Two words that wholly describe that spring is here.
We look at The Masters from a couple perspectives in this month’s magazine. Since 2009, the state of Michigan (including MSU and U-M) have sent five men to play in the Masters – one pro and four amateurs.
One of those amateurs is Randy Lewis of Alma, who played there in 2012. Lewis played in the par 3 contest with Bubba Watson, who went on to win the major that year with his huge hook shot out of the trees on No. 10 in a playoff. We have a wonderful story this month from Melanie Lewis, Randy’s wife, as only a loving spouse can share her unique experiences on the Augusta National grounds.
Island Resort and Casino in the U.P. is our cover story because they are hard at work adding another course to their magnificent inventory.
This month you can also find:
Drive, Chip and Putt background involving Michigan kids
Another course review in the occasional series of Freeways and Fairways
A high school golf coach who has been at the helm for 53 years College golf spring season early results and awards
Pierce Lake is a wonderful municipal course west of Ann Arbor that too many I-94 commuters pass by in their busy lives. It’s truly one of the better ‘munis’ in Southeast Michigan, with very reasonable prices for a course filled with challenge, beauty and fun.
Trees line many holes, but on the front nine they are pushed back away from the wide fairways allowing for a much more open-air experience. A good variety of shot shapes are required and the rolling terrain is a pleasant surprise in the region.
Hole 9 is a really nice closing hole (if you choose not to make the turn), as it goes downhill all the way and gives your drive an extra 20-30 yard kick. If you do make the turn, 18 is also a great
closing hole, but is unique in that it’s a long par 3. Even from the middle tees it’s roughly 200 yards to a huge green complex that’s more than 50 yards deep and is framed by a high-banked hill to the left.
The holes where the freeway is evident are easily No. 2-5, then 10-13 on the back nine. And it’s the back nine where the fairways narrow, and accuracy is at more of a premium. Eight of the back 9 holes require going over a marsh, creek or pond either directly in front of the tee, or somewhere along the approach to the green. Of course, forward tees give a break on some of those tee shots.
What jumped out at me is that many holes are actually more attractive when looking from the green back to the tee, so don’t forget to turn around after picking up your putts and enjoy the land you just traversed – a trip I enjoyed the entire time.
More information: https://www.piercelakegolf.com/
More Golf Coming to the U.P. More Golf Coming to the U.P.
Island Resort and Casino adding new Cedar Course
Island Resort and Casino adding new Cedar Course
ByTomLang ByTomLang
It’s a well-known fact that Michigan has the most public golf courses in the United States.
Now we’re getting one more.
The new Cedar Course in the Upper Peninsula is being bult right now just west of Escanaba on the Island Resort and Casino property at Sage Run.
The resort has started with nine-holes (opening in 2026), and designed in a way for a second nine to be added to the adjacent land in the future.
Additional building plans to begin in July will be work on a short course, practice area and an extension of the driving range.
According to visionary GM Tony Mancilla, the
holes have all been shaped, with the trees gone and the dirt moved. “It looks like a golf course now, just without grass,” he said. “In the middle of April, most if not all drainage will be in, irrigation will be started, a pond will be finished up.
“And seed in the ground is planned for June. The bent grass should grow quickly. It will look like what it’s going to look like by September.”
Mancilla said everything with the process has gone well, and without fear of jinxing himself, said progress is ahead of schedule.
“We are developing it about two months faster than originally planned,” he told me. “The tree clearing was a wait for federal government approval, but once that got done, the guys got in there and cleared it out real quick. The biggest logger in the U.P. went in there and took
everything they needed to take, and once that all happened everything moved real quick.”
Michigan-based course designer Paul Albanese, who developed both of the highlyranked Sweetgrass and Sage Run at IRC, is also doing Cedar.
“We all looked at the property and agree the land is somewhere between that of Sage Run and of Sweetgrass,” Albanese told me. “It’s not quite as dramatic as Sage Run as far as the elevation changes up and down, and it’s not as low-slung as Sweetgrass. It’s got some good rolls, some really interesting features and we’re trying to do a design concept from the golden age, for every hole.
“Tony and I went through (a couple dozen) green styles that have been used throughout the history of golf architecture, and we picked nine of them.”
Albanese said a punch bowl, a Redan and a double plateau greens are in the works.
“After clearing the trees, we got a feel for how beautiful the land is. We knew it was beautiful when we looked at the topo maps, and when I tromped through the woods it looked like it would be good. Then it was a great surprise how beautiful the land is.”
Mancilla agreed.
“As far as elevation and features, the land kind of falls between both courses (Sage Run and Sweetgrass),” he said. “It’s not similar. I always tell people that when you play Sweetgrass one time and Sage Run another, you won’t believe you’re even in the same county because they are so different.
