Opportunities forJunior Golfers USGA OneStepCloserTo GolfBalRolback
Golf Season is HERE!! When Ohio Golfers see the beauty and wonder of the Masters on their big screens they know that it’s time to hit the links. In this issue we feature junior golf and the multitude of golf opportunities for young golfers. From local junior leagues to AJGA and USGA national tournaments there are competitions available for every level of junior golfer. If you have a child interested in learning to play the game the right way, get them involved in a junior golf program. It will help them build confidence and give them a game that will last a lifetime. Besides the ongoing LIV/PGA Tour fight that does not appear to have an end in sight. The USGA and The R&A last month announced another step in their campaign to rollback the distance a golf ball can travel for professionals and elite amateur golfers. This ‘bifurcation’ of the golf ball has been discussed for several years and golf’s ruling bodies intend to have the separation of golf balls in place by 2026. Golf fans are split on the issue and the future may spawn more lawsuits to overturn any change. In a special Back 9 Report, Kieran Clark and Mike May debate the pros and cons of changing the golf ball. See the full episode here: Mou – put a black rectangle for the video here We hope you have had an enjoyable winter, but now it’s time for golf. I hope I see you on the Back 9 of an Ohio golf course this summer. FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Michigan Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report Ohio Golf Journal
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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 06 12 26 38 There Are A Multitude of Golf Opportunities For Juniors World Golf Hall of Fame Inductees Have Ohio Ties 06 23 Proposed USGA Rollback Making Waves Ohio Golf Hall of Fame Announces 4 New Inductees Golf Datatech Conducts Golf Ball Rollback Survey Ohio Golf News Mission Inn Resort Has New Owners, But Provides the Same Quality Experience Srixon Introduces Newest Enhancements to Z-Star Line New Joint Event For LPGA & PGA Tours The Ultimate Five-Course Menu of Golf Along The Outer Banks Golf Simulators Projected to Triple by 2030 26 30 32 34 38 12 18 15 10 Our Contributors 40 Our Favorite Videos 41
Most junior golfers originally become involved in the game via the influence of a parent, or grandparent. Many young golfers have seen professionals, like Tiger Woods, succeed at the highest levels and are motivated to practice and compete. Whatever reason draws kids to the game the golf industry has done an excellent job of creating multiple outlets for young people. It would be impossible to list every opportunity for juniors in golf, but the following list includes several of the more popular programs for juniors. To keep the game viable in the future, serious golfers understand the need to create avenues and opportunities for younger people to learn the game the right way. Several programs are available to juniors to do just that. The First Tee The First Tee was the vision of former PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem. It was founded in 1997 as a joint effort by golf’s leading bodies, Augusta National Golf Club, the LPGA Tour, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR and the USGA. The curriculum of the First Tee program stresses the development of character and is built around nine core values found within the game of golf. The First Tee has grown to a network of 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. Youth on Course Youth on Course (YOC) is a relatively new organization that assures every child, no matter their economic status, has access to golf. Local golf courses join with YOC to allow junior golfers to play golf for $5.00 at their courses. They began in Northern California in 2006 and quickly spread to now include more than 140,000 There Are A Multitude of Golf Opportunities For Juniors By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal
members in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. They provide access to nearly 2,000 courses across both the United States and Canada. High School seniors can also apply for college scholarships through YOC. Since the inception of the YOC Scholarship Program in 2008, they have awarded over $2.6 million to over 300 outstanding high school seniors to support their pursuit of higher education, many of which have become the first in their family to attend college. AJGA The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) provides a venue for the top junior golfers to compete at the highest level against the top talent in the country. College golf coaches can follow each player’s progress and they ultimately recruit AJGA members for their golf teams. AJGA understands the expense and financial burden for a family to allow their child to travel and compete in AJGA events. For this reason and with the help of their generous sponsors, the AJGA’s ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf tournaments. Many of the professional golfers you see today on the PGA and LPGA Tours competed in and won AJGA events. It is the premier junior golf program in the country and has provided a venue for thousands of junior golfers to impress college coaches and earn a college scholarship. Local Junior Golf Programs Over the years junior golf programs have sprung up in every city and town across the country. Local golf professionals organize a series of clinics and tournaments for junior golfers looking to enjoy competition and learn more about the game. For more information about any junior golf programs in your area, touch base with your local golf club, or course for their schedule of events. PGA Jr. Golf League The PGA of America through their 40,000 golf teaching professionals organized the PGA Junior Golf League. They provide fun team competitions for young players under the age of 17. All PGA Jr. League games are played with a two-person scramble format, which allows all players to hit shots and contribute to the team.
LPGA & USGA Girls Golf LPGA & USGA Girls Golf is the only national junior golf program that specializes in providing a friendly environment for girls to learn the game of golf. They make the game fun and teach much more than just stance and swing. The young women also learn valuable life skills like confidence and perseverance that will help them all through their lives. With over 500 Girls Golf sites around the country, they help prepare girls, ages 6 – 17, for a lifetime of enjoyment of the game while also inspiring them to gain confidence and build positive selfesteem. The Five E’s of Girls Golf: Empower, Enrich, Engage, Energize and Exercise prepare these young women to live active and healthy lives. High School Golf Team Nearly every high school has both a men’s and women’s golf team that compete against other golf teams in their league, region and for state titles. While local junior golf programs hold tournaments in the summer months, players that will be competing for their high school team in the Fall, or Spring use those programs to hone their games for the high school golf season. Playing golf for your school is a rewarding experience for any young golfer. Friendships are PGA Jr. League utilizes match play scoring, which focuses on performance versus a score-to-par as is traditional with golf. Within a PGA Jr. League game, the two-man teams play in a head-to-head, 9-hole match with each match broken into three flags. Each flag is three holes in a row, and each team has the opportunity to earn points at the end of each flag. PGA Jr. League provides a low stress program for young golfers to compete and continue to enjoy golf. Drive, Chip & Putt Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) holds a number of local and regional qualifiers around the country to identify the best young golfers, which are invited to compete in the DCP National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday prior to the Masters Tournament. In the Drive segment, junior golfers’ three attempts are rated both in length and accuracy. Participants get three tries to Chip a ball closet to the pin, plus the Putting competition involves putting from three various distances. The points from all three segments are totaled and a winner is recognized. The Finals are held on CBS. Watching these kids compete on Sunday morning, prior to the Masters, is always one of my favorite television shows. Ohio Golf Journal
developed that last a lifetime. These young athletes are encouraged to always exhibit proper golf etiquette, which help them become successful adults. Evans Scholars Chick Evans was a very successful amateur golfer, who won the 2016 U.S. Open. He also won the U.S. Amateur in the same year and was sought out for golf instruction and appearances. As an amateur, he was not able to accept prize money, appearance fees, or any other income earned from golf. His mother suggested a charitable foundation be formed that could accept the money. Evans spent many years as a caddy in the suburbs of Northern Chicago. Due to a lack of funds, he was forced to drop out of college. He took his mother’s suggestion, and those charitable efforts became the Evans Scholarship Foundation, which gives full-ride college scholarships to former caddies at clubs across the country. Since the Evans Scholarship Foundation officially began in 1930, they have granted 11,815 college scholarships to deserving young men and women caddies. Currently there are over 1,100 students enrolled at 22 universities. To view a list of Michigan caddies that were awarded college scholarships in 2023 visit, https:// wgaesf.org/the-latest-news/2165-twenty-fivemichigan-caddies-earn-evans-scholarships The Evans Scholarship program is one of the most successful and worthy charitable foundations in the world. To learn more about how you could become involved visit their website: https:// wgaesf.org. Play Golf With Your Kids & Grandkids There is a truly nothing better than playing a round of golf with your children, or grandchildren. The game teaches young people respect for others, plus helps them grow into successful adults. As you can see there are numerous programs available for young people to learn more about golf from people who know the game and will help your child learn the game the right way. Do your kids a favor and get them involved in golf this year. If you have any questions, please contact me at: Fred@Back9MediaGroup.com and I will help direct you to someone in your area that can help your child get started in golf.
In the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) Ohio-native Gianna Clemente made the Friday cut and was in the top 30 that competed for the trophy on Augusta National in the final round. This was not her first trip to Augusta, however, in 2017 she competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. Gianna had a fabulous 2022 season finishing runner-up in the USGA’s 2022 U.S. Junior Girls Championship. In addition, she was runner-up at the AJGA’s Rolex Girls Junior Championship, reached the match play portion of the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Monday-qualified for three LPGA events. She has not slowed down this year with a win at the South Atlantic Women’s Amateur (The Sally), a tie for eighth at the Girls Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, a tie for 16th at the Epson Tour’s Florida’s Natural Charity Classic and a tie for 22nd in the Annika Invitational. OhioGolf News Gianna Clemente Makes Cut at ANWA Ohio Golf Journal
40 boys and 40 girls competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday, April 2. They had to make it through local, subregional and regional qualifying held at 342 sites around the country. Conducted in partnership between the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America and the USGA, the Drive, Chip and Putt is a nationwide youth development program open to boys and girls age 7 to 15. The top three scorers in the local qualifiers advanced to subregional qualifiers, with the two top participants in each moving on to regional competition for berths in the National Finals at the home of the Masters. “It’s very difficult to get to this stage,” said 2015 Masters Champion Jordan Spieth, who presented the prizes in the Girls 12-13 division.“To compete and win at Augusta National is always a good feeling.” Maxwell Lattavo from Chillicothe competed in the Boys 7-9 age division at Augusta National. He earned eight points in chipping and seven points in the putting segment. His drive of 136 yards left him with two points for a total of 17 points good for his tie for fourth. Harrison Young from Springfield was T-6 in the Boys 12-13 age group. He led his division with a drive over 240 yards, but only earned one point for his chipping and five points for putting. To register your child for the 2024 Drive, Chip & Putt visit https://www.drivechipandputt.com/. Did I fail to mention that Gianna is only 15? In the first two rounds at Champions Retreat, she fired 74-69, a total of one-under par putting her in the top 10 heading to the final round at Augusta National. With four bogeys and 14 pars in the final round, she posted a four-over par 76 that left her in a tie for 14th place. In January, Back 9 Report TV talked with Gianna about her success on the golf course and her future plans. Two Ohio Youth Compete in National Finals of Drive Chip & Putt
Last month the USGA took another step and gave ‘notice and comment’ to golf fans and the golf industry that they are proceeding with plans to reduce the distance a golf ball can fly for professionals and elite amateurs. Given more athletic golfers and advancements to golf equipment, elite golfers can consistently drive over 300 yards. This prodigious distance is making older, more traditional golf courses obsolete for championship play. The required enhancements to golf courses to keep up with the longer carries are extremely expensive for the Proposed USGA Rollback Making Waves By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal
golf courses, not to mention the additional costs to keep the additional yardage maintained. Golf fans are split on the benefits of the proposed rollback for professionals. One of the key aspects of golf is that average golfers can play many of the courses the pros play on and try to hit the same shots they see the pros pull off on television, with the same equipment. Golf ball manufacturers will be required to design and produce two different golf balls. One for PGA Tour, as well as USGA competitions and another for the everyday golfer. Titleist controls over 50% of the golf ball market and their President and CEO, David Maher issued this statement, “Playing by a unified set of rules is an essential part of the game’s allure, contributes to its global understanding and appeal, and eliminates the inconsistency and instability that would come from multiple sets of equipment standards. Unification is a powerfully positive force in the game, and we believe that equipment bifurcation would be detrimental to golf’s long-term wellbeing. As a result, we will actively participate in this conversation with the governing bodies, worldwide professional tours, PGA Professional organizations, amateur associations and federations, and golfers, in an effort to contribute to the continued enjoyment and growth of the game.” One of the leading golfers on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas has openly spoken against the idea of different balls for professionals and average golfers. Mike May and Kieran Clark joined Back 9 Report to discuss the Pros and Cons of a golf ball rollback. You can see the entire episode here: Mou – leave a black rectangle Golf’s ruling bodies, the USGA and The R&A, have been studying this issue for over 20 years and have provided data that proves the everincreasing distance a golf ball can travel. Given that the trend continues on its current path, courses will be forced to add acreage and length to their courses. As early as 2017, when Tiger Woods was asked about mandating different golf balls for the professionals, he answered, “There is no reason why golf can’t be like baseball and have a line of demarcation between college, or amateur and the professional ranks, which would be the minor leagues all the way up to the bigs. My idea was to have it so that every professional
would have to play a reduced-flight ball. Even if you played a pro-member you would have a reduced-flight ball for the pro, and have to play with that type of ball, where as the amateur, go ahead and make it fun, juice the golf balls up, juice the clubs up and let them go have a great time. But at a professional level I see no reason why we can’t have it very similar to where baseball has it right now.” Jack Nicklaus has long proposed using a different golf ball for professionals, but the general golfing public is still not that enthusiastic about any change to the golf ball. Even though the gap between the average golfer and the professional is wider than it’s ever been, change is difficult for golfers. Ohio Golf Journal
The survey reveals a majority of golfers do not like the USGA’s proposal to limit the golf ball for professionals and elite amateurs. On the heels of the USGA /R&A’s announced proposal for a “Modified Local Rule” for elite competition that reduces the overall distance a golf ball would travel at extremely high speeds, Golf Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer, and trade trends, has unveiled a survey that provides immediate analysis of where Serious Golfers stand on the issue. “This golf ball rollback is a hot button topic across the professional tours and among the amateur golf community, especially among better players who rely on distance as key part of their game,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech, LLC. “For this reason, we expedited this Serious Golfer Survey to put a stake in the ground so we can assess how perceptions and opinions shift on this issue over time.” The USGA and The R&A have proposed changes to the Rules of Golf to create a ball that flies shorter only for “Elite Professional and Golf Datatech Conducts Golf Ball Rollback Survey
Amateur” events. Average recreational golfers will still play the current ball. Golf Datatech analyzed data from over 1,250 avid golfers who are active and purchase golf equipment. As such, their opinions are particularly important and valued by the golfing community. Opinions on the Proposed Rule: • 52% don’t like the proposed rule. • 23% are in favor of the proposed rule. • 13% don’t know enough yet to have an opinion. • 12% don’t care. Among those who DO NOT SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule (647 respondents): • 72% indicate they “like knowing that everyone plays by the same rules.” • 55% don’t think it is necessary. • 43% believe it “complicates” the rules. • 7% indicate they play “high level competition” and the proposed rule complicates things for them. Open End Feedback among those who DO NOT SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule includes: • It penalizes Elite players for being Elite. • Many like to play the same equipment as the Elite players to see how they are the same/different. • Some feel the ball is being held accountable, when the focus should be on clubs. • There is an undercurrent of golfers who are concerned that the expense of designing and making two different balls will ultimately have to be born by the consumer, and golf ball prices will rise as a result. Among those who SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule (293 respondents): • 85% don’t want to see the classic courses made obsolete. • 45% believe technological improvements are ruining the game. • 39% feel Tour Pros hit the ball “too far.” Ohio Golf Journal
• 26% don’t hit it like a tour pro, so they don’t really care what the Elite players use. Open End Feedback among those who SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule: • A shorter ball will bring more skill back to the game for Elite players. • Concern that bigger/longer golf courses require more resources to maintain (capital, water, fertilizer, etc.), and ultimately will create a sustainability case against the sport. Respondents were also asked what impact the proposed new rule will have on their personal enjoyment of the game, and results were as follows: • 79% indicated it will not have any effect on their own enjoyment. • 17% said it might make the game less enjoyable. • 4% believe it might make the game more enjoyable. • 1% indicated they will no longer enjoy the game. “While the majority of Serious Golfers polled are opposed to the proposed Modified Local Rule, ultimately most do not think it will have a direct impact on their own personal enjoyment of the game. What this survey did not evaluate is what are the potential ramifications on interest in the professional game? Will there be less interest in watching Elite players compete on some of the world’s biggest stages if they are using a shorter/ modified golf ball? That is yet to be determined, but what is certain is that this topic is not going away and we will continue to analyze the issue in the weeks ahead.”
Ohio Golf Hall of Fame Announces 4 New Inductees Mitch Camp, Steve Groves, Ken Kintopf and James Popa will be honored in the induction ceremony at Scioto Country Club on September 14. The Ohio Golf Hall of Fame was founded in 1992 and former members include, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Bob Hope, Tammie Green, John Cook and Ben Curtis among others. Mitch Camp has been a member of the PGA of America since 1986. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, his family moved to Orrville, where he graduated from Orrville High School in 1976. Mitch won the Ohio High School Athletic Association AA Individual Championship in 1975 and was a member of The Ohio State University Men’s Golf Team. In 1980, Mitch was named a 2nd Team AllAmerican and won the Les Bolstad Award for Low Stroke Average in the Big Ten. Before accepting the Assistant Golf Professional job at Fairlawn CC in 1983, Mitch played the Space Coast Golf Tour. In 1989, Mitch became the Director of Golf at Club Walden and has held that position since. Mitch found time to win the Ohio Open twice. He added three NOPGA Section Championships, plus the 2009 Ohio Senior Open, and the 2012 & 2021 Toledo Open Senior Championship. He was also named NOPGA Merchandiser of the Year, as well as NOPGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year on four separate occasions. Mitch served as a board member of the Northern Ohio PGA from 1994 to 2002 and was a member of the NOPGA Junior Golf Committee from 1989 to present. In addition to the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, Mitch is also a member of the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame, the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame and the Orrville High School Sports Hall of Fame. Ohio Golf Journal
Steve Groves has been a member of the PGA of America since 1973. Originally from Lancaster, Ohio, he developed his love for the game playing at Valley View Golf Course. He played college golf at Ohio State and is the only threetime All-American for the Buckeyes. During his senior season in 1973, Steve claimed the individual title at the Big Ten Championship and added the Ohio Amateur Championship at Findlay Country Club. After turning professional in 1973, Steve spent time working at Michigan’s Orchard Lake Country Club, Dubuque Golf & Country Club, and Brookside Country Club in Canton. He was the Head Professional at Champions Golf Course for 19 years and spent eight years at the Airport Golf Course. Today, he works as an Assistant Professional at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club. In addition to his years as a Golf Professional, Steve was the Head Women’s Golf Coach at The Ohio State University from 1980-1987. Steve has served the membership of the Southern Ohio PGA as an officer, culminating with a term as Section President from 2009-2011. He was also named the 2007 Southern Ohio PGA Golf Professional of the Year. He qualified for two US Opens, one PGA Championship and two Senior PGA Championships. In addition to the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, Steve is also a member of the Southern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame, Lancaster High School Athletics Hall of Fame and Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ken Kinkopf has been a lifelong Amateur. Growing up in Parma Heights, he learned the game at Ridgewood Golf Club and played for The Padua Franciscan High School golf team, which finished runner-up in the 1978 Ohio State High School championship. Ken’s achievements on the golf course really began in 1995 when he qualified for the US Amateur Championship at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. Since then, he has qualified for eight more USGA Championships, two U.S. Open Sectionals and one British MidAmateur. Ken has won four Ohio Golf Association Championships, most recently the 2019 Ohio Senior Amateur Championship. Previously, Ken has won the 2018, 2011 and 2009 Ohio Two Man Best Ball Championships. In the 2009 and 2011 Championships he partnered his son Michael. After turning 55 years old, Ken’s success ramped up. In a twelve-month span during 20192020 Ken won six National Senior Amateur Championships and vaulted to 607th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and was the 3rd ranked WAGR Senior player in the world. Since 2019, Ken has added three other National Senior Amateur Championships. In addition, Ken was the 2019 Golfweek Senior Player of the Year and Society of Seniors Player of the Year. Ken now splits his time between Dublin and Jupiter, Florida with his wife of 36 years, Carole. The couple have three sons, Michael, Matthew and Jonathan. Ohio Golf Journal
Following in his father’s footsteps, James M. Popa dedicated his life to the game of Golf. He led both the Columbus District Golf Association (CDGA) and Ohio Golf Association (OGA). He sat on the Board of Governors of the Ohio Golf Association and retired from the CDGA in 2015 and OGA in 2018 With over 30 years serving the game of Golf, Popa has conducted hundreds of Tournaments, Qualifiers and Championships. This calculates to more than 1,400 tournament days of competitive golf while Jim was at the helm. In addition, Jim volunteered his time and expertise for countless other golf events that served the community of Columbus, Ohio. Under Jim’s leadership, Ohio Golf Association grew to over 200 member clubs and added the Ohio Senior Amateur Championship and Ohio Two Man Best Ball Championship to the annual schedule. In 2006, Jim was the leader of the One Ball Tournament that was conducted in Ohio to show that the Committee of a Competition could use a Local Rule to have all competitors play the same golf ball. Popa becomes the third child of a Ohio Golf Hall of Fame member to be selected for the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame. Jim and his wife Martha have lived in Upper Arlington for 45 plus years and have three children, J.W., Cathy and Samantha, all of whom are married with families. In addition to the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, Jim was the recipient of the Southern Ohio PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and the 2017 USGA Ike Granger Award for longtime commitment to golf.
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World Golf Hall of Fame Inductees Have Ohio Ties Tom Weiskopf To Be Inducted Into the World Golf Hall of Fame By Fred Altvater Ohio native Tom Weiskopf will be inducted posthumously into the World Golf Hall of Fame in a ceremony that will be held in Pinehurst, Monday, June 10, 2024. Also being inducted will be the 13 founding members of the LPGA, plus Sandra Palmer, Padraig Harrington, Johnny Farrell and Beverly Hanson. Weiskopf grew up in Massillon, Ohio and was a freshman at Ohio State when Jack Nicklaus was in his last year with the Buckeyes. It seemed Weiskopf was always in the shadow of the Golden Bear. ‘Tom Terrific’ possessed one of the purest golf games in the history of golf. He won 16 PGA Tour titles including the 1975 OPEN Championship held at Troon. He was born November 9, 1942, and as an amateur won the Public Links Championship, plus the Western Amateur. He achieved All-American Honors in 1962, his lone season with the Buckeyes and was inducted into the Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. After turning professional in 1964, he won the 1965 Ohio Open and was enshrined into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. Always in the shadow of Jack Nicklaus, his contemporary in amateur golf, as well as on the PGA Tour, Weiskopf was a curious study throughout his professional career. He could be moody and quiet, but as a golf announcer, his insight and intelligence was clearly evident. He competed with Jack Nicklaus his entire golfing career and sometimes it seemed like being in the Golden Bear’s shadow was a bit too much to bear. He was famous for saying of Nicklaus, “Jack knew he was going to beat you. You knew Jack was going to beat you. And Jack knew you knew, he was going to beat you.”
It always seemed that Augusta National was made for his game and he recorded four runners up on those hallowed grounds. Most famously he and Johnny Miller finished runner up to Jack Nicklaus in the 1975 Masters, which has over time become one of the most memorable finishes in Masters history. In 2020 Weiskopf was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in August last year at the age of 79. After his playing days were over, he took to the broadcast booth, but primarily is known for his 40 brilliant golf designs. He is credited with adding the Ocean and Cliffs Courses to the Olympic Club in San Francisco. His work at Troon North in Arizona and Loch Lomond in Scotland have been lauded worldwide. He is credited with designing two great Ohio courses, Double Eagle, north of Columbus and Quail Hollow near Painesville. Tom Weiskopf was somewhat of an enigma as a golfer, but his golf course designs will live on as a testament to his love of the game and Watch this entertaining interview here: Mou – insert black rectangle Her family lived near the Bonnie Brook Golf Club and her first golf club was a putter that she bought for a dollar, at the age of 12, with money earned from selling golf balls she had found. She was forced to endure the laughter of the boys who caddied at the club because she used that putter to hit full shots. It was her only club. “Through the years I have met a lot of people and made a lot of dear friends,” Spork said. “It was fun to go to work every day and teach because people who came to me wanted to learn how to play. Learning to play the game of golf is like eating an elephant. It’s overwhelming unless you eat just one bite at a time and slowly digest it.” Shirley passed last year at the age of 94. She lived through the Great Depression and World War II, she helped found the most successful women’s sports leagues in the world and was one of the leading teachers of her time. She did it all with a quick wit and flair for life. appreciation for providing the best elements of golf course design. Newest Hall of Famer, Shirley Spork Has Ohio Ties It was announced last month that Shirley Spork would be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Although Spork, one of the original 13 founders of the LPGA, was born in Michigan, she had deep ties in Ohio. She traveled with the other golfers during the fledgling days of the LPGA, but her passion leaned more to teaching the game. She earned a teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University and taught Physical Education at Bowling Green State University. Shirley started the first women’s golf team at that school. She and her good friend Peggy Kirk Bell, who had also started a women’s team at nearby Findlay University arranged the first golf matches for women golfers. Spork went on to convince the LPGA to start an LPGA Teaching arm and helped bring more women into the game of golf. Back 9 Report was fortunate to interview Ms. Spork during the Solheim Cup held at The Inverness Club in Toledo. Ohio Golf Journal
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Mission Inn Resort Has New Owners, But Provides the Same Quality Experience By Len Ziehm Mission Inn Resort, one of Florida’s oldest golf resorts, is no stranger to hosting tournaments. The fourth playing of the Epson Tour’s Inova Mission Inn Resort & Club Championship is returning next month, but this time it’ll be different. In December, the Beucher family, who had owned the resort for 58 years, sold it to MMI Hotel Group, which has been owned by the Sturdevant family for 67 years. The family ownership aspect played a part in the sale and the Beuchers will continue to reside in the area, will remain as members of the club, plus will retain ownership of part of the property. MMI has deep roots in the Southeast, but its portfolio includes only one other golf facility, The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort in St. Simons Island, Georgia. “We’re a golf resort, and golf is critical to our success and always will be,’’ said Dominick Buompastore, MMI vice president of operations. Ohio Golf Journal
“We’re thrilled to be part of this tournament. The Epson Tour is really great for us, and we have a contract for future years.” The Inovia Mission Inn Championship will be held, May 26-28. The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes. Two pro-am’s will be held on May 24 and 25, preceding tournament play. Previous winners at Mission Inn were Matilda Castren, Min Lee and Gina Kim. This year’s 144-player field will compete for $200,000 in prize money, with $30,000 going to the champion. Buompastore said an investment in technology has been the first order of business in the first three months of MMI’s ownership. Next comes an analysis of what should be done with the two golf courses, El Campeon, site of the Inova event with roots back to 1917, and Las Colinas, an 18-holer designed by ex-PGA Tour winner turned broadcaster Gary Koch in 1992. El Campeon is one of the oldest and most challenging courses in Florida. It was designed
by a Chicago architect, George O’Neil, and was brought into prominence after the Beuchers took over the resort in 1964. It has hosted a variety of high school, college and state professional tournaments, and its steeply-elevated terrain sets it apart from other Florida courses. Golf-wise the ownership change produced a significant staff adjustment. Michael Bowery, the former Director of Golf at Mission Inn, has turned that responsibility to Brian Mulry, while Bowery will assume a sales and marketing role under the new ownership. “It’ll allow me to go out to bring in things like this,’’ he said of the Inova Championship. “We’re always looking at those opportunities. We would love to host a televised LPGA event on this golf course.’’ The resort is a 35-minute drive northwest of Orlando. Its Spanish Colonial architecture features 176 hotel guest rooms, 131 deluxe rooms, 38 club suites, four one-bedroom suites, two twobedroom suites and one penthouse suite with three bedrooms. In addition to the two golf courses, Mission Inn has four restaurants, two lounges, plus a poolside bar. Amenities include tennis, pickleball, jogging, as well as cycling trails, volleyball courts, a spa, fitness center and a marina offering pontoons, bass boat and kayaks for eco-touring. More than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space is available for meetings, banquets, holiday parties, weddings and special occasions. Mission Inn Resort makes a great place to stay slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando, but still close enough to drive into all the activities that the Orlando-area have to offer. Ohio Golf Journal
Srixon Introduces Newest Enhancements to Z-Star Line By Ed Travis The golf ball has been making headlines recently due to the proposed roll back for professionals and elite amateur golfers. Titleist currently controls over 50% of the golf ball market. Callaway has 22% while the rest of golf ball manufacturers, Wilson, Vice, OnCore and Srixon compete for the remaining 28%. One of those, Srixon recently introduced their eighth rendition of their popular Z-Star line. Each of the Z-Star models feature a core with variable firmness, firmer on the outside and softer on the inside. This gradation of core response helps to provide higher ball speed and improved feel with the longer clubs. Srixon also reformulated their coating on the urethane cover called Spin Skin+. The improvement produces additional spin with short irons and wedges for more control. why technological advances like the new Spin Skin+ and FastLayer DG Core give players confidence that their ball is going to react how it should and excel in every category that matters – more spin, bite, and speed.” Fast Facts Srixon Z-Star Three-piece construction 6mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White or yellow Srixon Z-Star XV Three-piece construction 5mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White or yellow Srixon Z-Star Diamond Three-piece construction 6mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White only The regular Z-Star is targeted for those with a 90+mph driver swing speed and has a mid-launch trajectory. The Z-Star XV is for higher swing speed players, 100+ mph, and produces a mid to high launch while the Z-Star Diamond fits neatly between the two. In addition, the Z-Star Divide is has returned, half white and half yellow, in the Z-Star and Z-Star XV models. “Finding the right golf ball for your game is just as important as finding the right irons or driver,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager of Srixon. “It’s the one piece of equipment you use on every single shot, which is Ohio Golf Journal
The Wind By Any Name By: Bo Links When, at last The sun has set And dusk begins to grow With all our strokes recorded We’ll reflect, and smile, and know That though the wind was raging And stole from us the score We’ll rise at dawn tomorrow To battle it once more.
LastmonththePGATOURand LPGA Tour announced that a new mixed-team event, sponsored by Grant Thornton, will feature both women and men professionals competing Golf Club. The tournament will offer equal prize money and visibility for both the LPGA and the PGA Tour. The two tours last combined for a joint event in 1999 with the JC Penney Classic. The Wendy’s 3 Tour Challenge was held 19922013 and featured teams from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour competing against each other. The Grant Thornton Invitational’s 32-player field will be comprised of 16 PGA TOUR New Joint Event For LPGA & PGA Tours By Fred Altvater together in a unique cosanctioned tournament. The Grant Thornton Invitational will be held at the end of the year,December4-10,atTiburón Ohio Golf Journal
and 16 LPGA Tour professionals competing for a $4 million purse and will be televised by NBC and Golf Channel. “We could not be more excited to add the Grant Thornton Invitational to our 2023 schedule,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “By joining forces with the PGA TOUR to host a mixed event where the top male and female golfers in the world compete alongside each other, we’re going to deliver a memorable and entertaining experience for all golf fans, showcasing our players’ incredible skills in a new context to a new audience. This is an important step forward for golf, women’s golf and the LPGA. We’re incredibly grateful for the leadership of our partners at the PGA TOUR and Grant Thornton, and we look forward to producing a best-in-class event that inspires, elevates and advances opportunities for golfers around the globe.” Grant Thornton CEO Seth Siegel echoes this sentiment: “At Grant Thornton, we believe golf can bring people together – to be their very best, to eliminate barriers to achievement and to help build inclusive communities. That’s why we are working with the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour to create a tournament where the world’s best golfers, both men and women, can compete head-to-head on a level playing field. We know that players and fans alike will enjoy this singular event and what it represents for sports and society.” “PGA TOUR athletes playing alongside the best athletes from the LPGA Tour is going to be incredible for our fans,” said Tony Finau, PGA TOUR professional golfer. “They’ve been wanting something like this for a long time. Our fans deserve it, and seeing Grant Thornton stepping up to help the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour put together this tournament, I think is very special.” “The Grant Thornton Invitational really is about being inclusive and showing people that golf can be accessible for everyone, no matter what way you play,” said Nelly Korda, LPGA Tour professional golfer. “This is going to be the perfect opportunity for me to do something important in helping to grow the game and inspire the next generation.” For more information visit: https:// grantthorntoninvitational.com/
The Ultimate Five-Course Menu of Golf Along The Outer Banks By Martin Armes The Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina has all the components needed to fashion a fivestar, five-course package full of food, fun and folic. There truly isn’t a better recreational activity than an 18-hole round out on warm, windswept links to build up an appetite, plus there isn’t a better destination to satisfy your need for a delicious meal than along the Tar Heel Coast. For those looking for the ultimate combination of great dining and golf, look no farther than the Outer Banks. For those looking to tee it up and drive their taste buds to another level, a round of golf at one of the five area golf courses will satisfy even the most demanding palate. Even better, string them all together over a course of days, and you come up with a five-course delight. First Course: The Appetizer There is no better place to start your OBX golf adventure than at The Pointe Golf Club in Powells Point because it is arguably the area’s most forgiving layout. This is a “wet-your-appetite” design, Ohio Golf Journal
features the best putting greens in the area and is a favorite among the locals. Nestled along the Currituck Sound, this forgiving design opened in the mid-1990s and is a unique blend of a traditional and a links-style layout. The wind is the great equalizer for scoring at The Pointe. It is located on the mainland and is closest to the beach, just west of the Wright Memorial Bridge. Second Course: The Soup The Carolina Club is the longest golf course in the region and is home to the only signature island green near the shore. The par-3, seventh hole highlights this outstanding 7,000-yard championship design featuring wetlands, water and bunkers galore. Now in its 25th year, The Carolina Club was designed by course legends Russell Breeden and Bob Moore. For those trying to finish with a low number on the scorecard, however, beware of the “soup” you have to hit over TWICE on the way to the 18th green. Third Course: The Salad Tree-lined and leafy green during the high season, Kilmarlic Golf Club is a mixing bowl of holes that will challenge all levels of golfers with its classic Tom Steele design located in Powells Point. As one of the more intricate layouts found anywhere across the state, Kilmarlic is continually looking to evolve its playing challenges and surfaces to keep up with golfer demand and intrigue. This marvel plays through a maritime forest and across sprawling wetlands where golf and the environment exist in perfect harmony.
Canopies of giant oak, pine and dogwood trees offer a unique setting for the game and several holes play in sight of the Albemarle Sound. Fourth Course: The Entrée As the OBX’s top-ranked layout according to statewide lists, The Currituck Club is the main course for many golfers visiting the region. It is over 20 years since it opened, but it will always remain the newest talk of the town. The sprawling 600-acre golf-resort property gives true meaning to “social spacing.” Its upscale ambiance situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound is also appropriate for both locals and visitors alike. Designed by famed architect Rees Jones, this big-league design winds through a beautiful maritime forest and offers prime views along the nearby sound and even out towards the Atlantic Ocean. Closing Course: The Dessert As the last but certainly not least is what could be considered the sweetest flavor of all, The Nags Head Golf Links. Cap off your memorable five-course menu with a round of golf unlike any you will ever experience again. As one of the area’s earliest designs, Nags Head Golf Links welcomes golfers to a wind-swept challenge and a “don’t mess with Mother Nature” experience playing hard along the Roanoke Sound. The appropriately named “Links” features as true a Scottish links replica design without requiring a long flight across the pond. Golfers who like to play later in the day are afforded a gorgeous summer sunset across the water. Ending your golf trip to the Outer Banks at Nags Head Links makes the perfect dessert for your trip to the Outer Banks. Check out the latest golf packages at: www.PlayOBXGolf.com Ohio Golf Journal
Playing indoor golf is one of the hottest trends in the golf industry. A recent report by Straits Research valued the golf simulator market at $1.3 billion in 2021, but that number is projected to triple by 2030. Golf Simulators are not just for commercial businesses, or the rich and famous. The simulator space has been dramatically expanding and becoming more affordable in the last ten years. Indoor multi-sport and golf simulator commercial play is booming. Food and entertainment businesses like Topgolf Swing Suite, X-Golf, and 5-Iron Golf have seen remarkable growth, with Topgolf indoor suites growing from 29 stores in 2019 to 120 plus locations. The development of indoor golf is not limited to commercial businesses. Recent technology advances in launch monitors have made home golf simulators more reliable and affordable, driving growth in residential installations as well. One company, Ace Indoor Golf, a leading golf simulator manufacturer and retailer in the United States, grew its business by more than 50% last year due to the popularity of home golf simulators. The company designs, sells, installs, and provides maintenance of golf simulators to businesses, golf clubs, individuals, golf teams, sim manufacturers, and the prominent golf retailers like PGA Tour Superstores and 5-Iron Golf. The company offers turnkey custom-designed solutions and “Do-ItGolf Simulators Projected to Triple by 2030 By Dave Daubert Ohio Golf Journal
Yourself” (DIY), off-the-shelf packages that fit golfers’ needs at every price point. Trevor Faust, Ace Indoor Golf’s president, has some excellent advice for golfers looking to put a simulator in their home. “For the DIYer, take your time, do the necessary research, and ask a lot of questions to be sure all of your components will work together correctly. The launch monitor, computer, hitting bay, projector, and screen must work together to provide a safe and enjoyable golf experience. Last, if your skills aren’t in building and technology, I’d suggest hiring a professional installer to prevent mistakes in your simulator setup that can cost you thousands of dollars.” The combination of consumer demand, affordability, and technological improvements has made simulator golf more popular than ever. If you are thinking about a residential, or commercial golf simulator, check out Ace Indoor Golf. They have years of experience, plus they can offer a variety of options to accommodate every budget.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Dave Daubert 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. https://www.facebook.com/ ed.travis.98 Editor & Feature Writer at eSouthernGOLF, covering the Southeast USA, Texas and the Caribbean, Dave has been covering golf since the turn of the century. He was Managing Editor at a monthly regional golf magazine for 11 years and has been published in Canada and the IAGTO. Dave is also the Staff Writer for the Georgia Golf Trail. His insightful perspective brings the game of golf to life. Find him at https:// www.facebook.com/david.daubert.5 Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago SunTimes. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http:// lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/lenziehmongolf/ Ohio Golf Journal
VIDEOS This video was taped in 2020, but it clearly demonstrates the power of the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full-ride college scholarships to deserving caddies. We are a huge supporter of the Evans Scholars programs and hope you fill visit their website and donate. Kieran Clark and Mike May join Back 9 Report to discuss the Pros & Cons of the USGA’s proposal to roll back the Golf ball for Pros and Elite Amateurs. The winners of the five handicap divisions talk about the experience of playing Arnold Palmer’s home course Latrobe Country Club and winning a trip to Scotland to compete versus Team Scotland. Evans Scholars Foundation Provides Full-Ride Scholarships Pros & Cons of Golf Ball Rollback Team USA Versus Team Scotland Amateur Golf Championship Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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