products and services as wide ranging as gloves, putting equipment, and golf bags, balls, clubs, and cruises, the show also hosted Peter Johncke, a trick shot artist who performed all three days. Stage presentations and seminars were also offered to attendants, with topics including ways in which golf courses and clubs can successfully host outings and tournaments. Furthermore, The Detroit Medical Center provided advice on health preconditioning, while exhibitors like Maple Hill Golf Club (who has been involved with the show since 1989) offered rebates for various products.
The show was sponsored by Treetops, which provided an expanded teaching center, featuring instruction from several PGA teaching professionals, including some from Treetops Golf Academy. “They have spent the last three years working on their program to ensure it is second to none,” Smith states. “And they decided to raise further awareness of it at the show, primarily by offering free professional instruction.” On the Dunes, a restaurant and bar in Commerce Township that is renowned for its state-of-the-art, high definition golf simulators, also sponsored a hole-in-one contest on one of its simulators for $25,000. Not to mention, Lewiston’s Garland Lodge & Golf resort also sponsored a $10,000 putting content—another one of the dozens of prize opportunities that were available at the show from March 10 to 12. “Michelob Ultra also served as our beverage sponsor. We had 12 bars—or ‘19th Holes’, as they are called—set up at the show,” Smith explains. “And we sold roughly 195 kegs of beer and 30 cases of Bloody Marys in all.”
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On average, attendants spend 2.5
to three hours viewing the entire show; as always, new attendants were shocked by the wide variety of fun and unique golf-related items available for purchase. “We were pleased to receive great comments from new people who attended the show for the first time,” Smith says. “And now we are preparing to provide them an even better experience next year.”
As the Suburban Collection Showplace is planning a new expansion later this year, Smith anticipates the Michigan Golf Show will be able to accommodate even more exhibitors (and attendants) in 2018, particularly the organizations who have been on a waiting list the last two years. “We expect to have an additional 80,000 square feet of space next year, so that we can host even more
retailers and interactive events,” Smith concludes. “In doing so, the Michigan Golf Show will continue to strengthen its reputation as the nation’s largest public consumer golf show—for many years to come.” For more information about the Michigan Golf Show, please visit http://michigangolfshow.com. - MG -
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Photo by Paul Bairley
Double JJ Resort Rides i into the Winner’s Circle By Susan and Paul Bairley
ts Thoroughbred Back
H
ow do you showcase a great Art Hills golf course in a vacation resort that’s recognized for its internationally renowned summer weekend music festival, its Western-themed modern suites, log homes and two-story family cabins, its Gold Rush Waterpark, Western town streetscape and horse ranch? It’s a challenge, but one that Norm Halbower and his wife, Susan, owners of the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan, are embracing with enthusiasm.
While the festival and year-round family fun aspects of the amazing and fun Double JJ are as strong as ever, Halbower is determined to help The Thoroughbred regain its spot as one of Michigan’s top golf destinations. For starters, late last summer he hired Ken Gifford, a top-notch grounds superintendent from Arrowhead Golf Club near Buffalo, New York, to oversee the entire 1,250-acre resort, including the golf course. Already, Gifford is implementing a number of improvements, based on recommendations by Hills himself, to restore and enhance the course over the next four to five years. “We started by clearing out the
underbrush, and are trying to make it more friendly, simply because if you miss a fairway or rough and get into the woods, you can’t get in there to find your ball. We’re also going to take out some trees that are interrupting play,” he said. “I want to make it more playable for that 15 to 20 handicapper.” Gifford said he fell in love with The Thoroughbred “because it’s old school. You have to think about what you’re doing here – it’s a thinker’s course,” he said. Halbower, a retired attorney, grew up in Hesperia, about 30 miles west of Rothbury, where for years, his family struggled to make ends meet. Graduating in a class of about 38 students, he worked in sales before meeting Susan, now his wife of 53 years, and attending Detroit College of Law, which is now part of Michigan State University.
Photo by Paul Bairley
When the Arthur Hills Thoroughbred Golf Course opened in 1993 it received a four and a-half star rating and was named a Best New Course by Golf Digest. Over the years, its ownership changed hands,and the summer Rothbury Music Festival, followed soon by the Electric Forest Festival,
each year drawing as many as 45,000 attendees, began to eclipse the resort’s golf reputation.
