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USGA ADAPTIVE OPEN

Portage’s Kim Moore Wins Inaugural USGA Adaptive Open The WMU golf coach with no right foot takes the National Women’s title Western Michigan women’s golf coach. “I’m thankful for my friends and family and their support and all the people back home that are wishing me good luck and have been watching,” Moore told the USGA after winning. “It’s just been very humbling and exciting for me this whole week, and it’s just been nothing but amazing. “The USGA really put on an excellent event,” Moore told me later. “We felt like we were right there with the pros in a U.S. Open or the U.S. Women’s Am.”

By Tom Lang Kim Moore and three other Michiganders were part of history in July as competitors in the inaugural USGA Adaptive Open, played at Pinehurst No. 6. Moore went one better and won the Women’s division with a two-day total 80-76-156, winning by a margin of 8 strokes over the runner up. Moore was born without a right foot and still has a sever clubbed left foot. But that never stopped her from playing college golf and spending four years on the LPGA Futures Tour, before turning to coaching. Since 2020, Moore has been the

Moore joined me and Jack Ebling recently on The Long Drive broadcast out of Lansing. You can hear the entire piece here, with CC of Lansing staffer Brian Bemis (who placed 29th in the men’s) joining. He also played in the U.S. Adaptive Open as a right leg amputee, which he lost to cancer as a teenager. "I was told I would never be able to walk when I was younger but my parents saw me hop right along on my stump and saw me take off when I was little and they looked at each other and said, 'we need to get this girl a prosthetic limb'," Moore said. "I’ve had it all my life and I really give credit to those who’ve had some type of traumatic experience (like Brian)…

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM “I think we’re going to have a lot of rise in participation in adaptive golf,” Moore said. “I hope that’s what this brings. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.” Hudsonville 15-year-old Sophia Howard, who was born without a right hand, finished 13th. Tracy Ramin of Montrose, a left leg belowthe-knee amputee as the result of a car accident, finished 51st among the men. He is a great leader in adaptive golf as the executive director of The National Amputee Golf Association.

one that can really change the course of their life. For me I didn’t know anything different, so I just need to make little adjustments for things I do in my pretty active life.” Moore was awarded a gold medal and received custody of the U.S. Adaptive Open Women’s trophy for one year. She also earned a five-year exemption into the championship. In 2015, the national Women’s Golf Coaches Association created the Kim Moore Spirit Award to recognize a student-athlete or coach who exemplifies a great spirit, mental toughness and a positive attitude toward the game, as well as being a role model to others. Both golfers were transfixed by how such an event can open the eyes of others worldwide as to how well people who are forced to play adaptive golf can keep up and do well at it. Bemis said the USGA had 400 volunteers at the tournament and another 500 sign up that wanted to help.

“Like Kim said, this was what a U.S. Open or U.S. Am would be like,” Bemis added. “We were the big game in town, and it was awesome. The event in itself couldn’t have been any better than what it was. And I’ve said it before, Kim’s the Tiger Woods of women’s adaptive golf.”

DETROIT PRO JOE HOOKS

Detroiter Joe Hooks Sets Scoring Record in the Youth on Course 100-Hole Hike While supporting his goal to inspire black youth to play the game By Tom Lang Joe Hooks knows full well he doesn’t look like most golfers. And because he is a black man, he wants to inspire other young kids of color to give golf a try – to allow them access to the great in-roads and personal growth characteristics that golf has generated in his life. Hooks made that decision in his sophomore year at U-D Jesuit High School, where in a Morality class that had a section on Vocations, he became dedicated to let golf take him as far as it could. That led to playing golf at Wayne State University and eventually turning pro. Today, at age 29, he plays regularly on the APGA Tour, a circuit designed to serve black golfers developing their craft. He also played this year for the second time in The John Shippen Invitational at Detroit Golf Club, where competitors were going after an exemption into the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Hooks finished the two rounds T5 at 3-under par. Knowing he wants young kids to give golf a shot, Hooks helps raise money each year in the Youth on Course fundraising event called the 100-Hole

Hike – basically a one-day golfing marathon. Youth on Course gives junior golfers a chance to play golf for $5 or less per round at participating courses nationwide. Michigan Continues on pg. 6 >>

DETROIT PRO JOE HOOKS has a very robust YoC program through the GAM Foundation (https://www.gam.org/? YOC) “For me, growing up the way I did, being blessed that my dad and mom could provide for me everything I really needed to get to as high of a level player as I could, all through my childhood,” Hooks said about living in Farmington Hills. “So, I had a rare upbringing, being black and winning junior tournaments in Michigan, being able to grow up at Detroit Golf Club and being around celebrities, successful lawyers and businesspeople. To have that as my guiding light, I kind of realized early on the value of what golf was doing for me. “So, when I thought about the vocation part of it, I realized my calling might very well be to inspire the next generation of players that look like me that are coming along. Maybe I can be one of this generation’s golfers to inspire black kids to want to play golf, who otherwise had no interest in the game.” Helping fund that opportunity is why Hooks accepted the invitation of a friend in Tennessee to play in their local 100-Mile Hike, when the APGA Tour was nearby in Atlanta. It was June 29, and Hooks said their group was one of five playing the Sweetens Cove Golf Club that day. He said the course

management decided to turn it into a little competition, and provided scorekeepers. “They planned to combine the score by the amount of time it took to play the 100 holes,” Hooks told me. “So, our group decided in advance it didn’t make much sense to be out there racing. We knew if we kept playing, we’d finish 100 holes, but that it would do a little disservice by trying to play as fast as possible. That didn’t register with us as well, so we decided to actually play golf.” Hooks played the marathon day in 44-under par. The scorecards recorded no double bogeys, but rather an albatross (“That was more special to me than a hole-in-one,” he said), three eagles — including a hole in one — four bogeys and 39 birdies. His albatross, an eagle and the holein-one – his career third – happened in a 12-hole stretch. Youth on Course hasn’t recorded official scoring records, by the organization believes it's the lowest 100-Hole Hike Day ever. Hooks’ team did finish the slowest of the five groups, but they placed first in the competition – and we are guessing first in kids’ hearts, too.

