Michigan Golf Journal May 2024

Editor’sLetter

May means the grass is getting greener and the summer golf season has arrived.

And with the new golf season, at least four golf courses in the state of Michigan turn 100 years old i 2024. We provide a preview and hope to play all fou and later give you a full report on each.

The cover story this month is Crystal Mountain in Benzie County. It is a favorite with my kids as we had many family getaways there as they grew up and I was covering the annual Michigan Women’s Open, which returns to Crystal yet again, June 2426.

What's Inside:

The long-awaited opening of the new Saint Johns Resort in Plymouth is also happening – a big deal for golfers in Wayne County and the surrounding areas to have this luxury option available.

Also in May look for:

The Sr. PGA Championship is coming in May to Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor – where great names in the game of golf will duke it out. We have Mother’s Day gift giving ideas. Short courses are all the rage… we feature one that turns 50 years old this summer that was ahead of the trend.

We share memories of the MSU professor who continuously improved the golf course grass you play on.

… and so much more

Thank you for joining us – and hit ‘ em straight.

TomLang EditorandPublisher

Celebrating a Century

Three Michigan courses turn 100 years old in 2024

ByTomLang

No less than four golf courses in Michigan are still open and operating 100 years after they began serving the game – which by all means was still in its infancy early last century. Holes have been added, others changed – but what remains is a rich and fun chronicle of stories.

This is a short preview of the courses we could confirm are celebrating 100 years in 2024. We hope to play each one at some point this summer and provide reviews in the fall.

Moving west to east, the courses include

Sauganash Country Club in Three Rivers, Sharp Park in Jackson, and Verona Hills in Bad Axe. If we missed any others, feel free to let us know and we’ll make sure to check them out.

SauganashCountryClub:

This course almost never saw 90 years. The property was nearly sold off last decade to become a new corn field, until 20 business owners in Three Rivers combined to buy the club and revive it.

A lot of renovations went into the clubhouse building to bring it up to the modern era. Leadership describes the courses as an 18-hole layout winding over rolling terrain and hugging the scenic St. Joseph River. The course offers a good variety of tight driving holes on the front (with trees as a main defense like most clubs developed in the era) and a challenging assortment of holes through the woods and bordering the river on the back nine – which was added more than 60 years ago.

SharpParkGolfCourse:

“We’re an old-style push up green golf course that I think a lot of golfers appreciate, I think it’s a great place for any golfers,” said PGA pro Eric Terrian. “We just added a fourth set of tees so we can accommodate all abilities, and we often host the best events for Jackson’s better players, so we can set things up for general play and for tournaments for almost anybody.”

ElleSharpHole2

It’s one of the few courses in the state that has been toured and touched by A.W. Tillinghast, the famous architect of Baltusrol, Bethpage and Winged Foot.

The course is one of the oldest still-standing businesses in St. Joseph County. Three Rivers derives its name from its location at the confluence of the St. Joseph River and two tributaries, the Rocky and Portage rivers. The St. Joseph River eventually flows into Lake Michigan.

Jackson is unique in that the city produced no less than four PGA and LPGA Tour winning players, and all four would show up at Sharp Park at one time or another in their careers. It began with the Hill brothers, Dave and Mike, who won 40 tournaments combined on the PGA and Sr. PGA Tours in the 1960s-1990s. Then came Elaine Crosby who won twice on the LPGA Tour, and more recently, Brian Stuard who won the PGA Tour’s 2016 Zurich Classic in New Orleans.

“When you think of golf in Jackson, one of the places you think about is Sharp Park,” Stuard told me. “I have some great memories of winning the Junior City Championship there. It was always such a fun place to play golf.”

Ella Sharp Park’s 18-hole golf course provides a challenge for golfers of all levels. The course touts two of Jackson County’s most challenging golf holes (2nd and 12th holes) along with an array of other manicured fairways and greens.

Terrian said that Tom Bendelow designed the original nine. The course was lengthened at the more recent turn of the century with a redesign that helped relieve some crisscrossing holes on the 100-acre property. He said the most attractive characteristic for most golfers is the price: just $28 peak time all year, including a power cart.

VeronaHillsGolfClub:

This officially private club that allows public play almost every day stands out in the middle

of Michigan’s Thumb, just outside Bad Axe. The Thumb is an area that is best known for its wide-open flat land and huge wind turbine farms for Detroit Edison – yet the parcel of land hosting Verona Hills is in part captured in the name; hilly.

“Whenever we go to the golf show in Detroit, we always say it’s a nice Up North course without the long drive from Detroit,” said 11year head pro Phil Gornowich, who grew up playing the course as a kid and member of the Harbor Beach High golf team. “With all the farm fields and what can feel like a boring ride out of Detroit, you’re surprised to see all the elevation changes and the fun layout we have here.”

Gornowich said the origins of Verona Hills were the traditional nine holes that much later became 18. He said there was plenty of property so that the added holes were not crammed in on top of each other, which is a typical trait of many nine-hole courses built a century ago and then added a second nine.

“The original nine must have been very spread out with lots of open land in between,” he said, adding that the newest nine holes are not just set off to the side of the first nine, but rather, it’s all interconnected.

The course is having its official 100th birthday celebration on August 3.

GaylordGolfClub:

Founded in 1924, Gaylord Golf Club is one of northern Michigan’s oldest golf clubs. The club moved to its new location just west of Gaylord in 1975 – so the current course is not where the original began like the others featured here, but still deserves some type of recognition. The current 18 holes will be 50 years old next summer.