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Thoroughbred, Hole No. 2, Double JJ Resort
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Photo by Paul Bairley
Double JJ Resort’s Wagon Wheel Barn He remembers his first visit to the course, when he says, he too, fell in love with it. “I remember standing on the first tee and saying, “This is one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever seen – like a beautiful woman, there’s not a straight line on her,” he laughed. When the Double JJ fell into bankruptcy about seven years ago, a Pennsylvania company bought it, minus the golf course, for which Halbower’s son sought an option to buy, but it, too, was acquired by the Pennsylvania firm. Along the way, the firm’s long-distance management started to falter. Aware of the circumstance, Halbower negotiated a discounted note with the bank – a deal, but what he purchased was a great property with a lot of hidden infrastructure needs that he ambitiously had to tackle. Despite the challenges, the
Halbowers are determined to make it a prime vacation destination. “We have everything we need to make it like West Virginia’s Greenbrier Resort,” he said. The golf course is already contributing to that dream. The 18-hole Thoroughbred Golf Club offers five sets of tees, ranging from 4,779 to 6,490 yards. For more experienced and professional golfers, the championship (gold) tees, at 6,887 yards, will provide a significant test, even on a calm day. As Arthur Hills says on the Double JJ website, “The Thoroughbred is stunning and dramatic, but fair and playable for golfers of all abilities.” Experience says, it really is, and en route to that memorable round, golfers will enjoy playing an amazing variety of holes, amid beautiful landscapes and natural habitats. It’s hard to choose one signature
hole, but on the front nine, the par4 second hole stands out. For one, it is very dramatic. From the elevated tee you see nothing but a large cranberry bog between you and the green some 425 yards away, while a narrow ribbon of winding fairway wraps tightly between the wetland on the left and the woods on the right. Golf Michigan Live featured No. 2 as one of the 18 hardest holes in Michigan. Number four is also a great hole, with elevated tees set back into the trees, where a drive must clear the woods on either side to find the hilly fairway. From there, the hole opens up to a green that is tucked behind a pond which blends into a large wetland to the right – just a lovely spot for the green. On the back nine, Number 12 is interesting. It’s a very short par-4 that requires a forced carry over a
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Photo by Paul Bairley Photo by Paul Bairley
View of Thoroughbred’s Holes No. and 18 from The Sundance Saloon and Steakhouse.
Sundance Saloon and Steakhouse Interior 32
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It would be hard to argue with a nomination for Number 18 as the signature hole on the back nine. This lengthy par-5 doglegs the entire distance around the boggy shores of Carpenter Lake, and features all the trademarks of Arthur Hills: rolling hills, evergreen and hardwood forests, an inland lake with adjacent wetlands, deep bunkers, and a large undulating green, with little disturbance of the natural setting.
Photo courtesy of Double JJ Resort
rustic valley to an elevated fairway. From this landing zone, the hole doglegs sharply to the left, where there’s a short, but dramatic, downhill approach to the green. The view is nothing short of wonderful, and the approach is made even more distracting by the large wetland that protects the left side of the green.
Double JJ hosts the Electric Forest Festival
For golf information, visit, http://thoroughbredgolf.com/ or call 231-894-4444 or see the Double JJ website at http://doublejj.com to plan an overnight or extended stay visit. - MG -
Photo courtesy of Double JJ Resort
Golfers will enjoy all that the Thoroughbred Golf Club and Double JJ have to offer, especially the family-friendly extras, the amazing variety of accommodations –f rom 10-person lodges, to Conestoga wagons and an RV park, the Sundance Saloon and Steakhouse and the full Western theme. Certainly, it may be one of the few, if not the only, course worldwide, where horseback riders have the right of way on all cart paths!
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Wabooz Run for Short Game Fun By Jeff Bairley
The longest hole is 305 yards from the back tees, and most of the par fours are significantly shorter than that. On most of them you will at least entertain the notion of going for the green in one, but there is usually a safer lay-up option available to consider. The par-4 13th hole is one such hole, with a fairway that snakes between two wetlands short of the green, and a lake behind the green. The 15th is another great little risk-reward par-4, with back tees requiring a carry over the lake to a small landing area guarded by 34
Wabooz, Hole No. 13 large trees. Water runs up the entire left side, and between it and the ample green is the largest sand trap on the course.
Photo by Paul Bairley
Tucked just off US-127 on the property of the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel (about 1.5 miles from Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort), Waabooz Run Golf Course is an 18hole executive course. At Par 61 and 3,399 yards from the back tees (2465 from the forward tees), there is a quick, enjoyable round in store for players of all skill levels. Waabooz Run features 11 par threes and 7 par fours that are relatively straightforward, although players will find some interesting shot making decisions as the course unfolds.
Photo by Paul Bairley
H
eading up north for a spring golf getaway? Chances are you didn’t circle Mt. Pleasant as your primary golf destination, although that may change in the near future. If you are looking for a fun stop on your way to the golf Meccas of Northern Michigan, an immaculately manicured place to tune-up your irons and short game, then Boozhoo (Welcome) to Waabooz Run.
In terms of the many par three holes, it’s hard to beat number eight. A beautiful short hole framed by evergreen trees and a water feature that is more aesthetic than strategic. Throughout the course conditions are terrific, and there are plenty of sand and water hazards to keep things interesting along with some well-placed trees to test your skill and creativity. It’s only fitting that a few of these holes so close to the casino force you to gamble.
Speaking of gambling, there is free shuttle service available to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort from Waabooz Run. There is also a great pro shop with a full bar, and Nbakade Restaurant & Lounge is next door. We opted for Blue Gator in downtown Mt Pleasant for
Blue Gator, Downtown Mt. Pleasant the excellent BBQ and craft beer selection. Whether you are just passing through on your northbound golf trip, or looking to have a fun weekend for the whole family, or if you are just looking for a way that you can shoot eight over and still break 70, stop in and check out Waabooz Run in Mt. Pleasant.