LEELANAU PENINSULA

Great Golf on Leelanau Peninsula Explore what you’ve been missing

By Tom Lang

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While I was born and raised in Michigan, it wasn’t until adulthood when my wife and I started having children did we truly take advantage of the incredible natural resources of Northern Michigan. Yet despite many trips north with the kids, who still

today maintain a wild love for ‘Up North’ we never properly adventured to what is possibly the most gorgeous part of our state – Leelanau Peninsula – which is split in two by the earth’s 45th Parallel. Some people identify the county by M-22, which routes up and down both shorelines of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. Others might call it the pinky finger of The Mitten. And, oh, by the way, I discovered great golf on Leelanau as well – and in the following pages we hope to help others learn about the magnificent outdoor options and make it their next golf vacation. “It’s such an escape, especially where we were from in suburban Chicago,” said Melissa Obis, who manages events at Bahle Farms. “It’s the exact ideal of the Up North atmosphere, and I didn’t really know the Midwest was capable of such beauty. I’ve

always been amazed at how pure and pristine everything is. There’s just nowhere else I can think of wanting to be in the summer. It’s truly perfect, especially when you add in the fall colors.”

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LEELANAU PENINSULA Or hear the response of Kris Wakeman, who moved to the western side of Leelanau Peninsula after graduating from Michigan State’s turfgrass program 40 years ago, and he has never left: "Sometimes I wish I could sit back and watch it through a visitor’s eyes because I am so accustomed to the fall colors,” he said about hopefully not taking northern Michigan life for granted. “I listen to the people who come in and they talk about the colors being amazing. And we have some of the nicest roads in the region to travel. If you’ve got a convertible and you want to drive around here, hit M-22. With our woods, trees and color, with the traffic being a little less in the fall, the temperatures are good and the colors are beautiful. It doesn’t get much better on the peninsula than in the fall.” What’s wonderful about Leelanau is there is so much to do for the non-golfer as well. Rivers have great fishing and kayak/canoe

opportunities. Then there’s the Lake Michigan beaches, boat tours to Manitou Island and attractions like historic Fishtown and multiple lighthouses. The peninsula is dotted with orchards, which yield cider mills, wineries and farm-to-table restaurants. No hotel more than 3-stories tall can be found as most accommodations are in the form of home rentals, B & B’s and mid-century roadside motels. While modern conveniences abound, a trip to Leelanau in some ways feels like stepping back in time to a natural and slower pace of life. And much of the peaceful, calm and whollypristine experience starts with Sleeping Bear Dunes at the most southwestern end, where people from all over the world come to soak in that natural wonder. And when you do too, don’t forget to bring the clubs.

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Leelanau: Bahle Farms

Bahle Farms Golf Course is nestled on the high ridges of central Leelanau County. Of the courses I have played in Michigan, this little-known course is easily in Michigan’s top 5 courses of those laid out on land with so many drastic elevation changes and rolling hills.

Hole 10

The tee boxes at No. 10 and 11 (the photos shown here) are easily 90-100 feet above the fairways below. The images are taken standing on each tee box but look like they are taken by drones – and literally every hole except the par 3 Hole No. 4 over a pond and No. 13

The first time I ever ventured more than 10 miles into Leelanau territory just north of Traverse City was to visit Bahle Farms Golf Course. That was only last year, in the summer of 2021.

(which cuts through the heart of a cherry orchard) is built on land that goes uphill or downhill or crosses sharp valleys – while many

And it keeps drawing me back.

To call it naturally rolling countryside is an

The layout was developed by the Bahle family, a multiple-generation name on the peninsula, on parts of the family orchard. It’s now owned by the youngest golf course owner in Michigan at age 26, suburban Chicago transplant Crosley Duckmann, who spent most summers visiting family on the peninsula growing up. When he learned he could combine his love of golf and his fascination with Leelanau Peninsula, the young man found his calling.

have slanted fairways along the way.

understatement. “Every single hole is designed in a way that they aren’t the same to any other,” Duckmann told me last year. “Our elevation changes are magnificent. It’s very beautiful out there, and you get not only great views on the course but of the surrounding county as well. You get big, huge, long views of forest areas and orchards (and of Suttons Bay).” My favorite stretch of three consecutive holes is

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM 10-12. No. 10 kicks off the back nine from the highly-elevated tee on the par 4 that goes back up to a slightly elevated green. No. 11 is a huge drop off par 3 to a large green, but the view from the tee over the valley can be districting, in a good way. No. 12 is a long par 5 that slowly climbs back uphill to reach the level of the 13th hole, which cuts through the still-harvested cherry orchards. “Our motto is not selling golf, we sell a good time on a golf course,” said marketing and events director Melissa Obis. “We take that to heart; we really care about the experience people have when they come out here. There’s a few holes where you see other golfers, but for the most part you are in your own world and surrounded by such beauty, the elevations, the hills, the trees; then the view of Sutton’s Bay out on the back nine. It’s really hard to beat.” All rates always include carts as this is not a walkers’ course. Don’t try to be a hero. Any golfer that wants a true ‘Northern Michigan’ experience with grand views and a challenging up and down golf course layout – this is one you’ve got to try. More information found here.