“At the Cedar course, the hills roll, but roll a little bigger than Sweetgrass, but they’re not as big as Sage Run and there’s no intimidating shots like you (have) up those par 3s at Sage Run.
“This is why Paul Albanese was able to use a lot of Scottish templates,” Mancilla continued. “Because it’s that kind of terrain (you’d find in
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Scotland). It’s a little more rolling, but it’s not extreme. So, once again, you’re going to play this third 9 and it’s going to feel different.”
The Cedar will eventually become 18 holes. For now, the new nine will more quickly fill a need in the near-term.
“We started with nine first because we needed to fill more early-morning tee times, and building nine is a lot faster than building 18,” Mancilla said. “We wanted to get the nine going because we have a lot of customers who come in late and want to play, but there’s not enough time to play 18 (before sunset).”
He explained on the flip side, that golfers who might have a half day drive home on their last day
at the resort can fit in a final nine holes easily and still head out before or near lunchtime and get home at a reasonable hour.
“That was the reason we did the nine to start. It’s being designed to add the other holes, and there is land to do it. The next stage is probably some more hotel rooms and probably the other nine.”
Island Resort and Casino currently has 454 rooms. Some include golfer suites in the newest tower that consist of two connected, large areas with plenty of well-spaced sleeping room for four.
Mancilla said that at least another 50-60 rooms need to be added somewhere on property because they are sold out 99 percent of the time from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
FavoriteHoles:
In Mancilla’s opinion, the first hole is really dramatic as it plays down a valley.
“So far, just riding the property on a cart,
that’s the one that sticks in my mind the most. That first tee shot is really cool. It looks like Pasatiempo, an Alister MacKenzie course in (Santa Cruz) California. That’s what it looks like. You’re down in this valley looking up to a green. It’s really cool.
“And No. 4, it’s a par 5 that plays along a ridge. You can play it far to the right, there’s a lot of room between there and the 6 hole. No. 4 and 6 border each other. You can bail it out, you can slice it. But if you hit it down the left side you’re going to see the green.” th
He added that it’s a par 5 where if you lay it up you will see the green. If you go for it you have to be on the left side, or the green will be hidden behind a mound (toward the right).
“It’s probably the best designed hole from what I can see right now,” he said. “There’s
so many ways to play it. No. 1, visually, is probably going to be the best hole. But strategically, that No. 4 hole sticks out.”
Albanese pointed out that much care went into selecting wonderful green complexes that will intrigue and delight golfers. He said that every hole’s green complex will try to emulate a golden age design concept. Example: the green complex of the 6 hole at Augusta National. He said as it’s planned now the hole will play downhill but not have the large valley between the tee and green you see in Georgia on TV. th
“We believe it’s a classic par three, yet it might get overlooked often,” Albanese said. “You don’t hear people talk about ‘Juniper’ as it’s called. But we looked at the contours of the hole and hope to
emulate it. So, when you’re on that green you’ll get a similar flavor as if you were playing Juniper at Augusta.”
Because he grew up in the western U.S., Mancilla often has friends and family visit in the Upper Peninsula.
“I grew up in Idaho and I have old college friends and I have family all over the country, and I can tell you that everyone who comes to the U.P. has fun. Sometimes we play golf, other times I take them to the Bridge, or we go to Munising and see the Pictured Rocks. But everybody has fun here.
“It’s one of those places that if you’ve been here and experienced it, you want to come back. And in the golf world, we offer great golf, but do so at a really great rate. You can play both of our courses and stay two nights and pay maybe $320. It’s not cheap golf, it’s high-end golf. We put a lot of money into the courses, a lot of conditioning. So, you’re playing country club golf at a really good price.
“When people think of us, I think our courses stand toe-to-toe with anybody. But when you wrap it all up together, I think you have a more fun experience.”
Find your fun at:
SageRunHole3
DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT
Lucas Bernstein was a Williamston resident when he won the 2021 National title in the boys 7-9 category, but his family has since moved back to his native California.
This April, some Michiganders are on standby as alternates if the regional champions don’t attend.
No Michigan Juniors in Drive, Chip
No Michigan Juniors in Drive, Chip and Putt Finals This Year and Putt Finals This Year
This is the second April in a row that Michigan does not have a representative in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.
Typically, multiple Michigan kids make it each year. In fact, every year from the inaugural 2015 event, through 2023, one or more young players from Michigan represented the state well – a total of 23 times.
Past National champion PJ Maybank of Cheboygan (2018, boys 12-13) is now playing golf at the University of Oklahoma. That same year, Josh Lavely of Kewadin won the National driving and chippingsegments of the 14-15 year olds. Lavely, however, took runner up overall in a one-putt playoff. He currently plays golf at Villanova.
Bentley Coon of Horton won the 10-11 age group in 2022. He reached the Regionals in the 14-15 age group this year at Valhalla in Louisville, but did not advance.