The original nine holes in 1924 were near downtown. A former home on the property served as the original clubhouse, which was replaced in the 1950s by the building that now serves as the Elks Lodge. The Elks City Park at that location is where the golf holes used to be.

Gaylord Golf Club is a classic parkland design reminiscent of the early 20th century courses featuring close proximity from greens to tees and a variety of designed holes allowing for a more enjoyable round in less time than those which are spread out and longer yardage courses.

Gaylord Golf Club is one of the few private clubs in northern Michigan allowing public play anytime.

Former Superintendent Paul Holmes served 38 years before retiring last year. He was replaced by his son, Ryan Holmes, who has all the inside knowledge of each area of the course and expertise of knowing all the tricks.

Crystal Mountain is a Great Escape

ByTomLang ByTomLang

Crystal Mountain in Benzie County is one of the top family-friendly, four-season resorts in the country – with recognition from respected publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Outside and U.S. News & World Report.

Much the same could be said if you’re looking for great golf, excellent amenities for a relaxing getaway and incredible natural resources in the region that is open to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Let’s begin with great golf.

Crystal Mountain has two contrasting tracks:

the Mountain Ridge course and Betsie Valley course. The latter was the first golf course at the property – yet experienced a significant update and renovation in 2021 and is one of the most ideal courses I’ve played that’s good for all ages and skill levels. Multiple-generation families and firsttimers can have a lot of fun, while more skilled players will still be tested from longer tees.

The nines were flipped about a dozen years ago, so now the 10th tee starts out going up a fairly severe hill to the fairway landing area above. After that first climb, the remainder of the back nine – as does much of the front nine – meanders across lightly rolling ground among the trees, open meadows and ponds to give a pleasant yet challenging experience for all.

BetsieValley

The Mountain Ridge course has hosted the Michigan Women’s Open (coming June 24-26) each summer for over 20 years, but even nonpros enjoy the grand views and challenges of this resort course.

On the long, winding journey from 15 green to the 16th tee near the top of the mountain, make sure to stop for a couple minutes at the scenic overlook along the cart path, or at the 17th tee as well. Both locations feature nothing but tens of thousands of trees as far as you can see toward Lake Michigan about 15 miles away – trees that paint a very colorful tapestry during their fall peak of early to mid-October.

The 18th on Mountain Ridge is a wonderful closing par 5, for amateurs or pros alike. Despite the downward slope all the way from tee to green, most golfers still require at least three shots to reach the chance at a birdie putt on the multi-tiered green. Whether playing

with friends, or watching the pros play the Michigan Women’s Open, the 18th provides a lot of drama, and it rewards the best players. Both courses have received four-star ratings by Golf Digest magazine.

In 2024, the golf courses will also have a new fleet of 155 Club Car GPS golf carts.

“The GPS features and touch screens give an overview display of each hole, dynamic distances to the pins, and custom pin placements,” said Jamie Davison. “This system also has an electronic scorecard that can be shared via text or email, realtime messaging to and from the clubhouse, and the capability for mobile food and beverage ordering.”

Crystal Mountain is now one of four golf course destinations in northern Michigan enrolled with Monarchs in the Rough. The program utilizes the open spaces of golf courses and the knowledge of

GO TO CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

golf course superintendents to create pollinator habitats to host and feed monarch butterflies on their global migration path. Adding a touch of beauty while helping the environment is a solid 1-2 punch.

“There are areas for potential pollinator habitats on both of our golf courses,” said Dan Heiss, Golf Course Superintendent. “In addition to having milkweed in these areas for the monarchs to lay eggs, there also needs to be an abundance of other plants such as wildflowers where the adult butterflies can receive nectar. It’s a win for us because it brings more color to our courses while also helping wildlife.”

Then there is CrystalMountain’sGolf LearningCenter with tailored and dedicated

golf instruction to help anyone with their golf goals. Whether you ' re preparing for your next round or trying to improve your game, the Golf Learning Center is a 10-acre practice facility and home to the nationally recognized Crystal Mountain Golf School.

OnsiteFamilyFun:

Quite simply, Crystal Mountain is one of the best family vacation spots our family has ever visited. When my kids were younger it was our go-to place every summer that the kids really looked forward to, and sometimes we brought their friends along too – which guaranteed our kids a popularity vote.

It’s easy to stay at Crystal for several days, as there

are a wide variety of lodging options to fit any group. Whether you’re looking for a hotel suite for two, a 2-3bedroom cottage, or a Mountain Top resort home that sleeps up to 14 people, the accommodations feel like home away from home –or better. Most buildings have been remodeled or constructed new in recent years and are impeccably outfitted with modern amenities.

GO TO CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

For starters, the outdoor pool and water playground at the Park at Water’s Edge is designed with a wading area for the littlest tikes, water sports for the older kids, and a large area for peaceful lap swimming in the morning. The new poolside private cabana rentals are a nice touch, too, offering shade, table and chairs and other deck furniture. Many times, this outdoor water oasis becomes an all-day affair followed up with a relaxing wheels and riders utilize a hand brake to adjust the speed. Riders must take the Loki chairlift up the mountain to the start line where they’ll take in spectacular views before flying down on the coaster. Two parallel runs twist down 1,600 feet to the bottom of the ski hill.

evening chairlift ride to the top of the mountain to watch the setting sun or bonfire with smores in Barr Park.

But don’t you dare stay at Crystal Mountain without trying the new and improved Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide – the only dual alpine slide in Michigan. It’s like a luge track but without ice, complete with high bank turns, tunnels, and dips. Riders sit up straight on the sled outfitted with

GO TO CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

Another new feature near the Loki Quad Chairlift and Mountain Adventure Zone, is the Crystal Bungee Trampoline. Four jumpers are strapped in individually and free to bounce 20 feet into the air off the trampoline.