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Other Things To Do: Numerous cider and wine producers are within a few miles of Bahle Farms. If you’re a gambler, the Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge is a short drive to the north of Sutton’s Bay, one of the most beautiful and quintessential small town northern villages stocked with shopping, a classic movie house, eateries and great homemade ice cream.

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Leelanau: Northport Creek

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In the most northern portion of the peninsula, the small shoreline village of Northport has what I would call a hybrid golf course that serves many needs in the community. For starters, it creates all its own power with solar panels. The Jerry Matthews design, which opened in the summer of 2014, is also routed in loops so people can easily play 6, 9, 12 or 18 holes which all come back to the clubhouse. Northport Creek is also different in that it’s purposefully an economic engine beyond the course borders. The village receives 5 percent of all revenue, and the management team specifically recommends restaurants and other retail options in the downtown area to help support the region’s businesses. There is purposefully limited food service at the golf course so people go visit eateries in the area, like Mitten Brewery Co., Garage Bar-B-Q and New Bohemian Café.

“The people who utilize the course in the community have seen that’s it’s become an asset to the village and the area, because people come to play golf and then also do other experiences here in Northport. “Traveling golfers that try us will find a fun and challenging golf course,” said general manager Chris McCann, who was born in Northport and graduated from high school there. “It’s playable for all abilities and all ages. We have tees for juniors (1905 yards) and experienced players (3015 yards) and everything in between.” Common characteristics of the course include that only the par 3s have full line-of-sight of the greens from the tee boxes. All other holes are routed going a little downhill or uphill or with enough dogleg to hide the green. Most greens also have an east/west or north/south spine in them to create various pin placement sections.

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The parcel of land moves gradually and was once a cherry orchard that was foreclosed in 2011. A

“I think it’s great,” he said as a course for everyone. “I was able to play it starting when I

former automotive engineer, Bill Collins, was the lead investor to develop it and give it back to the town at some point, but eventually the deal

was 7, with my older cousins. There’s a good mix of all ages of kids and adults. I’ve played every tee here (moving in progression with

became a 5 percent profit share. A main goal was to provide a new recreation option to help the village with health and economic opportunities, after another 18-hole course closed in 2000. Adding the solar electric panels was always part of the masterplan, mostly to handle irrigation and clubhouse power.

age from green to blue), and you can still play it fast even when you’re younger. It feels secluded and it’s nice to be outside. I’ve never gotten bored here.”

The first 6 holes are a loop to the east with the 6th green back at the clubhouse. No. 7 starts and goes to the southwest for the final 3-hole loop. A few years back it was named one of the "13 Great Nine Hole Golf Courses" by Golf Vacation Insider. “We have a lot of people that as long as there’s an open spot on the first tee, they’ll keep going around for more,” McCann said. That’s not surprising since the course is not overcrowded, playing at about 13,000 rounds per year. One of those would be summer resident Matthew McGowen. The 18-year-old will enter Michigan State this fall from his home in Colorado. He spends most of his summers with extended family in Northport.

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https://northportcreek.com/

Other Things To Do: Just a short distance north at the tip of the peninsula is Leelanau State Park, which includes the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. There’s also hiking trails that lead out to Lake Michigan, where a large area of dune grass and sand create an area the locals call the magic carpet.

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Leelanau:

Sugar Loaf The Old Course If you like the challenge of aiming at smaller greens, mixed with lots of up and down terrain and wooded fairways, then The Old Course at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain along the west edge of Leelanau Peninsula is for you.

beautiful part of the country,” said Chris Wakeman, the GM and a mainstay at the course now enjoying his 40th anniversary on property. “Most people are used to flat, open golf courses, and you’re not going to find that here.”

With an average of 5,000-square-foot greens, a handful at the end of tight tree-lined fairways,

Especially on the back 9.

this circa 1965 golf course is a shot makers challenge.

A ravine runs through the final 9 layout, crisscrossing many holes.

The front nine is more open and eases any golfer into their round, but it still takes concentration. No. 2 is a medium par 4 but plays longer because

No. 14 is the No. 1 handicap hole at 433 yards with a very tight fairway – which ends with a huge tree on the front right side of the green,

the green is perched high above the fairway. The green complex is made more interesting by the fact it’s a shared green with No. 5, which is located on the back addition of the green. The front nine is almost 3,300 yards from the tips,

the 17th at Augusta National.

leading to the back nine that is over 3,500 yards. “We’re not a city course. We’re out in the

aptly named the “Eisenhour Tree” in its resemblance to the former green obstacle on

The ravine is most dramatic on the 17th hole, what used to be the longest hole in Michigan when it was first built. At 618 yards from the tips, it’s still a challenge getting to the green in

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regulation which is made tougher by the fact the large green (in this case) is very highly perched above the more cavernous fairway. Its landmark is a huge rock pile in the middle of the fairway that most people are hitting over on the second shot. The closing hole is an easier par 3 framed with an old farm silo at the back of the green. A stone in the silo indicates it was erected in 1916. Another portion of history includes the golf course’s former association with the Sugar Loaf ski resort, which shut down in 2000. More than two decades later the new owner of the former

Hole 1

ski property just this July removed the last remnants of overnight accommodations and ski lift equipment from the property. Due to a small series of golf course name changes since the ‘60s,

Wakeman and his staff pride themselves on great service, good conditions and affordable pricing.

when people called on the phone in recent years, staff would find it easier to explain, “we’re the old course at Sugar Loaf,” which eventually stuck for the current name.

