February 2022 Ohio Golf Journal

February2022 Isthe PGAShow onits LastGasp? Golf Pictorial from JoySarver EvansAwards 27Colege Scholarships ProMedica Partnerswith theUSGA 5thHole,ArthurHilsCourse,BOYNEHighlands BOYNEresort isRacinginto theFuture ohio golfjournal

We’ re Looking Forward to the Toledo Gol f Show FRED ALTVATER You are a Golfaholic if: You wake up at 4:00 AM on your day off to get to the golf course for an early tee time. If there is a doubt in your mind over a golf shot, how can your muscles know what they are expected to do?.......... I want to encourage every Golfaholic to attend the 2022 Toledo Golf Show at the Tam-O-Shanter, February 18-20. It is the only golf show in Ohio this year and it will be bigger than ever. Everyone agrees that Michigan is the place to be for golf in the summer and BOYNE Resort boasts 10 Magnificent Courses to play on those long summer days in Northern Michigan. It is one of our favorite spots to visit every summer. They have something for every member of your family. As we are starting to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, Joy Sarver treats us to a few pictures she snapped from her travels in 2020 and 2021. The ominous shot of fans lounging around the 17th Island Green at TPC Sawgrass, before the PGATOUR halted competition at the 2020 PLAYERS Championship, contrasts with the throngs of golf fans that lined the 18th fairway at Whistling Straits 18 months later, for the 2021 Ryder Cup. Every year the Evans Scholarship program awards full tuition, plus room and board to worthy caddies. This is one of the best charities in golf and deserves your support. The stories these former caddies tell during their oral interviews are outstanding. It is plain to see that the future of the nation should be in good hands. If you would join this worthy effort visit: https://wgaesf.org/ We were able to slip away to warmer climes in January and even played a little golf in Florida. Thanks to Gleneagles Country Club, in Delray Beach, Harbour Ridge in Palm City and the Magnolia Course at Disney World for allowing us to visit their magnificent courses. Although Ohio Golf Courses are still covered with snow, we hope we see you at the Toledo Golf Show, or on the Back 9 of a golf course somewhere warm. ~ Harvey Penick Ohio Golf Journal

NOW, THIS IS GOLF Go to BoyneGolf.com or cal l 855-554-0289 BRING YOUR “A” GAME. With 10 magnificent courses, and non-stop flights to TVC from 17 popular destinations, why wait? Lock in your 2022 golf plans today.

Ohio Golf Journal Ohio Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Ohio Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, Videos and other content provided within the articles 34 FIND INSIDE 6 16 22 38 BOYNE Resort Continues to Improve & Impress ProMedica & The USGA Ink Long Term Agreement 27 Ohio Caddies Earn College Scholarships Images From Our 2020 & 2021 Golf Travel 06 10 13 16 Pinehurst and Southern Pines: Golf’s “Title Town” Ohio Golf News Find Sun, Fun & Great Golf in Tucson Proper Golf Travel is an Art The PGA Merchandise Show Is In A Transition Phase 24 28 31 34 22 Our Contributors Let’s Talk Putting Our Favorite Videos 40 38 41

Boyne Continues to Improve & Impress BOYNE Resort in Northern Michigan features ’10 Magnificent Courses’ that will please any golf aficionado. Accommodations at all three of the BOYNE properties - The Mountain, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor - are first class and are constantly being updated to meet even the most ardent traveler’s standards. The Heather course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., opened for play in 1966 and set the trend for ski resorts offering upscale golf in the summer. The Heather has hosted numerous Michigan Amateurs, been named by Golf Magazine in its “Top 100 Courses,” plus it was named the 2020 National Course of the Year by the Golf Course Owner’s Association. After the Heather, three more courses were added to The Highlands at Harbor Springs. The Donald Ross Memorial, the Arthur Hills and the Moor combine to give golfers a variety of golf experiences in a single location. The Donald Ross Memorial is a recreation of his most memorable holes from around the world in one 18-hole golf course. Familiar holes from Seminole, Inverness, Pinehurst, Detroit Golf Club, Oakland Hills, Aronimink, Royal Dornach, plus a few more, are represented in this compilation. The Arthur Hills Course at The Highlands may provide the truest test for golfers. Hills created majestic green complexes that will test any short BOYNE Golf: Heather #4 Ohio Golf Journal

