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Do you stay with your favorite slot machine? Or, do you hear a new one whispering your name? Could be the difference between an ordinary day and a date with destiny. What does your instinct tell you?

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14 Northern Bay, The Castle Course, Hole #13

Grand View Lodge, Marsh Nine, Hole #6

Celebrating Midwest Golfing Magazine’s 10th Anniversary

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Midwest Golfing Magazine 1210 Dynes Way Sun Prairie, WI 53590 Volume 10 • Issue 3 • Summer Issue 2012

Steve Stricker won his third straight John Deere Classic in 2011. Photo by Michael Cohen, Getty Images, courtesy of the John Deere Classic

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Wisconsin • Illinois • Minnesota • Michigan • Iowa • Indiana • Ohio

www.twitter.com/#!/midwestgolfing Publisher Jay Royle 1210 Dynes Way, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 E-mail: sport15968@gmail.com Sales Representative Kevin Packard Jr. Phone: 608-279-1479 Fax 866-213-4999 E-mail: kjpackard@gmail.com Senior Writer/Editor

Departments

The Two Worlds of Lawsonia . . . . 10

From The Tee Box .

Creative Director

Grand Views in All Directions . . . . 14

Brian Weis Clay Moore

Paradise is Always Found at Michigan’s Grand Getaway

. 4

Putting the “Pro” in Professional: The Steve Stricker Story From the Forward Tees . . . . . . 34

Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail a Living Tribute to the Design Legend

New high-rise hotel set for 2014; Golf offer available now

Notes, Quotes, and Antidotes from the World of Golf

Midwest Personals .

Potawatomi Bingo Casino about to Reach New Heights . . . . . . . 28

Contributing Writers

The Best of The Midwest . . . . . 30

Minnesota’s Grand View Lodge a Pure Golfer’s Retreat

For Pete’s Sake . . . . . . . . 24

Kristal Young Phone: 414-325-6976 kristal@kristalcleargraphics.com

Chip Shots . . . . . . . . . . 6

Double Your Golf Pleasure in Green Lake, Wisconsin

There’s Only One Mackinac Island . . 20

Glen Turk Email: turkg@aol.com

Deb Patton Matt Tevsh

FEATURES

Unsung Heroes: The Story of the Golf Course Superintendent The Four Coursemen . . . . . . . 38 Different by Design: The Castle Course at Northern Bay Welcomes the Four Coursemen Pro Tip . . . . . . . . . . . 42 How Low Can Clay Go? MGM’s Quest to get Clay Moore as Close to Scratch as Possible Turk’s Takes .

Steve Stricker: Photo courtesy John Deere Classic

. 46

Random Musings from a Consistent Spray Hitter

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From The Tee Box Summer can bring the heat and my, oh, my it sure has done so lately in the Midwest. With this heat we welcome and present our Summer issue. Just recently the Island Resort Championship was completed at Sweetgrass Golf Club home to Island Resort Casino in Harris, MI. Congratulations to Leah Wigger on her three-shot victory. If you haven’t yet visited here I highly recommend it, the golf is spectacular plus they have an outstanding casino!

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Leah Wigger poses with the trophy after winning the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass GC in Harris, MI.

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Summer Issue 2012

What better way to kick off this issue than with The Courses of Lawsonia. This golf trip has always been a favorite of mine because a.) we play 36 and b.) the two courses are so vastly different. Then it’s off to northern Minnesota where we feature Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. As you’ll read this place for me is as good as it gets. The golf, lodging, and setting are second to none when it comes to golf trips. Then top it off with 5 star service and hospitality it’s impossible to be disappointed. If time allows, I’ll go back year after year. Then we head to another north, as in northern Michigan and the historic Mackinac Island. To say that you stayed and played on a National Historical Landmark is pretty cool. We go south from there believe it or not to the Pete Dye Golf Trail in Indiana, home to one of the best new public courses to open in years, the Pete Dye Golf Course at French Lick Resort. We round this issue up in Wisconsin at Northern Bay Resort and its replica Castle Course. This resort offers everything imaginable and the opportunity to play some of the most famous holes in golf makes Northern Bay Resort a must each golf season. Also don’t miss our Midwest Personal feature on Steve Stricker. I recently had the opportunity to attend Media Day at the John Deere Classic where Steve will be going for history, a 4th straight victory. The feat has only been accomplished four other times the long history of the game. We appreciate Steve taking the time for us. Make Some Birdies, Jay Royle Publisher, Midwest Golfing Magazine

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Chip Shots

Notes, Quotes, and Antidotes from the World of Golf ~ Compiled by Glen Turk MICHIGAN ~ Treetops Resort Introduces New Golf Academy Treetops Resort in Gaylord, MI, has brought back rising star PGA golf instructor, Jason Guss, to team up with one of the nation’s top golf coaches, Rick Smith, in creating a new teaching academy. The academy will offer a variety of programs highlighting Treetop’s family atmosphere with parent/ children lessons as well as programs for juniors and women. The Rick Smith/Jason Guss Golf Academy is offering the latest technology available to help golfers improve their game. “We are going to reinvent the academy using the new technology; there is so much good stuff out there,” said Rick Smith. Smith also went on to say of his teaching partner Jason Guss, “of all the guys I have taught with over the years, Jason is one of the brightest young stars I have worked with. He is very creative and will bring some innovative ideas to the academy.” Guss has also been recognized as one of the best young golf teachers by Golf Digest magazine.

Brian Walters Photography

Along with the 81 holes of championship golf and Rick Smith/Jason Guss Golf Academy, Treetops is a full-service, fourseason resort destination. Lodging at Treetops consists of 240 guest rooms including: standard and deluxe rooms, suites and hospitality rooms, and two and three bedroom condominiums. Treetops Resort also features three restaurants, the Treetops Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a child development center, and a variety of retail shops offering a variety of clothing and equipment. For more information please visit www.treetops.com or call 1.888.TREETOPS (873.3867).

ILLINOIS ~ Western Amateur at Conway Farms in Need of Volunteers The 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, being played at Conway Farms Golf Club and The Knollwood Club September 8th-13th, is seeking over 350 volunteers. Please join us for this national Championship, conducted by the USGA, and help provide the best experience for these players traveling in from all over the United States and many foreign countries. Volunteers are needed as concierge and hospitality, walking marshals, spotters, golf course supplies, parking, scoring, registration, standard bearers, transportation and volunteer headquarters.

Conway Farms GC, Courtesy of Paul Hundley Photography

The Mid-Amateur is for amateur golfers 25 years of age or older and provides a formal national championship for the postcollege amateur for whom the game is truly an avocation. The winner receives an automatic invitation to play in the Masters Tournament. Like the U.S. Amateur, the Mid-Am consists of two days of stroke play, with the leading 64 competitors then playing a knockout competition held as match play to decide the champion. Tickets are not necessary and admission is free of charge. For your convenience, there will be designated parking areas on the premises with shuttle service available. To sign up for volunteering or to learn more about the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, please visit: www.usga.org/midam or contact Robin Martin at rmartin@conwayfarmsgc.com.

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MINNESOTA ~ Slumberland Senior Amateur Tournament Heads to Minnesota August 13-15th In only its second year, the Slumberland Senior Amateur is growing into one of the largest, most prestigious and fun senior amateur events in North America. The regional senior amateur event attracts golfers from over ten states and Canada to compete in a three day, 54 hole event played over three of the finest courses in the Twin Cities area (StoneRidge GC – Hastings CC – Troy Burne GC). The tournament dates are Monday, August 13 through Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Over 1,400 invitations have been mailed to senior golfers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida and Canada for the event. Age divisions include: Men 50 – 59, Men 60 – 69, Men 70+ and Ladies 50+.

The entry fee for the tournament is $275. The fee includes: • Three days of tournament golf with cart and range balls. • Players gift package. • Awards to the top three finishers, both gross & net, in each age division. • Prizes to the top three finishers, both gross & net, in each age division. • Optional discount green fees for practice rounds. • Professional tournament management.

Entry deadline is the earlier of 180 entries, or August 1, 2012. For additional information go to www.slumberlandsenioramateur.com, or call Tournament Director Roy Gaddey at 813-508-4835.

