August Ohio Golf Journal Is Loaded We are once again happy to be able to bring you the August issue of Ohio Golf Journal. Even die-hard Buckeyes have to admit that there is no place better than the ‘State Up North’ for golf in July and August. Last month we had the opportunity to visit several great courses in Michigan. In this issue we have pieces about Bucks Run and Pohlcat, both near Mt. Pleasant, plus the newly renovated Saint John’s Resort, in Northville, a suburb of Detroit. Tiger Woods was at Oakland Hills, in Detroit, last month to watch his son, Charlie compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur. Charlie didn’t make the cut to enter the match play portion, or threaten his father’s unbreakable record of three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs, followed by three consecutive U.S. Amateur Championship wins. We also have other golf travel news to share this month as BOYNE hosted the International Golf Tour Operators and expanded their international presence. Island Resort and Casino in the UP is embarking on a $19 million expansion which includes a new nine-hole course at the Sage Run course. The PGA Tour 202324 season is rapidly coming to a close and we feature a few storylines from the tour. August is a busy month for golfers in Ohio and I will be looking for you on the Back 9. FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Michigan Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal American Golf Journal Back 9 Report Ohio Golf Journal
28 06 10 22 38 PGA Tour Storylines Saint John’s Resort Is One Of Michigan’s Best Charlie Woods Misses Cut At U.S. Junior Amateur BOYNE Golf Expands International Reach Treetops Donates Over $1.5 Million To Charity Ohio Golf News Thank A Golf Course Superintendent Island Resort To Build New Course Reynolds Lake Oconee Voted Top 50 For Women Two Great Courses In Mid-Michigan Ed Travis: Off The Fringe 06 10 18 22 28 14 16 32 36 38 24 Sun Mountain Makes Golf Healthy & Fun 31 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors 41 40 FIND INSIDE 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
Football season is about to start and that means the end of the PGA Tour regular season is rapidly approaching. After the Olympics, the Wyndham Championship, August 8-11, will be the final event before the season-ending playoffs. The Playoffs will begin with the FedEx St. Jude Championship in steamy Memphis, August 15-18 followed by the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado. The season will come to a conclusion following the Tour Championship at East Lake, August 29-September 1. With outside investment of $1.5 billion, the PGA Tour now has a sufficient war chest and does not need to rush to a compromise with Saudi-backed LIV Tour. A deal is still being worked out between the rival leagues, but a complete solution has not been completed yet. Television numbers are down across the board, so that can’t make current PGA Tour Storylines From The 2023-24 PGA Tour Season Television Viewership Declines sponsors happy. The ratings for the four major championships, when players from both the PGA Tour and the LIV were in the field, were the worst in recent memory. Golf fans have been negatively affected by the greed of the players and the split between the rival golf leagues. They are not watching their big screens as they have in the past. No one watches the LIV, even with the big names, they lured away from the PGA Tour. Fans seem to have lost enthusiasm for the PGA Tour broadcasts with names like, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith and Jon Rahm not available for PGA Tour events. This is a major issue for the PGA Tour, as well as all of golf going forward. Hopefully common sense will eventually win out and a deal that works for both leagues and fans will happen sooner than later. Ohio Golf Journal
This season saw the advent of the Signature events with purses of $20 million. They were an attempt to keep more players from defecting to the rival LIV and the top players were required to attend. The PGA Tour rewarded the big names that remained with eight limited field, huge purse events and gave fans a reason to watch. The Signature events were, The Sentry, AT&T Pebble Beach, The Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo, the Memorial and the Travelers Championship. Four were won by Scottie Scheffler with Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama Signature Events and Chris Kirk capturing the remaining four events. This seems to have been a workable strategy for the PGA Tour and will continue in 2025. donned a second Green Jacket, in April, after winning The PLAYERS in March. In addition, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, The Memorial and the Travelers, all four were Signature events. He made the cut in all 16 events he entered this year and amassed 14 top ten finishes. He has a huge lead in the FedEx Cup point standings and has earned over $28 million this year. It appears that the Player of the Year race will come down to these two players and the winner will be determined by their respective performances in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Who is the Player of the Year? One of the decisions to be made, heading into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, is who will be named Player of the Year? By winning both the PGA Championship and The OPEN Championship last month at Royal Troon, Xander Schauffele may have the edge in the voting. Scottie Scheffler has been the number one ranked player in the world for nearly two years and won six events this year. He
