Michigan Golf Journal January 2025

MI GOLF JOURNAL Editor’s Letter Starting a new year always feels like

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What's Inside:

the spring golf season is not that far behind. Yet for now, it’s truly golf show season, starting off with the West Michigan Golf Show in Grand Rapids.

Several players of the Year were announced last month, but the remaining list came out after the December magazine went live, so we share the remainder now – the senior woman and all the junior players who were honored. We also have the 2024 Top 10 news stories in Michigan.

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Boyne Golf is a nationally-recognized

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product that all Michigan golf lovers can take advantage of very close by, compared to others who fly in from around the country and the globe … so we walk you through the latest products available at the three northern Michigan locations.

You can also find: An intriguing story on the growth of golf travel A final letter from Michigan’s own PGA of America president John Lindert A look at one of the best Northen Michigan courses you haven’t heard about Outstandingly simple putting tips on the green by Dave Kendall 4 pages of Michigan News and Notes And so much more !

Thank you as always for joining us.

Tom Lang Editor and Publisher

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TOP 10 STORIES OF 2024 Harbor Shores Hole 10

Top 10 Michigan Golf News Moments of 2024

By Tom Lang In addition to all the wonderful people and places to play in Michigan that are featured in this magazine all year long, we have picked out the top 10 golf news stories in remembrance of the year 2024: 10) LINKS magazine points out that Michigan still has the most public golf courses than any other state in the country, and Golf Digest placed Michigan in a tie with California for the second-best state for the quality of its public golf courses.

9) The Meijer LPGA Classic celebrated its 10th anniversary in June. Lilia Vu won in a fabulous playoff performance over former Meijer winner and fan favorite Lexi

our state in the late 2000s. Since then, pro tours from the LPGA, PGA and PGA Tour Champions have added tournaments in the Great Lakes State.

8) Professional Scott Hebert and amateur player Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll extend and set records when Slobodnik-Stoll won the GAM Women’s Senior Championship (Stroke play), her 19th GAM individual title – and Hebert captured the Michigan PGA Match Play, his record-breaking 18th Michigan PGA major championship.

7) East Lansing native Jacqueline Setas earned medalist at US Women’s Mid-Am, before going

Thompson, and Grace Kim. Meijer is credited for taking the chance on pro golf tours in

on to reach the match play quarterfinals (her second time). Setas is a great comeback story having missed a year of golf at Michigan State to conquer cancer, then came back to finish her college career there and now plays in occasional

Michigan several years after all the tours left

amateur championships.

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM 6) Michigan said goodbye to the Senior PGA Championship, played every-other year since 2012 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor. It is not scheduled to return. The course, however, earned the title of 2024 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and was in the mix for National Golf Course of the Year.

5) Michigan was well represented during the summer in the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 – by Flint native and touring pro Willie Mack III, mini tour pro Otto Black of Brighton, and MSU senior Ashton McCulloch – a student-athlete from Kingston, Ontario and winner of the 2023 Canadian Amateur.

4) Tom Gillis retires: the Lake Orion High graduate played professionally worldwide, including five years on the European Tour Ryan Brehm

and several more on the PGA Tour. His closet chance at victory on Tour in America was the 2015 John Deere Classic when he tied for medalist with Jordan Speith, who went on to win the playoff in two holes. He also had a good Champions Tour career, ending it in August with a T10 8-under par behind winner Stewart Cink at the Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills – the same golf course he began his pro career 31 years prior.

Gillis played in 188 PGA Tour events and won over $5 million, including a runner up finish at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational (tying with Tiger Woods behind winner Rory McIlroy).

3) Six Michigan golf courses celebrated their centennials in 2024: Elk Rapids Golf Club, Grayling Country Club, Verona Hills Golf Course, Gaylord Country Club, Ella Sharp Park and Sauganash Golf Club.

2) Oakland Hills hosted the U.S Junior Amateur Championship in July, with fans following Tiger Woods around the course following his son, Charlie, who qualified for stroke play (but not match play). It is the first of several national championships (including the 2034 U.S. Open) on the Oakland Hills future calendar as the club heals and recovers from the tragic clubhouse fire almost three years ago.

1) Michigan’s own Ryan Brehm led fans to a nail-biting finish in April with partner Mark Hubbard as they tied for second at the Zurich Classic team event on the PGA Tour. The pairing finished just one stroke out of first place and the playoff that was eventually won by Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowery, the twosome Brehm and Hubbard played with the entire final round.

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COVER STORY: BOYNE GOLF Bay Harbor Links Hole 1

Michigan’s Boyne Resorts Continues to Grow and Renovate

By Neal Kotlarek, Golf Chicago At a time when so many golf properties across the country have settled in to enjoy the fruits of America’s post-pandemic embrace of the game, the myriad of golf courses, hotels and amenities that make up the Boyne Golf properties have been continuously expanded, upgraded and a few even created from scratch.

Boyne Golf incorporates three hotels across a relatively short expanse of Michigan that includes Boyne Falls, Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor. Stationed at or around the hotels are 10 delightful, challenging and amazingly diverse golf courses, including two Boyne Mountain courses, Crooked Tree Golf Club,

the multiple Highlands courses and three 9s at Bay Harbor. Ask someone who has played any or all of them over past years and they will tell you that all 10 are picture-postcard-perfect in beauty and conditioning. That said, each course has either recently received marked improvements or is slated for such in coming months and years.