Stone Ridge, Hole #3

WISCONSIN ~ Wisconsin’s only PGA Tour Pro-Am Charity Golf Event changes its name to Heroes for Kids “ Formerly named the Backyard Bash, Wisconsin’s only Pro-Am charity golf event featuring all five Wisconsin PGA Tour professionals – Steve Stricker, Jerry Kelly, Mark Wilson, JP Hayes and Skip Kendall – along with many other PGA Touring pros, celebrities and other professional athletes, has changed its name to Heroes for Kids. The second annual, two-day event will be held July 29th-30th once again at The Legend at Brandybrook in Wales. “The name change was made to better reflect the event’s commitment to raising money and awareness for troops charities and introducing children to golf with all donations going to The Folds of Honor Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project and The First Tee of Milwaukee County,” says Jack Gaudion, event board member and co-owner of The Legend Clubs. “Last year, the event raised over $200,000 in proceeds and in-kind donations for these worthy causes, and our goal is $300,000 this year,” Jack goes on to say, “so we really need the folks of Wisconsin and our business community to support our cause thru event sponsorships, purchasing a foursome or simply coming out to watch these amazing professionals and celebrities in action.” PGA TOUR Pro Mark Wilson at last year’s event

Along with the five very successful PGA Tour professionals from Wisconsin, participants and spectators will have the opportunity to play with and be entertained by PGA Tour players like Tom Pernice, Jr., Michael Bradley, Duffy Waldorf, Joe Ogilvie, John Rollins and Ken Duke to name only a few. Celebrities and other professional athletes include Craig Counsell, NBA player Steve Novak, Ron Roenicke, Ron Dayne, Junior Bridgeman, Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder of Fox Sports Wisconsin, as well as a special appearance by Golf Channel’s David Feherty.

“If you want to play in the same foursome with a PGA Tour professional, or literally walk the fairways with professional golfers, athletes and celebrities,” says Joe Stadler, event board member and executive director of the Wisconsin PGA, “now that US Bank Championship is no longer being contested, this is the only chance you’ll have in the state of Wisconsin.” Tickets are $20 with kids 15 and under free with adult and military free with ID. For more information on the event, visit www.heroes-for-kids.com.

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The Two Worlds of Lawsonia Double Your Golf Pleasure in Green Lake, Wisconsin By Clay Moore

All photos courtesy of Paul Hundley Photography

When gambling in Las Vegas, you may be presented with the opportunity to “double down.” For the nongambler, this means you can split your cards and double your bet. The benefit of this is you have the opportunity to win twice, thus doubling your money. If you win, you have increased your fun factor, conversely if you lose … well you get the rest of the story. If you want a safe bet, one in which you are guaranteed to maximize your fun factor, there is nothing bettter than playing all 36 holes at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia. Nestled in beautiful Green Lake, WI, 90 minutes northwest of metro Milwaukee, The Golf Courses of Lawsonia will offer a unique experience that any golfer will never forget. Featuring the Links course and Woodlands course, Lawsonia is guaranteed to please and tease you at the same time (in many cases on the same hole!). So what makes Lawsonia so special you ask? As golfers, we have all played courses that feature 27 or 36 hole layouts. In the case of 27 hole tracks we see names such as Pines, Ponds, Lakes, River or Woods to differentiate the nines. Some of the more recognizable names for courses that feature 36 hole layouts in the Midwest are Blackwolf Run, Harborside International, Grand Geneva, and Swan Lake Resort. While the aforementioned are all great courses in their own right, never have two courses been more aptly named than the courses of Lawsonia. It is safe to say that no two courses in the state offer such stark differences on the same property.

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Jeff Kleinke, The Director of Golf at Lawsonia, notes “these are two completely different golf courses on the same property. If you play the Links in the morning and the Woods in the afternoon, you would’ve thought you were in a different part of the county or the state.” Let’s assess what makes these courses so magnificent, and so different.

The Links Course In 1887 Victor and Jessie Lawson came upon what is now known as Lawsonia quite by accident. While on a boating trip, an impromptu storm arose forcing the two to find a place to dock their boat. The two recognized the beauty of the land where they were forced to dock, so they decided to buy 1100 acres, to share the beauty of the area with others who sought peace and tranquility. Golf did not become part of the legacy at Lawsonia until 1929 when H.O. Stone & Co. bought the property five years after Victor’s death. With an unlimited budget, Architect William Langford utilized $250,000 to sculpt The Links Course which was based on the premise of courses featured “across the pond” in Britain. By today’s standards $250,000 would barely be enough to build a few sandtraps, much less what could be arguably described as a golf masterpiece. Six years after The Links course was constructed, it was ranked as one of the top 65 courses in the world. Yes my fellow golfers, not just in the United States but in the world. To further illustrate this timeless classic, Golf Week Magazine currently

ranks The Links course at 55th in the nation and number three in Wisconsin. This ranking bears further significance when considering that 52 of the other courses in the ranking are private country clubs! Usually links-type courses are more suitable for my game. Who doesn’t enjoy an occasional errant shot being played from the wrong fairway and still putting a par on the scorecard. The Links Course is a true testament to British Open type courses, from the fescue lining the edges of the rough, steep bunkers and large crowned, undulating greens and lest not forget the wind. Under the direction of Ron Forse in 2000, 150 trees were removed from the course as part of a restoration plan. This change gave the course even more of a links type feel while allowing more wind to possibly havoc on the golf ball in mid-flight. Measuring 6853 yards from the tips and 5078 from the forward tee’s it is advisable to play from the tee box suggested on the score card according to your handicap. The Links course starts our innocently enough. The starter will normally give you the line for your drive on the first tee and then you are on your own! The second hole, a 431 yard par-4, features a slightly up-hill, blind tee shot. Should you place your drive correctly, (left center of the fairway) par is within reach. Miss right and you are flirting with a five at the very least.

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The par 3’s on the front nine in particular are phenomenal, with the degree of difficulty being on the high side. Hole number seven features a slightly downhill tee shot to a volcano shaped green with a slightly flat bail out area on the left hand side. If you are short or right you could be faced with a 90 degree up-hill chip. Legend has up it that box car frames were used to build up this green. Hopefully I have piqued your interest or maybe you are slightly intimidated but scoring well is not

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out of the question on the Links Course. Kleinke suggests that you bring your short game when playing the links. This is great advice as most of your chip shots, if you don’t hit the green in regulation will be into large but crowned greens.

The Woodlands The 18 hole Woodlands Course, designed in 1987 by Rocky Roquemore is no slouch compared to its big sister. Kleinke’s strategy for this course is simply “hit it straight.” As the name of this layout suggests, one would be smart to heed this warning as the course is lined with dense forests of Oak, Maple, Pine, Elm and Walnut trees. Measuring 6585 yards for the tips and 5028 from the forward tees, The Woodlands is a perfect complement and contrast to its sister venue. It is apparent from the first tee box that you are truly in a different world. Hole number one is 510 yard par-5 that is sure to test your mettle. A well placed tee shot over the right corner of the fairway bunker on the left and the forest on the right could easily be rewarded with a birdie opportunity. The second hole, a 341 yard par-4 sounds easy enough. It is, if you can hit a 240 drive straight and leave it short of the fairway bunker. Your approach shot, which is 45 degrees left of where you laced your driver, will leave you approximately a 100 yard shot over a quarry to a large but well bunkered green. While making your ascent to the tee box for the third hole, a quick glance at the score card reveals a short par

three. “Thank goodness finally an easy hole” may cross your mind. The picturesque view of Green Lake on the right could momentarily distract you from the task at hand. If playing from the tips, a 168 yard shot with 65 feet of drop awaits you. In my book this becomes a hole that makes pulling the right club nearly impossible! The reality on this hole is trees left, trees right and scrub brush short of the hole. Throw in a nicely placed large bunker in front of the entire width of the green to add to the degree of difficulty. If there is any hole that you want to “dial it in” and hit it straight, this is the one. Don’t let this first stretch of holes intimidate you though. The fact is, while the Woodlands Course may be considered target golf, the course is not overly penal. As with some courses, you would never say “I didn’t like that hole, it’s just not fair” when talking about the Roquemore design. It is reasonable to say you can have quite an experience after just the first three holes on the Woodlands course, just wait until you experience the next 15. Golf Digest readers proclaimed “one of the toughest courses ever played.” At the same time many readers view The Woodlands as “top five best courses ever played.” So what could make playing The Courses of Lawsonia even better? How about the green fees which are very reasonable, particularly if you are playing 36 holes, or purchasing a stay and play package. For updated rates and stay and play information, contact the Lawsonia golf shop at (920) 294-3320.

The 2nd hole of the Woodlands course at Lawsonia.

Stay on Site at Lawsonia in 2012 Another amenity new to The Courses of Lawsonia this year is the addition of the Dawson and Birches homes which can be rented for $375.00 per night. These homes are on the same property as the courses and can sleep up to 12, which is perfect for a weekend getaway with 11 of your best golf buddies.

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For more information, please visit lawsonia.com.