Bryson DeChambeau What’s Wrong With Rory? The short answer to that question is nothing. He has two wins on tour this year, plus six top ten finishes, plus he earned over $10 million. He teamed with fellow Irishman, Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic and won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time. He nearly won the U.S. Open, but missed putts on the 16th and 18th holes in the final round handed the title to DeChambeau. Critics point to these two putts as an issue for the three-time major champion, Ludvig Aberg One of the surprising players who has had a meteoric rise on the PGA Tour is Ludvig Aberg. Only one year removed from Texas Tech, the Swedish born Aberg has already played on the European Ryder Cup team, won a PGA Tour title and performed well in major championships. Currently he is ranked sixth in the FedEx Cup standings and fourth in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). He only missed two cuts in 16 starts and has earned over $8 million. His runner-up finishes at Pebble Beach and The Masters, plus top five finishes at The Memorial and Troon, prove that his game is perfect for difficult golf courses and big events. He is already one of the best players on tour and could very well hoist the FedEx Cup Trophy at the end of the month. game with a deft touch around, as well as on the greens. Even though LIV players do not receive OWGR ranking points for LIV events, Bryson is ranked No. 9 in the world because of his performances in the four major championships this season. He recorded a sixth-place finish at the Masters, was runner-up at the PGA Championship to Xander Schauffele and won his second U.S. Open on Pinehurst No. 2. In addition, Bryson went out of his way to engage the crowds at Pinehurst and has become one of the more popular players. One of the surprises this golf season has been the maturation and dominance of Bryson DeChambeau’s game. He seems to be at the peak of his game right now and has successfully blended his prodigious long Ohio Golf Journal
but in reality, he is ranked third in the world and is still one of the most consistent players on tour. Rory has been one of the best golfers in the world since he turned professional and even It is dangerous to count out one of the two best golfers to ever play the game. He has proven time and time again that his drive to succeed and win is unmatched. Although his 2024 was not pleasant he will still be competing next season and fans will hang on every shot. In fact, the PGA Tour added an 80-career-win qualifier to their Signature tournament criteria which assures Tiger will get an invite to the big events. Is Tiger Woods Done? It appears that the PGA Tour has come through the worst of the LIV raiding parties, although I won’t be surprised if a few more take the guarantees and leave. New stars are being crowned on the PGA Tour and it is financially set for at least the next few years. The 202425 season will begin with the fall events, after the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Remember, the Masters is only 240 days away. It does appear that at 48 years old (turns 49 December 30) time and his surgically repaired body will not allow him to practice and perform at the optimum level. Walking a golf course is difficult for him and his stiff body does not respond well to adverse weather conditions. Fans should enjoy seeing him every time he tees it up and respect his career accomplishments, because his competitive years are well behind him. though he has not won major championships by the bunches, he still has a lot of game and a fourth Tour Championship at the end of the month could be just what the doctor ordered.
The Cardinal At Saint John’s Resort Is One Of Michigan’s Best Ohio Golf Journal
Golf architect, Ray Hearn has created a beauty at Saint John’s Resort in Northville, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Saint Johns is a former Catholic Seminary that was converted into a high-end lodging, dining and golf resort. The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation purchased the resort several years ago and recently invested over $50 million in renovations and updates to make this one of the best resorts in the country. Conveniently located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, it is perfect for sports fans coming into southeast Michigan for the Tigers, Lions or even University of Michigan events. Back 9 Report visited Saint John’s Resort last month and chatted with their Director of Golf, Nick Becks. Watch the full interview HERE. There were 27 holes of golf available at Saint John’s, but Hearn ripped up the old holes and created a wonderful 18-hole championship course, a seven-hole par 3, plus the largest putting green in the state of Michigan. “This new championship golf course, combined with the short course and putting course, creates the perfect golf entertainment venue for golfers of all abilities, golf groups, and families to enjoy