Finally, many people enjoy a walk through the outdoor Michigan Art Legacy Park. The 31acre wooded preserve features more than 50 sculptures and poetry stones telling the story of the Great Lakes State. Those walking the entire trail are sure to come across the newest installation – Gateway to Black Eden. The 15foot steel work of art reflects the African American lake resort experience in America during years before passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1965. It specifically recalls Idlewild, a traditionally African American resort not far from Crystal Mountain, near Baldwin, Michigan.

VentureOutside:

The entire Benzie County region is filled with boating, fishing, biking and hiking options – but a particularly fun option is canoeing an outfitter’s trip lasting under two hours on the Platte River, ending at the mouth of an inlet along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s where my son first tried canoeing with me, an activity he still enjoys today.

To the north of that same canoe trip exit point is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the natural wonder of northern Michigan that draws international travelers. It was even named the Most Beautiful Place in America by ABC-TV’s Good Morning America. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a short scenic drive from Crystal Mountain and makes a phenomenal day trip memory.

Check out golf packages and lodging specials here

OLDEST SENIOR MAJOR COMES TO MICHIGAN

Sr. PGA Championship

One Last Time in Benton Harbor

ByTomLang

The Senior PGA Championship is the oldest senior major in the historic PGA of America lineup, having played its first one in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club.

Since that time, champions like Sam Snead, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and more have hoisted the gigantic Bourne trophy – like Steve Stricker did last year after a playoff against Padraig Harrington. Both players return this month.

But if you are a Michigan golf fan who always said to yourself you needed to get over to Benton Harbor and see this major in person that has been coming to our state every other year since 2011, do it the end of this month, Thursday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. At least for the near future, it’s the last time the event is planned to be held in Southwest Michigan. This is the sixth time the tournament will have been played in Benton Harbor at the wonderful Harbor Shores.

TwoMichiganders–MSUassistantgolf coachChadKurmel,andScottHebertof TraverseCity–qualifiedforthefieldas twoof35PGAclubpromembers.

“We really pride ourselves in that this isn’t just about golf – there’s something for everyone,” tournament director Brandon Haney told me. “But you get a deep dive here into great golf. If you look at last year’s championship, the Sunday leaderboard was Stuart Cink, Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker. Steve ultimately defeated Padraig in a playoff, which is fantastic when you want to watch good golf.”

Haney added that all four days of the tournament there will be local food trucks and wine and brewery options that

highlight the Southwest Michigan region at the popular Makers Trail 19th Hole Pavilion, plus KitchenAid product demonstrations. A concert is planned for Wednesday evening, May 22 featuring renowned R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne, plus jazz artists Gerald Albright and Kim Scott. The concert is free and open to the public.

He added that there are some great ‘natural amphitheater’ locations at the 7th hole with the Lake Michigan beachfront right over your shoulder, and the 10th green where Nicklaus made that historic putt in the 2010 course opening ceremonies alongside Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson. Between holes 16 and 17 there are great views watching those two holes simultaneously.

“And being located on the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s a great place to be,” Haney said. “We’re extremely proud to say that Harbor Shores has now cracked the top 90 public golf courses in the country, which is well deserved and a wonderful Jack Nicklaus-designed signature course.”

NOTEABLE PLAYERS LIST:

Stewart Cink (first time at Harbor Shores)

Chris DiMarco

David Duval

Ernie Els

Jim Furyk

Jerry Kelly

Bernhard Langer

Tom Lehman

Rocco Mediate

Kenny Perry

Boo Weekly

HarborShoresHole7

Letter From the PGA President

Michigan Golf Journal Readers,

I’m excited to share another quarterly update as we get ready to head into the PGA of America championship season.

It all beings at PGA Frisco with the PGA Professional Championships where each year the top 312 players in our association from around the country come together to compete for a chance to compete at the PGA Championship as one of the 20 members of our Corebridge Financial Team.

I was fortunate enough to have competed in five separate PGA Professional Championships during my career in the industry, so I know firsthand the hard work and effort that goes into preparing for this championship.

The PGA Professional Championship marks the start of an incredible championship season for the PGA of America. Our PGA Championship kicks off in May at a renovated Valhalla Golf Club and our KPMG Women’s PGA

Championship will be played at historic Sahalee in Seattle.

Additionally, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship returns to the Great State of Michigan at Benton Harbor and the beautiful Harbor Shores Golf Club from May 23-26. We want to thank KitchenAid for their partnership and hope that you will make the trip to the west side to attend this great event.

Having our championships in May and June allow us to highlight the programs of the PGA of America as well as our PGA of America Golf Professionals as we head into the peak summer golf season. These events help us to provide spotlight on Drive, Chip and Putt, PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE, our regional charitable initiatives around our championships as well as our PGA of America Golf Professionals in competition.

While our championships are sure to draw the eyes of the golfing world, it’s what’s going on with our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals – including the more than 800 in the Michigan PGA Section – that truly have me fired up in 2024.

Enjoy the PGA of America’s Championship Season and as always “Play More Golf”.

Sincerely, John Lindert, PGA Country Club of Lansing President, PGA of America

Ally Challenge Bringing in Thomas Rhett for Community Concert

Country music superstar Thomas Rhett will headline the 7th annual Ally Community Concert at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Saturday, August 24, following the second round of competition at The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren.