2008 Wisconsin Golf Course of the Year

The Golf Courses of

Lawsonia

For information and tee times

920-294-3320

www.lawsonia.com Hwy.23 â&#x20AC;˘ Green Lake, WI

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Grand Views in All Directions Minnesota’s Grand View Lodge a Pure Golfer’s Retreat By Glen Turk

The Deacon’s Lodge Course, Hole #5

About a year ago I saw a Can-Am Motorcycle commercial that started like this. “Of all the things you’ve ever ridden it most resembles none of them.” The last part of that clever line can also describe Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota, a golfer’s retreat set in a forested paradise made for relaxation. Of all the golf resorts MGM has the fortune to play we cannot recall one that resembles the four-course, 72 hole extravaganza that’s located 90 minutes from the Twin Cities on the way to the headwaters of the Mississippi. Frank Soucup, Grand View’s Director of Marketing, discusses what sets Grand View apart from the competition in the Midwest golf scene. “Our biggest separation is our service and our courses,” began Frank. “We have three distinct Championship courses in three completely unique and separate environments. The fact that each of our courses are ten minutes apart from each other enables golfers to experience the game in a variety of different settings with various scenic overlooks and environmental attributes. I can promise you a golfer that experiences our resort will never get bored,” concluded Soucup. Before we delve into the majestic 72 hole layout at Grand View, it’s important to revisit the first line of Frank’s quote. Soucup could not be more correct about the high

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level of service provided by Grand View’s staff. All of them were engaging, friendly, and willing to help us out in any way on the trip. From Sam and Rea in their respective grill rooms, to the finest Player’s Assistant we’ve ever seen, Charlie Sheets on the Pines 27, all Grand View employees go above and beyond to make you feel more pampered than you ever would at home. The impression they made on our group far outweighs the memory of a great golf hole or two, and quite honestly isn’t that the way it should be? Speaking of being pampered, all golfers must take advantage of Grand View’s “Golfer’s Massage” package at their Glacial Waters Spa, located only a stone’s throw from the main lodge. The 50 minute service is part stretching, part massage, and all relaxation to make your muscles preform on the course! Guys need to be indulged as well so make sure to give those golf muscles the attention they deserve! For a list of their services, visit www. grandviewlodge.com and then click on the Glacier Waters tab in blue near the top. One last note before we dissect Grand View’s stellar golf line-up – even if you’re not a diehard golfer, the nearly 100 year-old lodge has something for everyone on either guy trips or family outings. Frank Soucup explains from there. “With eight restaurants (CRU was our group’s favorite),

The Grand View Lodge will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016.

2500 feet of sandy beach on Gull Lake, and one of the top 10 walleye lakes in Minnesota, Grand View has a lot to offer our groups. Guests can also travel by boat and pontoon to a variety of other nightlife and dining venues that sit on beautiful Gull Lake. With amenities and activities galore, the only time you’ll not be out and about is when you decide to relax on your deck with a beverage in hand. We also have a wide range of accommodations, from single rooms in the main lodge, to our eight bedroom cabins, we can accommodate any size group and in any style of stay whether it is simple or more luxurious. Sixteen guys, sixteen beds, all under one roof – how many places can say that,” concluded Soucup.

Join Hawks Landing Golf Club today! Hawks Landing is offering their best membership promotion yet! Sign up to be a member for three years and only pay for two!

Hawks Landing Golf Club is a golf course nestled in the hills on the west side of Madison. Our 7,200 yard course is spread out over a rolling landscape. Experience the course in person. Reserve your tee time by calling our Pro Shop at (608) 848-4295 or log onto our website HawksLandingGolfClub.com.

Before we even checked in, our group had to play a course that MGM Publisher Jay Royle had been bragging about since he first experienced it last year – the Deacon’s Lodge Course in nearby Breezy Point, MN. The Arnold Palmer design was named after his father and can best be

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characterized as a four hour thrill ride with no intermission to catch your breath. The 7000 yard, par-72 layout is located on a piece of property that requires every shot in the bag and every brain cell in your head to navigate correctly. Head Golf Professional Mark Neva, who’s been at Deacon’s since it opened in 1999, came up with this gem of a quote to describe a golfer’s experience on Deacon’s. “The more I play Deacon’s Lodge the more I discover. The more I discover the more I appreciate. The more I appreciate the more I want to come back!” The two most commonly admired holes at Deacon’s Lodge are the stunning par-4 5th and the secluded par-3 17th. As Neva explains, “The panoramic view from the 5th fairway plateau is breathtaking. The downhill approach to a bowl shaped green flanked by Lynch Lake to the right is a golf experience that has proven memorable. Number 17 is beloved because it is simply drop dead gorgeous. Arnold Palmer personally selected it from a list of 2,700 Palmer designed holes to be included in the “King’s Dream 18,” concluded Neva. Not much else can be said about Deacon’s except words are futile to accurately describe it, one must experience it! Not too many courses in America flow across 500 acres of gorgeous forest, wetlands and lakes while featuring perfectly manicured bentgrass tee and green complexes.

Our next stop took us to The Preserve, a Dan Helbling/Michael Morley design that rivals Deacon’s Lodge as the finest course in Grand View’s kingdom. Nathan Erickson, the Preserve’s Head Golf Professional, may be biased but he views the Preserve as his favorite course in the entire lakes area. “The view from the pro shop is the ultimate “WOW” factor, but then it gets followed up by an amazing experience on the course. With 11 elevated tee boxes it sets up great to the eye.” What Nathan forgot to mention is how the Preserve’s inward nine has everything you could ask for and more over a 9 hole stretch. Two downhill par-3’s (13 & 17) combine flawlessly with two reachable par-5’s (16 & 18) to form one of the coolest combos in the Midwest. Add in the driveable 287 yard downhill par-4 14th and the back nine at The Preserve is a two hour funfest I wanted to play over and over again.

Then it was off to the 27 hole cathedral known as The Pines. The Joel Goldstrand design is right across the street from the main lodge so it’s ultra-convenient for that emergency nine! Jack Wawro, The Pines Head Golf Professional reveals the usual comments after one’s round. “One of the most common compliments we get is that people do not get bored playing here. A majority of our business is repeat business and with 27 different holes it lets people play all day at the same location and still get a different feel on each nine. It is also amazing to me how everyone has a favorite 18 hole combination. The amazing part is how it is almost a perfect split between the three combinations possible,” stated Wawro. The par-5 1st hole at The Preserve.

“Grand” Stay and Play Packages Couples Summer Midweek Golf Getaway July & August 2 nights - $830/couple* September 2 nights - $730/couple* • 2 nights deluxe lodging • breakfast and dinner daily • 18-holes with cart at The Pines or The Preserve (one round/couple) • FREE club rentals and range balls • champagne and chocolates upon arrival • 10% discount on spa services (excludes Sat appts) • discounted green fees for additional rounds

Summer Silver Golf Package – thru September 23 Weekdays - $175/person/nt* Weekends - $185/person/nt* • deluxe lodging with breakfast • 18-holes with cart at The Pines or The Preserve • additional round at The Preserve - $59 • additional round at The Pines - $69 • additional round at Deacon’s - $79

*All rates are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to MN State Sales Tax.

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The Pines 27 features signature holes aplenty, but the top draw is found on the Lakes 9. The par3, 152 yard 7th hole is one of the most photographed holes in Minnesota and is an experience to look forward to. “Our signature hole can play so much different at any hour of the day,” began Wawro. “The wind swirls in that area and with water completely guarding the green it can prove to be a round deciding shot! Also, the hole perfectly

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The majestic par-3 7th hole on the Lakes Nine of the Pines 27 course.

displays Northern Minnesota golf. A 160 yard hole cut out of woods with water surrounding creates an awesome view looking either backward or forward,” concluded Wawro.

The final course on our journey was definitely the most unique. The 9 hole, 2502, par-35 Garden Course is a throwback in every sense of the word. Easily walkable with small tee boxes and greens, the Garden Course is the perfect place to take the entire family. The course normally utilizes 6 inch cups for increased confidence, but I actually found the putting to be more difficult based upon heightened expectations. I guess bigger isn’t always better- just ask the Chicago Cubs team accountant. In summary, Grand View Lodge features two golf courses (Deacon’s Lodge and The Preserve) on GolfWeek’s Top Courses You Can Play List and a bevy of non-golf activities to keep the entire group excited and relaxed. If seclusion within the land of 10,000 Lakes sounds like the perfect tonic, then Grand View Lodge in Nisswa should be at the top of your bucket list. For more information on Grand View Lodge, visit www.grandviewlodge.com or call (866) 801-2951.

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Summer Issue 2012

Best Courses You Can Play in Minnesota

Gold Medal Award

Top 150 Mainland Resorts in the U.S.

Golfweek Magazine 2012

Golf Magazine 2012

CondĂŠ Nast Traveler 2012

Top 121 Golf Resorts in the World

Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America

CondĂŠ Nast Traveler 2012

Golf Digest

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The 7th hole on the Jewel 18 with the Grand Hotel providing a stunning backdrop.

There’s Only One Mackinac Island Paradise is Always Found at Michigan’s Grand Getaway By Deb Patton

At the intersection of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula is a place so idyllic it must have been taken straight from the pages of a timeless novel. For over 125 years Mackinac Island has taken travelers back in time to a setting where simple elegance and joyous luxury rule the day. True to this point, the entire island is listed as a National Historical Landmark so that visitors will be able to enjoy this sanctuary forever. Mackinac Island (pronounced Mak-in-aw and meaning “big turtle” for the island’s shape) only measures 3.8 total square miles and is roughly a seven hour drive from Detroit and nine from Chicago. Only 492 residents live on the island year round, but it averages over 15,000 vacationers a day during the summer months of June through August. The island’s strategic position has led to a rich and diverse history, including being at the center of the Great Lake Fur Trading industry starting in the 17th century. At the end of the 19th century the famous Grand Hotel was built and with it ushered in an unprecedented 125 year history of being “America’s Summer Place.” For a timeline

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of entertaining facts about the Grand Hotel, please view the graphic on page 22. Today the Grand Hotel serves as a symbol of a simpler time where the clip clop of horse-drawn carriages replace the honking of automobile horns. Long time traditions of wearing a suit coat in the main dining room and afternoon tea are not only upheld, but revered. Beautiful gardens, scenic walking trails, and the opportunity to lounge poolside are only moments away from all guests who stay at the Grand Hotel (www.grandhotel.com). The timeless game of golf also plays an important role in keeping the Island out of the 21st Century. The Grand Hotel’s Jewel Golf Course is home to 18 of the island’s 27 golf holes and is the perfect way to burn off a few calories gained by indulging in the island’s famous fudge. The Grand Nine runs adjacent to the massive hotel and features gentle rolling hills and gorgeous views of the island below. It might also be the only course in America where your golf swing might be interrupted by a canon blast from nearby Fort Mackinac and the clip clop of nearby horse carriages.

The par-3 245 yard 7th hole is one of the finest short holes in the Midwest. Director of Golf Jason Horricks describes this most talked about hole. “The tee shot overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and Round Island on #7 definitely has one of the best views in golf,” explains Horricks. “It is so picturesque that it’s the first hole you see in the Pure Michigan commercial. The seventh is also unique because of its beauty and how tough it plays after you’re distracted by the view. The length of the hole, challenging winds, and having the green surrounded by water definitely makes this one of the toughest par-3’s you will ever play,” stated Horricks. For those who believe more than half the fun is getting there, then the Grand Hotel has a treat for you. A oncein-a-lifetime experience waits after your initial nine as you’ll be whisked away in a horse-drawn carriage and treated to a 20 minute ride to the back nine dubbed The Woods Nine. “The carriage ride from the front nine to the back nine does set our course apart from any other that we know of,” stated Horricks. “I believe it is the only golf course in the world where you take a buggy ride from one nine to the next. The ride is unique because it makes you sit back and relax on your 1 1/4 mile ride back to the inner part of the island where most tourists do not adventure. When you finish the back nine the carriage ride brings you down the West Bluff of Mackinac Island where you overlook the Mackinac Bridge, Round Island, Grand Hotel, and the Straits of Mackinac – it is a great way to wrap up a day of golf on Mackinac Island,” concluded the 11th year head pro. Completed in 1994, The Woods Nine is exactly opposite of The Grand Nine, highlighted by fairways carved out of the Mackinac Island State Park and epic views of the nearby Mackinac Bridge. The Woods nine plays to a par of 34 and features a lone par-5 and three dynamically different par-3’s. Two of the three par-3’s play over 200 yards so shot-making is at a premium. “The Woods Nine is so relaxing as it’s away from the city and has wonderful views of the Mackinac Bridge and the west side of the island,” said Horricks. “Most of the holes are tree lined and with its modern-day length is a good test for any skill level. My

favorite hole would be the par-3 12th. At 205 yards from the back tees, the 12th hole requires a tee shot to carry a big pond in front of the green. The pond also features a rushing waterfall that proves quite relaxing while trying to attempt your birdie putt,” concluded Horricks. Besides chasing a little white ball, other activities of note on Mackinac Island include taking a tour of Fort Mackinac complete with rifle firing demonstrations and court martial re-enactments. The Governor of Michigan’s summer home also resides on the island and can be seen clearly from the 8th tee box on the Jewel Nine. Finally, MGM suggests taking the two hour carriage tour of the island, which leads you into the center of the island for a unique history lesson past Skull Cave and Fort Holmes. For more information on all points of interest you’ll see on the horse-drawn tour, visit www.mict.com. Finally, it’s important to note that the only way on the island is either by plane or by ferry. MGM recommends either renting out a G5 or doing what we did and take Shepler’s Ferry Service from St. Ignace or Mackinac City. During the high-time summer months Shepler’s has a ferry running every half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Shepler’s also facilitates Lighthouse Cruises around the

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A Grand History:

A Historical Timeline of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island:

1887- Grand Hotel opens, billed as a summer retreat for vacationers who arrive by Lake Steamer from Chicago, Erie, Montreal, Detroit, and by rail from across the continent. Rates are $3 to $5 a night.

1980 – Somewhere In Time, filmed at Grand Hotel and starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer, is released. 1989 – The East Wing is added to the hotel. This included adding on more guest rooms and expanding the Main Dining Room.

1890s- Grand Hotel’s Front Porch – the longest in the world at 660 feet —becomes the principal meeting place for all of Mackinac Island. Grand Hotel Manager James “The Comet” Hayes invites an agent of Edison Phonograph to conduct regular demonstrations of the new invention. 1900s – The automobile finds its way onto the island. Grand Hotel supports an island-wide ban. A law is passed, but not strictly enforced until the 1930s. 1947 – This Time For Keeps starring Jimmy Durante and Esther Williams is filmed on the island and at Grand Hotel.

Horse-drawn carriages are the transportation mode of choice on Mackinac Island.

2000 – A new golf pro shop is added plus construction began on the Millennium Wing, a 200 seat addition to the Main Dining Room and 42 new guest rooms. This is the largest addition since the original construction of the hotel and was completed in 2005. 2006 – The Gate House, a casual bar/restaurant just a short walk down Grand Hill, is added to Grand Hotel’s offsite dining options. The hotel welcomes its 5,000,000th overnight guest. 2012 – Grand Hotel celebrates its 125th anniversary. For more information on all current specials events and packages, visit www.grandhotel.com or call 1-800-33-GRAND.

Straits of Mackinac if you’d like more sight-seeing than what’s provided by the normal 17 minute ride from dock to island. For more information on Shepler’s Ferry Service, visit their website at www.sheplersferry.com. At the end of day I am reminded of the famous line within the theme song of Gilligan’s Island – “no motorcars, not a single luxury.” While there might not be any motorcars on Mackinac Island I can promise there are plenty of luxuries to go around when staying at the distinctive Grand Hotel. And even better yet, you won’t have to try and turn a coconut into a radio to get off this island. Not that you’d ever want to leave anyway.

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Summer Issue 2012

FEEL THE HERITAGE.

FEEL THE FUTURE.

HOW THE GAME SHOULD FEEL

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For Pete’s Sake Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail a Living Tribute to the Design Legend By Glen Turk

Brickyard Crossing GC has four holes within the Indianapolis Super Speedway.

To say Pete Dye’s list of accomplishments is impressive is a disservice to the word. The 86 year-old golf course architect has built over 125 courses worldwide, sees numerous designs host PGA TOUR events of a yearly basis, and was named to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008. So clearly there is only one thing left for this octogenarian to experience – have a golf trail named after him. Oh wait, that’s not even up for grabs any longer thanks to the advent of the Pete Dye Golf Trail in the fall of 2011. The premise is simple, take seven of the finest Dye designs in the Hoosier State, including his very first effort, and you’ve got the makings of a 200 mile thrill ride that’s sure to have you praising and cursing his design acumen all at the same time. The idea behind this grandiose plan was simple according to the Pete Dye Golf Trail website (www. petedyegolftrail.com). “Indiana proudly lays claim to having more Pete Dye designed courses than any place in the world. The goal of the Pete Dye Golf Trail is to showcase this incredible collection of courses for the golf traveler while paying tribute to this golf visionary. The trail brings together a combination of challenging golf experiences and unique destinations.”

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The Pete Dye Golf Trail consists of seven distinctive golf courses in five destinations throughout the Hoosier State. Playing them in order of design takes golfers on a history lesson behind the genesis of Dye, an Ohioan that has been adopted by Indiana as a native son. Maybe that’s because Pete and his bride of 62 years, Alice, still call Indiana home. “I am honored to have my courses in the Hoosier State form The Pete Dye Trail. If golfers play the Trail and enjoy my courses then that will be my legacy,” reflected Dye. MGM was fortunate to blaze a trail through Indiana this spring and enjoyed five of the seven tracks. Below is a summary of what to expect when you decide to ‘Live and Let Dye” take over your golf trip in the Hoosier state.

Brickyard Crossing, Indianapolis MGM recommends that if you only play one course on the PDGT it must be Brickyard Crossing. The combination of golf and America’s most famous race track is a dynamic duo that cannot be topped. Honestly our

round at Brickyard was one of our top five golf experiences – period. This course made such an impact on our group expect a full fledge feature on “The Yard” next year! Four of the 18 holes are inside the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the entire course shows off Dye’s ability to create memorable, yet playable holes from start to finish. The Brickyard utilizes Dye’s signature railroad ties as well as large slabs of concrete along creek beds. The concrete was actually recycled from inside the race track once the Speedway went to more modern safety precautions. For more information, visit www.brickyardcrossing.com.

Kampen Course, West Lafayette The Kampen Course resides on the Purdue University’s campus and incredibly was built for $1 thanks to a promise Dye made to Purdue president Dr. Steven C. Beering. Twelve years after calling in every favor he possibly could, Dye’s 7400 yard masterpiece now serves as a working laboratory for Boilermaker students, is rated as one of the top collegiate courses in the nation, and has been awarded 4.5 stars on Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” Kampen has also played host to a number of prestigious collegiate and public tournaments such as the 2000 Men’s Big Ten Championship, the 2003 Women’s NCAA Championship,

the 2004 Indiana Open, the 2005 Women’s Western Amateur, the 2008 Men’s NCAA Championship and the 2011 Men’s Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships. For more information on the Kampen Course, visit www.purduegolf.com.

Maple Creek, Indianapolis Originally opened as Heather Hills in 1961, this 18-hole course has the distinct honor of being Pete’s first. Created in partnership with his wife Alice, Maple Creek features small tees and greens, narrow fairways lined with mature trees and natural long grass areas. The 6633 yard layout features a parkland setting that compliments a creek which winds its way through the front nine. In fact during the design process Alice questioned Pete’s routing, pondering “how many times are golfers going to have to cross that creek?” For more information on Maple Creek, visit www.maplecreekcc.com.

Pete Dye Golf Course at French Lick Resort, French Lick The most modern course on the Trail, The Pete Dye Course Golf Course at French Lick was named 2009’s Best

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The Fort, Indianapolis The Fort GC is a perennial top 10 on Indiana’s best course list since opening in 1997. Pete Dye took a 238-acre tract of land that was made for golf and etched his indelible style into each flowing hole. Owned and operated by the State of Indiana, the 7,148-yard, par 72 design features tree lined fairways, rolling hills and the Dye trademark undulating greens. With multiple tees ranging from 5,045 to 7,148 yards, all golfers can enjoy a four hour walk in the park in an unparalleled setting. For more information, visit www.thefortgolfcourse.com. In conclusion, congratulations have to go out to the Brain Trust behind the Pete Dye Golf Trail. A man of Pete Dye’s stature deserved to have a lasting legacy in place for golfers to appreciate. Stay and Play packages and course information can be gleaned when logging onto www.petedyegolftrail.com.

The Fort, Hole #10

New Course in America by Golf Digest. The 8,100 yard layout was originally conceived as a sketch by Pete Dye on a napkin at a nearby restaurant, this hilltop course (it’s built on the highest point in Indiana) offers 40-mile panoramic views of the breathtaking Hoosier National Forest. In late April The Pete Dye Golf Course hosted the Big Ten’s Men’s and Women’s Championships won by Illinois and Michigan State respectively. The French Lick Resort is also home to the famous West Baden Springs dome and offers numerous golf stay and play packages. For more information on the Pete Dye Golf Course at French Lick Resort, visit www.frenchlickresort.com

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Summer Issue 2012

Play Legendary Golf

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick

• 2009 America’s Best New Public Course - Golf Digest & Golf Magazine • 2011 Indiana’s #1 Public Course - Golf Digest & Golfweek • 2011 Top 100 Public Course in America - Golf Digest & Golfweek • 2012 Indiana Course of the Year - National Golf Course Owners Association

The Donald Ross Course at French Lick

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Potawatomi Bingo Casino about to Reach New Heights

An artist’s rendering of the new Potawatomi Bingo and Casino Hotel, set to open in 2014.

New high-rise hotel set for 2014; Golf offer available now By Matt Tevsh

The most dramatic landscape change in the remarkable history of Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Bingo Casino is underway this summer. After announcing its bold plans this past winter, the Forest County Potawatomi Community, which owns and operates the casino, broke ground for a new 20-story hotel which will give the city’s Menomonee Valley a stunning new look. “It’s kind of a no-brainer and the next step in our growth here at the casino,” said Ryan Amundson, external communications manager for the casino. “We’ve grown by leaps and bounds since we opened in 1991.” A fixture in Milwaukee, the Potawatomi Bingo Casino started as a modest 2,000-seat bingo hall. Since then, it has undergone two major expansions with the addition of Vegas-style gaming, multiple dining options, a 500-seat theater, and a poker room to become one of the city’s top attractions. But until now, it was the largest tribally owned and operated casino in the country without an adjacent hotel. The decision to build, according to Amundson, is part

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keeping up with the top casinos around the Midwest and part meeting guest demand - perhaps more of the latter. “We welcome six million people every year,” he said. “These are guests that expect the best in entertainment from us and we need to deliver on that. The growth we’ve experienced wouldn’t be possible without the success of the business, so I guess it goes hand-in-hand a little bit, but at the same time this is in response to what our guests are looking for.” The estimated $150 million hotel, set for completion by spring or summer of 2014, has been designed to house around 380 rooms, a full-service spa, and a casual-dining restaurant. It will also be an environmentally-friendly structure and the third largest hotel (based on number of rooms) in the downtown Milwaukee area. “We believe this hotel project is the next logical step, to not only ensure that Potawatomi Bingo Casino remains a vibrant entertainment choice, but also makes it an attractive destination on a regional level,” said Mike Goodrich, Potawatomi Bingo Casino General Manager and Forest County Potawatomi tribal member.

“The Forest County Potawatomi and Potawatomi Bingo Casino take great pride in being an important part of attracting tourists to Milwaukee,” he added. “This hotel project is just another way we are able to achieve that goal.”

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For the third straight year, Potawatomi is running a golf promotion which gives its guests a chance to play a former PGA Tour golf course at a reduced rate. Every month through October an online coupon will be made available for a two-for-one pass to Brown Deer, former host to the now defunct U.S. Bank Championship. “It’s been a popular (promotion) with our guests,” said Amundson. “I think we do it because we serve such a diverse crowd. With six million people, I mean, you’re going to get people that enjoy lots of different things and we have one segment of our guests that enjoy golfing so we’ve had a partnership with Milwaukee County for quite some time and this is the fruit of that partnership. We’re happy to be able to extend this offer to our guests which I think is a really great deal.” To be eligible for the deal once per month, guests must be a member of the casino’s Fire Keeper’s Club (which is free) and have earned at least 25 slot points. Guests must then present $50 and the golf pass, which is good for a nine- or 18-hole round for two players, at Brown Deer. For full details, go to www.paysbig.com/ promotions/play-a-few-rounds-on-us.

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Milwaukee County Parks feature three other championship courses (Dretzka, Oakwood, and Whitnall), four regulation-length courses, five par-three courses, and two executive courses. Erin Hills, site of the 2017 U.S. Open, is just 35 miles northwest of the casino. And Sheboygan County, home of five nationally-recognized courses, is less than an hour’s drive north along Lake Michigan. The heart of Chicago is less than a two-hour drive. More information on Potawatomi Bingo Casino can be found at www.paysbig.com.

Brown Deer, Hole #11 Photo Courtesy of Paul Hundley Photography

Brown Deer Park GC, one of the top courses in Wisconsin and the showcase course for the Milwaukee County Parks, lists its 18-hole standard fee as $88 on the weekends and holidays and $80 from Monday-Thursday. Golf carts are an additional $15 per person. While its hotel is being built, Potawatomi has also partnered with eight Milwaukee area hotels for online deals for those guests looking for a stay-andplay option. Besides Brown Deer, the

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Cog Hill, Hole #3, Course #2- The Ravines

The Best of The Midwest By

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Chicago, Illinois is cementing itself as the golf tournament capital of the Midwest. Not only does the windy city host the Western Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships this year, but the Second City also entertains golf’s ultimate team competition, The Ryder Cup, at Medinah CC in late September. But let’s not forget about the course that put Chicago on the map – Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in nearby Lemont, IL. The public facility hosted a Fed Ex Cup Playoff event in four of its first five years of existence and was the long-time venue of The Western Open. Since “Mighty Cog” welcomes the public there is no better time than the present to take advantage of their amazing stay and play packages in partnership with the Marriott Burr Ridge. For more information, visit www.coghillgolf.com or call (866) COGHILL or the Burr-Ridge at (630) 986-4100. Until you make that call, enjoy the following image of the 3rd hole by world-renown golf course photographer Paul Hundley.

Summer Issue 2012

“Early in my golf course photography career (while I was still doing it part time) I exclusively photographed courses I had known and played for years. Courses like Brown Deer Park, which I had been playing since the early 60’s and Blackwolf Run in Kohler, which I had been playing since the day it opened. In 1995 when I left my previous job and decided to go into golf course photography full time, I continued to work on courses I knew well. Then early in 1996 I was asked to photograph Cog Hill in Lemont, IL, a course I had heard of but never seen. I accepted the job but was very concerned about how well my system of studying courses and planning the details of a photo shoot would translate to a course where I had only a few hours of preparation and study prior to the shoot. Since the most dramatic photos are generally created within a few minutes after

sunrise, if you are not in the correct place five to ten minutes before sunrise there is very little chance that you will have time to get to a better location if your best guess from the evening before proves to be wrong. On this particular morning I got exactly the photograph I was hoping for, and later that summer this image became my first limited edition print. Cog Hill commissioned 150 framed prints with a special brass plaque for the upcoming 1997 US Amateur. 147 of the 150 prints sold during the event. It was early successes like this which encouraged me to believe that my choice of golf course photography as a second career might not be as unreasonable as it sometimes seemed during those first few years.” – Paul Hundley

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Midwest Personals Steve Stricker addressing the media during the John Deere Classic media day on June 4th, 2012 Photo by Greg Boll, courtesy of the John Deere Classic

Putting the “Pro” in Professional: The Steve Stricker Story By Glen Turk It was the legendary Ben Hogan who coined the phrase “the secret is in the dirt.” In the case of the two-time PGA Tour Comeback Player of The Year (2006 & 2007) and Wisconsin native, Steve Stricker, that phrase can be altered to “the secret is in the Astroturf.” For on a cold, unforgiving 3x5 patch of fake grass was where the former University of Illinois product resurrected his game. In Steve’s own words it was a case of mind over matter during the 2005 off season in wintry Wisconsin. “I think it was just a dedication again, trying to make it right in my mind first before getting to work,” began Stricker, “and knowing that this is really what I wanted to do for a living. I had my wife telling me that this is what I needed to do, and I figured I wasn’t really capable of doing anything else. I just had to put the work together. So I starting hitting balls and started changing things because what I was doing wasn’t really working all that well. I think that a lot to do with it was my attitude. I had a poor attitude going. I didn’t have a lot of confidence. And I tried to change those things first along with my swing, so I had

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those couple of things, my mental approach and my physical game had to change and that’s what I went to work on at the end of the 2005 season beginning of 2006. I still continue to work on the same things today as I did back then. That’s what I think has been very helpful in my progression that I’m still continuing to do the same things. I don’t jump around to different things. I still work on basically the same things I did then. And that’s what I have done, I just put in more work and more emphasis on having a better attitude while I’m out there playing,” concluded Steve. Golf much like life is a process and according to Andy North, fellow cheese head and two-time U.S Open winner, it was all about Steve becoming comfortable in his own skin. “What happens in our game is such a fine line between playing well, your confidence is up, your hitting good shots, maybe getting a few breaks every once and a while and things are going great. But it can turn so quickly, the snowball gets bigger and it can turn the opposite way and he lost confidence- and as a player once you lose confidence you start questioning yourself and he went through a horrible time. But he was man enough to fight through it, he’s done an unbelievable job figuring out what’s best for Steve and I think that’s the key thing on all sports, professional life and business- find out what works for you and keep doing it,” finished North. Finding out what works and repeating it has served Steve well since 2006. Stricker’s turnaround is of such epic proportions that he was named PGA Comeback Player of The Year not once, but twice consecutively after the

2006 and 2007 seasons. Clearly going from #646 in the world to as high as #2 and now at his current perch of #11 was so mind boggling to the voters that exceptions needed to be made. But for the humble Stricker, it’s never been about winning awards or even tournaments for that matter. Instead, it’s about how Steve can use his platform to positively impact others less fortunate. “It’s about helping out and giving back not only to the charitable causes that you’re affiliated with, but helping other players as well. I believe helping others is engrained in golfers – it’s part of the deal to give back, and I am just trying to do my best,” stated Steve. Thanks in large part to his work ethic and sincere way he carries himself, Steve has earned the type of respect on TOUR that players of any caliber rarely feel. Fellow Wisconsinite and five-time PGA TOUR Winner Mark Wilson relates a Stricker story that speaks of Steve’s high character. “Steve played in the Wisconsin State Open a few times in the late ‘90s while he was a full member of the PGA TOUR. He said that he wanted to promote professional golf in the Wisconsin Section and thought his presence might do so. With it starting on a Monday, he would often have just finished up a PGA TOUR event or even a major the day before. In 1998, I remember him finishing second at the PGA Championship and he was still there for his Monday tee time in the Wisconsin State Open. Talk about honoring your commitment! Steve and I were paired together for the opening two rounds in the 1999 Wisconsin State Open, and I still remember him wishing me luck at Q-school when we finished. He was able to sympathize with me since he remembers those days,” said Wilson. Stricker’s stellar play and caring way truly serves as something to emulate. American Matt Kuchar, after winning this year’s Player’s Championship had this to say about his level of respect for the 12-time TOUR winner. “I am just trying to pattern my game after Steve Stricker’s. Every week he comes out and is in contention to win. That’s the consistency that I am striving for and hopefully someday I’ll get there,” explained Kuchar.

since 2007) and over 33 million dollars in earnings, Steve has distinguished himself as one of the most dominant American golfers of his generation. That case is only further cemented by his solid record in the Presidents and Ryder Cups, normally when paired with the sometimes-hard-topartner-with Tiger Woods. “I believe we’ve meshed together so well because we get along with one another, even though our personalities are probably completely opposite. But we do a lot of similar things out on the golf course, I guess, little things. He hits it much further than I do, but I think, we manage our games and go about our business out on the golf course. And when I get out there I’m all about business and trying to get it done, and so is he,” described Stricker, who when paired with Woods went 4-0 in the 2009 President’s Cup. In a career filled with a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, all that’s missing is the ultimate high- the opportunity to win a major championship. “If I knew the key hopefully I would have won by now, but I haven’t had a lot of looks at trying to win a major. I’ve been in contention in some, not as many as I would have hoped to. If that label is put on me (best player not to win a major) it’s an honor, really, it tells you that you’ve been playing some pretty good golf and you just haven’t been able to win one of the big ones. It’s not life or death if I don’t win a major, but I’d sure like to get one,” confided the three-time John Deere Classic Champion. The above quote is Steve Stricker in a nutshell – intelligent, diplomatic, and sincere all at the same time. That’s what makes Steve Stricker any easy answer to the question, “Who is your favorite American golfer?”

Photo courtesy John Deere Classic

The consistency that Matt speaks of can be traced to Steve’s consecutive cuts made streak of 49 that ended this year at the Player’s Championship. At the time 49 straight cuts made was more than double his closest competitor. With 12 TOUR wins (9

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From the Forward Tees

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Hole #10

Unsung Heroes The Story of the Golf Course Superintendent By Deb Patton As dawn breaks, Pat Shaw has been at work since before sunup. Shaw is the Superintendent at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls, Wisc. Ranked number 86 on the Top 100 Public Golf Courses by Golf Digest, Jack Nicklaus gave his signature to the design but Shaw is charged with maintaining its integrity. With a double major in physics and math, Shaw went to the school of hard knocks to learn the ins and outs of golf course maintenance. Help came from many directions whether it be course owners, former bosses, or his brother, a fellow superintendent. His 40 years of real life experience include stops at Tuckaway CC, home of the Greater Milwaukee Open, and The Bog, an Arnold Palmer signature course. Thank you to Pat Shaw for sitting down with MGM and sharing the trials and triumphs of the golf course superintendent. During peak season, what does a typical day look like? It truly depends on outings and what else is in store for the day. For the sake of an argument, we work somewhere between eight and 13 hours a day. The eight hour days

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go pretty smooth, and we don’t have a lot of glitches. The 13 hour days are the ones where, as I refer to it, “crap happens” and we just have to get it done, or we’ve got a special event coming up. It’s not so much of the duration of the hours, it’s the fact that we’re a seven day a week operation. I’m here 90% of those 7 days. I work with some great people and they’re more than capable of doing what I do. I have a staff of 13, which for a facility sitting on 418 acres that’s a small staff for a course that’s ranked in the Top 100 by Golf Digest. We’re pretty lean and mean. Does the ranking add pressure? We’ve got to be so exact. Everything that we do it so timed out, it’s tough. I have some great people. My assistant, Mike Carroll, helped build The Bull. He was on Jack Nicklaus’s staff and Mike stayed on with the Bachmann’s (the owners of The Bull). He’s an invaluable resource. What time do you get here? It depends, somewhere between 4:00am and 5:15am. My day usually starts about 3:30 in the morning when stumble to the truck. From the time I get up and the time I hit my truck is eight minutes. I’ve never had a cup of coffee in my life.

How do you know the right time to open in the spring? What are the early season challenges? That used to be more driven by agronomic concerns. You know, we’ve got to be able to mow the greens or roll them. Are things firm enough? In the past, I’d say fiveeight years, that’s really changed. Now, even if there’s some snow out there or frost in the ground, it’s a revenue issue especially for those of us in the public sector. Revenue dictates how long you stay open or if you open at all in the winter when the snow’s not there. It’s no longer doing the optimum for what turf requires. The good news is here we have a continuous cart path so that kind of speeds the decision along. What are those agronomic concerns? Every ball mark you have late in the fall or early in the spring, every divot you have certainly has the potential to increase the amount of Poa [Poa annua grass] that you have on your golf course. In a new facility like this that doesn’t have a lot of Poa, you try to keep it out as much as possible simply because you want your greens, tees and fairways to stay pure, not only from a playability standpoint but from a cosmetic standpoint. The concern I have is more for the invasion of unwanted species whether it be grasses or weeds. And, if you’re on greens that are partially frozen are you going to footprint them up and then you have to do more topdressing, rolling, aerifying to try to smooth them out and make them consistent. What challenges do you have from mild winters and an early spring like we had in Wisconsin this year? The only thing I did know during the winter is that we were going to have a lot more insects. We’ve already seen Japanese beetles and grubs. It’s the wrong time of the year; it’s too early. We may see two or three or four generations of insects where historically we’d see maybe none or only one generation. I think that’s more of an issue than turf. I believe as we move into fall, the turf is not going to perform. Whether it will be off color, go dormant or thin out I think turf is going to tire at some point. An ideal winter for us is if we can get a foot to 15 inches of frost in the ground and then cover it up. The problem with snow is you’ll never get the frost. We haven’t had a good frost year in a number of years for killing insects. Plus, frost is your best aerification method. It just makes the soil so much more root friendly. Whenever we get snow and it’s not frozen underneath then we have disease issues. The first thing we look for is freeze. Get it frozen up, get it firm and then snow on it. What players’ habits create the most work for your staff? The fact that the player before you didn’t rake out their footprints in the bunker, that’s not the maintenance staff’s

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The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Hole #5 Photo Courtesy of Mike Klemme of Golfoto

fault. The fact that the player before you didn’t fix his ball mark, that’s an etiquette issue. If anything in golf that has changed dramatically it’s the lack of etiquette – replacing divots, filling the divot in, fixing ball marks, raking a bunker. We rake bunkers every single day. We have 87 bunkers, a ridiculous amount of acreage of bunkers. We probably get 20 comments a day on our comment cards about bunkers late in the day. Talk to the people that played before you. TV golf has really affected it. Everybody watches the player hit the bunker shot and smooth out the stance with their foot but they never show the caddie raking the bunker. The majority of players today think that’s ok. You’d be shocked out here how many players hit their shot and smooth out their stance with their foot. What is the most common question you receive? What do you do all winter? The number one question should be “what can we do to make your job easier”? Every day when we come to work we try to provide as good a facility as possible. We’re so dependent on Mother Nature, so dependent on dollars available, and there are some things that we can’t always do. People have to be a little more tolerant and a little more overlooking of certain flaws. I get it; we’re a top 100 course which has a certain expectation. We didn’t get fairways cut for the last two days because we got 2.4 inches of rain. We were cart path only for the last two days so that doesn’t make people happy. I’m not trying to irritate you today, but I’ve got to worry about the course, today, tomorrow, the next day, August, September,

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next year. What we do today affects later on whether it’s aerifying, top dressing, cart restrictions or whatever. A facility is doing maintenance practices for a reason. The best thing I think you as a player can ask a facility for is consistent greens and then is the course in as good a shape as possible with whatever circumstances they’ve been given whether it be budget, weather or whatever. What is the most gratifying part of your job? The solitude. It’s nature, the peace, the sunrise. Your thoughts on the Organic movement. There isn’t a golf course superintendent in America that isn’t conscious of the environment. That’s one of the reasons we’re involved in this industry. We have to use pesticides, we have to use fertilizer; it’s a necessary tool in our arsenal. I think the way budgets are and the economic constraints, guys aren’t using near the amount of stuff they were so everybody’s claiming “I’m going green.” You’re going green out of necessity because you can’t afford it. You’d like to do all the organic fertilizers and what not but there’s time the synthetics are just better. You have to use products that make economic sense and then agronomic sense if you put the two together you’re going be green no matter what you do but there needs to be a blend and a harmony. If you would like to inspect Pat’s work, make a tee time by calling The Bull at Pinehurst Farms at (920) 467-1500 or by visiting www.golfthebull.com.

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The Four Coursemen

Different by Design The Castle Course at Northern Bay Welcomes the Four Coursemen By Glen Turk, Jay Royle, Brian Weis, and Paul Hundley

The Castle Course at Northern Bay, Hole #18 All Photos Courtesy Paul Hundley Photography

In a golf world where courses are always trying to find new and clever ways to differentiate themselves from the pack, The Castle Course at Northern Bay just north of Wisconsin Dells, WI is different by design. As the Midwest’s only replica golf course, The Castle Course has the unique ability to transport golfers to seven of the most memorable layouts of all time, while ingeniously surrounding them by 11 original gems. The Four Coursemen were thrilled to make the hour and a half trek north of Madison to experience year two of the Castle Course’s new regime led by managing partner Darrel Malek. Under the guidance of Malek and General Manager Chris Paitrick, the property is back to the past glory that made The Castle Course a top 10 new course entry by Golf Digest in 2007. 1) Opening thoughts about impending round before first tee shot is struck. A Visit from the Turk – My first thought is for my fellow Courseman and boss Jay Royle. Please don’t get another speeding ticket before you get here like last time. I don’t need you in a bad mood because you’ll be less likely to pick up my lunch tab! A Conversation with Royle-ty – My initial thoughts are how pure the greens are at The Castle Course. I always feel if I can get on the green in regulation I’ll have a lot of great

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chances for birdies or possibly an eagle. But of course, like any top notch course in the Midwest, you have to be playing from the shortgrass in order to succeed. A Slice from Weis – I have only played the course once before and I just remember not being excited about playing the first time. Largely because I had never played a replica course before and the word “replica” just has an uninspiring connotation. I remember after my round being excited about previewing a few of golf’s greatest holes. It has been a few years but I am excited to go back because I now know playing the course is a real treat. Hundley’s Focal Points – As with any course, my thoughts on the first tee are to play a cautious round and not to attack pin locations unless the approach shot is short and I can clearly see the entire green surface and all surrounding hazards. Keeping big numbers off of the scorecard is largely a matter of hitting to targets on both fairways and greens which are clearly visible and as far from trouble as possible. 2) First sense of shock and awe on the Castle Course. A Visit from the Turk – I have never been to Augusta, Oakland Hills, or Firestone so my first sense of shock and awe is standing on the tee of the Castle’s replica of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. I was lucky enough to birdie the original in 2004, this time not so much.

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The Castle Course at Northern Bay, Hole #11 – a replica of Augusta National’s famed par-5 13th

A Conversation with Royle-ty – It has to be right away while settling in your cart because you’re looking right out at the famed 17th TPC Sawgrass replica island hole and Arnie’s Bay Hill 18th. That’s an “awe” that really gets you fired up!

Hundley’s Focal Points – The island green at #10. It’s been my policy for the past 30 years to always tee up a brand new ball when facing an island or peninsula green. I find that it helps to focus the mind since one of the worst feelings in golf is losing a ball on your very first swipe at it.

A Slice from Weis – The third hole is a replica of #16 at Augusta National. The green has drastic slope, and anything under a four putt is good. I have never walked the hallowed grounds of The Masters but TV does not do that green justice.

4) Unique story about a past round at the Castle Course.

3) What is the one hole you want to hit quality shots on and why? A Visit from the Turk – It has to be the 10th hole, a.k.a. the replica of the TPC Sawgrass’ island green 17th. While the Castle Course doesn’t have a dedicated employee counting all the water balls like Sawgrass does, it’s always in the back of my mind that four golf shop employees and ten diners in the restaurant are keeping track just the same. You can’t let the masses down; it’s time to stick one on the green on your first try. Fortunately the first three members of our Quad Squad hit the green in one take- we don’t need to mention who splashed six balls in the drink, do we Weis? A Conversation with Royle-ty – I’m a bomber so it’s getting to play the par-5 11th. (Editor’s Note- saying Jay is a bomber is like saying The Beatles were a popular band. Jay is not a bomber- he’s a beast off the tee!) I want to rip a drive with hopefully a baby draw that will get me a great look at getting on in two and a chance for eagle. Making eagle on an Augusta National replica hole, now we’re talking!