together. The facility serves as a foundation for building a passion for the game and offers a welcoming entry point into the world of golf. Plus, 100% of the profits from the resort, including golf, goes to charity.” The Cardinal presents an original experience with no two holes that look, or play alike. Hearn’s routing factors in elevation, wind, terrain, and scenic beauty for optimal shot values. The course also takes full advantage of the trees that golf experience. I believe we have achieved that, and then some, with this project.” Also designed by Hearn, The Little Cardinal provides golfers with a variety of short shots. Ranging from 44 yards to 112 yards with names such as Punchbowl, Volcano, and Postage, the course provides a unique experience for all ages and abilities. The Cardinal Putting Course is 18 holes packed with challenges. The resort also has a first-class driving range and practice facility, plus there is Carl’s Golfland retail shop and Trackman driving range on the premises. Doyles Irish Pub, an authentic two-story Irish pub restaurant makes the perfect place for a pre-or post-round meal, or libation. Lodging options are all first class and Saint John’s can accommodate any size of group, or function. Stay-and-play packages include resort credit to Doyles Irish Pub and FIVE Steakhouse, reduced fees on Little Cardinal, and unlimited access to The Cardinal Putting Course. For more information, or to book your next golf getaway visit: SaintJohnsResort.com. frame many fairways to provide a classic design aesthetic from the golden age of golf course architecture. “The land was a perfect setting for me to draw on my inspiration from previous Donald Ross, Tom Bendelow, and Willie Park Jr. projects and one of my favorite courses, The Old Course at Sunningdale by Willie Park Jr, which I implemented on both the championship course and the short course,” said Hearn. “Our goal was to create a fun Ohio Golf Journal
Ohio’s Cheryl Fox Wins Tennessee Women’s Senior Open The Tennessee Women’s Open began in 1999 and has been contested at the Stonehenge Golf Club in Fairfield Glade for the last 16 years. Past winners include LPGA members and top amateur players. Bailey Wins 2nd Consecutive Ohio Amateur The Ohio Amateur Championship was held at Sylvania Country Club, near Toledo. Sylvania is an 18-hole championship tree-lined golf course, established in 1916. The Willie Park Jr. design underwent an extensive renovation project in 2015 by J. Drew Rogers and the par 72 maxes out at 6,800 yards. The Golf Course Superintendents gathered at Sylvania Country Club in 1926 to form the Golf Course Superintendents Assoication of America. The Ohio Amateur Championship has previously been played at Sylvania Country Club in 1954, 1969, 2002. OhioGolf News Senior LPGA Championship and the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Cheryl, originally from Tiffin, now resides in Florida. She competes in Senior LPGA and Senior Women’s USGA events. Stonehenge, designed by Joe Lee, sits on the rolling landscape on the Cumberland Plateau and is a 6,549 yard par 72 layout. Fox’s first round 76 gave her a two-shot lead entering the final round, of the 36-hole event. Her second round 79 was the low round of the day and she won by a convincing ten strokes. Fox had previously won the 2019 Florida Women’s Senior Open and had competed in the The defending champion Andrew Bailey, from Shaker Heights, joined an elite group to win consecutive Ohio Amateurs. Arnold Palmer, who also won one of his Ohio Amateurs at Sylvania, Ben Curtis, Jason Kokrak, Frank R. Stranahan, and John Cook also won back-to-back Ohio Amateurs. Bailey won the 2023 Ohio Amateur by four strokes at Canterbury, his home club. Ohio Golf Journal
The 101st Women’s Ohio State Amateur Championship was held last month at Belmont Hills Country Club. Gabby Woods survived the battle of attrition and earned a berth in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gabby started fast grabbing 1-up lead after the first hole of the championship match against the No. 3 seed Cara Heisterkamp. She expanded her lead throughout the front nine, winning holes 4, 6, and 7, and led Heisterkamp 4-up at the turn. On the back nine, Woods added two more wins while Heisterkamp could only win one hole, to give Woods the 5 & 4 victory. This was a big win for Woods, Heisterkamp is a highly talented amateur and member finished runner-up at NCAA DII Individual Championship in 2023 and won the DII Individual title this year. These were two of the best women amateurs in the state and Woods won convincingly, this time. Upcoming Ohio Golf Association Events The 2024 Ohio Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at Coldstream Country Club in Cincinnati, August 19-2. The entry deadline is August 12, 2024. Applications must be submitted online, delivered in person, or sent through the US Postal Service. fax, e-mail, or phone entries will not be accepted. The Ohio Two-Man Best Ball will be held September 9-10 at Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club. Registration is open until September 3, 2024. of the University of Indiana Women’s Golf Team. Gabby is a member of the University of Findlay Women’s Golf Team and was a part of the 2022 team that won the NCAA DII National Team Championship. Individually she Gabby Woods Wins Women’s Ohio State Amateur Title
Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day Sept. 10 By Fred Altvater The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), in conjunction with other global superintendent groups, is recognizing those who are essential to golf’s success with an international “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day,” encouraging all golfers, those who are in the golf business, or anyone who benefits from the game to thank superintendents for their hard work and dedication to the game. “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day” 2024 will be celebrated Sept. 10. Other groups taking part in the global event include the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA). All together the groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries around the world. The celebration will include television commercials and social media posts that demonstrate the many ways superintendents benefit the game and their communities. Golfers and others are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankASuper, or #ThankAGreenkeeper. In addition, golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their superintendent and course maintenance staff on September 10. During the 2023 Thank A Golf Course Superintendent Day, social media messages reached more than 14.7 million followers around the world, plus broadcast media reached an additional 18 million people. To learn more visit www.gcsaa.org and show your support on social media using #ThankASuper. Ohio Golf Journal
Tiger Woods visited Oakland Hills Golf Club last month to watch his son, 15-yearold Charlie compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur. Charlie did not advance out of the 36-hole medal play portion of the tournament, but larger than normal crowds turned out to watch the action. Normally the crowds at a U.S. Junior Amateur are not large, just a few friends and family Charlie Woods Misses Cut at U.S. Junior Amateur Ohio Golf Journal
If you are hosting a trivia contest and want to stump most people simply ask, How many USGA events did Tiger Woods win before he became a professional golfer? They say that records are made to be broken, but here is a record that will never come close to being challenged. From 1991-1996, Tiger won six consecutive USGA National Championships. In 1991, as a 15-year-old in his first USGA Championship, Tiger Woods' Amateur Record Will Never Be Broken Tiger defeated Brad Zwetschke at Bay Hill Golf Club. In 1992, Woods secured his second consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur title at Wollaston Golf Club in Milton, Massachusetts. Woods found himself two-down with just five holes to play, but rallied to win the match on the 18th hole. attend. Young Charlie’s group had such a large following of fans that gallery ropes were placed on each hole as his group made their way around the course. We have watched Charlie compete with his dad on television in the PNC Father/Child event. We have seen him hit bombs off the tees and be an integral part of the two-man team. Charlie has won numerous junior events and earlier this year his high school team won the Florida High School State Championship. The younger Woods found Oakland Hills to be a challenge posting rounds of 82-80 and finishing well outside the top 64 players that went on to the match play portion of the tournament. The U.S. Junior Amateur includes two rounds of medal play to determine the 64 players that will play match play to decide the winner. Blades Brown, from Nashville, fired two rounds of 66-68 to finish six-under par besting Huntsville, Alabama’s Tyler Watts by a single shot to claim the top seed heading into match play. Charlie Woods didn’t prevail this time, but in golf, as in life, we learn much more in defeat than in victory. Plus, he will have two more chances at the U.S. Junior Amateur before he turns 18.
The following year, 1993, Woods won his third consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur at Waverly Country Club in Oregon. He defeated another future PGA Tour winner Ohio-native, Ryan Armour. Woods had also defeated Armour in the 1992 semi-finals. Before the age of 18, Tiger had won three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles a record that will never be equaled, but he was not finished. Playing in the U.S. Amateur for the first time in 1994, Woods defeated Trip Kuehne at TPC Sawgrass for his fourth consecutive USGA National title. Kuehne went on to be a threetime All-American and 1995 Ben Hogan Award winner. As an amateur, he was a three-time Walker Cup player and qualified for four U.S. Opens and two Masters. In 1995, Woods took down Buddy Marucci, an accomplished amateur golfer, 2-up at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island to clinch the title and give him five USGA National championships in a row. In 1996, at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon, Woods won his third consecutive U.S. Amateur title and sixth consecutive USGA National championship. From 1991 to 1996 Tiger amassed six consecutive USGA National titles. Three U.S. Junior Amateurs and three consecutive U.S. Amateurs. With the amazing things that Tiger Woods accomplished in his golf career, these six consecutive USGA titles as an amateur are something that will never be repeated. Ohio Golf Journal