“The Ally Community Concert has become a source of energy for the tournament, and we plan to fuel that again with an amazing performance from Thomas Rhett,” Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer at Ally, said in a release. “This year we’ll continue the tradition of golf and music fans coming together at The Ally Challenge

for great entertainment.”

Tickets for the 2024 Ally Challenge are already on sale. The tournament is open to spectators from August 22-25 and ticket prices start at $15. For a complete listing of ticket options please visit the tournament website at theallychallenge.com.

Thomas Rhett has 22 No. 1 singles, 15 billion streams and the longest current active streak of consecutive No. 1’s in the format. He has been honored with eight ACM Awards including Entertainer of the Year, two CMA Awards, five GRAMMY® Awards nominations, plus trophies from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Awards and iHeartRadio Awards.

$543,000 Grant Provided for Grounds Maintenance Apprenticeships $250,000 Grant Heading to Detroit’s Midnight Golf Program

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced in March that the MGCA was awarded a $543,000 grant to expand the Registered Apprenticeship Program at golf courses across Michigan.

The innovative program enables Registered Apprentices to:

Further their agronomy education

Work alongside field experts to gain on-thejob learning

Gain a national credential

“The grant award from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity allows us to accelerate the expansion of the Program we introduced in 2022,” said Jada Pasely of the Michigan Golf Course Assoc. “The MGCA knows how important golf is to Michiganders and tourists. The award will allow us to involve more people in the art and science of agronomy and to consider job opportunities at a golf course.”

The PGA of America recently announced that its PGA of America REACH Foundation will donate $250,000 to Detroit’s Midnight Golf Program through the CommunityBased Grant initiative of PGA Places To Play.

The money will aid in the renovation of a 30,000-square-foot building, developing a golf instruction area within the soon-to-be home of the Midnight Golf Program in midtown Detroit. This new facility will provide a permanent location for the program, which has previously been located in various venues throughout Detroit –mostly at Marygrove College. Construction of the building is estimated to be completed October 1, 2024.

Midnight Golf is a 30-week program that helps 250 high school seniors a year make the transition from high school to, and through, college. The program focuses on life-skills training, proactive coaching, longterm mentoring and the discipline of golf in order to succeed in college, their careers and beyond. Local PGA members and other volunteers who love golf, like a Delta Air Lines pilot, are mentors.

Since 2001, nearly 4,000 Midnight Golf Program participants have been admitted to more than 140 colleges and universities across the United States. Participants boast a 70% college graduation rate, four times the rate of Detroit students without support.

Mother’s Day Gift Giving

With more and more women playing golf in record numbers, we bring you a handful of gift giving ideas for the special lady in your life just in time for May 12th’s celebrations in homes across the state. We have tried to come up with a variety of options and price points.

SuperStroke“Pink” ZenergyPutterGrip forMom

If mom needs a new pair of golf shoes the TRUE LUX G is designed with style and performance in mind, offering a comfortable fit and feel unlike most others on the market. Available in a soft rose color, this model is designed fully waterproof (2-year warranty) with a signature neoprene easy-on collar, and Wanderlux cushioned ride. A padded heel lock system ensures stability throughout Mom's swing and the Achilles heel pad prevents rubbing or any friction whatsoever. MSPR $175, visit https://truelinkswear.com.

This fun pink Superstroke Zenergy grip (available in Zenergy Pistol and Tour designs) is a very affordable gift for Mother’s Day. Designed with performance in mind, Zenergy technology brings repeatable confidence to quiet mom’s hands on every stroke. “No Taper Technology” enables stable grip pressure for a more consistent stroke to help mom make more putts. MSRP $29.99, visit https://superstrokeusa.com

HonmaGolfLadiesBERES09

technology and confidence on the course. The color story includes attractive hues of red: 2 Star – radiant viva magenta adorned with silver accents; 3 Star –maroon embellished with elegant silver and lustrous gold accents; 4 Star –opulent dark burgundy enriched with delicate pale gold accents, including 14k gold; 5 Star – gold with beautiful platinum and lustrous gold accents. Prices start at: drivers $900, irons $1,750 for a set of 7-10, SW, visit

The Honma BERES 09 Ladies collection is the gold standard of gifts and might require multiple family members chipping in. The grouping of clubs (driver, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons) suggests an unmatched sophistication, elegance, and luxury experience, with every detail carefully considered to provide players with the latest https://us.honmagolf.com/

GolfTicketsforMomandtheFamilyExperience

Soon the golf calendar will turn to June, when Michigan is hosting four different professional golf tournaments in four different regions of the state. All four are very well run, organized and offer a variety of fun activities above and beyond the excellent golf watching. If you are looking for a unique golf experience for mom, look into any of these options, where ticket costs range from $10 to $85: Meijer LPGA Classic, Grand Rapids, June 13-16: www.meijerlpgaclassic.com

Island Resort Championship (EPSON Tour), Escanaba, June 21-23: https://islandresortgolf.com/island-resort-championship/ Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Detroit, June 27-30: https://www.rocketmortgageclassic.com/ LPGA Dow Championship, Midland, June 27-30: https://dowchampionship.com/

Benona Shores – a Classic Short Course

50 years and counting

ByFredInglis ByFredInglis

There’s been a nationwide trend for the past several years to create fun, playable, everyonefriendly, shorter golf courses. Yet dating back 50 years to the domestic farm and fruit orchard of when the Hukill family developed the 18-hole par 60 layout on their property in 1974, Benona Shores has been just such a course.