In the Boys 7-9 category, Jack Pan of Rochester Hills is the second alternate for going to Augusta National; and same with Graham Hammer of Traverse City. He is the second alternate in the Boys 10-11 age group.
In the Boys 14-15 age group, Aidan Oake of Howell is the first alternate, if regional winner Seth Greenwell of Kentucky doesn’t attend.
In the Girls 10-11, Lilo Tsai of Ann Arbor is the second alternate, having placed third at her Regional.
While 80 junior golfers from across the nation are descending upon Augusta National for the televised finals on Sunday, April 6, local qualifying will soon be underway at 16 sites in Michigan, ranging from May 11 to July 29, for a chance at the 2026 National Finals.
Registration for local qualifications for next year’s finals is now open at: https://michiganpga. com/junior-golf/drivechip-putt/
Drive, Chip & Putt is a free event.
Lewisfamily:Chris,Nicklaus,Melanie,andRandy
Masters Memories, An Inside Story Masters Memories, An Inside Story
My husband, Randy Lewis, earned the golf dream of a lifetime when he qualified to play in the 2012 Masters as the oldest known amateur to ever make it to Augusta National.
For something like that to happen to a normal husband and dad from the small Michigan town of Alma is unprecedented, really. He earned the invitation by winning the 2011 U.S. MidAmateur, another great feat for a man in his mid-50s facing off against 20- and 30-year-olds.
It’s one thing to gain a seemingly impossible-tofind ticket to attend The Masters as a fan. It’s yet another to maybe play the course with an Augusta member. But to be able to tour the Augusta National grounds and clubhouse and follow your husband as he practiced and then played in the greatest golf tournament in the
world is – well, other-worldly.
The memories flood back across our hearts and minds every April when the theme song is played on television, and they pan the camera up Magnolia Lane. That always takes me back to three weeks before the tournament when Randy went to Georgia to play some practices rounds. I was able to go for one
day on a personal day from teaching school at Pine Avenue Elementary.
The first thing people talk about is Magnolia Lane, and it was perfect. It’s that memorable tunnel of trees, it’s beautiful, and it opens the door to so many incredible images in golf.
One stop was the Crow’s Nest. Randy didn’t stay overnight there, but it was so neat to see inside. There were no interior walls but there were temporary – what looked like white chalkboards propped up, giving some privacy between the beds. We took time to look at the old pictures and memorabilia. History just drips off the walls there.
When we went outside, staff at Augusta were painting the curbs green. I thought they looked just fine with last year’s green, so it was pretty wild that they took care of such details like that.
I was given a tour of the champions locker room and got to look at the trophies and all the green jackets. President Eisenhower’s desk is there, and he had the whole set up with a phone and everything he’d need when attending the club or the tournament.
Out on the course, I was so shocked to see how wide open the 18 hole looks without the people seated around it like an grand theatre. But then going down 10 and how the trees just frame it perfectly, and the majesty of Amen Corner is socool. As Randy kept practicing, we crossed over Rae’s Creek on the memorial bridges.
One of the caddies from the club was on the bag for Randy during that practice round and he was needling Randy by suggesting I hit a ball or two into the green. Randy was having none of that, but Julius the caddy and I had fun thinking about it.
Going over Rae’s Creek made it all feel like a little island in itself, because no fans can ever get back there during the tournament. I kept thinking about all the guys I watched on TV through the years hit balls in the water there. And the green is so incredible narrow front to back. Then the view from the 13 tee is the best on the entire course; it’s Randy’s favorite hole and one of mine, too.
That same practice round day in midMarch 2012, Jack Nicklaus was
PhotobyMelanieLewis
onsite, with his son, Gary, and a friend. When we were on hole 6, the Nicklaus’ were on 16, and although people are never supposed to eavesdrop, I could hear them talking. Don’t even ask, I am sworn to silence (ha ha). But what a cool experience to see one of the game’s greatest and to hear them having such a good time together.
The timing worked out that when we made the turn, the Nicklaus’ were finished, and we got to talk with Jack a brief time. He asked Randy about how he qualified and wished us good luck. It was so wonderful that he spent that time with us.
People who know our family know that we named our son, Nicklaus, born right up against the time Randy won the Michigan Amateur at Oakland Hills. That’s how much we love golf and love Jack. I grew up across the street from a golf course and so when Randy and I met, we bonded over the game of golf, among other things. Golf just felt natural to both of us. I grew up watching the Masters on TV at family gatherings.
People mess up the spelling of our son’s name all the time, unless they know golf ! He is now 32 years old. We told Jack about giving him his name.