BOYNE Golf Expands Its Reach Internationally Last month BOYNE Golf welcomed international golf travel professionals to the 15th annual North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC), staged by International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). It was attended by 280 delegates from 29 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse tourism events ever to have taken place in a region known as ‘America’s Summer Capital of Golf.’ Event host BOYNE Golf has 10 golf courses, appropriately named “Michigan’s Magnificent Ten,” including the Links/Quarry course at Bay Harbor Golf Club and the Arthur Hills golf course at The Highlands. Both received high praise from the convention participants. There are seven golf resorts offering a total of 29 courses within a 90-minute drive of Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport. Those are in addition to numerous individual golf clubs set amidst a landscape brimming with lakes, forests, hills, islands and rivers, complemented by vineyards, lake resort towns, open roads and ideal summer golfing weather. Ohio Golf Journal
Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO said, “For 95% of these well-traveled delegates, this was their first visit to northern Michigan, and it has really opened their eyes to the possibilities of developing summer golf programs for their golf traveling clients who are always on the lookout for new experiences.” The event served brought the region’s golf tourism industry together, with the support from the Petoskey Area, Traverse City, Gaylord, and the State of Michigan, as well as the America’s Summer Capital of Golf Association of courses. Walton also added, “NAC has a long-established record as the single most important golf tourism event in the USA. During two days of meetings between golf tour operators and golf tourism suppliers, primarily from across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, first-hand the quality and variety of our 10 courses, as well as the variety of activities available when they were not on our courses. The best golf travel experts from around the world experienced just how incredible a Northern Michigan golf experience at BOYNE Golf can be.” Birmingham, Alabama, was announced as the host destination for the next NAC, which will take place June 1719, 2025. new business and destinations were embraced that will set the course of golf travel throughout the Americas over the coming 15 months.” Ken Griffin, BOYNE Golf’s Director of Golf Sales and Marketing, said, “It was an honor for BOYNE Golf to host the IAGTO 2024 NAC at Boyne Mountain Resort. It was rewarding to see the delegates take advantage of our long days, to experience
Off The Fringe: Bradley Not Woods To Captain Ryder Cup Team Parttime tour player Tiger Woods said he had too many other commitments and couldn’t be bothered to captain the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. The PGA of America rebooted and selected 38-year-old Keegan Bradley, winner of the 2011 PGA Championship. Bradley was one of the tour players most affected by the no-anchor putting rule, but has regained his form and most recently won twice, the 2023 Travelers, the 2022 ZOZO Championship and is ranked 19th on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). From Bradley’s standpoint, Woods refusal was a blessing, since it is By Ed Travis Was Keegan Bradley the Right Choice for Ryder Cup? Ohio Golf Journal
World number one Scottie Scheffler has had an eventful 2024 so far. He has manufactured six PGA Tour wins, became a father, plus survived the fiasco of being arrested before the second round at the PGA Championship (the charges were eventually dropped). He was rightfully exhausted from it all. Disappointed from his T-41 finish at the U.S. Open he won the Travelers the week Open. He had played in the Scottish prior to his last three appearances in The OPEN following, but opted for a break before The OPEN at Troon and did not compete in the Scottish unlikely he would have received an offer in any other year. When someone wins, someone else must lose and in this case it was Stewart Cink, the 2009 British Open champion. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played on the Bethpage State Park Black layout, just an hour east of New York City on Long Island. I can testify it is a cruel and brutally difficult test. It has been the venue for three majors: 2002 U.S. Open won by Woods, the 2009 U.S. Open (Lucas Glover) and the 2019 PGA Championship (Brooks Koepka). The question still to be resolved though is of immense importance. Will LIV players who were banned from the PGA Tour when they signed with the LIV circuit be named to the team? The Ryder Cup is run by the PGA of America not the PGA Tour and they have said nothing publicly about the possibility. The selection process revolves around the OWGR for both the automatic spots and captain’s picks. U.S. Open winner and LIV player Bryson DeChambeau has stated that he would very much like to be part of the U.S. squad. However, since LIV withdrew their application for their players to earn OWGR points the only way, he or any other LIV player, can earn points is from in the major championships in which they compete. DeChambeau based on his performance in the 2024 major championships, U.S. Open win, runner-up finish at the PGA Championship, plus a tie for sixth at the Masters, is presently ranked No. 9 on the OWGR. Bradley will be under pressure to get this right and has said he wants the 12 best players on the team regardless of where they are playing whether the PGA Tour or LIV. Scheffler Takes Time Off