Benona Shores was already an active and attractive ‘executive’ golf course, but when in the fall of 2020 local native Jason Wenk purchased this hidden gem sitting just a few miles south of Silver Lake State Park and sand dunes, one of his top priorities was to make the entrance area an eye-catching invitation to come play.

“We’ve tried to extend the beauty of the golf course out to the first view you see,” Wenk said. “This summer we’ll add a new sign and

more signage on the clubhouse. Tourists are a big part of our business and this should help draw them here.”

The highly successful pioneer in the wealth management and technology industry lives in California, but he grew up in Oceana County.

Benona Shores GC and Oceana GC were the two courses where Jason learned to play and fell in love with the game of golf. He now owns both of them.

“You know Oceana Golf Club was fate. It seemed everything developed naturally,” Wenk said.

“Benona Shores was more serendipitous. I have no way to explain it.”

Abby Christmas travels from Grand Rapids to play Benona Shores about once a month. “We can see the difference.” she said. “Everything looks fresh. And you can tell the paved cart paths are better now too.”

Sam Mulliken and his wife made the trip from Grand Haven recently to play Benona Shores for

the first time. “This is everything that people told me it would be,” Mulliken said. “It’s beautiful. It’s quiet, affordable, and in great condition. Each hole really makes you think.”

While Wenk didn’t want to make changes just for change’s sake when he purchased the property, he knew there were some upgrades that would create immediate impacts even if the average golfer wasn’t aware of them.

No expenses were spared, whether it was adding 66 new gas operated golf carts or purchasing equipment for the maintenance crew.

“Jason is a great boss and owner,” said course superintendent Shawn Pranger. “We have all new pumps and an irrigation system that helps us keep the entire course under control. Not only can we do our job quicker and easier, but I think it translates into a much more satisfying experience for golfers.”

One noticeable addition is the wooden rail fence that surrounds the playing area around the public access area. It’s aesthetically pleasing, but it cost more than $125K to build. It was a necessary concession to the Liquor Control Commission in order to purchase the new liquor license.

“We just sold our first beer last week and it only took about 40 years.” Jason said with a chuckle. “We’ve added two new coolers in the clubhouse and I think it answers some of the customers’ long awaited needs.”

In 2022 Wenk additionally purchased a restaurant that overlooks the golf course at the 17th hole.

“Farmhouse” became an immediate hit for yearround locals and summertime tourists alike. This past winter they renovated and doubled the size of the kitchen.

Benona Shores had been family built and owned until Wenk assumed tenure. The converted farmland still has tons of fruit trees throughout

the course and still looks very much like the original site.

Rounds of play continue to increase each year at Benona Shores, but Michigan has more than 850 golf courses, and it takes a combination of tradition and innovation to stay ahead of the competition. So Wenk knows, more people discovering this "hidden gem” is the name of the game.

The Passing of a Turfgrass Icon: Dr.

Joe Vargas, Jr. (1942-2024)

ByDr.KevinFrank,MichiganState

Dr. Joe Vargas, Jr. passed away on April 18 after an illustrious 55-year career in turfgrass pathology at Michigan State University. It’s rare for anyone to dedicate over a half century to their career – and his commitment improved the golf experience in ways most golfers would likely never understand.

Dr. Vargas was an accomplished researcher, teacher, and extension specialist. He was known throughout the world for his diagnostic skills helping solve turfgrass problems for golf course superintendents. Dr. Vargas was always willing to help golf course superintendents solve puzzles they had on their course. It didn’t matter the time or day, if a superintendent needed help diagnosing a problem, Dr. Vargas would be on his way. He was a true friend of the golf course superintendent and of anyone looking to improve turf conditions.

He had numerous research contributions including probably most famously determining that Poa annua (annual bluegrass) did not die in the heat during the summer as most assumed – but rather diseases

were killing it. He also discovered that excess sulfur caused black layer in putting greens and developed fungicide application timing models for diseases such as anthracnose and pink snow mold. In short, over his entire colorful

career, Dr. Vargas improved turfgrass conditions for golfers around the entire world.

Dr. Vargas was known around the globe giving over 1,000 presentations at conferences and educating over 2,000 students at MSU. “In the turf world, Joe was one of the best presenters whenever, wherever and to whomever, and I mean ever,” says Dr. David Gilstrap, who was both his colleague and graduate student. "In the classroom, students crowded toward the front, for a change, and at conferences it was often standing room only.”

Dr. Vargas authored/co-authored several textbooks and received numerous awards including the MSU Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award in 2019, USGA Green Section Award in 2007, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Distinguished Service Award in 1997, and induction into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.

Dr. Vargas was a colleague, mentor, teacher, and friend to many in the turfgrass and golf industry and he will be sorely missed.

New Classification: New Classification: Michigan Michigan Championship Championship Winners Will Winners Will Receive Automatic Receive Automatic Bids into 4 USGA Bids into 4 USGA National Finals National Finals

ByGregJohnson

Starting this year, the winners of four Michigan amateur golf championships conducted by the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) will receive more than trophies, the great championship honor and their name etched in the state’s golf history.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced changes to its championship qualifying process, including exemptions for state champions. This means the winners of the Michigan Amateur Championship and Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship will earn automatic exemptions into the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur, respectively, and the winners of the Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur Championship and Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship (boys) will earn exemptions for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur, respectively. The latter national Junior

Amateur will be contested this year at Oakland Hills in July. The Local Qualifier open to other golfers is scheduled for June 10 at Country Club of Lansing.

Previously, the champions of the four Michigan tournaments had to additionally compete in qualifiers with other qualified golfers to earn starting spots in those four USGA national championships mentioned above.

