Michigan Golfer, Summer - 2010

In This Issue V O L U M E

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http://michigangolfer.com MICHIGAN GOLFER Publisher/Editor Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com Editor Emeritus Terry Moore

Associate Publisher/Producer Jennie McCafferty

Writers Jeff Bairley Susan Bairley L’anse Bannon Mike Beckman Jack Berry Jason Deegan Tom Doak Mike Duff Rob Franciosi Thad Gutowski Marty Henwood Kelly Hill Greg Johnson Vartan Kupelian Chris Lewis Jim Neff Norm Sinclair Michael Patrick Shiels Ron Whitten Gary Holaway Janina Parrott Jacobs

Herschel Nathanial Bernice Phillips Bill Shelton Brad Shelton Marc Van Soest John Wukovits Photo/Video Mike Brown Kevin Frisch Dave Richards Carter Sherline Clarence Sormin Brian Walters Director of Accounting Cheryl Clark

Michigan Golfer is produced by

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Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc.

GLSP Advertising & Business Office 4007 Carpenter Road, #366 Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734.507.0241 734.434.4765 FAX info@glsp.com glsp.com

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By Mike Duff

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French Lick Resort Defies Economic Downturn

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Walter Hagen Returns to French Lick

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Alma Scots – Reflecting on the Past, Preparing for the Future

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Michigan Golfer is published online four times a year by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd, #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

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Forest Dunes: Raising the Bar

By Bill Shelton

By Brad Shelton

By Chris Lewis

Aquinas Saints – Looking Back and Striving Forward

By Chris Lewis

Cover: Forest Dunes Photo © Brian Walters •

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Forest Dunes: R

Photo Š Brian Walters

By Mike Duff

Raising the Bar

Photo © Brian Walters

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An early morning mist welcomes golfers at Forest Dunes recognition awards. Most recently, Golfweek Magazine has named Forest Dunes • Number 30 for Best Residential Course out of hundreds of courses throughout the country, • Number 82 for the Best Modern Courses, • Number 2 in Michigan for Best Courses You Can Play, • Number 1 in the Reader’s Choice Award for the top 50 public courses, and • Number 18 in America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses.

here can you go in Michigan and enjoy one of the most honored golf communities? Guess where...Right in the middle of the state. The rare, but native to Michigan, Kirtland Warbler can be found nestled in the habitat surrounding this area which is located in the Huron Valley National Forest near the south branch of the Au Sable River. You can find this 1200 acre gem ten miles east of Roscommon located in the Mason Tract forest area.

Since Forest Dunes’ opening in 2002 it has won over 20 national

Photo preceding page: Hole number 8.

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If that isn’t enough, Golf World magazine, part of the ESPN sports group, recently named Forest •

Dunes the Number One Best Public Golf Course in America.

In addition, in 2003 Forest Dunes became the first Michigan golf course to be certified as a Gold Aububon International Signature Sanctuary– joining only 20 other locations in the world to have this honor.

Course designer, Tom Weiskopf, took this remarkable piece of natural property of sand dunes, pine forests, birch groves and grasslands and turned it in to a brilliant homage to golf at its best.

Photo opposite page: The Clubhouse

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Jim Bluck, the golf course superintendent, doesn’t take the recognition Forest Dunes has received for granted. He is committed to continuing to improve and perfect the natural beauty this piece of land offers. Jim has applied his knowledge in many different ways. One in particular is the annual prescription burning of the native plantings. With approximately 18 acres of minimally maintained native grasses, Jim explains the advantages of prescription burning. “First it aids in the reduction of the amount of herbicide inputs by killing the cool season weeds while it aids in the re-growth of the warm season plants.” Jim and his team excel in maintaining the grounds in its natural state.

Photo © Brian Walters

The 22,000 square foot club house has full service locker rooms, dinning for 130 persons and a meeting space. It also offers other amenities such as a spa and fitness center. I recently spent a day there with 20 or so other media members and was treated to

a tour of the club house, a variety of culinary offerings and a round of golf. I was impressed with every phase of the experience.

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orest Dunes is managed by Troon Golf one of the leading groups in upscale course management. They have more than 190 courses in 32 states and 30 countries. And they don’t service just anyone. Their process is very selective. The course remains open to the public (twice a year only) but is heading toward private status. It presently has 80 members and is aggressively seeking an increase in the next few years.