During the actual tournament in April, both Nick(laus) and our other son, Chris, of course attended the Masters with a lot of our extended family. The boys were so proud of their dad. They watched the honorary starters begin the tournament that Thursday, and when the players went back toward the clubhouse, our son chased behind and quickly approached Jack for a brief encounter. Our son told him he had the two best names in golf… ‘ yours and my dad’s.’
Jack couldn’t talk for long, but he had a rep reach out to us and we sent a golf magazine story on Randy winning a tournament the same time Nick was born, and Jack signed it for us. It still hangs in his room.
Marchpracticeround
So many fun – and funny – things happened during the tournament. When we went into the clubhouse to eat, Clifford, our waiter, said “hello Mr. Lewis, is your son playing in the tournament?” I giggled and thought about this has been happening all the time, with Randy’s age (54 in 2012). He quietly replied that actually he was a player and that kind of surprised Clifford. He was embarrassed but we laughed it off. Anytime Clifford waited on us again, his questions changed to ‘how was your round Mr. Lewis?’
I have caddied for Randy in various events over the years when we were younger, but the biggest thrill was doing so in the
Wednesday Par 3 contest. Bubba Watson signed up to play with us and Aaron Baddeley. I couldn’t believe it because I love golf in general, but I love Bubba too. He hammed it up quite a bit.
It was the year Bubba’s wife didn’t attend because of their brand-new adopted son arriving. So, when I saw that Bubba signed up with us, I bought a little teddy bear they have at Augusta dressed in a white caddy uniform, and gave it to Bubba for his new son. I told him about the fact that Randy won two big tournaments in his life at the same time each of our sons were born. And low and behold, Bubba wins the Masters that week as a new dad with that iconic shot out of the trees on
hole 10 in the playoff ! I thought you’ve got to be kidding me. That was so great.
I couldn’t believe how many local people from Alma and Central Michigan finagled tickets or found a business bringing people to the Masters, who got in and came up to us during that week to wish Randy luck. I have a big stack of cards and handwritten notes in a book to keep forever.
A fun way to summarize the entire week was my mom, who loves Arnold Palmer. She and our sons got a space right along the first tee so they could watch Palmer and Nicklaus as honorary starters, and Randy’s tee time was one of the earliest following the kickoff. When the players came out to tee off, my mom held her hand out and got to touch Arnold’s hand. She was over the moon.
One of the best cards we got from people actually came from my mom when it was all over. Her card said all the things she was thankful for: “I got to watch you play, I got to have breakfast in the Augusta Clubhouse, I got to go down Magnolia Lane, I got to touch Arnold Palmer’s hand, and because of you, I’m a lot more popular now.”
I always laugh at that one. All I could think was how much truth there was to it.
The 2012 Masters will always be one of the greatest weeks of our family’s life.
RandyLewisandBubbaWatson
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
He’s been at it so long that he’s coached children and grandchildren of former players. Swartout explained how at one tryout, a young player said that his grandfather asked him to say ‘hello.’
Coaching High School Golf for the Ages
Coaching High School Golf for the Ages
ByTomLang ByTomLang
It’s often said that golf is a game for life.
for Dave Swartout
for Dave Swartout
Dave Swartout at Jackson Lumen Christi High is showing that coaching golf can be for life, too.
Swartout has been coaching golf at Lumen Christi since taking the head job in 1972. Despite his plans to turn 77 years old this summer, Swartout just doesn’t seem to know when to turn in his whistle – err – his yardage book.
“That made me think, hmmm, maybe I’m getting too old for this,” Swartout said with a chuckle –and that tryout was more than 10 years ago. “But it’s always fun to see the families return.”
As the 2025 high school season gets going this spring, Lumen Christi is pre-season ranked No. 1 in Div. 3 and is eyeing what could be yet another state championship – and they’ve got plenty. The boys’ program, runners up last season to Traverse City St. Francis, has15state titles. The first boys’ championship came in the fall of 1978, six years after Swartout took over –and why he did it is another unique story.
His passion and life dream was to coach high school hoops, then college basketball. After one
CoachSwartout
season of basketball coaching at Lumen Christi, he was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. He and his doctor concluded that the self-induced stress of that job was to blame.
“We lost 10 games by four points or less,” he said. “Evidently I was taking that too much to heart.”
Simultaneously, the boys golf team coach announced he was leaving and the AD said that job was available and might be less stressful if he still wanted to coach. “I said I don’t know anything about golf and the AD said, ‘well, neither did he.’ I planned on doing that for a couple years and then find another basketball job somewhere else. That was 53 years ago.”
Swartout said he created the girls’ golf program at Lumen Christi in 1980, before head coaches like Continuesonnextpg.>>
October2024
CoachSwartout
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Ann Best, Beth Conway and Chuck Kloack took over and earned titles. Swartout has since led two of the girls’ six state championships, in 2004 and the most recent in 2022.