The new automatic qualifying spot for winning your state championship is part of the reason these top Michigan amateur events were moved to the month of June,butdoingsomakesour6th monthoftheyear JAM PACKED with all kinds of important tournaments, ranging from the pros to Michigan amateur ranks.

June will see the likes of the traditional timing of Father’s Day weekend for theMeijerLPGA Classic,but also the

and the DowChampionshipLPGA. The latter two were moved up from their normal dates in July. Also, The Epson Tour is playing June 7-9 in Battle Creek, and a week later at the Island Resort on Sweetgrass Golf Course in the U.P. –as are June dates for the (pro) Michigan Open at Oakland University and the Michigan Women’s Open at its traditional Crystal Mountain location.

The GAM will host one of 45 Local Qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Amateur on July 1 at Oakland University’s Katke-Cousins course in Rochester; as well as host a U.S. Women’s Amateur Local Qualifier on July 9 at the University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor.

The U.S. Junior Girls’ Local Qualifier is June 17 at Forest Akers West Golf Course at Michigan State in East Lansing.

Michigan amateurs have fared well at the national level over the last two decades.

Last summer, Kimberly Dinh of Midland was the first GAM member golfer to win the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, and is the third GAM member to win a national USGA title in the last three years – and the sixth to win a USGA national championship in the last 21 years.

James Piot of Canton became Michigan’s first U.S. Amateur Champion in 2021, and Kim Moore of Portage won the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open in 2022.

In 2002 Greg Reynolds of Grand Blanc won the U.S. Senior Amateur, Randy Lewis of Alma won the 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship (which placed him in The Masters in 2012) and Tom Werkmeister of Hudsonville was co-medalist as Team Michigan won the USGA State Team Championship in 2016.

JamesPiot

KimberlyDinh

Saint John’s Resort Soon Open for High-End Public Golf

ByTomLang

The anticipation has been long in coming.

Since closing down in early 2022 for a total renovation, the Saint John’s Resort at the corner of Five Mile and Sheldon Roads in Plymouth is scheduled to open to the public in June. Situated on the beautiful grounds of the original 1940’s Catholic Seminary, the former Inn at St. John’s 27-hole community golf course was transformed by Michigan course architect Ray Hearn into a new 18-hole championship course worthy of high-level state or national tournaments, plus a short course of 7 holes, and a huge 2-acre putting course.

All three are open to the public and will be a tremendous accompaniment to the resort’s wedding ceremonies, corporate gatherings, family reunions, concerts and other such uses. It’s all part of a $50-million-dollar resort

transformation that began in 2021, that includes major building additions, under the property’s new ownership group, the non-profit Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. All proceeds of the property eventually go to non-profit charities.

It’s been about two decades since a new ‘high-end’ public course has opened in metro Detroit.

“We believe the area is prime for a new high-end golf product, and we are very happy that we have elevated the golf experience to match our resort transformation,” said Paul Wegert, CEO of Boutique Hotel Professionals and managing director of Saint John’s Resort, in a news release.

“Our golfers and guests, who visit from all over the country, will be excited when they see it.”

Hearn partnered with LaBar Golf Renovations to completely alter the golf property. LaBar Golf is widely respected in the industry for its renovation work at internationally revered private golf clubs like Merion Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club,

SaintJohnsHole6

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Winged Foot Country Club and more locally, Oakland Hills Country Club.

From my experiences with the project and after touring and playing the course a couple times, it seems very intentional all along that Saint John’s has been renewed and revitalized to have a private golf club look and feel, yet is 100 percent public.

The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort sits on 200 acres of rolling land where the original 27holes were removed to build the new course. The golf course was re-routed in all directions factoring in elevation, wind, terrain, and scenic beauty to provide a fun and strategic golfing experience. The course also takes full advantage of the flow of the land and the of the land and the beautiful century-old trees that were saved. This outcome provides a

classic design aesthetic from the golden age of golf course architecture.

In writing about this property before I have mentioned that it’s appropriate that a Catholic Seminary was the original use of the land, because it sure feels like ‘God’s Country.’

“The land, with its natural glacier forms and beautiful hundredyear-old trees, was a great foundation to

work with,” Hearn said. “We were able to save many of the old mature trees and create a routing that kept them in play around green sites and along fairways, which is a bit unique in today’s golf course architecture that focuses more on tree removal. Our goal was to create a fun golf experience and I believe we have achieved that and then some with this project.”

In addition to the golf course development, the resort and hotel transformation includes updated rooms, a 6,200-square-foot pavilion, 17,000-square-foot grand ballroom, new wedding pavilion, wine bar, and other interior upgrades throughout the resort.

For more information on the new golf course project visit https://www.saintjohnsresort.com/plymouthmichigan-golf-course-st-johns

American Dunes: News and Notes

Season 4 of American Dunes kicked off on April 12 – with an unplanned surprise – also proving it’s good to have friends in high places.

ThreeF-16fighterjets were in the area that day and, without warning to anyone on the course, did a flyby over the golf course in Grand Haven. According to PGA General manager Doug Bell it was a great way to get the golf season off to a thunderous start.

The next day was the opening round of The Masters at Augusta National, and as is the tradition, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson got the event going with ceremonial tee shots off No. 1. Nicklaus has designed hundreds of golf courses around the world, including American Dunes, yet showed his support for the Michigan course to a global Masters audience by wearing an American Dunes ball cap on the first tee, with his beloved wife, Barbara, alongside.