Heading this effort up is Jennifer Middleton, membership director.

General Manager, Mark Gurnow, says that “every step we have taken here has been with that goal of taking the course private.”

Memberships start at $15,000 plus $4,800 annual dues. So, I suggest that anyone who wants to have a phenomenal golf experience take advantage now while you still have a chance. And for those of you who are looking for a golf commu-

nity that is second to none, you can find it at Forest Dunes.

Critical to the Forest Dunes future success is the land development surrounding the course. Over three hundred home sites are available with 110 being offered in phase I. Lots range from $39,000 to $360,000.

The golf experience I had was terrific. Before you tee off you might want to take advantage of the state-of-the art 20 acre practice facility. Forest Dunes also features a par three 19th hole– complete with a mid-green bunker that can offer up a way of settling all existing bets.

The course lived up to all its previous honors. This is not a tricked up design. It is a very playable course for all abilities.

The landing areas from the tees are generous and safe. But be prepared to find your second and third shot and beyond a challenge. That is what makes Forest Dunes the course it is. It plays to

Photo © Brian Walters

The Wizartry of Tom Weiskopf a natural rolling landscape that keeps you thinking but doesn’t punish you unless you drift outside the boundaries.

There are plenty of traps to change your course outlook. I was in quite a few of them but managed to get out and recapture a reasonable score. These are not 8

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water collection pits from winter and heavy rains but soft and manageable traps. These traps give you a chance to make a recovery shot. I like that since I am not a good trap player. This early in the season the traps are expertly maintained which I found quite remarkable. I can’t imagine what they would be like

in mid-season. More than remarkable I am sure.

My favorite holes are: #2 Tee Placement, 6579 yards

#6 called the Gamble, 344 yards.

Short par 4. 11 handicap. The name says it all.

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#15 called the Hideway. A challenging par 5. 4 handicap Be careful of the hidden ridge in front of the green which you can’t see from the approaching fairway.

Pay no attention to the handicap rating because what you experience is yours alone. Golf is an individual experience, no matter what other opinions offer. So, my favorite holes may not match yours but I can guarantee every hole will make you think about the experience you just had.

The course plays 3000 yards for juniors (15 and under) to 7141 yards from the tips. On the score card you will find 4 tee boxes.

5032 yards from the forward tees to 7141 from the tips. The mid and up front tees are 6579 and 5920 respectively.

#8 called Forest’s Edge, 419 yards.

A placement shot dog leg right par 4. 3 handicap. Second and third shots are critical.

#10 called the Decision, 442 yards.

Long par 4 with a double fairway.

#6 handicap. The decision is yours.

#12 called the White Tail. 372 yards. Difficult par 4 with a dog leg left with water protecting the green on the right. 10 handicap.

Your second shot is critical.

#14 called the Meadow. 430 yards.

A long par 4 with waste bunkers on the right. 2 handicap. Nothing easy about this hole.

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Okay, get ready for the price. A course of this caliber is within the range of comparable courses around the country, but for those of us who have a threshold of about $60 for any course the price may be a little steep. But let’s face it… time to pay up. If you really want to go to the next level (maybe a one time expenditure), then you will have to pay $125 between May 28-August 22 (M-T) and $150 (W-TH). After 4:00pm the rates drop to $80. Golf rates after 3:00 pm include golf cart and green fees only. Some stay and play packages seem very reasonable. Call 989.275.0700 or visit http://forestdunesgolf.com for more information. You won’t be disappointed.

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Photo Š Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

French Lick Resort Defies Ec

By Bill Shelton

conomic Downturn

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he recent tough economic times did not deter the ownership of the French Lick Resort, site of the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship, from pushing forward with a $500,000 million restoration of the property.

Purchasing the property in 2005, the Cook Group, led by Chairman Steve Ferguson, refurbished two luxury hotels, developed a casino, restored the Donald Ross and Valley Links courses, and built the Pete Dye Course. Attesting to the spectacular result, Golf Digest recently ranked the French Lick Resort as 29th in its Top 75 Resorts list. Both hotels have

Photo © Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

Photo preceding page: Pete Dye Course

received national recognitions for historical and architectural significance and the casino and conference facilities are considered some of the finest in the Midwest.