Videos: Proshop http://waaboozrun.com/about.html Golf Course http://waaboozrun.com/course.html - MG -
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By Terry Moore
I
f I were to hit the Lotto or find buried treasure, I would be a member of NetJets or Wheels Up. Like those elite Terry Moore members on the PGA Tour, I’d have a private jet transport me to distant golf and family destinations. And I’d gladly wear a corporate logo on my sleeve or even my forehead for the privilege. The bigger question is where and when would I use the service? Giving this considerable idle thought, I would start with a few instate destinations far from my Grand Rapids home:
Greywalls in Marquette: I’ve
Photo courtesy of Gulf Stream
always wanted to play this Mike DeVries-designed gem in the UP but the seven hour drive and 411 mile trek have deterred me. But with a jet, it’s a snap. And while in
Photo courtesy of Greywalls, Marquette Golf Club
Photo courtesy of Terry Moore
Slice of Life – Wheels Up
Greywalls, Marquette Golf Club the UP, I’d knock off another bucket list non-golf locale: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan’s only National Park. In fact, I’d fly into Isle Royale not by a prohibited jet but by seaplane available from Hancock, MI. You see, my Wheels Up account includes seaplanes. MG-TV – Greywalls a Mike DeVries Design
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jM7 He7se-vU
Mackinac Island: One never tires of Mackinac Island and it’s unbeatable charm. Yet getting there is an ordeal with a long drive then a ferry ride. But the island’s Mackinac County Airport is only a mile from downtown and makes for a convenient horse-drawn carriage ride to the Grand Hotel. Of course, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a casual round at The Jewel or even Wawashkamo Golf Club for a walk back in time. MG -TV Wawashkamo GC https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZDB G6IKpLfg
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Photo courtesy of Wawashkamo GC
Wawashkamo Golf Club, Mackinac Island
Lakewood Shores and The Gailes: I’ve been to Lakewood Shores, located north of Tawas City in Oscoda on the Sunrise Side, on several occasions but the drive is always a grind. There’s simply no good way to get there by car from GR. But by private plane and via the Iosco County Airport (19 miles away) it’s an easy flight. I can even play The Gailes, an authentic and award-winning links course, twice in one day! MG-TV What’s New at Lakewood Shores https://youtube.com/watch?v=0tS M0kjAscA
Forest Dunes: Despite all the buzz, I’ve yet to see or play The Loop, Tom Doak’s inventive reversible layout at Forest Dunes in 36
Roscommon, 167 miles and almost three hours by car from home. Once, driving by car and using GPS, I got lost in forsaken back country. But not this time. My pilot, who trained under Arnold Palmer, would fly me into Grayling Army Airfield, a mere 18 miles and 27 minutes from Forest Dunes.
Barton Hills CC and The Big House: Just once, I’d love to jump on a plane on a sunny Saturday morning in early fall, fly into the Ann Arbor Airport, take a shuttle over to Barton Hills CC and play 18 holes over the restored and toughened Donald Ross layout. And to top it off, I’d then take a seat inside Michigan Stadium, aka The Big House, and watch the Wolverines vanquish a Big Ten foe.
My out-of-state destinations would span the continental U.S.:
Bandon Dunes: Last year, I learned Northville’s Meadowbrook CC, which has been closed due to major renovation, had a memberguest tournament at Bandon Dunes, the top shelf golf destination along the Oregon coastline. The organizers hired a fleet of private jets to transport the field. Now that’s the ticket! Bandon State Airport is a mere ten minutes from the gates of the golf resort. MG –TV Bandon Dunes a Sampler https://youtube.com/watch?v=cXP TSbXItio
Sea Island Golf Course: For a buddy’s golf trip, it’s hard to match
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Sea Island in Georgia, located midway between Jacksonville and Savannah. Home to three championship courses, Sea Island offers terrific golf, laid back island ambience, and plenty of dining and watering hole options. And if you’re there during the Georgia-Florida football game weekend, rest up ahead of time. Best yet, the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is only ten minutes from the clubhouse at Sea Island.
Augusta, GA: Commanding my Gulfstream G650 I’d fly into Augusta’s Daniel Field and queue up in a long line of private jets, all there because of the timeless attraction of the Masters. Arriving on Wednesday evening, I’d savor all four tournaments rounds. Upon the conclusion of Sunday’s action, an
Augusta National courtesy van would drive 14 minutes and five miles to Daniel Field. In less than two hours, I’d be back home in Grand Rapids. But in another eight hours, I’d be waking up from this luxury-laden dream—finding myself lost on state land somewhere in northern Michigan— still looking for Forest Dunes. A member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Moore is a resident of Grand Rapids, MI and may be reached at terry50moore@gmail.com - MG -
Photo by Jennie McCafferty
Naples, FL: Private jets are as commonplace as a taxi or Uber in Naples, long a winter haven for upscale snow birds, many from Michigan. It may be crowded with
traffic but Naples’ weather is tropical. Golf is pricey with paltry public offerings but private gated community options with name architects abound. The Naples Municipal Airport is 16 minutes and only five miles away from Grey Oaks Country Club. And one’s luggage is never lost.
Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes Resort
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