Most people know that the charity organizationFoldsof Honor was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney at American Dunes and its the benefactor of proceeds earned at the golf course. In 2023 alone, American Dunes was able to generate $1.6 million for the Folds of Honor – thanks to guests playing the course, wearing the gear and enjoying CAVU Squadron Bar.

On April 26, TheCorporalB.Boy’sHighSchool Invitational took place, hosting 18 of some of the top school programs in Michigan. Grand Rapids Christian topped the field at 301, with Detroit Catholic Central taking runner up and Traverse City West in third place. Brighton was fourth and Rochester Adams came in fifth place. Sophomore Cooper Reitsma of GR Christian led his team with a 71 to earn medalist, with junior Winslow Robinson of TC West and senior Julian Menser of DCC sharing runner up at 72 in a fierce battle.

It would be easy to expect many of the same teams to be showcased in the state finals in June. What’s more important is the lessons these young men learned about the American heroes that came before us, and the support that Folds of Honor provides to the families of said heroes.

Find more information and schedule your opportunity to do the same at:

https://americandunesgolfclub.com/

Michigan College Teams Heading to NCAA Regionals

earnsPlayeroftheYear

ByTomLang

Michigan, Michigan State and Oakland

University women’s golf teams qualified for the NCAA Regionals, May 6-8.

Oakland and MSU will be at Forest Akers on the MSU campus, and the Wolverines head to Auburn, Ala. as the No. 6 seed.

As a team, Michigan placed T4 at the Big Ten Championships in late April, with senior Monet Chun leading the way as medalist, by winning a playoff used for determining their NCAA placements. With a 209 (7-under) championship total, Chun (73-66-70) won the second conference crown of her career – the

first came as a sophomore – sharing the top spot with Minnesota's Isabella McCauley (74-71-64) and Indiana's Caroline Craig (69-69-71) before the playoff.

In the second round of the Big Ten Championship, Chun made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole (162 yards, 5-iron). The day before, her teammate Mara Janess also made a holein-one.

Chunlaterwasnamed winneroftheMary FossumAwardfor lowestaveragescore, andshewasselected conferenceGolferofthe Year.Hercareer-low

averageof71.48perroundisonpacetosetanew programrecord.

AtForestAkers:Michigan State goes into the women’s Regional with redemption on its mind. The Spartans were cruising at the Big Tens with an 11-stroke lead starting the final round, before Indiana clipped MSU by one stroke for the title.

This year, MSU is the Regional’s No. 5 seed, and Oakland (coached by former Spartan Sarah Burnham) is No. 12. USC, Northwestern, Florida and Pepperdine come to Forest Akers as the top seeds ahead of the Spartans. Indiana (No. 9) will also be there.

In 2023, MSU went into the NCAA regionals as a mid-level seed but ended up winningthe Regionaltitle, it’s first in program history –while then-sophomore Brooke Biermann shared medalist honors with Latanna Stone of LSU. The Spartans finished 3 strokes ahead of runner up Duke, with Northwestern and Texas tying for third. MSU hopes for the same result in 2024 of not winning the conference championship but showing up strong at the Regional. Hosting at the home course will be a great aid in that goal. Fans can attend for free (May 6-8). More info here.

MSUMenEarnInvitationto ChapelHillRegional

Michigan State’s men’s golf team has earned the Great Lake State’s only team invitation to the Men’s NCAA Regionals. They will play May 13-15 in North Carolina, as the No. 11 seed.

Northwestern, which won the Big Ten Championship leading wire-to-wire, is the No. 5 seed.

MSU Coach Casey Lubahn didn’t hold much hope for the Spartans in late February.

“After one of the worst semesters of my life, we had one of the best,” he said the day before the Reginal qualifiers were announce. “We woke

up. These guys just started a run. It’s just fantastic. Giving our seniors one more chance is pretty special.”

Lubahn pointed out that the team’s 4th place finish at the Big Tens was their sixth consecutive Top 5 finish. MSU’s last half-dozen tournaments resulted in: 5th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and 4th.

The golf schedule will be greatly impacted if MSU earns a qualifying spot at the finals, to be held in California, May 24-29. First, he personally would have to withdraw from the USGA Four-Ball tournament where he qualified with teammate and former Spartan Jimmy Chestnut. Second, junior Ashton McCulloch would likely withdraw from the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open that same week. He won the 2023 Canadian Amateur to get the invite, but Lubahn said McCulloch would give that up for the team.

“If the team was there (at NCAA Finals), he would skip the Canadian Open,” Lubahn told me. “I believe him and his family wouldn’t even think twice about that. For a guy who grew up in northeast Canada, he’s very much a Spartan. He one of us.”

Michigan’sHunterThomsonwillrepresentUMasanindividualattheWestLafayette Regional.

Standish Award Winners: Padraig Toole, Charles Klatt

ByGregJohnson

Charles Klatt of the University of Michigan, a caddie at Country Club of Detroit, and Padraig “Paddy” Toole of Michigan State University, a caddie at Hinsdale Golf Club in Illinois, are the 2024 winners of the James D. Standish Award. The award is presented each year to an outstanding Evans Scholar at the MSU and Michigan chapters. The Executive Committee of the Golf Association of Michigan established the award in 1968, a year after the passing of James D. Standish, a former champion golfer, GAM and USGA president who helped Chick Evans of the Western Golf Association start the renowned caddie scholarship program.