Dave Harner, Director of Golf Operations at French Lick, discussed the philosophy and strategy of the ownership group at the PNC Media day. “For the Cook Group, the restoration of this property was never about economics. There was no consideration about adopting a survival strategy. From the beginning, the overriding goal was to make French Lick a premier resort destination.” He continued, “I don’t remember any reference to economic outcomes in the presentations of the ownership group. It was always, ‘Do the right things,

and do those things right.’ That’s why Pete Dye, the greatest golf architect of modern times, was selected to design our new course.”

Although no cost was provided, estimates of the construction range from $25-30 million.

Serving as the primary venue for the 2010 PGA National Championship, the Pete Dye Course is carved on a hilltop, one of the highest points in Indiana.

Dye acknowledges “I have never built one like this before.”

Recognition of his craftsmanship had been instant as Golf Digest named it as America’s Best New Public Course in 2009 and Golf Magazine identified it as the Best New Course in 2009.

A panoramic view of the Pete Dye Course

The PGA professionals will also compete on the Donald Ross Course, built in 1917 and site of the 1924 PGA Championship. The course has recently been restored to its original design at a cost of $5 million.

Reflecting on his more than three decades in the golf industry, Harner acknowledged that the rapid growth of courses in the 1990’s exceeded the demand. “When national golf organizations were suggesting that as many as 3 new courses were needed to be built every day to meet expected demand, it’s easy to see why the oversaturation occurred. Plus, it was relatively easy to get financing during the 90’s.” Many golf entities now have been required to assume a survival mode or close. Harner does not agree with one of the survival strategies. “The golf industry has sacrificed price and seldom is it a successful strategy.” The result is typically a reduction in quality and service and consequently a reduction in rounds.

For the more than 300 golfers participating in the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship, it will be an opportunity to experience what may well be the premier golfing venue in the

Photo © Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

Photo © Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

Harner admits that this level of expenditures on golf facilities is contrary to recent trends in the industry. “While we also have a nine- hole course, Valley Links, the Dye and Ross courses have highend fees. We believe that to be a premier resort facility, you have to offer exceptional quality for your guests. And that means, in part, a unique golfing experience and venue.”

A view from the Ross Course clubhouse Midwest—and for Dave Harner and his staff, recognition from their fellow professionals.

Note* Bill Shelton and his son, Brad, visited French Lick at the

Grand Opening of the Dye course.

Here is their interview with Pete Dye and the son of Elvis Presley. http://michigangolfer.tv/ 2008shows/french_lick_dye/ - MG -

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Walter Hagen Retu

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By Brad Shelton

ighty-six years after winning the PGA Championship over Englishman James Barnes on the 36th and final hole of a two-round match, Walter Hagen will return this year to the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. No, Walter Hagen will not be in attendance – he died in 1969. Rather, the trophy named in his honor, the Walter Hagen Cup, will be awarded to the winner of the 2010 Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) National Club Professional Championship to be contested in French Lick June 2730, 2010.

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urns to French Lick

Walter Hagen

Walter Hagen at French Lick

In 1924, Walter Hagen won the second of his five PGA Championships on the Hill Course at French Lick designed by legendary architect Donald Ross.

Hagen, the winner of 11 major championships including two U.S. Open Championships and four British Open Championships, is a charter inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Walter Hagen served as the first club professional at the now legendary Oakland Hills Country Club, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he worked for Oakland Hills into the early 1920s.

This year, more than 300 of the best PGA Club Professionals will test their game and vie for the 43rd Annual Hagen trophy in French Lick on the Donald Ross Course, renamed in honor of the renowned designer, and the recently completed Pete Dye Course, named after the Hall of Fame architect, opened for play in 2009.

Photo © Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

Contestants in this year’s championship will face the challenge of

two distinct course designs. The Donald Ross Course will test the players’ ability to meet Ross’ classic design, which invites run-up shots but includes severe trouble at the back of the green. Once reaching the putting surface, the Ross Course adds diabolical greens with turtleback designs and severe slope originally meant for stimpmeter readings of 4 or 5 – not the 10-12 common on today’s greens.