game. The elevated 13th tee sits over 100 feet above the fairway and tee shots seem to hang in the air forever against the verdant green backdrop. The Moor Course just underwent a renovation to update the greens and surrounding areas. It may be the most fun course to play at The Highlands at Harbor Springs. The Lodge at The Highlands recently underwent a massive renovation with the rooms sporting a more modern feel. Guests won’t want to leave. The Highlands at Harbor Springs is slated to undergo massive changes over the next couple of years. Ray Hearns has been contracted to build a new short par-3 course that will lay just behind The Highlands Lodge, at the base of the ski hill. Between the lodge and the Heather pro shop, a new upscale steak and seafood restaurant will be built to keep guests well-fed while at the resort. In addition, other changes will be occurring in stages to upgrade the lodge and add a convention and events center. BOYNE Mountain actually had the first golf course at the resort. The owner, Evert Kircher, used a Ford tractor to carve out a ninehole lay out, the Hemlock, to expensive golf course built in the United States when it opened for play in 1995. The golf club includes three nine-hole tracks, The Links, The Quarry and The Preserve, that can be mixed and matched to a variety of combinations. Several holes on the Links nine run along a cliff above Little Traverse BOYNE Golf: Donald Ross Memorial #9 BOYNE Golf: The Alpine #15 attract more guests to the ski resort in the summer. Today, two championship courses, The Alpine and The Monument, sit on the backside or BOYNE Mountain. After a 1.2 mile golf cart ride to the top of the mountain, where the first tee for both courses can be found, golfers wind their way back down the mountain to finish at Deer Lake and the Beach House Restaurant. Both courses are challenging and provide jawdropping views of the lake and valley below. The ruby in BOYNE’s crown is the Inn at Bay Harbor and the Bay Harbor Golf Club. Designed by Arthur Hills, it was the most

BOYNE Golf: The Preserve #2/6 Shared Green BOYNE Golf: Quarry #8 BOYNE Golf: Crooked Tree #17 Bay and provide majestic views of beautiful Lake Michigan. The Quarry loop runs through an abandoned stone quarry with elevated tees, rolling fairways and unique green complexes. The Preserve winds its way through wildflowers, lush grass and native wetlands. It is a sanctuary filled with an abundance of wildlife. Saving the best for last, the ninth hole at the Preserve is a par-3 situated on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Before you leave this gorgeous setting, be sure to enjoy a delicious meal on the veranda of the massive clubhouse overlooking the finishing hole of the Quarry nine. On a sand ridge high above Bay Harbor sits Crooked Tree, an 18-hole championship course that was recently renovated. It has Ohio Golf Journal

2022 ‘Stay & Play’ Packages Now is the time to book your golf getaway to Northern Michigan. BOYNE has redefined the premier golf travel experience and helped to cement Northern Michigan as “America’s Summer Golf Capital.” Michigan’s Magnificent 10 Vacation The Michigan Magnificent 10 includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain with UNLIMITED golf on seven of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses. The package also includes a welcome party, a lesson at the Boyne Golf Academy, a session on TrackMan Range, and a $100 Shopping Card. Package price starts at $1,585 per person for the week. Super 5 Vacation This Super 5 includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands, or Boyne with UNLIMITED golf on five of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses. Guests can addThe Heather, Arthur Hills, or Bay Harbor Golf Club for an additional charge. The Super 5 also includes a welcome party and a session on TrackMan Range. Package price starts at $1,109 per person for the week. BOYNE Unlimited Golf Package The Unlimited package includes lodging at Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree along with UNLIMITED golf on The Moor, the Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands, The Alpine and The Monument at Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree Golf Club. The Heather or Arthur Hills courses at Boyne Highlands can be added for a slight upcharge. long been a favorite and because it sits over 200 feet above the lake. Your score on the golf course becomes secondary to the awe-inspiring views of Lake Michigan. Just north from the Bay Harbor Golf Club, along the shoreline of Little Traverse Bay, sits the Inn at Bay Harbor. It is an Autograph Collection Hotel reminiscent of the turn of the century Victorian charm and modern-day elegance. In 2002, Golf Digest recognized the Inn at Bay Harbor as one of the “Top Ten Coastal Resorts” in the country, ranked alongside Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes. Also in 2002, the magazine named The Highlands, Boyne Mountain and Inn at Bay Harbor in the Top 75 Resorts in America.” All three BOYNE locations in Northern Michigan include world-class spas, a multitude of dining options, plus zip lining, fishing, hiking, biking horse-back riding, as well as, theYoungAmerican’s Dinner Theater. No guest leaves dissatisfied with their accommodations or time spent at BOYNE. BOYNE is not simply a Michigan company. In addition to the three golf and ski resorts in Northern Michigan, it operates the Big Sky Resort in Montana, Brighton Ski Resort near Salt Lake City, The Summit at Snoqualmie in the state of Washington, Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts in Maine, Cypress Mountain in Vancouver, which was the freestyle and snowboard venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, plus the Gatlinburg Sky Lift in the Great Smokey Mountains. BOYNE was started in 1947 by Evert Kircher on a 40-acre site where BOYNE Mountain sits today. BOYNE is still family owned and operated by the Kircher family and it will continue to provide high-quality golfing, skiing and outdoor sporting adventures for visitors for decades to come.