“There’s a lot of new people coming, and we’ve experienced quite a bit of that the last few years, and that’s a good thing,” Wakeman said. “We do depend on our local market; they carry us through the spring and the fall. We have about a seven-week season, from mid-June to mid-August, when we start to see the exodus happen (of vacationers heading back down state).” A perfect reason to give this course a try come fall. But don’t

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wait past October 31, the annual shut down date.

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Leelanau: Manitou Passage Golf Club

going to get punished. Yet I think it’s very fair,” said new GM Josh Schlump, formerly of Ann Arbor. “I think it starts when you first pull in…we’re going for the wow factor,” Schlump said about the clubhouse and restaurant, the nicest building of all four courses in this series. Palmer memorabilia and his umbrella trademark abounds, from both his amateur and pro championships. “The thing people are most surprised at when they get here is the overall layout of the golf course,” Schlump said. “We get the compliments like, ‘hey, that’s a fantastic layout,’ or ‘on No. 17 I can’t believe that elevation change,’ and the always, ‘gosh, that view from No. 8 is really cool.’

All 4 Course Reviews By Tom Lang In its early life, Manitou Passage was called King’s Challenge, an Arnold Palmer signature course cut through the woods at the base of the since-closed Sugar Loaf ski resort. In more recent years, after a slight redesign of a couple holes, golfers still enjoy the traditional Arnold Palmer-style layout with magnificent views, tree-lined fairways and cool breezes coming off the nearby Lake Michigan shoreline. “Obviously an Arnold Palmer design, and what that means is if you hit it to where it’s designed to, you’ll be rewarded; and if you don’t, you’re

“The two nines are completely different,” he added. “Some people are a little frustrated that the turn but when we tell them it opens up on the back side, then they smile a little.” The first hole is fairly wide open, and most golfers can reach it in regulation, but from that point forward the front 9 is fairly tight. “On holes 2-6 you need to just hang on there and stay as close to even par as you can,” Schlump said. No. 8 is the highlight hole of the round. It’s a long, downhill traversing par 5 that also acts as the property’s highest lookout point. The back

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM tees are a must visit even if you are playing your round more forward – as most golfers should.

Hospital reps are coming as well, to enjoy all the Michigan fall colors. You can join in by

Some trees were strategically removed along the tee boxes’ right side to clear a visual path to both Manitou Islands off on the distance horizon of

contacting the course. The event is the day before Arnold Palmer’s birthday.

Lake Michigan. The course is 12 miles from the shoreline, and the view at No. 8 tee gives the course its name. It’s a perfect example of hundreds of Leelanau Peninsula’s picturesque views to the west up and down the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and Grand Traverse Bay to the east. The turn features possibly the easiest hole on the course, No. 9, then 10 is a reachable par five to kick off the back nine. Both 11 and 12 are shorter par fours to keeping easing you into the trip homeward, with additional birdie opportunities on holes 16-18. Friday, Sept. 9 is a big day for Manitou Passage. They are hosting the First-Annual Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital Charity Outing, to benefit the legend’s work in central Florida.

Other Things To Do: Just like all the Leelanau courses featured this month, none are all that far away from downtown Traverse City. And of the four courses, this one is closest to Sleeping Bear Dunes by a couple miles over The Old Course. Schlump said that most families and couples use overnight accommodations at The Homestead, while buddy groups utilize Airbnb’s more often. All-in-all, the peaceful, pristine landscape of the entire Leelanau Peninsula should be first and foremost enjoyed to the maximum. It could be the best trip you always thought about but never gave a shot – until now.

ALLY CHALLENGE PREVIEW

Ally Challenge Closes Out Michigan’s Huge Summer of Tournament Golf on the regular Tour, and now that Ally decided to step up and bring the tournament back here to Warwick Hills, we couldn’t be happier,” defending champion Joe Durant told me. “It’s so much fun, I mean hole 17 here is the ultimate fan experience for golf. It was before 16 at Phoenix (Open), so just the whole community involvement is great, and we just love coming here.” Why such Michigan love? “No. 1 you’ve got such great golf courses up here,” Durant added. “The weather is great up here in the summer, just the whole

By Tom Lang One more to go… With the completion of several professional events in Michigan this summer, the Ally Challenge will cap the season off when the PGA Tour Champions ascend on Grand Blanc for the always fun and energetic atmosphere at Warwick Hills, August 22-28. Home of the former and historic Buick Open for five decades, this venue has a tremendous history that’s not lost on current Tour players. “I think it’s just the whole community vibe they have here. We came here for a number of years

combination; the fans are great, fan support of all of our events are fantastic and I know Michigan is just such a great golf state in general.” Durant will be joined by each of the former champions: Jim Furyk, Jerry Kelly, and Paul Broadhurst highlight early commitments to the fifth edition of the official PGA TOUR Champions stop. Also committed to play is the iron-man himself Bernhard Langer, last year’s runner up to Durant – plus Champions Tour rookie David Duval, Retief Goosen and David Toms. Tickets for The Ally Challenge can be purchased at theallychallenge.com/tickets.