Swartout did briefly step away from full leadership of the boys’ golf team a couple times (but stayed around as an assistant) due to a combination role of still teaching English in the classroom and being assistant principal, but he’d soon be pulled back into the head role.
In 2009, the boys’ head coach quit one week before the season began to move out of state.
“So, the athletic director asked if I would take over the team until they found somebody else,” Swartout said. “Evidently, they are still looking.”
Swartout is a member of the Michigan
Interscholastic Golf Coaches Hall of Fame and is often a mentor to many coaches, including those in the Jackson area like Ray Hill at East Jackson.
"Dave is probably the most-respected high school coach in the state,” Hill said. “He has been influential in the state coaches association, and people at the MHSAA listen when Dave speaks. He is as knowledgeable as anyone when it comes to high school golf in Michigan.
"What impresses me most about Dave is the relationship with his players,” Hill added.
“After an event, his players find him in the clubhouse, pull up chairs next to him, and are eager to share details of their rounds. They'll sit with him and eat their post-round hot dog and chips rather than with their parents or playing partners. The kids really do appreciate him and enjoy being around him.”
Swartout said those talks after the round is where most teaching takes place. He believes course management is an essential way to improve a golfer’s score.
“To take someone who comes in at 14-15 years old, who has either never swung a club before or who has done it very little, and see them get to the point senior year…to shoot in the 70s, is a really good feeling as a teacher,” Swartout said. “Not much different for a kid who never wrote an essay before or had a very hard time (in class) but a year later they are learning in leaps and bounds. That’s the enjoyment I get out of it. I don’t mind the state championships, but it’s the other that’s more important.”
One example is when Swartout talks to kids about playing a par five, he will ask… “Is there a
rule that says you have to hit a driver off the tee? Or better yet with them, do you have to hit a three-wood for your second shot; do you always have to get there (in two)? Those are the things we spend a lot more time working on.”
Hill added: "Dave knows golf, but he also knows kids. He was a longtime teacher, and he knows what buttons to push. He knows when a kid needs a hug or a figurative kick in the backside, and kids respond. He's coached many of their parents, and they know him and trust him to bring out the best in their children."
One of those former players (and a parent) was Steve Maddalena, now a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame for his stellar amateur career. He played for
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Swartout and graduated the year prior to Lumen Christi’s first two state titles in the 70s, but his younger brother Gary was a leader on those teams. Steve’s son, Connor, now age 29, played at Lumen Christi and was on a state title team.
“Dave always knew how to get the best out of the guys that he had,” Steve Maddalena said. “He’s the kind of coach that never made things worse, which is the kind of coach you want. If a player was struggling, he could always figure out a way to get him to play a little better, but if they were already doing well, he didn’t come in and say ‘I think you can do better and here’s how I think you can.’
“I had that happen to me in college. There are coaches who think they can make you better and they do stuff to screw you up, and Dave was not like that. He never did stuff like that, and I think it’s one of his strengths.”
Swartout keeps coming back, recognizing that working with kids is the motivation.
“The kids. That’s the reason I stayed in the classroom for 37 years. I love teaching. And this is still a way to impact the kids.”
NewChallengeforHigh SchoolTeams:
According to Hill, high school golf teams are working this spring to acquire AED's and develop Emergency Action Plans, as schools look to comply with a new state law. The law requires high schools to have emergency plans for all athletic events, including those that take place off campus – like golf courses. Thus, athletic directors and coaches are taking inventory of which golf courses have AED's, or whether coaches will have to carry a device to courses and throw in the back of their golf cart.
At golf courses, generally there are no medically-trained officials on hand. This is putting a little more responsibility on coaches who will be first responders for addressing emergencies. The Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
has worked with the MHSAA and iWanamaker (the scoring app used in Michigan) to develop an emergency plan and post it inside the scoring app so players know how to respond in the event of an emergency on the course, involving a spectator, competitor, or coach.
“Anything that we can do to be better prepared to potentially save a person ' s life is well worth the effort,” said MIGCA president Debbie Williams-Hoak. “I am grateful to our legislators and the MHSAA for implementing these Emergency Action Plans.”
DOW Championship Continues Tradition DOW Championship Continues Tradition of ‘Spoiling’ U.S. Veterans of ‘Spoiling’ U.S. Veterans
ByTomLang ByTomLang
If there is one thing that DOW Championship tournament director Wendy Traschen will not do, it’s to not skimp on the traditions the tournament has provided to U.S. military veterans.
Often she expands on each tradition, and the Veterans are very responsive to what the LPGA event provides.
“We spoil them, as we should,” Traschen told me. “They gave up part of their life to try and keep us safe. I just think with all they’ve been through, we should do whatever we can.”
Veterans get into the tournament for free, including a guest. They have their own suite/tent along the 16 hole. LPGA Tour players often swing by to say hi and take photos.