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A Visit from the Turk – During my first round in 2008 I was in the trees on number 15 trying to chip out and I had a “Jeff Maggert moment” at The Masters. Right after making contact my ball ricocheted off a tree 10 feet in front of me and crashed into my leg. A few inches higher and I would have been singing “Moon River” all the way to the emergency room. A Slice from Weis – I hit three balls in the water off the tee on number 10, the island green. They used to take a $10 wager and if you hit the green you got a golf cap. Our group did not want to participate but so wanted to stick the green. If memory serves me, I dropped a ball from the drop area and stuck it close for a bogie. I went on to shoot a 39 on the back to win the skins game against my dad. We used to have legendary battles on the course ... the beer afterward never tasted so good. 5) Why it’s a property the “Four Coursemen or Coursewomen” in your life should visit? A Visit from the Turk – Forget about the seven replica holes, it’s the other 11 that should be copied someday. The three hole stretch of #13-15 on the back nine are legendary in their own right. Plus the historical signs on each replica hole are extremely well done and a great read.

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A Conversation with Royle-ty – The replica holes of course stand out the most, but the entire course is a fun, memorable, and well-manicured ride. Make sure you end your round on the gorgeous deck overlooking the 18th. This is a great place to watch fellow players come in while you’re reminiscing about your group’s round – now that makes a day at The Castle Course perfect! 6) Final thoughts from the 19th Hole. A Visit from the Turk – The Castle Course at Northern Bay has one of the best clubhouse views in the nation. They purposefully relocated the clubhouse so the restaurant now overlooks the par-3 10th hole, Northern Bay’s tribute to the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, and the par-4 18th (replica of Bay Hill). From inside the glass the game looks so much easier. I dare you not to root for some random golfer’s shot to find the putting surface on either hole!

thing I noticed on both of my photography trips there is that most of the players walked off of #18 with big smiles on their faces. I see a lot of golf courses every year and that is a surprisingly rare experience. I’m not sure whether it’s the consistently good condition of the course, the staff’s excellent customer service I’ve witnessed on both trips or that the course is just plain fun to play, but a noticeably higher percentage of players walk off of this course in a good mood than is normally the case.

The Castle Course at Northern Bay, Hole #6

Hundley’s Focal Points – Even though I’ve only played the course once, one

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Pro Tip

How Low Can Clay Go? MGM’s Quest to get Clay Moore as Close to Scratch as Possible By Andy Podolak, Head Golf Professional, Fire Ridge GC, Grafton, WI Introduction by Glen Turk

In the simplest of terms, golf is a game of harmonious opposites. From the technical aspects such as hitting down on the ball actually propels it upward, to the principle of swinging the club harder almost never results in hitting it better, golf is all about duality. In Clay Moore’s case it’s how does he stay out of his own way and in the process let his natural talent take over on the course? This especially has been the case with Clay’s driver, as the rounds he hits it well he breaks 80 while the rounds it lets him down his scores go up. Thank goodness he’s got the talented Andy Podolak at the ready to take his game to a previously uncharted area – becoming a low single digit handicap player.

Keys for Clay to Get The Most Out of His Driver When most golfers reach for their driver they think one thing – distance! How far can I hit it is usually the only thought making their overall swing out of balance, rhythm, and timing. The result is lack of control, poor contact, and more often than not loss of distance. Clay has been struggling with driver as of late so we are going to focus on a few keys to improve his rhythm, balance, accuracy and distance.

Rhythm and Balance Drill The driver is the longest club in the bag other than if one carries a long putter. The longer the club that you’re using the more important good rhythm and timing is to achieve the best result. One drill I had Clay work on is one of my favorites to improve rhythm and balance with the driver. Simply alternate hitting an 8 iron and a driver. The

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goal here is to swing your driver like that short iron. This reason is that you’re focused on hitting the short irons a certain distance and not trying to hit them as far as possible which is so easy to Teeing the Ball Low do with the driver. for Added Control You will find yourself controlling the pace of your swing with better overall balance and that will lead to improved contact.

Improve Accuracy There are four simple keys to improve your overall accuracy and help you get the ball in play when it’s a must. #1 - Tee the ball lower. Tee the ball up where the center of the ball is at the top line of your driver. #2 – Move the ball back in the stance. When I say move the ball back I mean just about a ball or two from your normal forward driver ball position. #3- Grip down on the

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How To Gain Distance

Not everyone can hit the ball 300 plus yards but there are a couple www.thepaulhundleygallery.com things you can do to improve your paul@paulhundley.com www.premiergolfcoursephotography.com www.paulhundley.com distance. I believe the key to distance is building momentum correctly. How do you build momentum you ask? I recommend thinking club. Gripping of a right handed baseball pitcher. They wind up into their down on the club right leg with a patient motion. The right leg is supporting an inch or so will that motion and then in the transition towards the target give you more they explode with serious speed into their left leg. The golf control of any swing is more of a center motion of course. Use your legs club especially the and weight shift to build that momentum with balance to driver. #4 – Swing increase your clubhead speed rather than thinking swing as the club at 75 80%. hard as possible. Swinging the club less than 100% will Hitting the driver isn’t about smashing the ball as hard help you put less Clay’s Three-Quarter Turn as possible hoping to achieve just distance. It’s about getting spin on the ball and the ball in play and controlling your ball flight. Putting these reducing side spin. keys into play will help your overall driving and remember Using these four principles will give you the best chance to playing from the short stuff will never get old. keep the ball in play.

Andy Podolak is the Head Golf Professional at Fire Ridge Golf Course in Grafton, Wisconsin. Before being promoted to that position three years ago, Andy was Fire Ridge’s Co-Head Professional since 2006. A Wisconsin native, Andy started in the industry at South Hills Country Club in Racine WI, as first assistant professional from 1999 to 2000. From 2001 to 2004 he played the NGA/Hooters Tour, Nationwide and PGA Tour qualifiers. Andy’s lesson rates are $50 for a 45 minute session, or $200 for a series of 5. Lessons are taught April 1st through December 1st at Fire Ridge Golf Club. Andy can be reached at Fire Ridge GC by calling (262) 375-2252 or via email at apodolak@fireridgegc.com.

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Turk’s Takes

This sounds like the perfect title for my first golf book!

Turk’s Takes Random Musings from a Consistent Spray Hitter By Senior Writer Un-Extraordinare, Glen Turk Everyone has that special time or place when he/ she gets their critical thinking done. For me it is while I cut grass in the summer and blow snow in the winter. During the first time I set blades to the grass I noticed my neighbor’s golf clubs in his garage. That got me thinking – there are really only two types of golfers in this world – those that keep their clubs in the trunk of their car at all times and those that don’t. Here‘s hoping you are the former as you never know when a quick nine must be done! I used to think that unless something miraculous happened on the golf course (an eagle or ace) that most people could care less how you played. That bothered me so decided to invent a feat on the course that in my mind is as equally as impressive as those above hallmarks. So during a round earlier this year at Hawk’s View in Lake Geneva, WI I glanced down at my scorecard and noticed by hole 11 I had birdied a par-3, par-4, and par-5 already. Since those are the only types of holes you can birdie I think that’s quite an accomplishment for the non-professional golfer. Now all I needed was a name for this feast of one-under scores. After much deliberation I have decided upon “Trimendous.” If you ever secure this triumvirate of golf love, you can know gloat “I played Tri-mendously well today.” So I’m at the local KFC trying to recite our order to an overwhelmed newbie. After my 5th attempt I couldn’t take

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Summer Issue 2012

it anymore. I blurted out, “how about you give us whatever you’d like, then I’ll open the boxes at the end of this table, look through the items and politely ask you to get me the proper food.” The nearby chef laughed, the attendant cried, and I mistakenly got two orders of cole slaw with my three piece meal that night. KFC has not received my business since. Have you seen the great new packaging on the TaylorMade Penta TP golf balls? The high performance ball features a longer than wider box that allows you to fit them comfortably within the side pocket of your golf bag. That’s the best packaging since the Pringles canister. Honestly, you open up the can and it’s like a race to see the bottom. And unlike Cracker Jack there aren’t any prizes involved – just heartburn. Here’s a golf themed one-liner you can use the next time someone tries to give you a compliment. “I’m not any smarter- I’ve just got a larger collection area than most.” Your favorite hole at your local $15 muni is clearly the best of the worst, kind of like the best 8th place hitters in Major League Baseball history or the best actors turned singers. David Hasselhoff just called Rick Springfield, he wants his award back. And since family members or people who want to join me on a golf trip (mostly they are one in the same) are the only ones who have ever told me I’m a talented writer, I’ll go off the realization that I am not. This coming from the guy whose two favorite Generals are “Lee” and “Tso”. The first one for the car and the second for the chicken.

Until Next Time, Hit em’ Where They Mow!

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Summer Issue 2012