Olympic News In case you missed the announcement Riviera Country Club will be the venue for the men’s and women’s golf in the 2028 Olympics. Le Golf National near Paris, site of the 2018 Ryder Cup, is the host site for the 2024 Olympics. Short Putts Robert MacIntyre beat Adam Scott to win the Scottish Open last month. He’s the first Scot to win his country’s Open since Colin Montgomery in 1999. The International Olympic Committee couldn’t wait to see the outcome of Netherland golfer and DP World Tour player Joost Luiten’s court case against the Netherlands Olympic Committee to be allowed to play in the Olympics. They filled the spot he had earned citing they had no part in the court case. Everybody understands the IOC, at least this time was not taking the side of the athlete. Well, there’s always 2028 and as Luiten said the Dutch Olympic Committee has “absolutely no clue about golf.” Championship. This schedule change will hopefully was to better prepare for golf’s oldest major where his best finish was a T8 in 2021. Evidently the rest didn’t help as his balky putter left him tied for seventh at one-under-par. Ohio Golf Journal
Treetops Donates Over To Charites & Scholarships Treetops Resort has an exciting line up of activities for the 2024 Treetops Fall Charity Invitational, proudly sponsored by Pepsi which will take place from Sunday, September 29th to Tuesday, October 1st. Treetops Resort has given over $1,500,000 to causes ranging from health care to youth programs, veterans’ programs, scholarships, and various local programs. Treetops Resort’s Annual Fall Charity Invitational Event is the primary event responsible for raising these funds. Over 400 players from around the globe participate in three days of golf, camaraderie, and giving. In addition, many local businesses also help sponsor the event. Within the past few years, the focus of our giving has moved to 100% on scholarships for students from Otsego County. Since 2018, Treetops Resort has raised $309,800 for the Treetops Resort Endowed Fund and awarded $134,000 in scholarships. Treetops General Manager Barry Owens said, “I have seen the impact of what an education can do—whether it be a traditional four-year school or learning a trade at a two-year school. I know I would not be where I am today without the assistance of scholarships.” Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from Otsego County, with priority given to the current Treetops Resort family of employees. Preference is given to employees with multiple years of employment and students earning a $1.5 Million Ohio Golf Journal
degree in hospitality, food and beverage, PGA golf management, turf management, or hotel management. Students are currently eligible for $1,000 annually for four years. The 2024 awardees are: • Isaac Hopp, who is attending Central Michigan University • Donovan Blust, who is attending MidMichigan Community College • Sophie Wieber, who plans to attend the University of Michigan • Avery Huston, who plans to attend Northwood University By sponsoring or participating in the annual invitational, guests are increasing the Treetops Resort Endowed Fund, which is instrumental in funding more students. This is crucial to allowing us to continue providing our local students with the assistance they need. Scholarships are awarded through the Otsego County Foundation, and students can apply on their website https://www.otsegofoundation. org/apply/scholarships/ The three-day tournament and its amenities begin at $750 for individuals and $2,500 for a team of four Space is limited Participants receive: • 54 Holes of Golf Over 3 Days • Two Breakfasts • Three Lunches • Two Dinners • Skins and Prize Bets • Lodging Options Includes Sunday and Monday Lodging Treetops Resort is truly the Midwest’s “Must Play” resort and arguably the best collection of golf anywhere in the country, boasting five different courses from renowned designers Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Tom Fazio. Treetops Resort is also proudly recognized as having the # 1 Par 3 Course in North America: Threetops. Guests can also experience world-class instruction, a spectacular spa, downhill skiing, and meetings & conventions. Treetops Resorts’ winter offerings include some of the finest terrain perfect for families to enjoy all season long. Treetops Resort boasts 24 ski runs, a terrain park, cross-country skiing, and extreme tubing. To reserve a Treetops Resort Getaway, visit Treetops.com.
Sun Mountain’s Ridgeline3 PushCart Makes Golf Healthy & Fun bag, or even a junior bag, the Ridgeline3 can accommodate them all. Sun Mountain President and Chief Brand Officer, Grant Knudson said, “We’re seeing a lot more pushcart usage across all age groups. Ridgeline3 offers a push cart that accommodates all sizes and shapes of golf bags. It can grow with the junior golfer, be used by multiple members of the same household, and makes a great addition to a course’s rental fleet.” The Ridgeline3 folds to easily fit in a car’s trunk and is made from quality materials for durability. The design includes an easily accessible handlemounted brake lever, plus the wide rear wheel footprint provides superior stability for any terrain. Playing golf is about exercise, fresh air and relaxation, away from the tedious daily grind. More and more golfers wanting to improve their health and stamina are saying NO to golf carts and reverting to the joys of walking the course, using a pushcart. Sun Mountain is a leader in golf products and their new Ridgeline3 walking cart is a game changer for walkers. They have developed a solution to a common problem, fitting different sizes of bags on push carts. Ridgeline3’s patentpending upper bag bracket allows golfers with different sizes of golf bags one cart that fits all. The adjustable bag collar bracket may not sound like much, but it means the Ridgeline3 can accommodate any size bag. Whether you use a full-size tour bag, regular adult carry, Sunday By Ed Travis Fast Facts: – Three-wheel pushcart – Easy two-step fold & unfold – Sliding upper bag bracket – Weight: 18 lbs. – Compacts to 26” x 15” x 16.5” – Accessory tray, drink holder, umbrella holder – Colors: white, black, silver, sand/hunter, sport blue, candy pink – MSRP: $350.00
Island Resort & Casino Adds Third Course Island Resort & Casino, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, announced that it will embark on a $19 million capital investment to expand for future growth. The two-year project will feature the development of a new nine-hole golf course, golf shop, and additional convention space. With the increased demand for golf, Island Resort will add a nine-hole course, the Cedar Course, at the Sage Run Golf Course site. The new course will be designed by Paul Albanese, both of our other courses in the morning,” says Tony Mancilla, general manager for Island Resort & Casino. “We decided to add nine holes to accommodate our guests looking for early morning tee times before they head home. We are not adding to Sage Run but making these nine holes their own course.” who also designed the two existing courses at the resort, Sweetgrass and Sage Run. The new course will focus on using the natural landscape and green complexes designed to fit the topographical environment, while offering beauty and strategic play. Golfers will recognize green complexes inspired by C.B. Macdonald’s National Golf Links and Prestwick. “We are very busy in the summer and often booked on By Steve Pike Ohio Golf Journal
“We are taking some great concepts from the golden age of course architecture in the early 1900s and incorporating them into the Cedar course,” says Albanese. “The course will feature some of the architecture, so we wanted to give them a flavor of what it would be like to play overseas or from that era.” Mancilla added, “We are also going to have a variety of different-length holes, short par-4s inspired by holes like No. 10 at Riviera, maybe a short par-3, and even church pew bunkers like Oakmont.” The new course will be routed on rolling land adjacent to the front nine of Sage Run. “The land we have for Cedar is perfect for the concept,” says Mancilla. “The course will wind through a valley with gently rolling hills and some elevation. It will be less severe land than Sage Run but have more movement than Sweetgrass – somewhere right in-between.” game’s most popular green templates like the Punchbowl, Double Plateau, and even a Juniper hole like the famous 6th hole at Augusta National. Many Midwesterners have not experienced this kind of
Along with the new nine holes being developed at Sage Run, a new golf shop will be built for the Sweetgrass course. The shop will overlook the golf course’s scenic 9th and 18th holes, which share the same double green complex. The design includes 3,000 square feet of new space, including an upper deck overlooking the golf course with a full-service pro shop, covered outdoor terraces, a full-service bar, and locker rooms with guest showers. Ohio Golf Journal
The resort will also add 16,900 square feet of new convention space featuring highvolume ceilings, state-of-the-art audio and visual accommodations, a high-capacity kitchen, multiple event bars, and outdoor courtyards that complement the existing architecture. The space will be suitable for weddings, banquets, business conventions, special events and more. The new grand ballroom will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 750 seated guests and up to 1,200 guests for larger expos and events. The resort features over 450 guest rooms, more than 1,200 of the latest slots, a poker room, various gaming tables, a bingo hall, two championship golf courses, the luxurious Drift Spa, an RV Park, a headline entertainment showroom, a dedicated Sportsbook space, a pool with waterpark features, a customizable, expansive convention space and enough dining choices to please every palette. The Island Resort and Casino is easily accessible via two regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette connecting through Detroit, Saginaw, Lansing or Grand Rapids. Plan Your Total Experience today! Visit: https:// www.islandresortandcasino.com/
Reynolds Lake Oconee has been named among the top 50 U.S. golf destinations for women by Golf Digest. In addition to the seven golf courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee, they offer various lodging and dining options, a stunning lakefront location, and a wide choice of other activities and amenities. Jack Nicklaus completed a renovation of the Great Waters Reynolds Lake Oconee is a luxurious lakeside resort situated on 30 acres of shoreline. The resort’s 257 accommodations include spacious guest rooms and suites, a Ritz-Carlton Club Level, stand-alone 2 and 3-bedroom cottages, and a grand 3-story lake house. Guests may enjoy a newly renovated 27,000-square-foot, full-service spa and fitness center, setting a new standard for luxury wellness experiences. The resort features three dedicated pools, including options for adults only, and a beach for relaxation and lake activities. Dining options include authentic Italian cuisine at Amore del Lago, updated classics at Linger Longer Steakhouse and casual fare at Gaby’s by the Lake. Oconee Cove, the resort’s newest addition, is a sophisticated speakeasy lounge where guests will find an ambiance reminiscent of a stately library while savoring handcrafted cocktails, curated spirits, and delectable small plates. Outdoor enthusiasts will relish the array of activities Course and it is one of the best courses in the south. Click HERE to view a report from Back 9 Report TV about the new Nicklaus renovation. Put Nicklaus video thumbnail here The Oconee course is an easy walk from The Ritz-Carlton Ohio Golf Journal