Here is what any Veteran in attendance can expect:
Pancake breakfast on Thursday
Chicken dinner Friday night (but there’s always hamburgers and hots dogs and refreshments at all times)
Saturday, Happy Hour
Sunday, ice cream sundaes
Last year the high temperature was only 52 degrees on Sunday, so Traschen contacted a local bakery Saturday afternoon to do American flag cookies instead of offering ice cream.
“I was thinking, who is going to eat ice cream when it’s that cold in June?” she quipped. “Oh boy, that was the wrong decision to make. Those Veterans were so unhappy about that. So, I don’t care how cold it might get, they are getting their Sundaes on Sunday.
“I have so much respect for Veterans, and it’s still the number one phone call I get,” Traschen added. “They literally want to make sure that they heard it right (about a free suite, free tickets and free food) and that we aren’t taking those things away.”
Veterans can get free tickets online, but can also walk up and show some ID at the special entrance section of the public entrance. Traschen said they are also bringing in therapy dogs this year for a couple days.
Last year the tournament added a PGA HOPE element, bringing in 36 Veterans (with disabilities who learn the game) in that program to play at Currie Golf Course on Thursday. She got them rooms at the Holiday Inn, had a happy hour and a meet and greet, then the PGA HOPE members came to the tournament on Friday to watch the LPGA Tour action.
Another element added last year was an official tournament mascot. The idea made Traschen nervous because most mascots are associated with teams and season long schedules of games. But she said Champ was extremely well received and will certainly return, including a first birthday celebration on Sunday of the tournament (June 26-29).
“It’s been very heartwarming, and there is truth to kids loving things like mascots, and he had a following anywhere he went,” Traschen said.
OntheCourse:
What Traschen believes is truly fun golf for the LPGA Tour players annually equities into more fun for the fans. The DOW Championship is the only team event on the Tour each year, with partners of two playing in a combo scoring format that produces co-champions. Playing partners often make unique names for themselves, such as: The Rose & The Thorn, Jin & Ronic, Rolexa, Cheers, The College Dropouts, and Stars Stripes & Maple Leafs.
“When you see the interaction between all four players on a green (in the team format), you clearly see that they are having fun. It’s almost like they say for these four days we’re just going to have a really great time and enjoy golf. And from every aspect that we’ve been able to review, the players just love this tournament.”
OfftheCourse:
Economic Growth: Generated a $17.2 million economic impact in 2024, added 130 new jobs and totals more than $49 million since 2019.
Community Giving: Donated $500,000 in 2024 to 50+ local and regional nonprofits in the Great Lakes Bay Region, surpassing $2.5 million in total donations since 2019.
Recycled 75,184.5 lbs. of materials and donated 6,536 lbs. of food in 2024.
Get more information and look for tickets at: https://dowchampionship.com/
Golf Tips from the Range Golf Tips from the Range
I have been asked at least 100 times: "Why do I perform on the Range better than I perform on the Course.”
On the Range we are relaxed and there are no real consequences to a miss. On the Course we are playing with adrenaline because of a natural competitive desire to succeed. Adrenaline can take a good sequence or rhythm and take it out of sequence. When adrenaline is not present, you create speed with your own effort. Because adrenaline accelerates or super charges your muscles they may over accelerate and cause a timing problem.
Players do not usually have a problem speeding up when they get to the Course, they have trouble slowing down. For this reason, we should not practice at maximum speed, we should practice getting comfortable at slower rhythm, then when adrenaline is present, it will speed us up into an effective rhythm when we get into a competitive environment. Most players have trouble slowing down when they get excited because they never practice slowing down.
I do not often practice full out on the Range. When I do, I am practicing speed drills. I will observe how fast can I go before efficiency starts to fall off. I then play at a speed that is within my efficiency capability. Over practicing speed simply contributes to getting out of rhythm on the Course.
New skills are best trained slowly and precisely. We then learn to perform only as fast as we can execute the skill reliably. Without question, it is a great deal of fun to swing full out and hit it perfectly. However, even the best in the world have a difficult time producing reliability at full effort, consistently.
If you practice at a speed that you can produce high reliability, your results on the course will improve and confidence will soar.
College Corner: College Corner: Early Spring Early Spring Accolades Accolades
Abound Abound
By Tom Lang By Tom Lang
A nice handful of Michigan collegian golfers and teams have found success early this spring season as they head into conference championships in late April and wait for possible NCAA bids for May.
At Michigan State, sophomore Lorenzo Pinili was named Big Ten men’s golfer of the week when he won the Colleton River Collegiate, hosted by MSU in South Carolina in early March. Pinili took medalist honors, firing a 5under par 211 to top the field of 80 golfers, for his first college win.