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM Kids 17 and under receive free grounds access with a ticketed adult. Active Duty, National

18 years and under, a DJ dance party, Golf Stations, and financial education resources

Guard, Military Reserve Service Members, Military Retirees and Military Veterans, receive two complimentary tickets for each day of the tournament, Thursday – Sunday.

compliments of Ally, including showcasing Ally’s Minecraft world, Fintropolis.

Be sure to check the website for a wide variety of events during the week for families, businesses and Adaptive golfers. Main options include: Family Fun Night, Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. held on Hole No. 17 and in the Faygo Fan Zone. Admission and parking are free for this fun-for-the-whole-family event. Family Fun Night includes free pizza and drinks for youths

The Concert @17 featuring Mark Farner will also be held Friday evening, after the first round of play. Saturday evening showcases the tournament’s fifth annual Community Concert, headlined by Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter and four-time American Music Awards (AMA) winner Kane Brown. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Access to either concert requires the purchase of a valid tournament ticket for the day each concert is hosted, or a weekly ticket option.

IN HER OWN WORDS

Two-Time State Champion Gabby Tapp’s Success Told in her own words Editor’s notes: Gabby Tapp is a two-time Michigan High School golf state champion in Division 2, and is going for a 3rd this fall as matches begin soon. She never played an 18-hole round until the summer before her freshman season, but that same year went out and won the state title. We asked her to share her story that hopefully more families will follow for their kids.

By Gabby Tapp, South Lyon High School In today’s world, parents tend to push their children into highly competitive sports from a young age. It seems as though the only way to become a successful athlete is to start rigorous training as soon as possible. Endless tournaments and travel teams and lessons and practice appear to be the sole option. However, this deprives kids of the ability to explore and pursue their own interests as they grow up. The story of how I discovered and grew to love the game of golf is a prime example of this fact: slow and steady can win the race. When I first picked up a golf club, I had no idea where the game would take me. I started out taking group lessons at the age of 9 with the same instructor I have today, and by the end of the clinic he had faith in my potential of becoming a champion. I continued working with him, this time taking private lessons, learning my swing but never truly taking my talent to a golf course. My parents didn’t want to force me into

something I wasn’t committed to or felt ready for. The extent of my golf career for several years only included visits to the driving range and a handful of 9-hole rounds with my dad for fun. Once I finally decided for myself that I wanted to play competitively, I was thrown a huge curveball. During the spring of my 7th-grade year, I tore my ACL and meniscus in a gym class soccer game. This meant surgery, six months of rehab, and sitting out an entire golf season. The summer which I was supposed to learn the ropes of tournament golf was spent in a knee

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brace relearning how to walk. But this shortterm setback turned out to be a long-term

time for the state tournament, where I burst onto the scene and shot my best two rounds of

blessing; the hardships I faced during recovery made me a stronger person both mentally and physically.

the season to win the individual state title. This was the moment I finally proved to myself that I have what it takes to succeed.

Fully recovered and cleared to swing again, two months before my freshman year of high school was the first time I had ever played an 18-hole round – let alone competed in a tournament. My years of swinging a golf club helped me during my first season playing competitively, despite my lack of on-course experience. My scores improved quickly, as I went from shooting in the 90s, then the 80s, and finally a few rounds in the 70s over the course of the 3-month long high school girls’ golf season. My season reached a climax just in

By the time sophomore year rolled around, however, my lack of tournament experience finally caught up to me. It seemed as though I got into trouble on just about every part of the golf course imaginable, and I had no confidence standing over the ball. I shot some of the worst rounds of my life, unable to understand how this was happening to me after having such a strong freshman season. Looking back, although this period in my Continues on next page >>

IN HER OWN WORDS

career was frustrating at the time, it taught me more about the game of golf than any of my

Everything I went through in the prior four years led to this moment, from my knee

best rounds. I learned how to overcome mistakes, trust myself, and find peace on the golf course even on my worst days.

injury, to my standout freshman season, and my struggles sophomore year. Each experience I had, the good and the bad, made

All the experience gained during sophomore year set me up for success during my junior season. I finally understood what it would take to keep my game on track and set myself up for success. The mental and mechanical aspects of my game came together, and I flourished. I broke my school’s scoring record twice in one week, shooting back-to-back rounds of 67 and 66. The confidence I felt in myself, and my game, overpowered any doubts that crept into my mind. Once again, I found myself peaking at the right time, shooting even par to win my second individual state title (fall of 2021).

me a two-time state champion. My golf journey certainly has not been textbook, but that’s the beauty of it. I got to experience the ebb and flow of golf at my own pace, rather than being thrown into it at a young age. I was able to fall in love with the game because I discovered it was something I really enjoyed, not just something my parents wanted me to do. Golf has provided me with countless opportunities and altered my life for the better, and I wouldn’t change the path I took to get where I am for the world.