At the Pete Dye Course, small greens and collection areas will test the shot-making abilities of the players – not to mention the length of the course, which can play to over 8,000 yards, and volcano bunkers that await wayward tee and approach shots. When asked what Walter Hagen or Donald Ross would think of the design and set up of the two courses for the PGA National Club Professional Championship, Pete Dye responded, “Neither would recognize golf today. Even in 1924, both thought the technology, equipment, and players were too advanced for the

The Donald Ross Course

game and golf course designs.”

Located two-and-a-half hours south of Indianapolis, French Lick Resort is a compelling long weekend option for the avid golfer, their playing partners, and families. Beyond the two championship golf courses, French Lick offers first class accommodations at West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Springs Hotel, spa treatments, horseback riding, hiking, first-class entertainment, fine dining, and a Vegas-style casino.

But for the PGA Club Professionals this June, French Lick Resort is primarily about winning the prestigious National Club Professionals Championship and connecting with the immortal Walter Hagen.

Note* Brad and Bill Shelton visited French Lick at the Grand Opening of the Dye course. Here is their report with Pete Dye and the son of Elvis Presley. http://michigangolfer.tv/2008shows /french_lick_dye/ - MG -

Photo Š Kevin Frisch / Fusion Media Strategies

The Pete Dye Course – a view from the second highest point in Indiana

Alma Scots Reflecting on the Past, Preparing for the Future

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Photo courtesy of Alma College

By Chris Lewis

ince 1934, Alma College has provided golfers from around the country and the world an opportunity to not only enjoy their favorite sport, but to also compete against a variety of colleges and universities. Throughout the last seven decades, various individuals and teams have enjoyed success at Alma through the attainment of an assortment of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) titles, as well as MIAA18

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Alma College men’s golf team, 2009

MVP awards.

As a second-year head coach for Alma’s men’s golfing program, Ryan Duckworth is currently focused on leading his squad to future MIAA titles. With over four years of coaching experience, including two seasons as a head coach for his alma mater, Saginaw Valley State University, Duckworth is now prepared to help the Alma men’s program reach its full potential.

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“During the last two seasons, the Scots have shown that they can compete against some of the best teams in the MIAA,” said Duckworth.

“Now, as the team looks ahead the future, it will strive to not only remain competitive within the MIAA, but to also obtain tournament victories as well.”

Throughout the 2009 season, the Alma Scots enjoyed a variety of tournament successes and

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Throughout October, the team continued to finish in the top-five at an assortment of MIAA jamboree events, displaying a level of consistency that Coach Duckworth hopes will be sustained during the upcoming 2010 season.

“During the MIAA jamboree event hosted by Calvin College, the team finished fifth.

Individually, both Brian Rabedioux (’12) and Charlie Vana (’13) played exceptionally well in order to finish among the top-ten scorers,” said Duckworth. “Meanwhile, the team also finished fifth at Hope College’s MIAA jamboree event hosted at the challenging Wuskowhan Players Club.”

While reflecting on the 2009 season, Coach Duckworth also remembers the memorable ending of Calvin College’s jamboree event.

“Brian McKenney (’10) and Drew Hoffman (’10) each had terrific finishes at Watermark Country Club when Calvin hosted its MIAA event, as they played their last three holes at a combined score of five-under-par in order to lead the team to its fifth-place showing,” said Duckworth.

“Watermark Country Club is one of the strongest golfing tests in the MIAA,” said Duckworth. “The team finished with a score of 312 that day, a vast improvement of 28 strokes from the previous year. As the team continues to perform in a similar fashion, I have no doubt that the future of Alma men’s golf will be rather positive.”

Golfing Success During the Last Four Decades

Back in 1967, the Scots won the first of three consecutive MIAA titles. Throughout that time, the team was led by Jim Goodrich (’70), a 1985 inductee into the Alma College Hall of Fame.

During his playing career at Alma, Goodrich was not only a member of the All-MIAA team in 1968 and 1969, but was also voted the Most Valuable Player of the MIAA in 1969. However, his greatest athletic achievement with Alma was most likely not individually, but, rather, as a member of the 1967, 1968, and 1969 varsity teams that each captured a MIAA title. To date, no other teams have enjoyed as much success as those three teams throughout the 75-year-long tradition of Alma men’s golf.

While Goodrich has certainly enjoyed the game of golf since his graduation, he has also pursued other interests, especially his passion for business. Once he graduated from Alma, Goodrich obtained a position with Northwestern

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of Alma College

“Back in September, the team finished fourth at the MIAA jamboree event hosted at Adrian College’s Lenawee Country Club,” said Duckworth. “Guy Ball (’12) actually finished in second-place at the event after shooting a 72.”