Pinili led the Spartans to a team win as well, tallying a 1-under par 863 (289-285-289) for the victory. The win was the 15th tournament title for head coach Casey Lubahn, breaking the record for most tournaments wins in program history at Michigan State.
Over at Ann Arbor, the Wolverines are celebrating Hunter Thompson’s Big Ten golfer of the week from a runner up finish in late February. Thompson shot 70-70-69 to finish runner up to Ethan Klose of New Mexico State in the Border Olympics tournament played in Lorado, Texas. Therestofthewinsand awardsgototheladies…
For MichiganState, in February senior Katie Lu posted the second-lowest round in school history when she recorded a 7-
under 65 at the Spartan Sun Coast Invitational –helping lead the team to a come-from-behind win scoring a 12-under par 276.
The Spartans finished the two-day, 54-hole tournament with a score of 4-under par 860 (297287-276), tying for first place with Ohio State (285-291-284), who entered the final round in second. The Spartans were in 6 after two rounds but erased the large deficit in round three. th
Michigan State was crowned the team champion by a tiebreaker between each team's 5th score in the final round (Brooke Biermann of MSU shot an even-par 72, while Ohio State's fifth score was a 76).
The team win is the 45th tournament victory in program history under Head Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll.
At EasternMichigan, sophomore Savannah de Bock was named Mid-American Conference golfer of the week for the third time since the fall season began. Her latest conquest was shooting a 69-71-69-209 at the Gators Invitational in Gainesville, Florida in midMarch. The 209 gave de Bock the second lowest score in EMU women’s history, bested only be her own 204 shot back in September. Both results bolstered her having the top four scores in school history. She also leads the nation with 12 rounds under par this 2024-25 season, according to the EMU sports information department.
The week prior, teammate Riley Kim was voted Mid-American conference golfer of the week. Kim was the top finisher for an EMU team that tied for second place at the River Landing Classic in Wallace, N.C., March 3-4.
The Western MichiganBroncos won the Butler Don Benbow Spring Invitational for
the second consecutive year. The Broncos posted a 36-hole score of 626 to top the leaderboard over host Butler in the 15-team field. Megha
Vallabhaneni led WMU with a 155.
At GrandValleyState, Olivia Stoll has kept up her winning ways, leading the Lakers to a team win as well by a 21-stroke margin in the SMSU Spring Invitational in Arizona.
Stoll shot a final round of 71 (-1) to earn the win, finishing at 3-under, three strokes ahead of her teammate in second. Stoll sank three birdies in her final round to close out the win. Laker Evelyn Park was the runner-up, finishing at even par, also carding a final round of 71.
Stoll was named the GLIAC Women’s golfer of the week for the effort, her second such award this season.
EMU Coach in Augusta EMU Coach in
National Women's Amateur National Women's Amateur
Caterina Don, an assistant coach for the Eastern Michigan University women ' s golf program, will compete at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s
Amateur, featuring a strong field of the top amateurs from around the world. She is No. 36 in the world amateur rankings.
"I am super excited for this amazing opportunity," Don said. "I haven’t been preparing as I would have had while I was in college, but I have been able to get some reps in during the days off and in between practices with the Eagles. The most important thing will be to remember all the good memories from past events and be kind to myself. I do not know what to expect from my game as I haven’t competed in almost one year, but I do know I will give 100% of what I have."
A 2024 graduate of the University of Georgia under current EMU Head Coach Josh Brewer, who also will serve as her caddy in the tournament, Don will make her third appearance in the event after tying for 25th (227, +11) in 2021 and tying for 12th (218, +2) in the inaugural 2019 event.
Rocket Classic Partners Classic Partners with Folds of Honor with of Honor
The Rocket Classic has committed to funding 13 Folds of Honor scholarships, and Friday, June 27 will be designated as “Folds of Honor Friday” at the tournament.
Through the partnership, Dominic Clemons from the University of Alabama – the men’s champion of the 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate –will be granted an exemption into the Rocket Classic field and will make his PGA TOUR debut in Detroit as well.
On June 27, a special ceremony will be held, and to encourage patriotism, fans will be asked to wear red, white and blue. Specially designed pins will also be distributed at the tournament. Additionally, the tournament will continue to offer complimentary tickets to military members (two per person, while supplies last) and will extend the offer to include first responders for the first time.
The team win is the 45th tournament victory in program history under Head Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll.
MI NEWS AND NOTES
Club’s
Kent Country Club’s Kent Country
Jimmy Wisinski Earns Jimmy PGA Master Professional PGA Master Professional Designation Designation
PGA of America Golf Professional Jimmy Wisinski, Director of Instruction at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest education designation within the Association.
Wisinski, a Member of the Michigan Section PGA and one of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, joins a special group as the 453rd PGA Member to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Teaching and Coaching.