STEM EDUCATION IN GOLF

PXG Shows Young People STEM Studies Can be Fun By Janina Parrott Jacobs Decked out in green, purple, pink and white DAPCEP tee shirts, 23 minority teenagers from the Detroit Area PreCollege Engineering Program attended a ‘Science of Golf’ demonstration hosted by specialty golf equipment manufacturer PXG, at their new Troy store. Traditionally, STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math - have not been particularly accessible as a career path to minority or underrepresented students, with less than 9% of STEM degrees awarded at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in 2018. The mission of DAPCEP is to help change all that by not only preparing the young people for college and high paying technology jobs, but by also making the journey toward them much more exciting – and fun. Most of the young people at the July 27 event had never held a golf club nor set foot on a golf course. Understanding this, PXG Communications VP Leela Brennan explained the opportunity as an ‘introduction to golf as both an activity as well as a science perspective’. The kids first explored the elegant retail store,

then split up into four groups and rotated among stations led by PGA Professionals, clubfitters, and top-tier PXG engineering and staff members. Assisted by TrackMan technology, they observed mathematically calculated paths and launch angles of both putting and the full swing, and also the ‘Smash Factor’ which measures efficiency and accuracy of clubface contact. The CORE Experiment, led by Product Engineer Grace Wilson, assisted students in understanding

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM how energy is transferred from a club to the golf ball. Wilson explained, “Unlike other club manufacturers, PXG irons are hollowed out and filled with composite materials, which help transfer energy directly to the ball. We’ve developed a different composite core for each of five generations of PXG irons.” To illustrate this concept, the students conducted The Drop Test where a golf ball was dropped from 36 inches onto four different surfaces to determine the most efficient ‘bounce’ or energy transfer. A window ledge clearly won out over artificial turf, a chair cushion and a workbench as the engrossed students busily calculated square roots and coefficients of restitution. Calculators also triumphed over slide rules.

Caleb Kroloff has been a Senior Engineer at PXG for 7 years. “You can study engineering but go into any field at all. It teaches a problem-solving mindset. We simply take applied sciences and show kids how it works in the real world.” Kalel, a 15-year-old homeschooler in Detroit, was excited for the opportunity. “I have been to First Tee and played a little at Chandler Park, but didn’t Park, but didn’t think about it a lot as science and engineering. And this my first time in a golf store. I looked it up online but didn’t expect the shop to look this luxurious.” Kendrick, 14, from Eastpointe, studies at University Prep and Design. He doesn’t really Continues on page 28 >>

EDUCATION IN GOLF

play but does caddie at Country Club of Detroit. In learning the game, he also sees how physics

Leela Brennan shared some poignant information about PXG Founder Bob Parsons,

can apply to everything. “It’s an awesome game and I’d like to play more.”

also Founder of GoDaddy.

DAPCEP Executive Director Michelle Reaves was thrilled when PXG reached out to extend this invitation to her group. “No one had ever talked to me about these kinds of careers being available.” After the experience, the students made a bus trip to Detroit Golf Club – where the students would enjoy lunch, meet PXG touring professionals, and observe the practice round in style at the 18th hole Rocket Mortgage VIP Chalet.

“The journey to commitment is doing what you are asked to do, no matter what the job. Bob failed the 5th Grade. He passed high school only due to his service in the Marine Corps. There, he learned you must follow through, think differently, problem solve, and see opportunity when others don’t. If you do what you love, it will tell you its secrets. Continue exploring, and the path will let you be surprised. It will be more fun…..and more cool!” The golf industry likely picked up 23 new fans today.

MICHIGAN PGA’S KEN DEVINE PASSES

Former Michigan PGA Section Leader Ken Devine Passes By Tom Lang Ken Devine is credited with saving the financial life of the Michigan PGA Section in the 1990s, then led the organization in helping grow the game, acquiring sponsorships (the largest with the Detroit Newspapers Group), adding the Michigan Women’s Open at Crystal Mt., the Tournament of Champions hosted at Boyne Mountain annually, using his PGA of America connections to help draw the Ryder Cup to Oakland Hills and supporting golf groups like First Tee and Midnight Golf. Devine passed away on July 1 at age 87. He was a long-time resident of Farmington Hills. The organization fell on hard times when his predecessor was convicted of embezzling money. Devine was brought in to use his business and management skills born in the golf equipment industry, which included stints with First Flight Golf when it signed Arnold Palmer away from Wilson. Devine also worked for Royal Golf and the Tommy Armour Golf Company. He was executive director of the Michigan PGA Section from 1991 through 2004, before moving its headquarters from Livonia to the Eagle Eye property near Lansing, when he retired. “Michigan golf lost a dear friend, Mr. Ken Devine. His polished business style helped move the Michigan PGA and the state’s golf to new

highs,” said PGA member Brian Cairns, of the Fox Hills Learning Center in Plymouth, who was PGA of America's National Senior Player of the Year in 2015. “Ken will be most known for developing friendly relationships with not only sponsors for events but took firm ground on the direction of the PGA’s business, from playing, teaching and general operations. “He came from a long history of golf, so he understood from our point of view where we needed to be. Ken also helped guide me through some tough times not only from a business standpoint but personal battles as well. His no bull crap style worked well with me, so I am forever thankful for his guidance. My championships would have never happened without Ken’s guidance. He was a friend, a mentor and a great leader and I shall miss him.”

MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES It is an epicenter for family golf, in part with its 18-hole short course called Strategic Fox (which includes FootGolf). Then

Largest Golf Operation in all of SE Michigan Sold Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center purchased by Heritage Golf With its roots going back to 1927 as the Plymouth Country Club, the 95-year-old golfing grounds today known at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, was recently sold to the Heritage Golf Group, which has more than 20 additional properties nationwide. It is the largest golf operation in Metro Detroit – sporting 63 holes on one piece of property. This includes the original nine, that grew to 27 holes, before the addition of the Arthur Hills-designed Golden Fox. Sisters Kathy Aznavorian and Sandy Mils have seen just about everything the sport of golf has offered the past four-plus decades as co-owners of the property which was handed down from their parents. The sisters have been pioneering leaders in Michigan golf course ownership ever since. Fox Hills is a two-time winner of Michigan Golf Course of the Year, and in 2002 was voted National Golf Course of the Year for its overall management, facilities, programs and environmental practices.

there is the Fox Hills Learning Center, which operates year-round with top award-winning instructors like Brian Cairns, Jordan Young and Jeff Goble, among others. There are many special learning programs for youth and Veterans as well.