ProMedica & The USGA Ink Long Term Agreement When you start a new high-profile job, you want to make a big impression, especially when you are Michael Whan coming into a situation with an old guard USGA membership that is ready to jump on any mistake and crucify you, before you even get started. Whan, who last year left the LPGA as the most successful chief executive that organization has ever seen, just hit a home run with the recent announcement that ProMedica has partnered with the USGA to sponsor the U.S. Women’s Open. This is a stroke of genius for Michael, the USGA and women’s sports in general. Toledo-based Promedica’s partnership with the USGA will immediately raise the total purse for the U.S. Women’s Open to $10 million, nearly double last year’s purse of $5.5 million. Promedica is also guaranteeing the U.S. Women’s Open total prize money will increase to $12 million over the next five years. For that largesse, they become the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Women’s Open, which will make it the most prestigious women’s golf event in the world, by a significant margin. ProMedica, a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated health and well-being organization, serves communities in 28 states. In addition to the U.S. Women’s Open presenting sponsorship, By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal

ProMedica becomes the official health and wellbeing partner of the USGA. Back 9 Report talked with Promedica’s CEO Randy Oostra during the Solheim Cup last September. He stressed their commitment to and the importance of sports activities to health and wellness of kids, as well as, the general population. Watch the full interview here: The U.S. Women’s Open has been a women’s major championship for 77 years and the 2022 championship will be conducted June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. This agreement also guarantees that the U.S. Women’s Open will continue to be held at the most prestigious golf clubs in the nation. Future sites include; Pebble Beach, Erin Hills, Riviera, Oakmont, Pinehurst, Oakland Hills and fabled Merion. Coming off the Solheim Cup’s huge success, The Inverness Club has been chosen to host the 2027

U.S. Women’s Open. Inverness has been the site of several high-profile men’s tournaments over the years. It has hosted four U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, as well as, two U.S. Senior Opens. The 1973 U.S. Amateur, won by Craig Stadler, was held at Inverness, plus it will be the host club for the 2029 U.S. Amateur. Michael Whan said, “While I’m incredibly proud of what we are announcing today, I know this is just the beginning, as together with ProMedica, we’ll push to change the game and what it means to young women worldwide in order to reach new heights every year.” The joint partnership is committed to highlight the importance of addressing health inequities across the United States, which will include sharing the personal stories of golfers and USGA competitors nationwide, who have used golf as a means to a healthier lifestyle. ProMedica will also utilize this global stage to generate charitable dollars for its ProMedica Impact Fund, which will become the official charity of the U.S. Women’s Open. The Fund is committed to raising more than $1 billion to invest in grants, impact investments, plus research and learning activities, designed to improve individual and community health. “You simply cannot talk about improving the health and well-being of all individuals without talking about the disproportionate impact of social determinants of health on women. The U.S. Women’s Open is a perfect platform for bringing this message to a much broader audience,” said Oostra. This agreement makes a big splash for new USGA Chief Executive, Michael Whan and it moves women’s golf one step closer to gaining parity with the men’s game. In addition, ProMedica gains a national stage to promote Health and Wellness, particularly for women. Ohio Golf Journal

27 Ohio Caddies Earn College Scholarships January is a very important month for former caddies at golf clubs around Ohio. Every year the Evans Scholarship Foundation awards full housing and tuition college grants to deserving young men and women, who caddied at golf clubs that support the Evans Scholars Foundation. Each caddie must undergo a stringent application process including an oral interview in front of a selection committee. These interviews are normally held in person, but due to COVID they have been held virtually for the past two years. Every caddie has a unique story that reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: – – strong caddie record – – excellent academics – – financial need – – outstanding character These exceptional students will enter college in the fall of 2022, with all but one attending either Ohio State, or Miami University. Owen Roark from Cleveland has been accepted and chosen to attend Northwestern, the original home for the Evans Scholarship. The scholarship is valued at more than $120,000 over the four years of college and it is life changing for many of these worthy caddies. “These young men and women are part of an exceptional incoming class of new scholars from around the nation,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch. “They represent what the Evans Scholars Program has been about since 1930.”

The following is a list of the recipient, city, golf club where they caddied, their high school and the university they plan to attend: Name Jack Smith Casey Higgins William Pollack Anthony Holmes Henry Hoskins Josiah Jackson Jacqueline Martini Ciara Perry Charles Ricke Owen Roark Ryan Sommer Michael Duckro Nicole Kemer Julia Reitz Emma Beegle Anas Musaimi* Ethan Patchett Adrian Gonzalez Brana Logan McGuire Martine Hue Chelsea Fall Tamara Salameh Lauren Boyd Parker Boyd Caylee Bunker Bella Luna Carl Troy Holt City Akron Amelia Chagrin Falls Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Cleveland Heights Columbus Dayton Elyria Elyria Hudson Kettering Luckey Maumee Miamisburg Park Hills, KY Sylvania Sylvania Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Winchester Club Portage CC Coldstream CC Canterbury Golf Club Losantiville CC Hyde Park CC Maketewah CC Clovernook CC Maketewah CC Clovernook CC Canterbury Golf Club Scioto CC Moraine CC Elyria CC Elyria CC Canterbury Golf Club Moraine CC Inverness Club Inverness Club Moraine CC Kenwood CC Inverness Club Sylvania CC Inverness Club Inverness Club Inverness Club Inverness Club Terrace Park CC High School Revere HS McNicholas HS Kenston HS La Salle HS Walnut Hills HS Colerain HS Mercy McAuley HS Clark Montessori St. Xavier HS Saint Ignatius HS Upper Arlington HS Carroll HS Midview HS Elyria HS Hudson HS Kettering Fairmont HS Eastwood HS Saint John’s Jesuit HS Miamisburg HS Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy Notre Dame Academy Sylvania Northview HS North Adams HS University Miami Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Miami Miami Ohio State Ohio State Northwestern Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Miami Miami Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Miami Miami Miami Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Miami Ohio State Ohio State Ohio Golf Journal

An estimated 315 caddies nationwide will receive the Evans Scholarship for 2022. Currently 1,070 former caddies are enrolled at 21 universities and more than 11,500 have successfully graduated via the Evans Scholars program founded by Charles “Chick” Evans Jr, who won the U.S. Open as an amateur in 1916. “These young students have each shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities and on the golf course,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “We are proud to welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.” JUST ASK OUR COURSE RECORD HOLDERS: PHIL MICKELSON, FRED COUPLES, LEE JANZEN & AN UNKNOWN AMATEUR. (We’re not kidding!) Can’t Top That. WWW.TREETOPS.COM | 81 SPECTACULAR HOLES BY GOLF’S GREAT DESIGNERS. EASY. GOLF IS Scholarship funds come mostly from the generous contributions from nearly 35,000 supporters, plus Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $17 million annually. In addition, all proceeds from the BMW Championship are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. To learn more about the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation, visit: www. wgaesf.org.

Images From Our 2020 & 2021 Golf Travel By Joy Sarver & Len Ziehm Len Ziehm and Joy Sarver travel the country visiting golf resorts for travel reviews, as well as, LPGA and PGA Tour events. Although COVID made it more difficult and their travels were fewer, Joy shared these beautiful pictures to document their pandemic journey. Our first trip after the COVID shut down was at the Arnold Palmer Signature MidSouth Club in the Pinehurst area. This eyecatching double green ends each nine and allowed us to enjoy a slight return to normalcy, though the pandemic was far from over. On Wednesday, March 12, 2020, the day before Covid shut down the PGA TOUR, fans were leisurely enjoying the final practice round for THE PLAYERS Championship, around the famed 17th tee at TPC Sawgrass. The next morning, Hideki Matsuyama shot a 63 and later that day PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the tournament was cancelled. The Tour did not resume full field events for nearly four months and fans were not allowed at tournament sites until much later in the year. Ohio Golf Journal

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, a stop on the Georgia Golf Trail, located in the college town of Young Harris, Georgia, provided spectacular elevation changes. We loved this view of the stair-step effect of the multiple tees up the hill covered with the early morning dew. This peaceful covered bridge traverses a small stream to provide access to the green on the Bald Mountain course at the Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Scenes from the movie ``Dirty Dancing’’ were filmed here.

Another exceptional picture opportunity presented itself as the clouds covering the Blue Ridge mountains created a majestic view also at Brasstown Valley. During the summer in 2021, we were able to head north and stopped at Michigan’s Forest Dunes Resort for the unveiling of its new 10-hole short course. Its name, Bootleggers, refers to the role this area played during prohibition, moving illegal booze from Canada to the rest of the country. Ohio Golf Journal

LochenHeath is a beautiful Michigan course with an inspirational survival story. Providing magnificent views of East Traverse Bay, it has been a public course for several years. The membership recently returned it to a fully private facility. NagsHead, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is filled with great water views. It’s difficult to pick just one, or to concentrate on your shot to the green. This panorama of the short pier sticking out into the ocean is one of the best.

This is the new 18th hole for the General at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, Illinois. It was previously the ninth green, but the nines were switched to create a view of the finishing hole for the benefit of the restaurant’s outdoor diners. This fiery Florida sunset view, was taken from our lanai across the 11th green of the Champions Course at Palm Aire Country Club. The course was just renovated by Illinois architect Mike Benkusky. Ohio Golf Journal

As COVID concerns continued to ease, our final stop in 2021 was at Whistling Straits for the Ryder Cup. The fans were ecstatic and turned out in great numbers to root for Team USA, who handed the Europeans a 19-9 shellacking. This Picture captures the fans on both sides of the deep chasm that separates the 18th fairway on the Straits Course. The spire on the PGA Golf Club Clubhouse in Port St. Lucie, Florida, looms over the Ryder Course and provides an excellent aiming point. One of three championship courses at PGA Village, the Ryder Course underwent a complete renovation a couple of years ago and is a real treat to play.

Where Do You Want to Go? You’ve seen those pictures on Facebook with a bunch of guys, or girls, enjoying a round of golf at Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, or even a wind-blown Irish links course, and dreamed you were in the picture. Well Art Stricklin, ‘The Art of Golf Travel,’ has been in the golf business for over 30 years and knows all the great Championship, at Southern Hills in Tulsa, in May, plus play golf while you are there, he may still have a couple spots available for this year’s trip. How about teeing it up in Ireland? May 28-June 5, Art will be hosting a group of golfers to play some of the best courses in Ireland. The Art of Golf IrishTrip for 2022 includes seven rounds of golf at some of the best Irish Links courses, including; Lahinch, Doonbeg, Royal Dublin, European Club and more. The group will enjoy eight nights lodging, a chauffeur driven Mercedes Tour Van, breakfast, plus the final night’s dinner in Dublin. Art can put together the golf trip of a lifetime for you, your favorite foursome, or a group. Let him know where you want to go, how many will be in your party and when you want to travel, he can do the rest. Where Do You Want to Go?..... Just Call Art! courses. He can put together a package for you and your best golf buddies that will provide a lifetime of memories. If you don’t have any friends that want to go on a golf odyssey, Art has you covered. In 2022 he has golf trips planned to iconic Firestone Country Club in Akron and Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Last year Art hosted groups that visited Bandon Dunes, San Diego, as well as, the Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas. If you would like to visit Augusta National for the Masters in April, or the PGA Proper Golf Travel is an Art Ohio Golf Journal

The PGA Merchandise Show Is In A Transition Phase The 69th PGA Show was held last month in Orlando with most attendees voicing the opinion, “It’s great to be back.” They were referring to last year when the show, due to the pandemic, was held virtually. The PGA Merchandise Show is the primary annual gathering of the golf industry whose roots go back to 1954, when it was a small gathering, held in a Dunedin, Florida parking lot, with a few companies displaying their wares, from the trunk of their car. Since, it has grown dramatically becoming “The Major of the Golf Business.” Over 40,000 PGA Professionals, industry members and media attended the 2020 edition, that was held in the cavernous million square feet of the Orange County Convention Center, before COVID became an issue. The Show serves several purposes for the PGA of America. Continuing education sessions are held for PGA members. Golf equipment companies, apparel, gear, as well as other golf service companies are on hand to gain exposure for their products to club professionals and retail buyers. Many apparel and service companies use the show to write orders for the coming season, as do smaller or boutique club makers, but the larger equipment companies do not since most of their clubs and balls are pre-ordered. Major Networking Another reason golf industry members continue to attend each year is the opportunity to meetand-greet old friends, as well as, make new ones. It is a networking event like no other for those By Ed Travis Ohio Golf Journal

wishing to build relationships and assess the state of the industry. The Covid crisis however changed the old ways of thinking and the method with which golf business is conducted. The PGA projected the 2022 show would be somewhat smaller than the last one held onsite in 2020, but long-time show attendees were surprised by this year’s dramatic smaller size. Comments about companies staying away due to the unknowns around the progress of the pandemic miss the point. These decisions are made often months in advance and generally are not subject to the latest headlines on the evening news about infection rates and other data. It is simply much less costly to keep the sales staff at home, not pay for expensive exhibitor space and still make sales virtually. Surprising Numbers *Figures are not available at this writing, but a reasonable guesstimate is one-half the number of attendees—in the range of 20,000, but it was probably below 50%. *The show’s website listed 578 exhibitors compared with roughly 1,000 in recent years. Plus, several exhibitors decided not to come at the last minute. *Demo Day often has had 100 participating companies and this year a mere 40 were on hand. *Normally 10,000-15,000 attend the Demo Day. This year that number was under 1,000. *Of the 12 largest equipment companies only Bridgestone exhibited and two of the largest apparel companies, Nike and Adidas, chose not to have displays. Last Gasp The question then becomes, ‘Was this the last gasp of a dying event and have large trade shows lost their viability and relevance?’ We are not sure the small attendance of the 2022 PGA Show can be seen as an adequate predictor of future events, but changes are needed.

Long lines for daily attendees at the registration desk needs immediate consideration. Hundreds were stuck waiting in line to be processed for a badge. It was a frustrating situation for both those working the desk, as well as, those waiting to register. The bigger question though for attendees and exhibitors is, ‘How can the huge expense be justified?’ The 36 Continuing Education Classes offered at the 2022 PGA Show are already being offered by the individual PGA Sections. Expanding the local and regional schedules can potentially remove a major reason for club professionals from the northern portions of the country to take a midwinter break in Orlando. Return on Investment Golf marketers, especially the club and ball companies who in the past have occupied huge amounts of floorspace, have reassessed their budgets and overall marketing strategies. With eleven of the largest manufacturers deciding not to spend millions of dollars for a booth, as well as, the cost for having their personnel spend a week at in Orlando, it appears, if we read the tea leaves correctly, that the show may not be providing an acceptable return on investment. Large golf company executives have proudly supported the PGA of America and club Professionals by attending the show in the past, but today’s virtual sellingdrastically reduces cost for larger companies. The old saying “getting a bang for your buck” applies and though the PGA of America has indicated the no-shows will return in 2023, we are not certain this will be the case. We may have just witnessed a colossal shift in sales marketing for large golf companies. Networking thus becomes the major reason to attend. Most of those who did attend, me included, felt this year was a good, but not a great opportunity for substantive conversations. Conclusion The only conclusion, at this point, is the PGA Show is definitely in a transition phase. There will be a PGA Merchandise Show in 2023, bit it will be different. The number of exhibitors and industry members attending will probably not hit the pre-pandemic levels, but many if not most will be back. Ohio Golf Journal

Pinehurst and Southern Pines: Golf’s “Title Town” By Brad King While savoring its rich history, the Home of American Golf also eagerly anticipates its championship future. The Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen region’s excitement boils down to two words: championship golf. Next up is the 77th U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines from June 2-5, 2022. This will be the fourth Women’s Open at Pine Needles, where Annika Sorenstam (1996), Karrie Webb (2001) and Cristie Kerr (2007) notched previous titles. In addition, the Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) recently played host to the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur. It was the third USGA event contested at CCNC since the club’s debut in 1963. Meanwhile, the USGA is busy constructing a second home at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club called “Golf House Pinehurst,” which will eventually be the site of the USGA’s equipment research and testing center, turfgrass agronomy and management offices, along with a museum and welcome center. The resort’s crown jewel, Pinehurst No. 2, was awarded the USGA’s first U.S Open anchor site, with five championships scheduled from 2024 through 2047. For the second time in 2029, No. 2 will host both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Opens in back-to-back weeks. Pine Needles Golf Club Ohio Golf Journal

Other exciting news includes construction of The Lodge at Pinehurst hotel, a 64,000-square-foot, 34-room hotel on Pinehurst Resort’s campus that will overlook The Cradle Short Course. Plans for the hotel include meeting spaces, locker rooms, a fitness center and a bar. The Cradle has been an overwhelming smash hit with all golfers, particularly with the millennial crowd. Golfers can pay $50 and play as many holes as they like on the Gil Hanse-designed, par3 layout. The Cradle is now a “must play” — 789 yards of the most fun you’ll enjoy on a golf course. The Resort recently acquired one of the Village of Pinehurst’s most iconic hotels, The Magnolia Inn, along with Villaggio Ristorante & Bar. The Magnolia has served as the gateway to the Village since it opened in 1896, less than a year after Pinehurst was founded. Of course, there is plenty of additional golf buzz around the famed Sandhills, including a rousing renovation of Southern Pines Golf Club, a vintage Donald Ross-designed course dating to the early 1900s that is now und e r management of the company that owns and operates Pine Needles and Mid Pines. Architect Kyle Franz says the Southern Pines GC project evoked the essence of a Ross original, staying true to the well-preserved routing while removing elements that have been added through the years. More than 700 trees were removed, accentuating dramatic vistas throughout the property. The Ross greens have been revamped and the bunkers restored. Franz also uncovered Ross’s “Lost Hole” — which is not part of the current routing — while researching historic materials prior to the restoration. Other major renovation work has been done on area courses recently including Hanse’s facelift of Pinehurst No. 4, along with The New Course at Talamore Golf Resort, a popular Rees Jones original, and the neighboring Mid South Club, designed by Arnold Palmer. At the now private Dormie Club, there’s a new, spacious and stylish 16,000-squarefoot clubhouse, along with 15 cottages and a standalone pro shop among numerous other upgrades at the only original Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw design in North Carolina. The Home of American Golf remains proud of its past — and equally excited about its future. For the latest news about nearly 40 area courses and package information, please visit www. HomeofGolf.com. The Cradle & Pinehurst Clubhouse 17th hole at Mid-South Club

OhioGolf News RIP Richard Schwartz The 1958 Ohio Amateur Champion, Richard Schwartz passed away last month. Richard was a member of the PGA TOUR in the 1960’s and later the Head Professional and Superintendent at East Liverpool Country Club for 35 years. He played in seven PGA Tour events over a three-year span, 1968-1970, plus he entered two PGA Tour Champions events in 1989 and 1991. Richard was the consummate pro and was an Assistant Coach, along with his wife, for the Youngstown State Women’s Golf team, where the couple also coached their grandaughter, Emily Rohanna. Richard accomplished something even the Golden Bear could not. Although Jack Nicklaus won five consecutive Ohio Junior Amateur titles, 1952-1956, and the 1956 Ohio Open at the age of 16, the Golden Bear never won the Ohio Amateur. Richard left a golf legacy. He helped one granddaughter, Emily play collegiately at Youngstown State and another, Rachel, become a standout at Ohio State. After a successful collegiate career, Rachel joined the LPGA Tour. Rachel said about her grandfather, “Both he and my grandmother played a huge role in my and my sister’s lives, especially with golf. We were very proud of him, and I hope we can continue to make him proud. He will certainly be missed.” OSU’s Max Moldovan Finishes Top 10 at Patriot All America Invitational While most college students were enjoying time at home between Christmas and New Year’s, Ohio State’s Max Moldovan was in Arizona competing in the 11th Annual Patriot All America Invitational. With rounds of 70-65-67, the OSU Sophomore finished the 54-hole event at eight-under par, good for a tie for tenth place. The Patriot All America began in 2011 and invites elite collegiate players, from across every NCAA Division, to compete in the 54-hole stroke play event. Each participant honors a severely wounded or fallen soldier by carrying a bag bearing that hero’s name.

Gary Robison Wins in Florida Gary Robison won the 65 and older division of the 2022 Quarter Century Championship for PGA Professionals at PGA Village in January. Other PGA Professionals with Ohio ties The 2021 Champion, Bob Sowards from Dublin finished fourth. Also in the field, Tim Achison and Tim Krapfel tied for 11th. Gary Trivisonno T-14, Steve Parker T-41, Paul Hollenbaugh T-53 and Chris Black T-58 The Quarter Century Championship is one of the tournaments in the Winter Series conducted by the PGA for PGA Professionals at PGA Village every year. Northern Ohio Golf Association to Hold Event at Inverness NOGA’s annual Interclub Championship will be held at the historic Inverness Club in Toledo on May 23. The Interclub Team Championship is one of the NOGA’s long-standing traditions, bringing four-person teams from NOGA member clubs together in the spirit of competition. For the first time, the Interclub will include member clubs from all across Northern Ohio, including clubs from the former Toledo District Golf Association that are now part of the NOGA. Last year, Massillon’s Shady Hollow Country Club won the Interclub at Barrington Golf Club in Aurora, posting a team total of twounder par win the event by a stout four shots. The Inverness Club has a rich history of hosting major championship golf, including four U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, two U.S. Senior Opens, a U.S. Amateur, two NCAA Championships, and recently the 2021 Solheim Cup. The club is also slated to host the U.S. Women’s Open in 2027 and the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2029. Ohio Golf Journal

2022 Ohio Golf Association Tournament Schedule A full slate of amateur events will be held in Ohio. The Ohio Golf Association tournament schedule will begin with an Ohio Amateur Qualifier on May 31st, at Dayton Country Club. Additional Ohio Amateur Qualifiers will be held at Findlay Country Club, June 13th, Pinnacle Golf Club, June 20th and Losantiville Country Club, June 29th. The Ohio Amateur will be held at Maketewah Country Club, July 25-29. The Ohio Junior Amateur will be held at Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course, June 13-15. The Ohio Senior Amateur will be hosted by Youngstown Country Club, June 21-23. The Ohio Senior Amateur Hall of Fame Championship will once again be held at Plum Brook Country Club, August 1-2. The Ohio Mid-Amateur is scheduled for August 22-24 at Barrington Country Club. For more information about Ohio Golf Association events or to register visit: https:// www.ohiogolf.org/events/oga. Play 18. Repeat. Now’s the time to play two award-winning courses to their fullest. Our Pete Dye and Donald Ross Courses have been #1 and #2 on GolfWeek’s “Best You Can Play” in Indiana for 10 years running. Book your round in 2020, and replays are free the same day at The Pete Dye Course (forecaddie fee additional) while same-day Donald Ross replays are $50. Visit frenchlick.com/golf or call (888) 936-9360 to get that road trip rolling. Double Down on Bucket-List Golf Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any event without notice. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT!

Find Sun, Fun & Great Golf in Tucson By Jim Grosjean Growing up in northern Ohio, I am painfully aware of cold and dreary winters. However, now that I reside in Tucson, I’ve gotten used to a steady diet of sun, relative warmth, and best of all, golf! I recently attended Bill Huffman’s Media Classic, a get together of golf writers who engage in a friendly golf competition at some of Tucson’s best courses. Along the way we sampled great food and drink, Ohio Golf Journal

caught up with old friends and learned about many of Tucson’s charms. We started our week with a practice round at the community-owned Views Golf Club. The club is aptly named, as mountain views are available from every hole. This is a player friendly course with wide fairways and well-groomed greens, but if your game goes south, one can always blame “The Views!” A visit to El Conquistador Golf came next. These two Greg Nash and Jeff Hardin courses are only seven minutes from The Views, but their styles are far apart from their neighbors. Severe uphill approach shots will test your club selection abilities. The Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club is as fancy as it sounds.Two excellentTomFazio courses wind through the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains showcasing breathtaking views of the mountains, as well as, the city below. Each hole is so isolated that long cart rides between holes add to the excitement of what’s coming next. With first class lodging and amenities on site, Ventana should be on your radar. The Views Golf Club El Conquistador at Sunset

Our home base for the week was the Omni Tucson National Resort. In addition to providing two spectacular golf courses, there is a highly rated spa, three dining options including Bob’s Steak and Chop House, plus easy access to Tucson’s best outdoor activities. The Devlin-Van Hagge Catalina Course hosts the PGA Tour Champions Cologuard Classic every February and has hosted over 30 PGA Tour events. Unlike the other courses on our schedule, this is a true parklands style course; with large trees replacing the saguaro cactus and lakes instead of desert. Like any tour course, the challenges are great while the rewards are exhilarating. After golf, return to your spacious suite for a well-deserved rest, or head to the pool for a relaxing cool down. More options for golf include Arizona National and Sewailo Golf Club, but Tucson is so much more than great golf. Now considered a foodie destination, Tucson is home to the famous “23 Miles of Mexican Food.” This includes the oldest Mexican restaurant in the country continuously operated by the same family; El Charro, where the chimichanga was invented in 1922! To get a flavor of the old west, we even had a chuckwagon dinner at the White Stallion Ranch, one of the few “dude” ranches still in operation in Tucson. With average winter temperatures in the mid 60’s, great golf and food, Tucson is a can’t miss destination. For more information and to start planning your Southwestern Golf Getaway visit: http://www. visittucson.org No, 3 at Ventana Mountain Course Omni Tucson National Resort Ohio Golf Journal

Let’s Talk Putting very nice year to be sure, but what if he had made just a couple more putts. He played 60 rounds on the PGA Tour in 2021, attempted 181 putts of less than eight feet and made 120. The top ten putters on the PGA Tour made 75% of their putts under eight feet. To reach the top ten in putting, Wallace only needed to make 15 more putts in 60 rounds, that’s one putt in every four rounds. On the PGA Tour one more putt made every day leads to four strokes less for the week and will move a player from a top 25 up to a top 10 finish. A Top 25 finish pays around $100,000, not too bad, but a Top 10 is worth over $250,000. Doing the math, $150,000 divided by four putts equals $37,500 each. That’s why you see tour pros spending so much time on the practice green working on their stroke. By Fred Altvater Before you beat yourself up the next time you miss that six-foot putt to lose a couple of bucks to your golfing buddy, consider this. The average of putts made inside eight feet for all PGA Tour Pros is only 67%. If tour professionals miss three, or four putts for every ten putts longer than five feet, we should feel OK about missing a few, too! In 2021 Xander Schauffele led the PGA Tour with putts made inside eight feet. With 273 putts inside eight feet, he made 220, or 80.6 %. To prove the old adage ‘drive for show and putt for dough,’ Matt Wallace finished No. 125 on the percentage of putts made inside eight feet with just 67.4%. Wallace ended the 2021 season at No. 111 on the FedEx Cup points list and earned $1.37 million, a Ohio Golf Journal

Doing the math, $150,000 divided by four putts equals $37,500 each. That’s why you see tour pros spending so much time on the practice green working on their stroke. How much time do you spend on the putting practice green? When I work with students, I tell them they should spend the same amount of time working on putting and chipping as they do banging balls on the range. One of my favorite drills is the ‘around the world’ drill. Place ten balls three feet around the hole and force yourself to make all ten. It is a bit more difficult than it seems. When Jackie Burke challenged a young Phil Mickelson to make 100 consecutive three-foot putts, it took him six hours. Rest assured, if you make only eight, or nine out of ten, you will drastically improve your putting on the course. Over time, however, golfers should strive to make ten out of ten every time. Once you are comfortable with three-putt putts move out to four feet, then five. Remember as you increase the distance, the percentage of putts made will decease slightly as well. Last year, Chesson Hadley led the PGA Tour by making 66% of putts longer than ten feet. If an average golfer makes 40% or even 50% of putts longer than ten feet, he is considered exceptional with the flat stick. The point here is don’t forget to practice putting. This is only one drill, there are several more, plus great training aids like the Putting Arc to groove the correct stroke and improve your putting.

Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Jim Grosjean Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. ht tps : //www. facebook.com/ ed.travis.98 Jim Grosjean is a former Buckeye, an avid golfer, who plays to a 7 handicap, and now resides in Tucson. He retired from his day job, that spanned over 50 years, as a professional musician in Nashville. During that time, he performed with Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, Itzhak Perlman, Bruce Springsteen and hundreds more familiar names. You can find out more at: https://www. facebook.com/jim.grosjean Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http://lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: ht tps : //www. facebook.com/ lenziehmongolf/ Ohio Golf Journal

VIDEOS With virtual selling being so successful, Back 9 Report wonders if Huge Trade Shows, like the PGA Merchandise Show will vanish like the dinosaurs? The 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion James Piot, plus his coach Brian Cairns talk about the BIG Ten Spring Season, The Masters and Turning Pro this summer. Promedica CEO Talks Sports to Improve Health & Wellness Last September, before the USGA announced their partnership with the Toledo-based Promedica, Back 9 Report talked with Promedica CEO Randy Oostra about the large health conglomerate commitment to sports to improve health and wellness for kids. Was 2022 the Last Gasp for the PGA Show? ot Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now

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