“I’m happiest when I'm helping people play better golf, and I have an endless curiosity to learn as much as I possibly can about teaching the game, knowing that it’s going to help others improve too,” said Wisinski at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. “I’m in a pursuit of continuous education and it's an honor to now be a part of a select group of PGA Master Professionals. It feels very special and I’m extremely proud.”
Three Pro Tour Events in June Three Pro Tour Events in June Need Volunteers Need Volunteers
Volunteer registration for the 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is now open. Tournament representatives are seeking over 1,400 volunteers to support West Michigan's premier stop on the LPGA Tour from June 9-15, 2025. Those interested can sign up at meijerlpgaclassic.com.
The Meijer LPGA Classic offers a variety of volunteer roles, including Walking Scorers, Hole Marshals, Discovery Land support, full-scale Hospitality attendants and more. For the full list and role descriptions, click here.
There's also a "General Volunteer" position, which gives individuals the opportunity to experience different aspects of the Grand Rapids LPGA tournament. To sign up for the General Volunteer position, the volunteer only needs to select a time slot when registering, and Volunteer Services will direct them to a location that needs assistance upon arrival at the course. To volunteer, please visit
Both the Rocket Classic PGA Tour event in Detroit, and the Dow Championship LPGA Tournament in Midland need similar help. Go to: https://www.rocketclassic.com/volunteer OR https://dowchampionship.com/ meijerlpgaclassic.com.
Treetops Resort to Host the Treetops to Host the 7 7 Annual ‘Grill on the Hill’ Annual ‘Grill on the Hill’ th th
The culinary team at Treetops Resort is preparing for its seventh annual ‘Grill on the Hill’ competition. The Treetops grilling event is open to all levels of cooking skills, as well as those who are looking for a great place to enjoy BBQ – and maybe play golf on the first day in the ‘We’re Open – Open’.
Grill masters who participate in the competition will get the opportunity to share their special skills and secrets with the “tasters” who will be on the search for the best BBQ.
While each team must provide their own grill, and are limited to cooking on charcoal, wood, or pellet fires.
Golfers playing in the ‘We’reOpen–Open’ receive 18 holes of golf on the Jones Masterpiece course with two drink tickets to be redeemed on the course. And, once again, registration for a team of four at $400 will also receive access to the Grill on the Hill post play party.
In addition, there will be one first-place winner chosen in each category of the People’s Choice competition. Winners are chosen by the “tasters” and prizes will include gift cards and donated items. Formoreinformationon whatisincludedintheteamregistration visit:
Michigan PGA Announces 13 Award Winners for 2025 Michigan PGA Announces 13 Award Winners for 2025
GolfProfessionalofthe Year
Glenn Pulice, PGA RoyalOakGolfCenter
Selected by his peers, this prestigious honor is awarded to the professional who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and strong moral character. The individual must also maintain a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf, and be well-regarded as a model PGA of America Golf Professional.
He played a key role in the multimillion-dollar renovation of Royal Oak Golf Center, which now hosts numerous community golf events. He is in his 21st year as Director of Golf for the Midnight Golf Program.
GolfExecutiveoftheYear
Josh Richter, PGA BoyneResorts
As one of the highest distinctions awarded by the PGA, recipients must demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, courage, and strong moral character, along with a significant record of service to both the Association and the game of golf.
As the Senior VP of Golf Operations, Richter leads his team in hosting numerous events annually including the Michigan Section’s Tournament of Champions, Adidas State Pro-Am, and Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers. He is an active board member for the First Tee –Northern Michigan and began his term of Board President in January 2024.
Teacher&CoachoftheYear
Jimmy Wisinski, PGA KentCountryClub
Wisinski is honored for his overall impact on teaching and coaching along with his innovative and special teaching programs he has implemented.
Of the 385 members at Kent Country Club, Wisinski taught over 265 different members in 2024. He utilizes different platforms, such as the Coach Now app and website, to maintain open communication with students. By doing so, he fosters a culture of accountability and develops both a mental and technical process with each lesson. Wisinski is also in his second season as a contributor to PGA.com where he delivers content for all of their social media channels.
PatriotAward
George Bowman, PGA OakhurstGolf&CountryClub
Bowman has been selected by the Michigan Section PGA as the recipient of the Patriot Award. Bowman is honored for personifying patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.
BillStrausbaughAward
Dave Kendall, PGA WashtenawGolfClub
Since 1979, the Bill Strausbaugh Award is presented to a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community
DistinguishedServiceAward
Dave Kendall, PGA WashtenawGolfClub
This award honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
Since becoming a PGA Member, Kendall has dedicated his career to helping others learn the game
and build their own legacies. He is recognized not only for the length of his teaching career but also for his unique approach, which weaves life lessons into his instruction.