Duckworth feels his team’s performance at Watermark was likely its best of the season.

Alma College men’s golf team, 1981

Photo courtesy of Alma College

appear to be prepared for a longterm future of steady performances within the MIAA. Even though the squad did not actually capture a tournament title, its season-long consistency was well-noticed.

Alma College men’s golf team, 1982

Mutual in order to use the skills he attained at Alma within the workforce. Today, Goodrich is still working for the organization, almost 40 years after he received his diploma. As evidenced by Goodrich’s life off of the golf course, Alma athletes are not only dedicated to their sports, but are also focused on using their variety of talents to improve the lives of other people.

In the meantime, Ted Kallgren (’84) had a rather similar collegiate golfing career to Goodrich’s. In 1982, Kallgren was honored with the MIAA-MVP award and was the only Alma golfer to receive the award throughout the 1980s. From 1981 to 1983, he was a member of the All-MIAA team as well.

Currently, Kallgren is the only Alma golfer to be honored with three consecutive All-MIAA team memberships. Even though the Scots did not capture three consecutive championships while •

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Kallgren was a member, he will still be remembered as one of Alma’s greatest golfers well into the future.

and prospective Alma athletes to follow their examples once they graduate.

Like Goodrich, Kallgren has served his community though a variety of other talents aside from his golfing capabilities.

Throughout his career in finance, Kallgren has diligently worked for organizations like Ernst & Young, Pamesco Corporation, and Select Media Services. As Alma athletes and alumni, like Goodrich and Kallgren, use their collegiate educational and athletic experiences in a positive manner, they do not only improve the lives of other people, but they also encourage current

Coach Duckworth Looks Ahead to the Future

Meanwhile, as Coach Duckworth reflects on the positive aspects of Alma’s 2009 season, he cannot help but to be excited about the future of his squad. As Guy Ball (’12), Brian Rabedioux (’12), and Charlie Vana (’13) each played consistently well during the 2009 season, it seems they will be wellprepared to contribute to a successful 2010 campaign. Even though

next year’s squad will be rather young, Coach Duckworth believes his team will still be able to contend in tournaments throughout the 2010 season.

“With some of our younger players leading the way in tournaments this year, our team is poised to make a move up the MIAA standings in the future,” said Duckworth. “Each golfer certainly has the potential to positively contribute to the success of the team in 2010. I am excited to have an opportunity to help each golfer realize their true potentials during the coming months and years.”

Established in 1886, Alma College currently provides a private, liberal arts education to approximately 1,400 students each year. With accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Alma offers students a variety of academic courses, ranging from Chinese and French to psychology and computer science. Throughout the academic year, Alma students are also able to enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities, primarily athletics.

With nine men’s sports and nine women’s sports, Alma provides students with adequate opportunities to enjoy their favorite sports throughout their academic careers.

For more information about Alma College, as well as its wide selection of athletic programs, please visit http://www.alma.edu/.

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MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Aquinas Saints – Looking Back and Striving Forward

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However, in recent times, the Aquinas Saints have been planning for the future, as the relatively young team continues to gain experience in college golf. Head coach Tom Gunn (’67) has led the Saints for 24 consecutive years. During the last two decades, Gunn has helped both inexperienced and well-experienced teams reach their full potentials.

Gunn believes he will be able to help his current team reach its full potential as well.

“The team will definitely be stronger next year, despite the loss of Brad Hall (’10), the only senior on this year’s team,” said Gunn.

“During this past season, the Saints experienced some growing pains.

Yet, I believe that the lessons the team obtained this season will serve them well in the future. Alex Smith (’11) and Max Rouse (’11) will lead the less-experienced team to future successes next year.”

Photo courtesy of Aquinas College

hile Aquinas College is known for providing a stellar liberal arts education to thousands of students year after year, it has also produced a solid men’s golf team throughout the last few decades. From the 1963 team that finished second in the NCAA Division II national tournament to the 2005 and 2006 teams which won two consecutive conference championships, Aquinas’ golfing history has certainly been successful.