How do you improve perfection? Bernie Friedrich, senior vice-president of Boyne Resorts (and 2023 PGA Executive of the Year) laughed at the question when interviewed in early May. “Like everything else in life, golf courses change as they mature,” he said. “Maybe the bunkers

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM have filled in. Maybe the greens have gotten smaller than the architect originally

Ross challenged players particularly on approach shots.” Given access to original sketches, maps

intended. Maybe a course’s drainage system needs to be improved . . . With 10 courses to manage, we try to stay on top of how we can provide the optimal golf experience for our guests and members. So that involves critical assessments of each aspect of the courses— from the design to the maintenance to the playability to the tree coverage.”

and photos of some of the greatest Ross courses, the architect was able to convey the intricacies of Ross designs.

Friedrich cited the famed Donald Ross Memorial Course at the Highlands at Harbor Springs as a prime example of this process.

“Technology has really help us understand the subtleties involved in the architecture of Donald Ross,” Friedrich said. When that course was built, famous Ross holes from around the world were emulated to provide players with the look and feel of a Ross design. “But all these decades later, we were provided access to the original drawings of these famous holes and even received satellite imagery of what those holes look like at their origin courses.”

The course employed prominent Michigan architect Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design to review each course in the portfolio and provide input on ways to improve the player’s experience.

“Regarding the Donald Ross Memorial Course,” Hearn said, “we talked about providing guests with a true ‘Donald Ross Experience’ that hopefully provides insights on how

Monument Hole 16

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“The fact is,” Hearn said, “most of us will never have the chance to experience some of the great Ross works at those great private clubs like Aronimink, Seminole and Inverness. The single goal of the renovation project was to provide players with the next best option.”

Fans of great golf architecture are treated to the works of many of the world’s premier designers on any extended trip to Boyne Resorts. In fact, the Monument Course at Boyne Mountain incorporates holes inspired by the greatest holes of Dr. Alister Mackenzie, George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Pete Dye. And speaking of Jones, Sr., his 1966 masterpiece The Heather Golf Course is located at The Highlands at Harbor Springs and remains one of Michigan’s premier layouts.

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COVER STORY: BOYNE GOLF Springs and Boyne Mountain Resort, and food offerings that span all preferences from grab-and-go to fine dining.”

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Along with The Heather and the Donald Ross Memorial Course, the Highlands at Harbor Springs Resort also features the roiling and rolling Arthur Hills Course. Any golf trip should necessarily include this track on the itinerary as the par-5 No. 13 begins from a tee built on top of the world and descends across and over a valley before climbing up and then down a knoll toward a massive green.

“As everyone knows, the golf industry has experienced an amazing growth spurt following the pandemic years,” said Ken Griffin, director of sales and marketing.

“We’ve seen new interest in golf by couples, women, juniors and groups. Golf has always been a social game of inclusiveness. We have responded to these new channels with an entire reimaging of our properties, including expanded spa services, new luxury accommodations at The Highlands at Harbor

Along with amenities that include swimming pools, an indoor waterpark, ziplining, horseback riding and Segway tours, the resorts continue to expand with a European Spa and a steakhouse in development at the Highlands and a 1,203-feetlong pedestrian Sky Bridge at Boyne Mountain to provide exhilarating views and light displays of that vast property.

“We pride ourselves on creating unique ways to enhance the Boyne experience,” Griffin said. “We want to provide ‘wow experiences’ to both new guests and return guests.”

Golf, of course, remains a point of emphasis at all three Boyne Resorts. Located in Boyne Falls, Boyne Mountain is renowned across all of Michigan for its popular ski hills. Parts of those hills serve double duty during spring, summer and fall in the designs of both the Alpine and Monument courses.

Players get to understand the size and scale of both courses right out of the gate as the ride between the clubhouse and the first tee takes you

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up the mountain for a magnificent view and tees us towering drives toward fairways

lake. You will need an additional few minutes following the hole to take photos of your

below. The Monument Course incorporates the aforementioned tribute holes while The Alpine Course – which serves as annual host to the Michigan PGA’s Tournament of Champions — offers up breathtaking views on holes lined with soaring trees.

foursome standing behind this green seemingly on the edge of the world.

Designed by Art Hills, the 27 holes at Bay Harbor are actually three unique 9-hole courses each with different landscapes. The Links takes players alongside cliffs hugging Lake Michigan. The Scottish links-inspired course is highlighted by the stunning par-5 No. 7 that serves up a huge tee shot landing area in between mounds and thick rough.

Following a well-placed second shot which avoids the perilous right side of the fairway, the approach must keep to the right side of the putting surface which hovers above the

Donald Ross Hole 9

The Quarry nine is a reminder of that property’s humble roots as grounds of a cement factory that was decommissioned in the 1980s. One hole calls for a tee shot over a 40-foot gorge while others weave around the quarry and around natural ponds and wetlands. The par-3 No. 8 features Lake Michigan as both a backdrop and a hazard behind the green. No. 9 is a memorable finishing hole lined by the lake on the left and drops down to a huge green protected on the right side by a massive bunker.

The Preserve is nestled in hardwood forest and abounds with wildflowers, native wetlands and an abundance of wildlife. Following 8 holes Concludes on next pg.>>

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COVER STORY: BOYNE GOLF of the property’s

Highlands Heather

sprawling ski hill.

The new putting green will also be located right off the backside of the Main Lodge.