Check back in future editions for an extended story.

Four MI Golfers Headed to USGA Women’s Amateur Adie Maki of Canton won the Michigan qualifier at Saginaw CC for the U.S. Women’s Amateur to lead the field of four local ladies heading to Chambers Bay for the Aug. 8-14 national final. Also making the field was Anika Dy of Traverse City, and her University of Michigan teammate Ashley Kim. Dy in June took runner up in the Michigan Women’s Amateur to her sister, Anci, in 21 holes. The fourth is MSU golfer Valentina Rossi of Spain, who is exempt per reaching the US Women’s Am semifinals last summer. An alternate is Elise Fennel of Caledonia.

MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES

Brett White Goes Wire-ToWire in Winning Tournament of Champions Caledonia’s Brett White said it was a perfect storm that he came home to Michigan and won the Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions. “There was a scheduled week off from the Korn Ferry Tour, I’m getting married Sunday (July 31) in Grand Rapids and I could have played in a Rocket Mortgage qualifier but that might have been cutting it close to the ceremony if I got in and played until Sunday,” he said and laughed after going wire-to-wire to win the 30th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort. The 29-year-old touring pro won at 12-under 204, by 4 shots over T2 Beau Breault of Howell, a mini-tour player who was a teammate of White at EMU, and Frank McAuliffe, a senior and a PGA teaching professional at Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville. White was also awarded $9,000, the traditional green dinner jacket and became a BOYNE Golf member for winning the unique tournament that brings together Michigan championshipwinning men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors playing for the same title from different tee positions. “I’m really glad I got the chance to play in

this,” he said. “That was one of the big perks of winning the Michigan Open (2020), getting to play in this with a lot of the golfers who helped me and taught me how to conduct myself when I was a junior, a lot of my friends, college buddies and then some of the women who have competed with my sister (reigning Michigan PGA Women's Open champion Sarah White), too. "I love coming to Boyne and Northern Michigan. I didn’t know I would be a member by winning this, too. I definitely hope to take advantage of that.”

Xiaowen Yin Earns First Pro Victory in Battle Creek Xiaowen Yin walked away victorious in the LPGA Epson Tour’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship after defeating Gina Kim in a one-hole playoff. Yin shared the lead throughout all three rounds and didn’t pull away for the win until making a massive par putt on the first playoff hole. Finishing solo second, at 13-under was Gina Kim. Two strokes from the lead were three players tied for third. Second round leader, Rachel Rohanna, Grace Kim and Laura Wearn finished the week at 11-under. Michigan’s Daniela Iacobelli finished T13 at 8under par, and Liz Nagel finished 1-over par. Two others from the Mitten didn’t make the cut – Sarah White (Brett’s sister above) of Caledonia, and former MSU golfer Allyssa Ferrell.

MICHIGAN STATE GOLFER TROY TAYLOR II

Another MSU Golfer is Heading to the U.S. Amateur It’s Troy Taylor II’s time to shine

standout in the 1980s that beat Jud Heathcote teams every season of his Buckeye career.

By Tom Lang Like his MSU brethren James Piot, and MSU Women’s golf program ‘sisters’ Valery Plata and Valentina Rossi, MSU Men’s golfer Troy Taylor II is soon heading off to the 2022 U.S. Amateur in search of success similar to the three other Spartans above. As any MSU golf fan knows, Piot won the national Amateur Championship last August to much fanfare, followed by trips to Augusta National and beyond – while Plata and Rossi each made it to the national semifinals on the women’s side of the U.S. Amateur in 2020 and 2021, respectively. “We’ve definitely had a great track record; on the women’s side with their final fours and then James (Piot) capturing the championship last year,” said Taylor, an Ohio transplant whose father Troy was an Ohio State basketball

“The U.S. Amateur has been great for both MSU programs and I’m just really excited to go there,” he continued. “I don’t think there’s any pressure on me. I just want to represent Michigan State well, just try my best and whatever happens at the end of the week is somewhat like the girls have been doing. And James hoisting the trophy is how I’d like to end my week. Wherever it all goes it will be great representing Michigan State there again.” Considering he’s the only person in his family to not attend OSU, Taylor II could have given his father a stroke when announcing he’d be going to Michigan State. But he says that didn’t happen, not even close. His father was very supportive about any college he wanted to attend. “My parents are super happy with MSU Athletics and how great the MSU fan base has treated me,” he said. “My dad was super excited for me. We’ll go places and he has almost more MSU gear than I do, and he wears it proud.” In late July, Taylor II was one of 10 collegiate

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM golfers selected to the inaugural All-America team by the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). The BCGCA Awards honor black college golfers from all backgrounds across all divisions of college golf. He also played this year for the second time in The John Shippen Invitational at Detroit Golf Club, where competitors were going after an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. Taylor II finished the two rounds T5 at 3-under par, and as the low amateur for the second straight year. The following week, he earned runner up in the Ohio Amateur.