Reynolds Lake Oconee Named Top 50 U.S. Destinations For Women available including fishing, swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, biking, and nearby Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds featuring sporting clays, off-road driving, archery and falconry. Additional lodging in the resort community includes cottages and condominiums that offer quiet, comfortable lakeside living at its best. Each of the facilities is well suited to host a girls’ golf retreat, complete with kitchen, dining and living areas, plus multiple bedrooms. As more women join the game they want to gather their and visit upscale golf destinations. Golfers looking to improve their games will want to take advantage of The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, a unique training facility offering state-of-the-art instruction and same-day club-fitting. A favorite of both PGA and LPGA Tour pros, The Kingdom utilizes the latest technology and two TaylorMade equipment trailers on site to provide expert coaching and on-the-spot clubbuilding for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Reynolds Lake Oconee is located one-hour east of Atlanta and can be easily reached from Atlanta Harshfield Airport. For additional information or to book accommodations at Reynolds Lake Oconee, visit www.reynoldslakeoconee.com.
Two Great Courses In Mid-Michigan August and September are two great months to play golf in Michigan. There are so many wonderful courses in the ‘Mitten State’ and two of the best are often passed by. Bucks Run and Pohlcat, near Mt. Pleasant, are two courses that should be on your short list when you head north. Bucks Run Golf Club large lake that sits in the center of the property. The course is always well maintained and in tournament condition every day. This course has to be one of the best values in the state. For golfers heading farther up in northern Michigan, Bucks Run makes the perfect place to break up your trip and play a quick 18. To make a tee time visit: https://www.bucksrun. com/. By Fred Altvater Bucks Run Golf Club is located between Mt. Pleasant and Midland on M20. Michiganbased golf course designer Jerry Matthews built a wonderful 18-hole championship course on the site of a former stone quarry. Matthews sculpted fairways and greens in and around the Chippewa River that flows through the property. Holes No. 9 and 18 play along the Ohio Golf Journal
Pohlcat Golf Club One of the highlights of playing a round at Pohlcat is catching Dan in the clubhouse and listening to his stories of life on the PGA Tour. For more information, or to book a tee time visit: https://www.pohlcat.net/. Both Bucks Run and Pohlcat are near Mt. Pleasant, the home of Central Michigan University. If you are heading to CMU for a football game this fall, tee it up at one of these great courses, while you are there. Dan Pohl is a local Mt. Pleasant resident who made it to the PGA Tour. Dan won twice on tour and finished runner-up in the 1982 Masters, losing in a playoff to Craig Stadler. He had 70 career top 10 finishes and was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame in 2004. Dan built Pohlcat Golf Club in 1992 along the Chippewa River wetlands and was determined to offer the best shot values possible. Back 9 Report recently chatted with Dan about his Pohlcat Golf course and issues surrounding the PGA Tour. To watch the full video, click HERE. Place video thumbnail here
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis 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 Steve Pike Steve Pike is a multiple award-winning journalist and author. He has written for Golfweek, Golf World, The New York Times Magazine Group, Golf Digest and as a golf business writer for PGA.com. You can find more from Steve at Spike’s Peeks: The Art of Travel, as well as, Links Magazine, Hotelinteractive.com, Coastal Star Newspaper, NewEngland.golf and Golf-Hound.com We’ll do the hard work if you don’t want to. Custom or DIY Golf Simulator Sales & Installation. www.aceindoorgolf.com l 855-926-3283 Ohio Golf Journal
VIDEOS Christy Walcott highlights a few of the courses and activities in Gaylord, Michigan and the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Director of Recreation and Head Golf Superintendent at Treetops Resort, Tim Matty talks about recent upgrades and the 81 holes of golf at Treetops. Nick Becks, the Director of Golf at Saint John’s Resort, talks about the recent Ray Hearn renovation to the Cardinal Course at Saint John’s, plus the lodging and dining options available at the top-shelf resort in Detroit. Gaylord Golf Mecca Still Going Strong Treetops Resort Continues To Improve Saint John’s New Cardinal Course Is Open Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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