In coming years,

through the woods, the course ends on a 186-yd. par-3 featuring a sloping green postured above the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan.

Located just across the highway from Bay Harbor, Crooked Tree Golf Club provides 18 perfectly manicured championship holes perched high on bluffs overlooking Little Traverse Bay. No trip to Bay Harbor is complete without drinks and dinner at the opulent Inn at Bay Harbor, a Marriott Collection Hotel. A gourmet dinner on the veranda overlooking the lake will make for the most memorable meals of your year.

In 2025, two new golf experiences will open at The Highlands at Harbor Springs. The highly anticipated Doon Brae Short Course and a massive Himalayas-style putting green.

Designed by Ray Hearn, the Doon Brae par-3 course is built along the base

possible additions include a music venue, an outdoor sports complex, a new beach house and perhaps even a new Pete Dyedesigned golf course that was planned for the property years ago.

“Our vision of Boyne Resorts goes well beyond 2030,” said Friedrich. “If you like what we have offered golfers, families and couples up until now, stay tuned for even greater and better experiences in coming days, months and years.”

To book a trip or for more information, visit here or call 855.586.0290 to speak with a Boyne Golf Experience Agent.

Highlands Heather Hole 4

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GAM PLAYERS OF THE YEAR named the GAM Senior Women’s Player of the Year.

Schlicher, a Garland Lodge & Golf Resort member, finished the season with 455 points. Shelly Weiss of Southfield and Plum Hollow Country Club, who was runner-up to Schlicher in the Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur

Lori Schlicher of Lewiston Tops 2024 Senior Women’s Points List

By Greg Johnson Lori Schlicher found something in her golf swing and along the way found that it shifted her thought process, too.

“I went from showing up to the (Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur) thinking I could win to showing up knowing that if I play well, I should win,” she said.

Schlicher, 63, won the Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur for a second consecutive year, and to cap the season won the GAM Senior Tournament of Champions. In her two other GAM-conducted tournaments she finished second in the GAM Women’s Senior Championship and tied for second in the senior division of the GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur.

The 2024 season of first and second-place finishes powered her to the top of the GAM Senior Women’s Points list, and she has been

and played in the U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur, finished second with 385 points. Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll of Haslett and the Country Club of Lansing, the GAM Women’s Senior Champion, was third with 340 points.

Schlicher is a mother of four daughters and grandmother to seven

grandchildren, played collegiate golf at the University of Missouri in her youth, but did not take time for competitive golf again until four years ago.

She said she has never worked with a teacher on her golf game, instead opting to play and selfadjust her swing.

“I keep slashing away until I figure it out and sometimes it takes me a while,” she said. “I play a lot, and once I figure something out, I stick with it. I think this year I figured out a couple of things that will help me out for a while.”

Schlicher said the improvement in her ball striking and mental game has her contemplating entering some USGA national tournaments in 2025.

“It’s given me confidence to try it,” she said. “I was just playing GAM tournaments, and now that I’ve won some, I’m ready to see if the USGA stuff is fun, too.”

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM Alena Li

“It was a goal to be player of the year again because I thought it would keep me trying to improve,” she said. “When I won the (GAM Girls’ Championship) in the spring it motivated me to keep playing well the rest of the year.”

Grace Slocum of Traverse City, the winner of the high school Div. 4 state title, finished second with 1,030 points. Macie Elzinga of Byron

Girls Junior Players of Year: Okemos’ Dynamic Duo: Alena Li Tops 2024 Junior Girls and Saisha Patil Earns 15-and-under Honors

Center and Spring Lake Country Club, who was stroke play medalist and runner-up to Li in the Michigan Junior Girls’ State Amateur and was a semifinalist in the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship, was third with 960 points.

Saisha Patil

By Greg Johnson Alena Li of Okemos worked significantly on her putting and gained confidence as she improved, but she also concentrated on something else.

“I went into each tournament determined to do my best, but I also tried to really enjoy the competition and getting to play with friends,” she said. “I enjoyed competing more. I had a lot of fun playing in tournaments over the summer.

Li, who will be 17 in January and is a senior at Okemos High School, also played especially well.

She won the Michigan Junior Girls’ State Amateur Championship, the GAM Girls’ Championship and the Michigan PGA Girls’ Junior title. It all added up to Junior Girl’s Player of the Year – the second consecutive year she has won the honor. In a non-GAM category, she also earned the Miss Golf title from the fall high school season, winning the Div. 1 state championship as well.

Saisha Patil, also of Okemos, though not 14 until February and eligible to play in 15-andunder age group competition for two more seasons, is thinking it is time to move up and play for overall titles with the ages 16 through 18 juniors. Patil was the stroke play medalist and champion in the 15-and-under division of the Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur, won the 15-and-under title in the GAM Girls’ Championship, won the GAM 14 & Under Match Play Championship and four Meijer Tour tournaments.

The Youth on Course Michigan member has been named the GAM 15-and-under Junior Girls’ Player of the Year.

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GAM PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Cooper Reitsma

“It’s a by-product of a good summer of hard work and good golf, and I’m happy to have that player of the year distinction once again,” Reitsma said.

A Cascade Hills Country Club member with his family, Reitsma scored 1,062.5 points, including finishing second in stroke play in the Michigan Junior State Amateur, and making the round of 32 in the Michigan Amateur Championship.

Boys Junior Players of Year: Cooper Reitsma of Ada Tops Boys Junior Julian Sinishtaj of Macomb Earns 15and-under Junior

Drew Miller of East Lansing, a Michigan Amateur semifinalist and Michigan State University golfer, was second with 792.5 points. Connor Fox of Lake Orion and Indianwood Golf & Country Club, who will be joining Miller at MSU in the fall, finished third. The Michigan Junior State Amateur champion had 787.5 points.

By Greg Johnson Cooper Reitsma of Ada packs his summer tournament schedule and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s pretty much go, go, go, for me,” he said. “I don’t get burned out or tired of tournament golf.

I love the game so much and I don’t really wear out. I just keep playing.”

The Grand Rapids Christian High School junior, who will be 17 in January, has topped a GAM points list for a third consecutive year. This time it was the GAM Junior Boys’ Points list, and he did it by earning points in 13 different tournaments, including winning the Michigan PGA Junior Championship and two Callaway Tour tournaments.

In 2022 and ‘23 he was the 15-and-under Junior Boys’ Player of the Year, and this year he moved up an age group and has been named the Junior Boys’ Player of the Year.

Julian Sinishtaj

Julian Sinishtaj is playing junior varsity basketball at De LaSalle Collegiate High School in Warren this winter, but as soon as it is golf season again, he will head back to the golf course.

Sinishtaj, 15, the 2024 winner of the 15-and-under division at the Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship, earned GAM 15-and-under Junior Boys’ Player of the Year.

“It feels good to be a player of the year,” he said.

“I think I had a good year. I was a lot more consistent with all parts of my game, especially scoring. I put the practice reps in every day.”

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INDOOR OPTIONS indoor leagues as well.

“Makes it a little more fun competing against their buddies.”

At the indoor Performance Center,

Fox Hills’ 8 TrackMan Simulators and Indoor Bar Due to a warmer than normal fall season, most patrons at Fox Hills didn’t even learn about the indoor golf options at Fox Hills as part of its almost always seemingly expansions, until the calendar rolled into December.

“We’ve had golfers outside all season, and just here in December … people are coming in the building and saying they didn’t know this was here,” GM Bill Durham said about the remodeled Performance Center just to the right of the main entrance off North Territorial Rd. at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, Plymouth. “They love it. We have people coming back in already for their second and third visit in a short amount of time.”

Durham added that it’s good to see high school and college golfers signing up for

the 6 heated bays with a garage door that open onto the range were in 2024 fitted with custom retractable screens that allow the TrackMan SIMS to coexist with hitting outdoors. Two more SIMS were added at the end of a new beverage bar indoors as well.

“Before, the building was solely for teaching,” Durham said. “We’ve had as much instruction throughout the year as we have historically, except for a respite for construction, but we’ve expanded some uses by adding a full bar, TVs, high top tables, couches. It’s definitely an entertainment and (golf) skill environment.”

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. On a recent Wednesday afternoon when I drove by, there

because, “they have encouraged us to try having some winter programs so we hope to do that in

were two dozen cars in the parking lot. The Plymouth and Northville Chambers of Commerce are groups that had events there.

February and March.

“One evening we had a group of 24 for a holiday gathering and we ended up creating an 8-week league for 12 of them to play February – March,” Durham said. “I love seeing one-time customer experiences transition into regular use. It seems simply experiencing the new space is all it takes for some.”

The Fox Hills offering has become part of GAM’s TrackMan League, and Durham said there are plans for adding PGA HOPE and PGA Junior League options to the indoor winter leagues,

“Many of our current golf leagues are looking forward to continuing their night of golf through the off season by signing up for weekly tee-times using the SIMS. Also, open play and group bookings (are) welcomed.”

Award-winning golf instruction opportunities that Fox Hills has offered for several years continue. With a press of a button the SIM screen retracts, and by opening the garage doors, golfers can hit outside from heated bays instead of into the SIM, especially for taking lessons.

When outdoor golfing weather returns, Fox Hills will host the GAM Senior Four Ball – July 22-23.

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GOLF SHOWS THIS WINTER

Indoor Golf Shows Kick-Start the New Season

By Terry Moore Always striving to improve golf lover’s experiences, the 2025 West Michigan Golf Show at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids will make history this year for not being held on Sunday, that is, Super Bowl Sunday.

Instead, the popular show—known as the unofficial start of the golf season in Michigan— will open its doors for the first time on Thursday afternoon, February 6, and end on Saturday evening, February 8. Does one hear a resounding “amen to that!” from NFL football fans, especially those faithful wearing the Honolulu Blue jerseys of the Detroit Lions?

“We wanted to do what’s best for our exhibitors and patrons alike, and they were torn between the Golf Show and the Super Bowl, both held on Sunday like last year,” explained Carolyn Alt, Senior Manager of the Golf Show. “By moving it

off of the Super Bowl while still offering the Show on three days, people won’t have to decide. Our exhibitors have supported this change, and we’re confident our loyal patrons will feel the same.”

What won’t change will be the ever-popular attractions for the Show, now in its 37th year.

Visitors will continue to see hundreds of exhibits, ranging from courses and resorts, including those in sun-belt locales, to sales of equipment, clothing, accessories and unique golf products.

“In last year’s post-show surveys, our exhibitors reported on their success in sales, rounds booked, inquiries made and just an overall enthusiasm for the upcoming golf season,” Alt said.

As ranked by exhibitors, the 2024 Show was rated 4.3 stars out of 5. One such happy exhibitor

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM was Jim Szilagyi of Otsego’s Lynx Golf Course.“The West Michigan Golf Show is the best promotional value for our operation.

There are great courses, a great marketplace and a great presentation at DeVos Place.”

Popular interactive areas returning include the $100 Hole-Out Challenge, the $10,000 Longest Putt Challenge, and a Closest to the Pin event using a golf simulator. Although these contests have an entry fee, all the money raised goes to designated charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Folds of Honor and Patriot’s Day. “Giving back to the community is part of the business fabric of West Michigan, and the Golf Show has always been all in,” said Alt, now managing her 23rd Golf Show.

The future of golf rests with juniors, and they and their parents will enjoy the Family Fun Golf Zone, which has special features aimed at nurturing a lifelong love for the game. Note: All juniors aged 14 and under have free admittance to the Show. The First Tee of West Michigan will staff this busy area.

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Another Golf Show tradition is free golf balls for ‘early birds’ arriving at the main entrance.

Courtesy of Ferris State University’s Golf Management Program, the first 400 people on Thursday (only) will receive a free sleeve of golf balls.

Hours of the show are: Thursday, Feb. 6, 1 pm-6 pm; Friday, Feb. 7, Noon-8 pm; Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 am-6 pm. Tickets are $12, and juniors 14 & under are FREE. Your ticket gets you free re-entry all weekend. Tickets are available during show hours at the DeVos Box Office or online with no added fees at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com Sponsors included currently are the Golf Association of Michigan, Ferris State U’s Golf Management Program, ForeverLawn West Michigan, and LeafFilter.

More information may be found at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com For those who live in Southeast Michigan: the Toledo Golf Show takes place February 21-23 at the Sylvania-Tam-O-Shanter Center.

The cost is $7 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. https://toledogolfshow.com/ Then the largest show in Michigan – the Michigan Golf Show – is scheduled for March 7-9 at its traditional location of the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

Kids 12 and under are also free, but adult tickets are $12 each and there’s a $10 cost to park on site. https://michigangolfshow.ticketspice.com/ 2025-michigan-golf-show

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GOLF TRAVEL GROWTH NATIONWIDE

Sweetgrass Hole 6

Have Clubs, Will Travel, Statistics Say Adapted from a National Golf Foundation posting Consumers, perhaps more than ever, are focused on experiences. And while golf certainly qualifies as an experiential activity, a getaway golf trip – with family or friends – takes that experience… to another place.

“Our golf business has continued to grow 6 to 10% per year since 2018,” said GM Tony Mancilla of the Island Resort and Casino in the U.P. “With two golf courses (Sweetgrass and Sage Run), over 90% of our customers stay overnight on a golf package.

In 2023, approximately 12.2 million U.S. adults took a golf trip, close to the all-time recorded

“The Island Resort has invested in both labor and facilities to accommodate the growing

high set a year earlier and 20% higher than the annual average of National Golf Foundation (NGF) measurement years from 1989-2023.

Based on NGF’s consumer surveys and year-todate figures, there’s no sign of let-up when it comes to golf wanderlust either. The number of golf travelers in 2024 were projected to exceed 12 million for the third straight year.

Conversations with golf resort operators and management companies substantiate heightened interest as well as strong earlyseason guest momentum and/or pre-bookings.

demand through a call center. Our resort has also invested in (currently building) a new nine holes to satisfy the demand for early morning tee times. The Cedar Course should be ready for play in mid-2026. I believe the growth of golf trips will continue because people enjoy golf trips and will seek to go year after year.”

TSA checkpoint numbers at U.S. airports bolster these findings, with year-to-date throughput numbers on broader travel running ahead of each of the past three years and the prepandemic years as well.

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Golf tourism overall is the second-biggest economic driver in the industry behind only

as contributed to those increases as golfers look to escape the heat and enjoy the long days that

facility operations, with golfers generating over $31 billion in travel-related golf expenditures within the U.S.

Northen Michigan offers.”

“The NGF report shows what we have been experiencing on our BOYNE Golf courses,” said Josh Richter, Sr. VP Golf Operations at Boyne. “Over the past four years, we have seen moderate increases in the number of rounds played by Michigan golfers. Over the same time, we have seen substantial increases in out-of-state golfers from all over the United States, taking more extended golf-centric vacations, enjoying the variety our ten courses offer, and experiencing all there is to do at our resorts as well as locally when you are not golfing.

“The ease of getting here that direct flight access into Traverse City from 20 U.S. cities

The post-pandemic increases in participation and play across the golf landscape have extended to golf tourism, which had been one of the sectors of the industry most adversely affected by the onset of the coronavirus in spring 2020. This momentum has been further amplified by the exposure and buzz accompanying the development at some of the game’s most highprofile properties.

While popular multi-course destinations are some of the most prominent golf getaways in the U.S., they represent just a select niche among the nearly 1,200 golf facilities tied to resorts or resort/real estate properties nationwide. Most are regional draws rather than national, pulling in road-trippers from in-state or surrounding states – in some cases for an overnight stay that involves Boyne Highlands Hole 16

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GOLF TRAVEL GROWTH NATIONWIDE

golf, in others for multi-day stay-and-plays.

And the numbers show more golfers are pursuing these getaways than ever, big and small.

“It's been nice to see the uptick in golf travel,” said Bill Johnson, GM at Gull lake View Resort near Kalamazoo. “Our bookings are up as well, and the stay and plays are filling up fast. It’s also been great to see the change in types of groups. We are seeing many younger groups and more ladies’ groups than ever. It's good to see that golf is becoming more inclusive and a fun experience for everyone.”

In a separate study, NGF also noted that our sport’s image has gradually improved during the past decade, and the cumulative positivity is significant.

Even today, with golf riding a wave of

Stonehedge South Hole 11

popularity, only about one in seven Americans participate in the game. Those who don’t play tend to harbor more negative feelings about golf.

Yes, there are more golf courses in the U.S. than Starbucks or McDonald’s, but golf’s ubiquity doesn’t automatically translate to good vibes.

That said, the huge growth in golf beyond the course… and the massive consumption of fun and engaging golf social media content… have profound impact on perceptions of the sport.

FEATURED PHOTO: SAGE RUN HOLE 5

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GRAND VIEWS AT GRANDVIEW

Grandview Golf Course: The Name Says It All

By Robert McIntyre Former head coach at state champion Grosse Pointe South High School Some courses fly under the radar of nonlocals.

The type of course that someone has to tell you about.

Grandview is one of those golf properties.

Mike Schultz (former Traverse City West golf coach) filled me in on one of the best courses in Michigan’s north, near Kalkaska.

I know, that doesn’t sound quite right. He was more than correct about this course though. This hidden gem has a new addition to my “top ten you’ve never heard of in Michigan”. That sounds better.

Stepping out of your car you will gaze west to the forested valley that seems to extend to the horizon. Being late in the season, the fall

colors were just starting to pop. It was 80 percent of the way to being one of those Scenic Overlooks off a state highway. I can’t wait to play this course at this point. Even the range is mildly scenic. The clubhouse was not. It was under renovation. The staff was pleasant and clubhouse amenities are not on my mind.

I’m ready for some golf.

The first hole starts you out with a fair, forgiving introduction to a scenic round. No tricks or gimmicks, just like the rest of the course architecture. By the time you get through the second hole you have an accurate feel for the course. It is not overly bunkered. The hazards are there to keep you honest and are completely fair. The landing zones are identifiable and obtainable. There are risk/reward opportunities that are legitimate and fun. The greens are mature and well maintained. The greens were also well suited for the designed approach shot for each hole.

Is the course easy? Nope. It’s fair. The skill level

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of the group fit a variety of tees.

That is what we played. From the 6600 yards of blue tees; well, it was a nice test. No whining, no complaining and only a little swearing. Lots of great holes in its up-north atmosphere.

Grandview is a course that is a great blend of scenery and tempered challenge. It is not some bougie, top 25, Up North resort course that you brag to people how you survived. Instead, we discussed how “if I played that one hole better...” and “if I didn’t cut that corner so much...”

Grandview is a solid design that utilizes the natural views and scenery. “Every par three we play was my new favorite” comments my retired shop teacher friend (I’d guess to be a 10 handicap). “I was thinking the same thing” states his retired math teacher friend (I’d

guess to be a 25+ handicap). It was a fun round where we could try to do our best.

As I left, I knew that I would

write this review. So, let me say this: I hope Grandview continues to be the home course for Kalkaska High School golf.

I hope they still host high school tournaments.

Grandview is a course that fits what coaches look for in a home course. I hope it continues to have that local feel.

Finally, I hope to come back to have that scenic golf experience at one-third the cost of most resorts.

You stay gold, Grandview Golf Club.

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FROM THE PGA PRESIDENT Speaking of our PGA of America Members in competition, I love watching my fellow PGA of America Members compete. It was my honor to captain the Women’s PGA Cup team to victory this summer at Sun River in Oregon.

Letter From the Departing President, PGA of America Greetings MI Golf Journal readers: As my time as the PGA of America President comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to share with you some of the fondest memories from the past two years.

There’s the major championships. It’s been an honor to award our trophies to some of the game’s best. Brooks Koepka’s third Wanamaker and Xander Schauffele’s first at the PGA Championship. Ronnie Yin and Amy Yang winning their first

Another highlight of my tenure has been the growth of both our sport and association. Our sport is more popular than ever with increased participation in the game, a majority being from women and youth. This is a great sign of the health of golf and sets us up for continued success into the future.

We’ve also reached a record number of PGA of America Golf Professionals. More than 30,000 men and women across the country who, like me, are fortunate enough to call golf their career. If you’re interested in a career in golf, I’d encourage

you to visit majors at our KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Steve Stricker and Richard Bland winning the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy, pga.com/workingolf. although I’m still not sure how I was able to lift that one. Also getting to announce Keegan Bradley as Ryder Cup Captain in Time Square was a surreal experience.

While handing out trophies and announcing a Ryder Cup Captain is fun, the coolest thing is seeing our PGA of America Golf Professionals in the spotlight at these events. We all remember the fairy tale story for Michael Block at Oak Hill and how Jason Caron springboarded his run to an exemption on to the PGA Tour Champions via his strong play at Harbor Shores in our own Benton Harbor this year.

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM During my tenure we also rebranded our Association logo for the first time since 2008 and rolled out a new brand campaign – “We Love this Game”. That really says it all. PGA of America Golf Professionals love the game of golf and, in our job, we get to help others love it more every single day. How cool is that?

This truly has been a journey of love and I appreciate you all coming on it with me. I know how much the sport of golf means to our Great Lakes State and I am so proud to have represented it at the national level as the President of the PGA of America.

I look forward to a great Ryder Cup event at Bethpage Black in September, where the world’s best will compete for the smallest, but most impactful trophy.

The future is so bright for our Association and game and another great year

of golf is ahead of us. So, saying that, I’ll close with that message and call to action that I try to say at the end of every meeting I lead: Play more golf. Play more golf. Play more golf.

Sincerely, John Lindert, PGA Honorary President, PGA of America Director of Golf, Country Club of Lansing

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GOLF TIPS Aim: do not assume good aim. Test yourself or get help. If you are not a good aimer, use a line on your ball and aim the line from down the line.

Speed: once you are aimed, speed is all you are thinking about during the execution of your stroke. It should be the majority of your practice.

Golf Tip: Better Putting

Golf Tips provided by Dave Kendall Academy in Ypsilanti Putting is a matter of coordinating aim and set up, stroke, distance control, and green reading.

Most players assume that if you can develop a mechanically perfect stroke, they will be a good putter. It certainly helps, but mechanics is responsible for about 25 percent of a player’s success in putting. If a player is consistently precise at aim and set-up and makes distance control a priority in practice, his/her improvement in putting is almost a certainty.

The order of priority 1. aim 2. speed 3. read 4. stroke

Read: most players focus most of their attention on reading line and should focus at least as much on reading speed. Line is dependent upon speed. More makeable putts are missed because of bad speed than a bad line.

Stroke: most inconsistent strokes come from attempting to swing the putter on a line that your bone structure is not set up on or in a position that will allow it to happen easily. Good strokes are a result of a good set up. If you have good set up, stroke is a matter of rocking your shoulders and simply allowing the putter to swing.

Understanding the skills of putting and making them a priority can make a huge difference in your score. More strokes (nearly 40 %) are taken on the greens than any other area of the game. It should receive your attention in nearly the same proportion.

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Executive Director David Graham and GAM Foundation members after learning of the national Youth on Course model – has subsidized participating golf courses $1,004,115, including a record $253,535 in 2024.

The YoC model allows youth golfers ages 6 to 18 to play golf rounds at the participating courses for $5 or less. The GAM Foundation works with the courses and clubs to subsidize them for taking part in the grow-the-game initiative.

GAM Foundation Surpasses $1 Million for Youth on Course

By Greg Johnson The Michigan golf season enjoyed an extension with good fall weather, golfers flocked to courses and the Golf Association of Michigan Foundation’s Youth on Course program reached a major milestone.

“I have big news to share,” said Foundation Director Laura Bavaird in a recent note to foundation board members and staff. “After October's incredible weather the GAM Foundation has surpassed the $1 million in subsidies mark. This is truly an unbelievable moment for our grassroots foundation, and I am beyond proud to be here for it.”

The GAM’s Youth on Course involvement – which was started in 2017 by now retired

Last year, 11,520 YoC Michigan members played 45,311 rounds and hit 3,754 buckets of balls at 100 participating facilities, which means in the eight years of Youth on Course Michigan, 51,967 members have been involved in 172,108 rounds and buckets of balls hit combined. Those numbers have added up to reaching $1 million in subsidies.

“I’m excited we have taken a program handed off to staff by previous staff and volunteers who had a great vision to this level,” said current GAM Executive Director Chis Whitten. “The numbers prove they were right to help junior golfers and take the GAM’s relationship with member courses and clubs to another level as well.”

Bavaird believes the Youth on Course magic is in providing a bridge to the golf courses from partner programs like First Tee and TGA (Teach-GrowAchieve).

“First Tee, TGA, they are the boots on the ground introducing and teaching golf, and we are step two, giving an affordable option to practice and play and use the skills they have learned,” she said.

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MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES

Grand Traverse Resort Unveils Exclusive Detroit Lions Guest Room football to our resort,” said Tim Norman, General Manager of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. “This room offers fans the perfect getaway, blending the excitement of the game with the tranquility that our resort is known for.”

The themed room features custom décor inspired by the team’s iconic Honolulu blue and silver colors, as well as memorabilia and artwork that pay tribute to the rich history of the Detroit Lions. Guests will find full-size helmets, framed photos, and officially licensed gear that bring the spirit of Ford Field straight to northern Michigan.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa announced the launch of its exclusive Touchdown Suite. This one-of-a-kind room offers Lions fans an full-on experience that combines comfortable accommodati ons with a bold design celebrating the resort’s partnership with the Lions.

“We’re thrilled to bring the energy of Detroit Lions

Guests who stay in the Touchdown Suite will also receive complimentary game-themed snacks and Lions fan gifts during their stay. For more information, click here. To book the Detroit Lions Touchdown Suite, call 231-534-6000.

WWW.MIGOLFJOURNAL.COM Cedar River Hole 13

Shanty Creek Resort to Host 108th State Championship The 2025 Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship returns to northern Michigan to be played on the Cedar River Course at Shanty Creek Resort, the Michigan Section PGA announced.

The 108th edition of the state championship for Michigan’s top golfers will be played June 9-12.

The championship has been conducted the last two years at Oakland University’s Katke Cousins Course and prior to that was played at Grand Traverse Resort near Traverse City for five consecutive years. Hall Financial will be the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

Steve Scheuermann, PGA Director of Golf Operations at Shanty Creek, said he let the Michigan Section PGA know the resort was interested in hosting championship golf.

“It’s precisely what we were hoping for,” he said. “We feel we have tremendous championship golf at Shanty Creek and that lately it wasn’t being talked about as much as some of the other golf courses in Michigan… and having the best golfers in Michigan here

31 gives people a reason to talk about us.”

The Cedar River course, one of five courses at Shanty Creek, is an award-winning design by the late elite PGA Tour golfer and course designer Tom Weiskopf. It opened in 1999 and currently lists a maximum yardage of 7,001 with multiple tee positions. It was World

Golf Hall of Fame member’s first course in Michigan and features isolated holes, generous tree-lined fairways, classic natural green settings, significant elevation changes and includes one of his trademark dramatic drivable par 4 holes (301yard No. 13).

It has been listed on several best-of lists including being named one of America’s Top 100 Resort Courses by Golf Week.

Dow Championship Purse Increased to $3.3 Million The Dow Championship will increase the tournament purse to $3.3 million in 2025, a $300,000 increase over last year. Scheduled for June 23–29, 2025, the Dow Championship is ranked among the top 15 percent of the highestpaying events on the LPGA Tour, excluding major championships.

In 2024, the Dow Championship celebrated its 5th anniversary with the introduction of a new tournament name, logo, and mascot, Champ.

This 72-hole, stroke-play event features twoplayer teams competing in both foursomes and four-ball formats.

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MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES “I also want to take a moment to thank the thousands of volunteers whose dedication and hard work make it all possible. Their efforts are at the heart of our success, helping us create a meaningful experience for fans and maximizing our support for local nonprofits. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Flint Native Willie Detroit’s Rocket Mortgage Mack Gets Exemption Classic Earns Multiple Awards for Upcoming Farmers From the PGA Tour

The 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour has been honored with the Fair Way Award for the third time, and it remains the only tournament to have received the recognition. The award recognizes the tournament that excels at diversity, inclusion and social responsibility. This award was previously won in 2019 and 2023.

The tournament received a second award as well, the Best Volunteer Program award, which takes into account a number of factors, including recruitment and retention efforts, year-round engagement, diversity and inclusion among volunteers and more.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic relies on a group of approximately 1,300 volunteers each year who serve in a variety of roles.

“It is exciting to be recognized by the PGA TOUR once again for the incredible effort that goes into making the Rocket Mortgage Classic such a standout event,” said Rocket Companies President and Rocket Giving Fund Board President Bill Emerson. “This recognition is a testament to Dan Gilbert’s vision of bringing a PGA TOUR event to Detroit — not just to showcase the city but to actively contribute to its ongoing renaissance.

Insurance Open

Professional golfer and 15-time APGA Tour winner Willie Mack III has received a sponsor exemption to compete in the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, scheduled to take place January 22 – 25 at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Mack III previously received the exemption in 2021 and has continued to make great strides on the APGA (Advocates Professional Golf Association) Tour circuit and beyond. In 2024, he became one of the first APGA Tour players to compete in the U.S. Open, and one of three Michigan players to compete there.

Mack III’s career took off as a collegiate player at Bethune-Cookman University, a Florida HBCU where he won 11 college tournaments. He went on to become the first African American to win the Michigan Amateur Championship. His triumphs did not come without challenges, as he experienced several obstacles during his career, including homelessness.

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back on their feet at My Brother’s Keeper; teaching kids the importance of fiscal management; and

Ally Challenge Announces 2024 Charitable Donation Officials of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren announced that the seventh playing of the official PGA TOUR Champions event in August raised a total of $1,005,260.21 for charitable organizations in southeastern Michigan and beyond, surpassing the $1 million mark for the fifth time in the tournament’s brief history.

Since its inception in 2018, The Ally Challenge has donated nearly $8.4 million to support charity.

The 2024 total includes $884,679.74 in support of Genesee County Charities. Overall, more than 31 charities were positively impacted by The Ally Challenge, including a portion of the funds for 24 plus crucial programs identified by the tournament’s primary beneficiary, United Way of Genesee County (UWGC).

The tournament’s investment will impact more than 30,000 individuals in Genesee County through three priority areas: Financial Literacy, Affordable Housing and Employment.

“Thank you to all the fans, players and sponsors who attended the 2024 Ally Challenge,” said James Gaskin, CEO, United Way of Genesee County. “Your participation is supporting home repairs with Habitat for Humanity; helping homeless veterans get

more than 20 other crucial programs helping our most vulnerable neighbors. A very special thank you to Ally and McLaren for this opportunity to impact our community.”

The 2025 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will take place the week of August 18 – 24 at renowned Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.

Harbor Cup Golf Event Continues Holiday Tradition, Raising $80,000+ for Local Charities The Harbor Cup golf event, which brings together PGA professionals from BOYNE Golf and the Petoskey/Harbor Springs region, has become part of the fabric of holiday giving in Northern Michigan. Over the past 28 years, the event has raised over a million dollars, benefiting the local charities Manna Food Project and First TeeNorthern Michigan.

Manna Food is a pantry and warehouse that supplies food to more than 35 pantries and agencies in Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties. This year’s charitable contribution will help provide more than 70,000 meals to community members. In addition, First Tee is an organization that promotes character development and life-enhancing values to area youth through the game of golf.

The annual fall event was held on the Links/Quarry course at Bay Harbor Golf Club, near Petoskey, Michigan. PGA professionals from BOYNE Golf properties were matched against PGA professionals from Petoskey/Harbor Springs area golf courses (Team Harbor) in a fun 54-hole Ryder Cup-style format.