The Standish Award winners have demonstrated scholarship and leadership in their Evans Scholar chapter’s affairs. A permanent plaque that includes the inscribed names of each year ' s winners is displayed in the lounge of the Evans Scholarship house on each campus, and each winner is presented with a replica of the plaque. Klatt, a Biomolecular Science major with a 3.5 GPA, was president of the University of Michigan Evans Scholars Chapter in 2023.

“I love everything about the Evans Scholarship program and I’m honored to receive an award based off that,” he said. “I think I have gotten everything I could have ever wanted from the program. Michigan was my dream school from an early age and the 20 other scholars I came in with are my closest friends, best friends for life, and I learned so much about effort and the reward you get for it.”

Klatt plans to attend dental school after graduating in 2025 at either Michigan, Harvard or the University of Colorado.

PadraigToole

CharlesKlatt

Toole, a Mechanical Engineering major at MSU with a 3.8 GPA, also was president of his Evans chapter in 2023.

His mother, Karen, worked for the Big Ten Conference offices in Illinois and Michigan State was among the travels he made with his parents as a youngster, before his father passed away from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“MSU became my dream school, and early on I was always decked out in green,” he said. “It didn’t look possible for a while, four hours away, out-state admission costs, but being a caddie and being an Evans Scholar changed that and made this possible.”

Toole is not named after Padraig Harrington. He said his mother picked the name out of a book because she liked it. He said the name fits.

“You can’t go wrong with a caddie named Paddy on the bag,” he said.

AlenaLiofOkemosWinsGAM

JuniorGirls’Championship

Alena Li of Okemos picked up where she left off in 2023.

Last year’s GAM Girls’ Junior Player of the Year opened 2024 with a win in the GAM Girls’ Junior Championship recently at Washtenaw Golf Club. Li, age 16, shot a 1-over 73 in a windwhipped final round for a 3-over twoday total of 147 to win by nine shots.

Mia Melendez of Ann Arbor shot 79 for 156 and second place, and Jessica Jolly

of Rockford, who has committed to Illinois State University, closed with a 78 for 158 and third place.

A field of 69 golfers played in the new championship, which replaced the former GAM Junior Kickoff tournament of recent years. The first GAM Junior Boys’ Championship will be played in August, also at Washtenaw.

A champion was also determined in the 15-andunder age group with some similar circumstances. Saisha Patil of Okemos, the GAM 15-and-under Girls’ Junior Player of the Year in 2023, started 2024 as a winner, too. Patil, 13, shot a final-round 76 for 154, just one shot ahead of Esther Zhang of Ann Arbor.

“I feel like it’s a really big win because I played well and I felt more confidence, which is good,” Li said. “I definitely want to keep getting better and playing as well as I can, but I’d like to win a few things, too. This is a good start.”

ThisistheclosestBill hasgottentoThe Masters.Hedidcover theAugustaNational Women'sAmateurbut hasmadeitarunning jokeathowoftenover morethanadozen yearshe'sbeenturned downforcovering TheMasters.

ByTomLang

Two Golf Media Reach Milestone Anniversaries

Two anniversaries of note in Michigan golf journalism are taking place this year: multimedia broadcast platform Michigan Golf Live turns 25; while GolfBlogger.Com marks 20 years of blogging.

Michigan Golf Live (MGL) was created by Bill Hobson, who 25 years ago had a dream to channel his broadcasting passion into the world of golf, creating a syndicated radio program dedicated to the game.

“From the very beginning of MGL, I was convinced there was a passionate enough golf fan base that if we could produce quality stores, throw in some humor, and truly celebrate the game, we’d find the support to keep it going,” Hobson said. “I never dreamed that passion and support would remain so strong all these years later.

Since its inception, Michigan Golf Live has extended across multiple media platforms, including its flagship program, MGL TV, seen every weekend on Bally Sports Detroit. The

MGL world began with a weekly radio show radio heard on various outlets across the state (including new this season on the iconic WJR in Detroit), now television, podcasting and YouTube. Whether it be a major event or stunning destination in Michigan golf, you likely will see Hobson and his camera crew at work telling the story.

“We’ve been richly blessed to visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, sample far too much of the cuisine, and visit with the hard-working teams that mow the grass, prepare the entrees, serve their guests, and have the vision for golf greatness,” he said. “There’s no end to the stories attached to golf and we love telling those stories as much today as we did 25 years ago.”

GolfBlogger.Com is the passion project of John Retzer, a high school teacher who once worked as a political ghost writer. Over the last 20 years, Retzer has chronicled his golf “adventures” with essays, reviews, historical articles and news. Topics have ranged from civil rights cases involving golf to quiet rounds at his home course –Ypsilanti’s Washtenaw Golf Club.

Of note is that Retzer has played, photographed and reviewed more than 300 (primarily Michigan) courses and resorts.

“I write about whatever interests me in golf,” Retzer said. “It all comes from the perspective of a mid-handicapper who loves the game, but whose family and work take precedence. That’s the profile of most golfers, so I think it is why GolfBlogger.com has found an audience.”

In all, Retzer has written and edited more than 10,000 articles for GolfBlogger.Com.

“When I switched from writing to teaching, I found I missed the writing,” Retzer said. “GolfBlogger.com has given me a platform to write compulsively about one of my passions.”

The best part of 20 years of writing a golf blog, Retzer said, has been having the opportunity to meet great people and savor some great golf experiences: “My life is much richer for that.”

Editor’snote:Along withMIGolf Journal,nowalmost halfwaythroughits 7thyearofcreative production,the threegolfmedia entitiesarenot swornenemies,but rathervery respectfulofwhat eachotherdoto servethevarious mediaplatformsin theGreatLakes State.Intheend,we believethatgolfers win.