By Chris Lewis

Aquinas Saints Men’s Golf Team

Reflections on the Fall 2009 Season

Coach Gunn certainly has a variety of reasons for believing in the future successes of his squads.

First, the fall 2009 team was actually led by Joel Siegel (’13), a freshman from Sparta, Michigan and a former leader of Sparta High School’s varsity golf team.

“Joel had an average of 77.6 for all conference matches, which was lower than all of his fellow teammates, including senior Brad Hall,” said Gunn. “I am very excited about the future of Joel’s career with Aquinas. I believe he will definitely contribute to the Saints’

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future successes throughout the next three years.”

Second, even though the squad finished fifth in scoring in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), out of seven teams, the team did have a rather strong performance at Siena Heights University’s hosted jamboree. With a total score of 307, by far the team’s best score of the season, the Saints showed that they can certainly compete with the other teams in their conference.

Through more successful matches like the Siena Heights jamboree, the team will not only gain confidence, but will also obtain consistency during the coming years.

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“That day our team averaged 77.6 strokes. Besides the squad’s performance at Siena, the Saints’ next best score was 312 during its first jamboree of the season,” Gunn said. “As I look back at this past season’s best performances, I cannot help but to believe that the best is yet to come.”

well as individuals who are learning how to play the game.

In 2002, Kurzynowski was honored for his past achievements and contributions to Aquinas golf, as he was inducted into the college’s inaugural athletic hall of fame. The following year, Kurzynowski was once again inducted into the college’s hall of fame, as a member of the 1963 team which remains the most successful squad in Aquinas golf history. The team, known as the “Yankees of the North”, finished with a regular season record of 19-5, while defeating larger schools like Notre Dame, Western Michigan University, and Wayne State University. Even though the team did not win the NCAA Division II National Championship, its runner-up finish is still Aquinas’ highest team finish at a national sports competition.

Aquinas Golf – A Longstanding Tradition of Golfing Success

Throughout the last six decades, various individuals have led the Aquinas Saints to success on the golf course. Yet, one individual golfer seems to stand above the rest. As a 1964 graduate of Aquinas, John Kurzynowski remains the most successful golfer in the program’s history.

Kurzynowski first began playing for the Saints in 1963, after transferring from Jackson Junior College. During his first year with the Saints, the team earned a Division II national runner-up finish after a 19-5 seasonal record.

In the meantime, Kurzynowski finished fourth individually in the 1963 NCAA Division II National Championship. Yet, Kurzynowski would attain further honors while playing for Aquinas during the 1964 season. That year, he followed his fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship with a victory, in order to become the first national champion and All-American in Aquinas’ history. After his successful golfing career at Aquinas, Kurzynowski became a golf professional, in order to use his talents to positively impact the sport, as 22

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Coach Gunn Looks Forward to a Successful Future

Of course, collegiate golf will always remain a team-oriented sport, as no individual will ever be viewed as more important than the core team unit. Even though Aquinas’ 2009 squad did not repeat the success of the 1963 team that finished second in the NCAA Division II National Championship, the team still has a positive outlook on its past season, as well as its capabilities for success in the future.

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“The team has learned so much during the past year about how to persist through losses in a respectful, sportsmanlike manner,” said Gunn.

“The team will use its past experiences rather positively, as each individual will strive to obtain team success during the coming years. I have no doubt that Aquinas will continue to have successful golfing squads well into the future.”

Through its affiliation with the Catholic Dominion tradition, as well as its core liberal arts curriculum, Aquinas College provides a Christian atmosphere in which students can not only learn and grow within the classroom, but outside of it as well. Aquinas students are well-prepared for lives of active leadership and service upon their graduations, as they strive to improve the lives of other people.

With its location in the thriving metropolis of Grand Rapids, students are able to enjoy the benefits of a small educational community within a larger city.

Meanwhile, Aquinas also offers its students a variety of athletic opportunities, ranging from soccer and cross country to tennis and lacrosse. With nine men’s athletic teams and twelve women’s athletic teams, Aquinas has had successful athletic programs since its establishment in 1886. Aquinas athletes are typically known for their academic achievements, as well as their athletic accomplishments, as they tend to focus on both the utilization of their academic talents and their accomplishments within the athletic arenas.

For more information about Aquinas College, as well as its wide selection of athletic programs, please visit http://www.aquinas.edu/index.html.

- MG -

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE