July Was a Busy Golf Month in Ohio July rains couldn’t dampen the excitement at the Dana Open. Although Saturday and Sunday’s rounds were affected by the wet weather, several golfers kept things interesting. The LPGA’s Dana Open annually brings the best women golfers in the world to the Glass City. Judd Silverman and his staff did a great job once again and raised much needed funds for area children’s charities. We feature two lady golfers that are making a difference in golf through their participation and volunteerism. Collegiate golfer Liz Miller volunteers for LPGA events and is competing for her college golf team. Daryl Nels is won numerous amateur events over her career and still finds time to help the Miami Valley Golf Association and is very involved in her church. Even though most Ohio Golfers hate Michigan, the “Mitten State” has excellent golfing opportunities and the Gaylord Golf Mecca is a popular destination for golfers heading north. Phyllis Barone tells us about her recent visit and some of the things to do when you head Up North. With LIV and the PGA Tour seemingly trying to figure out how to co-exist with the recent merger announcement, the U.S. Congress is continuing to investigate the new agreement and some of the things coming out at the hearings are astonishing to PGA Tour fans. Like every other business, sometimes things get messy. We hope you are enjoying a great summer of golf and maybe we will see you on the Back 9. FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Michigan Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report 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 32 FIND INSIDE 06 10 26 40 Rain Couldn’t Dampen Dana Open Excitement News & Notes 06 26 Women’s Collegiate Golf Started in NW Ohio Miami Valley Golf Association Recognizes Daryl Nels Collegiate Golfer Liz Miller Has BIG Dreams! Ohio Golf News Gaylord Golf Mecca is Magnificent Daytona Beach Is Not Just For Spring Break & NASCAR PING Introduces New G430 LST Three-Wood Callaway’s New CB Wedges Hit Golf Shops This Month Golf Rules: The Embedded Ball Issue 32 36 38 40 14 20 22 16 10 Our Contributors 42 Our Favorite Golf Videos 43 Ohio Golf Journal
Ohio Hosted Two Professional Tournaments in July Rains Can’t Dampen the Excitement At The Dana Open Every year, since 1984, except for 1986 and 2011, Toledo has hosted an LPGA tournament. Formerly called the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, then the LPGA Marathon Classic, the Dana Corporation assumed sponsorship rights in 2022. The Dana Open is one of the longest running events on the LPGA’s schedule and has generated over $13.7 million for local children’s charities. Some of golf’s biggest names have won on the Highland Meadows course. This year’s event was forced to navigate thunderstorms that blew through the area on the weekend, but was able to finish all four rounds. Linn Grant, from Sweden, became the second player to win on both the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the LPGA in 2023. She won the Jabra Ladies Open in May and now is a first-time winner on the LPGA Tour. This is Grant’s second year on the LPGA Tour and has not missed a cut in six starts this season. This was her first visit to Toledo. Ohio Golf Journal
Two American women, Allisen Corpuz and Lindy Duncan finished second and third respectively. Corpuz, who won the U.S. Women’s Open the week prior in Los Angeles, fired a final round 65 to collect the second-place check. Duncan has bounced back and forth between the EPSON and LPGA Tours since turning professional in 2013. This was her second best showing as a professional as she finished runner-up in the 2018 Volunteers of America Championship. The biggest story at the Dana Open had to be the coming out party for an amateur, 15-year-old, New Albany High School sophomore, Mia Hammond. Hammond fired rounds of 6868-70-72 to finish tied for 26th. She was in contention after the second and third rounds, but the pressure and weather actually funny today (because) we had to be escorted away due to how many wanted autographs at the end.” Hammond had to Monday qualify at Stone Oak Country Club and Highland Meadows just to get into the tournament and was the only amateur in the field. The Dana Open was once again a huge success, a worthy victor was crowned, plus Toledo golf fans got to see an Ohio girl, Mia Hammond become someone to watch in future years. Stricker Wins AGAIN in Akron While the LPGA was in Toledo, the PGA Tour Champions was holding its third major of the year, The Senior PLAYERS Championship, at historic Firestone Country Club in contributed to her slide down the leaderboard on Sunday. After her final round, she was inundated with fans. “I’ve given a few autographs here and there, but to have that many people come up to me and ask for my signature, ask for a picture ... and most of it is little kids, so it’s good to know that it’s inspiring some younger people who want to play the game,” Hammond said. “It was
Akron. The result, however, was the same as the first two, Steve Stricker took home the hardware. Bridgestone dropped their sponsorship of this event, now called the Kaulig Companies Championship. Winning major titles has become a recurring story for Stricker, he collected his third Champions Tour major championship victory this season in Akron. This was 56-year-old Stricker’s 16th Champions Tour win and his seventh major title. “It’s been fun. I think I get so emotional because we put so much into it. This is a special tournament and gets me into The PLAYERS Championship next year. I’m just having a ball. I’m enjoying the ride and hopefully can continue.” For nearly 30 years, Stricker was always one of golf’s most consistent performers. Although he earned a ton of money and 12 regular tour titles, he never was able to win a big one. That has all changed on the PGA Tour Champions, he is the most dominant player among the older set. Stricker becomes the first player to win three majors in one season since the ageless Bernhard Langer accomplished the feat in 2017. This was Stricker’s fifth victory this season and he leads the Charles Schwab Cup Standings by over $2 million. Ohio has a rich golf history, Linn Grant’s and Steve Stricker’s performances at the Dana Open and The PLAYERS Championship make great additions to Ohio’s golf legacy. Ohio Golf Journal
The definition of the word Mecca is a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity or interest. The Gaylord Golf Mecca means golf and plenty of it! For golfers experiencing the area, it is likely to become their “Sacred Ground.” Why? Simply stated- the golf is magnificent and extraordinary. The quaint city is calming, with captivating and amazing Gaylord Golf Mecca (Magnificent, Extraordinary, Calming, Captivating & Amazing) both the East and West Courses at Garland, the Gaylord Golf Club, Michawaye Pines, the Classic at the Otsego Club and Wilderness Valley. Twenty years later, The Midwest’s Golf Capitol now has 17 courses and more than 20 hotel properties all within a 45-minute drive. The properties have changed over the years, with additional courses, redesigns, more lodging choices, as well as constant Phyllis C. Barone (Queen on The Green) landscapes on 17 stellar course collections. It’s a player’s paradise. It just doesn’t get much better than this! According to Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Gaylord Golf Area Convention and Tourism Bureua, the golf mecca started as a simple idea in 1987 to promote seven area courses. The founding members included the Robert Trent Jones’ Masterpiece at Treetops Resort, Ohio Golf Journal
renovations to maintain the quality of the sacred grounds. New ownership at the Garland Resort has enhanced the entire golf experience with bunker renovations, comfortable accommodations and exceptional dining. The Fountains Course is cited as their Premier course, of the four championship layouts, featuring bent grass from tee to green, creating a most pristine appearance. The Tamarak Dining room and Antler’s Bar and Grille present top-notch appetizers and entre’ choices. The bone marrow crusted filet garnished with succulent pieces of Northern Michigan’s seasoned asparagus deserves a five-star rating and is a great alternative to those that prefer Michigan’s popular Walleye! For dessert, the strawberry brownie sundae is a decadent choice. A short walk to the Tiki Bar, after dinner, provides the ideal place to catch up with friends, while discussing the best shots of the day, or settling wagers. The Gaylord Golf Mecca also gets five stars for its ability to offer golf courses that appeal to any golfer’s palette. Treetops, considered the crème dela crème, attracts the player looking to experience some of the best architects in the region. The Jones Masterpiecethe first Treetops Golf Course is most scenic with dramatic drops and lush greens, The Signature is a Rick Smith favorite with slick bentgrass greens and visually majestic landscapes, The Premier, the only Fazio designed course in the state of Michigan, is player-friendly with wide open fairways and challenging breaks on the greens. Threetops, a bucket list Par 3 Thriller, is the first of three Rick Smith designed courses at Treetops. Frequently ranked as the number one Par 3 course in America, it is famous for the shot heard around the world, when Lee Trevino made a hole in one
on the 7th hole in 2001. The Rick Smith designed Tradition began restoration in 2022 to bring the course back to a modern links-style walkable course as it was originally intended. The new chalets located near the courses at Treetops and adjacent to the ski slopes elevate your golfing experience to yet another level. Each contains two bedrooms with two full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and televisions in each room. They provide a comfy, convenient stay when visiting this acclaimed Resort. Only a six-minute drive from Treetops is Otsego Resort, with The Tribute, a Robbins/Koch design that provides a 1,100 acre tour of the stunning Sturgeon River. Elevation changes on every hole are breathtaking and memorable. The course does not return to the clubhouse after nine holes and this is not just another four-hour round. Be sure to stock up on snacks and beverages at the clubhouse before hitting the first tee. If you have a large group and prefer to stay together, Hilltop at Otsego Resort is an excellent option. The kitchen is located in the center with a comfortable family style setting for all to gather. Otsego Resort offers several lodging options with packages to suit your wallet. Lakes of the North, The Pines at Michaywe, Gaylord Golf Club, Indian River Golf Club, Black Lake and The Natural are independent courses central to the quality and quantity of golf at Gaylord Golf Meca. Multiple price points, to fit every budget, and community cooperation are the hallmarks of the ‘Mecca.’ When you add these six courses to the four at Garland Lodge, the five at Treetops and two at Otsego Resort, these 17 member courses in Gaylord provide a unique quality and quantity of golf not found anywhere else in the world Independent, or resort, Beachanu’s mantra is “a rising tide raises all ships.” “You can take any one of our independent courses and compare them to resort properties anywhere else and they offer as good or most of the time a better golf experience.” Twenty-one lodging partners offer accommodations ranging from shiny new hotel rooms to rustic cabins. Once golfers determine what courses they want to add to their itinerary. The Gaylord Golf Mecca partners can package and arrange the accommodations and tee times to provide a fresh and memorable fit for an individual, or golf group. In addition to the spectacular golf, the Alpine Village, enjoys a long standing tradition of independently owned shops, restaurants and 90 inland lakes to experience and appreciate, when visiting the area. Bennethum’s Northern Inn is a local favorite that offers quality cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Ohio Golf Journal
3962 WILKINSON ROAD GAYLORD, MI 49735 866.348.5249 The view from the top will mesmerize you. Take it all in. Play 81 holes of spectacular terrain with dramatic views, contours, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. And once you get to that horizon, you’ll see why we’re called Treetops. CALL TO BOOK YOUR TEE TIME | 866.348.5249 Jones Masterpiece, #6
Bell is responsible for helping more women learn the game of golf than any other person. In 1953, she and her husband, NBA star Warren “Bullet” Bell, bought the Pine Needles Resort in Southern Pines and they ran it until their deaths. They later added the neighboring Mid-Pines Golf Club. Peggy died in 2019, but the family business has continued to grow. In 2020 Southern Pines Golf Club was added to the fold as the third course in the family’s golf holdings. But back in her early days Bell was the coach for the University of Findlay’s women’s golf team. There were no formal women’s golf competitions. In fact, women’s sports were frowned upon. Women’s Collegiate Golf began in Northwest Ohio Before they were famous, two Hall of Fame women golfers, Peggy Kirk Bell and Shirley Spork, one of the 13 co-founders of the LPGA Tour, were responsible for early collegiate golf tournaments for women. Peggy Kirk Bell grew up in Findlay, was a top amateur, played on the fledgling LPGA. She spent her life playing and teaching golf, as well as building Pine Needles into one of the finest golf resorts in the country. By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal
During that same time, Shirley Spork, who had attended Eastern Michigan University, earned a teaching degree, because her parents demanded it. She later became one of the founding members of the LPGA, but her first job was teaching Physical Education at Bowling Green University. Due to her love of the game, she encouraged the college women to learn the game of golf and formed a women’s golf team. Bell and Spork knew each other from competing in amateur golf events and together decided to organize the first women’s collegiate golf tournaments between UF and BGSU. Findlay and Bowling Green are only a few miles apart and while Bell and Spork were teaching at their respective universities, they staged the first collegiate women’s golf competition pitting the University of Findlay women, coached by Peggy Kirk against Spork’s BGSU women’s team. As they say, the rest is history. Bell went on to win a major championship on the LPGA, own and operate a successful golf resort and become renowned as one of the leading golf instructors in the country. Spork traveled the rag tag women’s professional golf circuit for a few years, but her passion led her back to teaching and she too was known as a leading golf instructor. Both are now in the Hall of Fame and both began their illustrious golf careers as golf pioneers in northwestern Ohio.
The Toledo Golf Hall of Fame would like to invite area golfers to the 25th annual Toledo Golf Hall of Fame outing, Monday, August. 28, at the Toledo Country Club. Steve Schaff will be inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame, plus President and CEO of The First Tee of Lake Erie, Adam Reny will receive the Harbaugh Award. The Harbaugh Award is annually given to an individual whose life reflects a commitment beyond his professional work environment, to his community, state, and nation in serving his fellow man. An individual who has shown an exemplary contribution to the tradition, strength, and on-going success of golf in the Northwest Ohio region. Those qualifiers definitely apply to Reny. OhioGolf News Schaff & Reny To Be Recognized at Toledo Golf Hall of Fame Outing The driving range will open at 11 a.m. with lunch available in the clubhouse. Golf will be played in a four-person scramble format, with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start, followed by a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, and the awards ceremony to honor Steve Schaff and Reny. The outing winners, plus the winner of the 2023 John Kretzschmar Scholar of the Year Award will also be announced. Click here to download a printable entry form. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, which has been sending high-achieving caddies with financial need to college since 1930. Ohio Golf Journal
Bailey Wins 117th Ohio Amateur Andrew Bailey, from Shaker Heights won the 117th Ohio Amateur at Canterbury Golf Club. Finishing with at 8-under-par gave him a two-shot victory over Drew Salyers. Nate Yankovich, Jonerik Alford, Brady Catalano and Tyler Goecke tied for third place. Five Ohio women secured spots in the 123rd US Women’s Amateur Championship to be held at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, August 7-13. Bel-Air will be the second George Thomas designed course to host a USGA Championship this year and the second time a USGA National Championship will be played in Los Angeles in 2023. It’s an annual tradition that a playoff is required to decid the final qualifier. Four players ended regulation play tied at 73 for the final qualifying position at Walnut Grove Country Club. Thanks to her second birdie, on the fourth hole of the sudden death playoff, Madison Dabagia an Indiana resident and current sophomore at Iowa University grabbed the last position by making a 20-foot birdie putt. Reagan Ramage and Gabby Woods both finished at two under-par to share medalist honors. Gabby is an Ohio native in her final year at Findlay University and helped the Lady Oilers win the NCAA Division II Team title in 2022. Reagan is a junior at Randall K. Cooper High School in Union, Kentucky. With even-par rounds, Isabella Wiley and Sarah Willis claimed the third and fourth spots. Sarah is a recent graduate from Penn State and this was her sixth attempt to qualify at Walnut Grove having been close to qualifying several times dating back to 2015. Isabella will begin her collegiate career this fall at Morehead State University after a successful high school career. Five Women Qualify for U.S. Women’s Amateur
At the end of June, Lake Forest Country Club in Hudson hosted a Local Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier. Drive Chip & Putt is a golf skills competition for junior golfers, sponsored by the USGA, The Masters Golf Tournament, and the PGA of America and this event was conducted by the Northern Ohio Section of the PGA. The Top Three Finishers in each age division qualified to advance to the Drive Chip and Putt For more information about how your child can join the fun click HERE. Drive Chip & Putt Local Qualifier Results Sub-Regional Qualifier at Westfield Country Club on August 6, 2023. Results Boys 7-9 Boys 12-13 Girls 7-9 Girls 12-13 Boys 10-11 Boys 14-15 Girls 10-11 Girls 14-15 Braden Rutherford Dante Deferia Grace Sword Calli Reed Anthony Sarmiento Ethan Cooper Lucero Rodriguez Braden Rutherford Chagrin Falls Avon Amherst Fairview Park Westlake Copley Huron Fairview Park Aurora Concord Twp. Hudson Sylvania Hudson Hudson Canfield, MI North Canton Hudson Hartville Hudson North Canton Massilon Hudson Amherst Hudson Luke Roberts Eric Biro Harper Kim Korrine Knaze Carson Voinovich Christian Lisowski Myla Turner Luke Roberts Case Colatruglio Miles Yoder Vera Perini Gia Remark Lincoln Mattingly Jerry Du Hannah Sword Case Colatruglio Ohio Golf Journal
Ohio Golf Journal
Miami Valley Golf Association Recognizes Daryl Nels Daryl Nels has had a passion for golf for over 30 years. She has been an invaluable volunteer at Miami Valley Golf Association (MVGA) and has left her mark on the Ohio golfing community. Her involvement first began when she joined the Board of the Dayton District Women’s Golf Association (DDWGA) Course Rating Committee. Her meticulous attention to detail and love for the game made her an ideal candidate for this role. In the early 2000s, she extended her commitment and joined the MVGA Foundation Board, where she continues to play a vital role in promoting and supporting golf in the region. In addition to her administrative contributions, Daryl eagerly offers her time to various golf tournaments, volunteering as a scorer for the US Open and the Ohio Amateur Qualifiers. Daryl is an avid golfer and a member of the Country Club of the North (CCN). Golf has been a part of her life since she was just five years-old and she has plays handbells, and lends her voice to the church choir. In her leisure time, Daryl finds joy in various hobbies and interests. She plays pickleball, tends to her beloved garden, quilts, and indulges in various crafts. Cooking is another passion she embraces. Daryl and her husband, Terry have been married for 51 years. The couple spend their winters in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, to be closer to their family. The couple have two sons, Kevin and Michael, as well as four grandchildren, as well as their dog, appropriately named, Bunker. Daryl Nels has been an integral part in the MVGA and they express their deepest thanks for her years of service. accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments both on and off the golf course. Daryl’s golfing accomplishments includes club championships at Greene Country Club and CCN. She collected four Dayton City Women’s Amateur Championship titles. In 2009, she clinched the WOSGA Senior Championship title, and in 2003, became the OSWIGA Champion and qualified for the US Senior Women’s Amateur twice. In 2011, Daryl was inducted into the Dayton Golf Hall of Fame in recognition for her exceptional contributions to the game and golfing community. A Graduate of the University of Michigan, she has been a dental hygienist for 31 years. Her service and spirit of volunteerism doesn’t stop at the golf course, she actively volunteers for numerous activities at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She serves on the Endowment Fund committee, works on the Third Thursday food program, contributes to the Altar Guild,
Ohio Golf Journal
Collegiate Golfer Liz Miller Has BIG Dreams! By Mike May Ohio native Liz Miller plays golf because she doesn’t like to run. She is a life-long resident of Jamestown and started playing golf when she was 11 years old, because of an ultimatum from her mother. “My mom told me I had to play golf when I was in junior high school. Now 20, I still hate running, it is not for me. The only sports offered for junior high students were soccer, cross country, and golf.” As a non-runner, Miller had no option, golf won out. It didn’t take long for her to understand the skill set necessary to compete in golf was a challenge. “I am a first-generation golfer in my family on either side, so learning golf was a lot, to say the least.” Liz finished her sophomore year at Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee and is a member of the women’s varsity golf team. “I love college golf. It is so much fun to be in a competitive environment where everyone is pushing to be a better player. I think college is enjoyable, but adding golf, makes it ten times better!” Looking back, Miller has vivid memories of her first organized golf competition. “I participated in my first tournament on June 10, 2016. I played in the Southern Ohio PGA (SOPGA) Futures Tour Event at the Mound Golf Course. It was a nine-hole tournament and I shot a 57, taking seventh out of ten players in my division. Since then, I’ve participated in events during the summer every year, save one.” Miller’s four-year high school golf experience at the Legacy Christian Academy in Xenia, was rather unique. “I competed as an individual in invitationals because I was a team of one. In my senior year, I was asked to play in conference matches for the boys’ team to boost our conference standings. We took second!” Even though her mother forced her to play golf, she’s very pleased with the decision. “My main draw to golf is how difficult it is. I love a challenge and golf is just that. I enjoy the chase of that one perfect round and the grind of duplicating it. There are also so many aspects and sides to golf – physical, mental, and emotional.”
Golf has given Miller many positive memories. “My favorite on-course memory has to be when I took my grandparents out to watch me play a few holes on my home course when they were in town. I hit some serious bombs, while they were there.” Miller also takes pride in knowing the Rules of Golf. “In tournament play, my final round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) was memorable. On the very last hole, my ball finished just short of the green in a dry area. The course had been recently aerated, and there was a local rule stating that if your ball was in a punch mark, then free relief was given. I was able to use that rule and move my ball to an area of healthy grass, seeing that my ball was in a punch mark. The rules of people from different backgrounds.” But, Miller’s volunteerism doesn’t stop there. “In addition to that LPGA event, I have been a cart scorer and caddy for the Epson Tour at the Prasco Charity Championship hosted at TPC River’s Bend near Cincinnati.” After graduating from college with a degree in business administration, Miller relishes the chance to play professional golf. “I would love to compete at the highest level I can. I think it would be awesome to play on the LPGA Tour.” And, if she does, Miller’s mother deserves some of the credit. Don’t expect Miller to ever run to the first tee, because she still doesn’t like to run. official seemed pleased with my ingenuity.” Like so many golfers, she is very particular about her tools of the trade. Miller plays Callaway Maverik irons, a Scotty Cameron Newport 2.0 putter, a Cobra King Speedzone driver, Cobra King F7 fairway wood and hybrid. Her custom wedges are Callaway Mack Daddy and she prefers the Titleist Pro VI ball. If given the chance to play golf with three of her favorite LPGA players at the location of her choice, she knows who would join her and where they would play. “My dream foursome would consist of Inbee Park, Maria Fassi, and Austin Ernst. We would play Augusta National!” Liz and her parents support the game of golf by being volunteers at the LPGA Dana Open every summer in Toledo. This was her seventh year volunteering in Toledo. “I work on a committee that helps coordinate the volunteer walking scorers that actually score the golf tournament for the LPGA. It’s fun and I meet a wide variety Ohio Golf Journal
Caledonia & True Blue Among South Carolina’s Top 5 Courses Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue in Pawley’s South Carolina were designed by Toledo-native Michael Strantz. Both courses have long been favorites in the Myrtle Beach area and are some of the best representatives of Strantz’s impressive works. Golfweek Magazine recently ranked both courses inside the top five of “The Best South Carolina Courses You Can Play 2023.” The Myrtle Beach area is loaded with great golf, thus the high rating for these sister courses is something to be proud of. Caledonia was Strantz’s first solo design and was an immediate hit with golfers when it opened in 1994. Built on just 120 acres, the course is News & Notes renowned for its creativity and is a stunning Lowcountry beauty. Annually a consensus top 100 public course, Caledonia plays through soaring live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and is always immaculately maintained. Caledonia is a treat to play from beginning to end. Caledonia and True Blue sit within one mile of each other. While Caledonia normally is ranked slightly higher than True Blue, it offers a delightful challenge for players with its sweeping fairways, sprawling waste bunkers, and large multi-tiered greens complexes. When you are planning your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach be sure to add CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com and TrueBlueGolf.com to your itinerary. Ohio Golf Journal
The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort Named “Best New Attraction in Oklahoma” If your travels take you to the mid-west this summer you may want to check out the award-winning Shangri-La Resort. Sitting in the far northeastern corner of Oklahoma near the convergence of the Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri state lines, it has received rave reviews and numerous awards from the travel industry. Most recently it received the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s (OTIA) Redbud Award for its new indoor-outdoor activity park, The Anchor. The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor in the tourism industry in Oklahoma. Shangri-La has previously been honored as “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018, plus it was named “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022. The Anchor, which opened in June 2021, was named “Best New Attraction” at the 2023 Awards Banquet. Built on less than seven acres, The Anchor features tennis, pickleball, basketball, cornhole, sand volleyball, plus a mini-Fenway WIFFLE®Ball park. The 11,000 square foot indoor facility features a sports bar, food service, simulator bays with Trackman Golf and LaserShot shooting simulators, as well as a complete arcade with a variety of games including virtual reality games and rides. More traditional games such as ping-pong, pool, shuffleboard, darts, and foosball are also featured at the facility which has served to make Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees a true year-round destination. The Anchor is just one of many amenities offered at Shangri-La. The features 27 holes of Championship Golf, a 119-room hotel, medical spa, indoor pool, expansive outdoor resort pool and pool bar as well as a variety of dining options at Doc’s Bar & Grill, The Monkey Grind, The Summit Restaurant, and Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. Boat and personal watercraft rentals, yacht charters,
and Oklahoma’s only parasailing adventures are also offered at Shangri-La Marina. The Battlefield, Shangri-La’s all-new 18-hole Par 3 golf course is also open and will be officially dedicated at a special Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremonies at the end of June. The Battlefield honors Oklahoma heroes of World War II as well as all veterans and military personnel. To learn more about this unique mid-western resort visit shangrilaok.com. BMW Owners Can Stream Ryder Cup While Driving If you just can’t get enough Ryder Cup coverage, BMW has signed an agreement that will allow BMW drivers to watch coverage of this year’s event from inside their cars, albeit in the back seat only. BMW 7 Series owners will be able to follow every shot at the 2023 Ryder Cup live in the second row of seats on the BMW Theatre Screen. The live broadcasts and other on-demand content can also be accessed on the BMW Curved Display in the front row of seats when the car is stationary. The APP will be available in multiple markets around the globe, as well as many other BMW models. “The Ryder Cup is associated with unique emotions and great prestige – there is no other golfing event like it,” says Stefan Ponikva, Vice President BMW Brand Communication and Brand Experience. “The same is true of BMW vehicles, particularly the BMW 7 Series. The exclusive opportunity to combine sheer driving Ohio Golf Journal
pleasure with the emotions of the Ryder Cup combines all this with the BMW Group’s aspiration to rethink the digital experience both inside and outside the car and to create innovative worlds of experience.” The BMW Theatre Screen transforms the rear of the new BMW 7 Series into an exclusive private cinema. The 31.3-inch display screen offers firstclass entertainment with Amazon Fire TV built-in. The Ryder Cup isn’t scheduled until October, so there is still time to get your new BMW, hire a driver and watch all the action while tooling down the expressway. Michigan’s Rick Smith Becomes Brand Ambassador for GolfForever GolfForever, one of the world’s leading golf fitness companies, reached a new milestone last month. Rick Smith, a renowned expert on golf instruction has become a brand ambassador for their groundbreaking golf fitness mobile APP. Smith’s enthusiasm for connecting fitness training with swing performance comes through brilliantly and makes the benefits of using GolForever relatable for golfers of all abilities. If you are serious about taking strokes off your golf game and getting in better shape check out GolfForever’s APP with videos by Rick Smith. McLemore, Sweetens Cove to Host ‘Where the Valley Meets the Sky’ Golf Tournament Acclaimed McLemore, Golf Club which sits atop Lookout Mountain is partnering with Sweetens Cove Golf Club, one of the South’s most renowned clubs, to host ‘Where the Valley Meets the Sky’, golf tournament Sept. 2-4, 2023. The two-player, net best-ball event will feature two rounds of stroke play competition with the tournament field split evenly between McLemore’s Highlands Course and Sweetens Cove on Sept. 3-4. Players of all skill levels are welcome to form their own teams that will compete in both a gross and net-score division. All participants must have a GHIN Handicap Index and register with their partner at https:// www.valleymeetsthesky.com/.
Along with the competition, participants will enjoy evenings of music, food and drinks, with a kickoff party at Sweetens Cove to open the event on Saturday, and a post-round celebration at McLemore on Sunday. Following the conclusion of play on Monday, live scoring will be broadcasted at both venues with an awards ceremony to celebrate the champions. The entry fee for the inaugural “Where the Valley Meets the Sky” tournament is $900 / per player and includes both rounds of golf plus access to McLemore’s short course, evening shuttle transportation between evening events, as well as all food and beverage costs beginning with the kickoff party on Saturday evening. The entry fee does not include travel or accommodation costs; however, on-site lodging at both McLemore and Sweetens Cove can be reserved exclusively for players who have registered for the tournament online on a firstcome-first-served basis. Reynolds Lake Oconee Offering Dream Grand Prize Package Reynolds Lake Oconee is home to six (soon to be seven) of the most elite golf courses in the country, as well as diverse lodging and dining options on a stunning lakefront location. The residential community is a premier golf and lakefront destination, located just one hour east of Atlanta. Ohio Golf Journal
The entry period for Reynolds Lake Oconee’s “Three for Four Sweepstakes” closes Thursday, September 28. The lucky quartet will receive a dream trip worth over $15,000.00 including: • Two rounds of golf at two of their six courses, with one round to be played with Blake Adams, a PGA Tour professional, who serves as the director of player development and instruction at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee • Club fitting at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee with a $500 credit toward TaylorMade golf clubs • Shooting experience at the Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds hosted by British Olympian trap shooter Justin Jones • Culinary experience with Zouhair Bellout, executive chef at Reynolds • Four tickets to the sixth annual Rhythm & Brews Festival on Saturday, October 21 Other highlights include domestic round-trip airfare arriving at and departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), ground transportation to and from Reynolds Lake Oconee, meals at selected restaurants in the community, plus lodging in the National Club Cottages. Entry forms are available at www.reynoldslakeoconee.com/reynolds-insider-sweepstakes. There is a limit of one entry per person, plus entrants must be residents of the United States and at least 21 years of age. The winner and three guests must be available to travel together from October 19-22 to claim the grand prize; no alternative dates are available.
In addition to great beaches and the Daytona Speedway, greater Daytona features 20 golf courses. Since 1994, Daytona has been the home of the LPGA, and annually hosts the final stage of the Qualifying School each year. Its two courses were designed by two of the game’s best architects, Arthur Hills and Rees Jones. Three other courses have withstood the tests of time and are included in the 50 facilities on the Florida Historic GolfTrail. One of the oldest collection of courses in the country, it honors courses built between 1897 and 1949, that still remain open for public play today. Riviera Golf Club, in Ormond Beach, is the home of The Riviera Daytona Beach Is Not Just For Spring Break & NASCAR By Len Ziehm died in 1948 before the first nine opened in 1949. The full 18 holes were not completed until 1956 and Bobby Weed did a complete renovation in 2006. Side Note: Jim “Bones’’ McKay, the well-known caddie for Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas, as well as part-time NBC television analyst, grew up on New Smyrna Golf Club. Another golf course not to be missed is Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange. It was an airport before it was a golf course and is part of the largest fly-in community in the country. The golf course opened in 1972 and home-building started after several retired pilots decided to live in the area. Open, the longest-standing mini-tour event in the United States. Both New Smyrna Beach and the Daytona Beach Club were designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross. Ross designed the first nine holes of Daytona Beach South in 1921 and completed the rest of the course in 1923. He re-designed the course in 1944 and in 1945 it hosted an exhibition match with Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Jug McSpaden. The next year Jimmy Demaret replaced McSpaden and he bested the other three Hall of Famers, by shooting a 63. New Smyrna is one of Ross’ last creations, and he only completed the front nine. His work began in 1947, but he Ohio Golf Journal
“People can fly right in and drive their airplanes right into their garages. We have a lot of hangar homes and a whole lot of roadways for airplanes to drive on,’’ said Jason Pomroy, Spruce Creek’s head golf professional. “It’s quite a unique environment. Aviation is first, and golf is always second here.’’ As far as a golf destination goes at Daytona, it will always play second fiddle to Daytona’s biggest attractions, the white sand beaches and the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 auto race. “We have a wide group of courses,’ said Andrew Booth, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, “but we offer a lot of different things. We’re a great destination. There’s lots of ways you can plan your visit.’’ Big things have been happening around the Speedway. A $400 million renovation was initiated in 2014, which greatly upgraded the motor sports aspect. More recently One Daytona, a shopping and entertainment area across the street from the Speedway, has enhanced tourism options.
“The renovation transformed the area into an arena experience,’’ said Booth, “and that was a real game-changer.’’ The family of Bill France, founder of NASCAR, opened the Speedway in 1959 and he had a big vision for the area. One Daytona now includes The Daytona Hotel, a variety of restaurants and shops surrounding a play area for youngsters willing to get wet in the fountains. Daytona is also home for the Tortugas, a minor league baseball team. The ballpark is historic as it opened in 1914, but was renamed the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, after Robinson made his professional baseball debut there in 1946. Jackie went on to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier the following year playing for Branch Rickey’s Brooklyn Dodgers. Another interesting Daytona attraction, Ponce Inlet Watersports offers boat tours to catch glimpses of manatees and dolphins, as well as kayaking, or parasailing for the more adventurous visitors. The Atlantic Ocean provides fishermen a great day on the water and Tomoka State Park is an ecological masterpiece for those into cycling, botanical study, paddling, hiking, boating, or wildlife viewing. The Museum of Arts & Sciences has a diverse collection of art, history and science exhibits. If you are into Pickleball 49 courts will soothe your itch. The USA Pickleball Diamond National Championships were contested here, in 2022. The golf is great in Daytona, but with the Daytona Speedway, beautiful beaches and One Daytona there is plenty to keep you occupied off the golf course, as well. While the dining is excellent at One Daytona, one other area restaurant that’s not to be missed is Rose Villa Southern Table, in Ormond Beach. It was established as a bed and breakfast in 1901, but has evolved into an upscale restaurant serving a wide variety of cuisine with a Southern hospitality atmosphere. In addition to One Daytona, the Speedway itself is welcoming more than motor sports enthusiasts. Soccer matches were played at the racetrack last year and a rock music festival drew a huge crowd this year. The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, are considering playing several home games at the Speedway, while their stadium undergoes renovation. Ohio Golf Journal
Ping Introduces New G430 LST Three-Wood By Ed Travis Complimenting PING’s current G430 fairway woods, SFT and MAX, the company announced the G430 LST for high swing-speed players looking for low-spin and added distance in low profile tour-type head. LST stands for Low Spin Technology and this beefy 3-wood is designed for Tour players and elite amateurs so don’t look for it in the bag of a guy in your Saturday foursome. It fills out the fairway wood line for Ping who introed the MAX (game-improvement category) and the SFT Straight Flight Technology (super game-improvement) models in January. Note the titanium alloy face wraps into both the crown and sole which improves distance by additional flex at impact. The use of a carbon fiber crown and a tungsten sole lowers the center of gravity and moves it towards the rear for higher launch, low-spin hits. The crown is an 8-layer 8.5-gram composite and saves 5.5 grams versus the more usual titanium crown and partially wraps the heel and toe parts of the head’s rear or skirt. The saved weight was moved to lower the center of gravity even further. John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President said, “We’re excited to bring this score-lowering technology to golfers during the heart of the Ohio Golf Journal
golf season to give them a long and versatile three-wood to help them lower their scores and raise their enjoyment on the course. The lightweight properties of titanium and the density of tungsten open a lot of possibilities to improve performance. The results are phenomenal. The G430 LST 3-wood goes forever and sounds amazing. It’s already in the bags of Tour players around the world. We look forward to getting the new fairway wood in the hands of golfers who want the best of multi-material technology.” Fast Facts Ping G430 LST Fairway Wood Better player category 169cc low profile head Variable roll radius, less bulge radius Variable thickness 2041 beta-titanium face 8-1-1 Titanium body 80-gram tungsten sole Carbonfly Wrap crown Stock loft:15°, adjustable +/- 1.5° Stock shafts: Alta CB Black 65, PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65/75, PING Tour 2.0 Black 65/75 Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet Price: $600
By Ed Travis Callaway Golf’s new CB Wedges for 2023 are designed for recreational players and feature forgiveness without sacrificing spin control and feel. Finally, a club average golfers can play to help with those touchy-feely shots around the green. Hopefully, they will help alleviate those awkward skulls, shanks and fat shots. These wedges feature a slightly larger head with a rounded leading edge to decrease digging, plus the higher sole bounce adds forgiveness. The CBs are the first Callaway wedges to have urethane microspheres inside the head, to improve both the sound and feel of the cavity back design. The grooves are the company’s familiar aggressive pattern and in the 54° to 60° lofts grooves are full face. Fast Facts Callaway CB Wedges –– Game-improvement category –– Larger head with rounded edge and cavity back –– Interior filled with urethane microspheres –– Jaws grooves with added face roughness for added spin –– Stock shafts: True Temper Elevate 95, Project X Catalyst 65g –– Stock grip: Golf Pride –– At retail shots: July 7, 2023 –– MSRP: $159.99 each Callaway’s New CB Wedges Hit Golf Shops This Month Ohio Golf Journal
Golf Rules: The Embedded Ball Issue By Mitch Moon, LPGA Rules Official A common theme in this year’s first two men’s major championships, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, has been the controversial relief procedure for an embedded golf ball. First and foremost, the golf ball must be embedded in the general area to get relief under this rule. The general area is the entire golf course except for all penalty areas, bunkers, putting greens and the teeing area. The ball must be embedded in its own pitch mark from the player’s previous stroke. It is not embedded if someone steps on it, the ball is dropped after taking relief, or the ball goes straight into the ground, without becoming airborne. When it is determined that relief has been granted for an embedded ball, the reference point is the area directly behind where the ball is embedded. The player then has one Ohio Golf Journal
club-length relief in either direction from that point to drop the ball, but it must not be closer to the hole and must stay in the general area. One distinction that many golfers may not realize is that a ball is embedded if it is below the level of the ground, even if the ball is not touching the soil. This was the scenario for Rory McIlroy, when he was granted relief last month at the U.S. Open. The major golf associations, the USGA, the PGA of America, The R&A could avoid this controversy in the future. Under Model Local Rule (MLR) F-2.1, the Committee can restrict embedded ball relief to only be granted when a ball is embedded in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less. In the situations referenced above, those players would have had to play from their spot or chose a different option to get out of their unfortunate scenario. Will they change it for next year? It would shock me if these associations implemented this MLR, but they do have the option. Know the Rules of Golf. They are there to help you and make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Mike May 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 Mike May is a freelance golf travel writer based in Wellington, Florida. As you would expect, he is a “Golfaholic” focused on beating ‘Old Man Par’ each time he steps on a golf course. Contact him at mmaymarketing@gmail.com 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: https://www.facebook.com/lenziehmongolf/ Ohio Golf Journal
VIDEOS Randy Tantlinger talks with competitors in the 2023 Team USA vs Team Scotland Championship. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=T1WTs3PaLlI There has been news of a Player Revolt, while PGA Tour Commissioner, JayMonahan recuperates from a medical issue, plus the Senate will investigate the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Investment Fund PIF https://youtu.be/zZhQhvlZUxg In this video Back 9 Report talks with Bandon Dunes General Manager, Jeff Simonds about the courses and amenities at Bandon Dunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swxK322PNE&t=52s Player Testimonials From Team USA vs Team Scotland Tour Players Revolt, Monahan Laid Up & Senate Investigates PGA Tour Bandon Dunes: Golf the Way it was Meant to BE! Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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