Taylor, who will be returning for his fifth season at MSU, averaged 72.59 this past season playing in all 13 tournaments for the Spartans. He posted four top-20 finishes, including comedalist honors at the Island Resort Collegiate with Piot at 7-under par 209. The success has continued this summer for Taylor, who in July won the Columbus District Golf Association Amateur title in Ohio and followed that up with a runner-up 3-under par in the U.S. Amateur qualifier held at Forest Akers.

Michigan’s Other U.S. Amateur Qualifiers

Going into last fall’s college season, Taylor II placed second in a professional APGA Tour event in Florida for black players.

Charles DeLong, Allendale (Grand Valley State)

Coalter Smith, Grosse Pointe Farms (Univ. of Wisconsin)

Anthony Sorentino, Rochester Hills

GAM JUNIOR AMATEUR

Richland’s Max VanderMolen Wins 44th Michigan Junior State Amateur By Greg Johnson Max VanderMolen has been the youngest – or the first – to do a lot of things in golf. And the 14year-old from Richland did it again. He won the 44th Michigan Junior State Amateur at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort’s Sundance course by fighting off Kewadin’s Josh Lavely, the local favorite who has played that course regularly for most of his life, in a tense 21-hole final match. VanderMolen became the youngest winner of the championship and the first to win the 15-andunder bracket and then follow it up by winning the overall title the following year. He was 13 when he won the 15-and-under at TPC Michigan a year ago. “I played up (in age division) because you know, I won last year, and I felt like I had already proved myself,” he said. “So, I was like, let’s give it ago. I knew it was going to be tougher with the state’s top players here. I mean, this means a lot to beat some great players like Josh and be the champion.” While VanderMolen has many years ahead as an amateur, it can be noted that five former winners of this tournament since 2000 have gone on to play in at least one PGA Tour event – two of them earning Tour cards. VanderMolen at age 10 was the youngest to ever qualify for the Michigan Junior State Amateur, finished second in the National Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta National at age 11, and at

age 13 was the youngest to ever made the 36hole cut at the Michigan Open Championship. A new 15-and-under champion was crowned, too. Leandro Pinili of Rochester Hills, age 15, topped Isaac Scavarda of Kalamazoo 5 and 4 in the title match for the younger division. The sophomore-to-be at Birmingham Brother Rice High closed out his title match win with consecutive birdies. “I was 3-under in the match,” he said. “I was tired but hitting good shots. This is my first GAM win and first win of the year, so it’s big for me.”

GAM GIRLS JUNIOR AMATEUR

State of Grace: Grace Wang Wins Michigan Girls’ Junior By Greg Johnson Grace Wang of Rochester Hills made some long putts to stay in front and fought off a late comeback attempt by Sophie Stevens of Highland to win the 44th Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur at Forest Akers West Golf Course. Wang is 16 and going into her senior year at Rochester Adams High School. This is her first GAM title, first state title and called it her biggest win. “It’s amazing,” she said after holding off the 16year-old Stevens 1-up in the title match and accepting the Wright Memorial Trophy. “I see that my hard work has been paying off. For a moment in my summer, I was struggling a little bit, but to be able to get this win really boosts my confidence.” It was a championship final day filled with grace, pun intended. The 15-and-under division state title was won by Grace Slocum of Traverse City (St. Francis). She turned back Ava Wisinski of Ada 4 and 3 in the title match. Wang earned her spot in the championship final match with a 3 and 1 win over Kate Brody of Grand Blanc in a morning semifinal. Stevens, the stroke play medalist in the championship the last two years and the top seed, rallied from behind to beat Adie Maki of Canton 1-up in the other semifinal. “My driver was not the best this week, but I was

able to put it in the fairway and my irons were okay, so I was able to put shots on the green, but the key was my putting and chipping,” Wang said. “I was able to save pars and make some birdies that way, and those long putts today were really key.” Wang, the daughter of Dahai Wang and Angelo Guo, said she has worked on her short game a significant amount this summer and she thanked her coach, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who teaches at Kendall Academy in Ypsilanti. “He has helped me in all part of my game and keeps me confident,” she said. “He is always there to support me, and he even texted me this morning and said congrats and stay strong. He’s always there to encourage and support me, so I love it.”

ROCKET MORTGAGE WRAP UP

Tony Finau Wins Big in Motor City By Tom Lang Often times athletes are said to be ‘in a zone’ when they are performing at their best, but often those times are brief. Finau’s zone has lasted two weeks now, grabbing a second straight PGA Tour title – first with the 3M Championship, followed by the Rocket Mortgage Classic, as the PGA Tour soon heads into the FedEx playoffs. “(Wins are) so special out here because they're so rare,” Finau said on the last day of July in Detroit after wrapping up a

Patrick Cantlay

runaway victory at a tournament-record 26under par. “You know, I think I'm going to really be able to soak these up probably when I'm home. It probably hasn't hit me yet really the magnitude of what I've accomplished these last couple weeks, but winning is just special.

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM

"Winning on the PGA TOUR is where the best players in the world are. It doesn't matter what tournament, you have to play well, you have to earn the victory. To have earned these last two is very satisfying.” At 21-under par in second place were Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Young and Canadian Taylor Pendrith, who was tied with Finau when the final round began. Ryan Brehm was the only Michigan player of three to make the cut. He shot 7-under total for T57 with players like 2019 Rocket champion Nate Lashley, and former Open winner Stuart Cink. The 2023 Rocket Mortgage will be played June 26-July 2. All photos by David Lee of Lansing

Tony Finau

Ryan Brehm

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