Golf Season Has Finally Arrived!! The Masters is over and that signals the true start of golf season in Ohio. Even though the flowers aren’t blooming here yet, the Azaleas were as beautiful, as always, and in full bloom in Georgia. Ohio was well represented at this year’s Masters, Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) and the Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) National Finals. Ohio State University Golf Team Member, Neal Shipley won low amateur honors at the Masters. Gianna Clemente was in the final group on Saturday for the ANWA and four Ohio junior golfers made it to the DCP Finals. You can learn more about these talented golfers inside this issue. Finally, we have the third and final installment of Barry Cronin’s Michigan Golf Odyssey. On the homeward leg of his journey Barry visited both courses at Arcadia, the Bluffs and South, plus Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor. Len Ziehm reviews several books just in time for your summer reading list and Steve Pike writes about Sand Valley’s expansion plans. I’m excited to see sun and warm weather and maybe I will see 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
32 FIND INSIDE 06 12 16 38 BOYNE Continues to Grow & Expand Part 3: A Michigan Golf Odyssey OSU’s Neal Shipley Is Low Amateur at Masters Ohio Golfers at Augusta National Sand Valley Is Becoming a 4-Season Resort Mother’s Day Gifts for Golfing Moms 06 12 22 16 32 24 Book Reviews From Len Ziehm Golf Equipment Reviews 28 36 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors Augusta National’s Fred Ridley Is For Golf Ball Rollback 41 40 38 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
BOYNE To Host International Golf Tour Operators It will be a very busy year at BOYNE as they will host 350 tour operators from around BOYNE will host the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Convention and will open 11th course this year. Ken Griffin, Director of Sales and Marketing at BOYNE Golf, told us, “With three locations and 162 holes under our control we are the world for the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) convention, in June. They will experience what great golf Northern Michigan has to offer. BOYNE Continues To Grow & Expand Ohio Golf Journal
one of the largest golf resorts in the country. It’s not just the number holes either, it’s the total golf experience. With the number of direct flights into Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, we have become an international destination.’’ Back 9 Report talked with Griffin about BOYNE Golf and the International Golf Tour Operators coming to the resort. To watch the full interview, click HERE. PUT Griffin video thumbnail here Renovations BOYNE has been working closely with course designer Ray Hearn to renovate several of their courses. The Moor course expanded fairways and updated the green surrounds to improve the playability of the course. Hearn updated several holes on the Ross Course and by using modern technology made them more closely replicate the original Donald Ross designs. Bernie Friedrich spoke with Back 9 Report about the renovations and new short course at BOYNE Highlands. beautiful and different it is. There are three or four stacked wall bunkers. Instead of using tee boxes, we’ll have just one marker on each hole and let guests play wherever they want. And the greens are inspired by some of the great ones around the world. They’re not copies of any specific greens, but they look different and are big. We also sodded all of the fairways, which will be wellmaintained and surrounded by some tall fescue for that whisper look and feel. It’s going to be quite stunning. There’s a lot of excitement about short courses. We want to keep people excited about golf and wanting to play. If playing 18 or 36 holes is not enough on any day, Doon Brae gives golfers another option.” In Scottish, Doon Brae translates to, Doon, going downhill into a valley, while Brae refers to a hillside. Sitting at the base of the Highlands ski hill, that is exactly what this 9-hole short course is. To view the full interview click HERE. Bernie Friedrich video thumbnail here New Course, Doon Brae, Set To Open in 2024 Doon Brae, the new short course, designed by Ray Hearn, sits at the base of the ski hill behind The Highlands Lodge and will open for play later this summer. “As far as I know, this is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development at Boyne Resorts. “What excites me most is how
inspired us during the design of Doon Brae.” Hearn drew inspiration from the iconic links greens in Scotland and Ireland. Golfers will find Hearn’s tribute to the Eden green, Punch Bowl, Redan, Reverse Redan,Volcano, Steep Slope, Postage Stamp, and even a Biarritz green. Doon Brae will also be lit for night play and a quick round will be the perfect end t o a day on the links. The short course is also just right for beginners, juniors and women. It will be the ideal family activity. The course will max out at 993 yards with the forward tees being 678 yards. Holes will vary in length from the shortest 57 yards to the longest at 134 yards. Due to the elevation and slope of the hillside, uphill, downhill, as well as side-hill lies will add to the challenge. Golf designer Ray Hearn, who has been working closely with BOYNE to renovate several of the resort’s courses, was chosen to build this new course. “Working with Stephen Kircher and Bernie Friedrich on this project has been really exciting,” said Hearn, who was inspired by his many overseas trips to Scotland and Ireland and in particular, Royal County Down. “Stephen came over to Ireland on one of the first architecture seminars overseas while teaching at MSU and we both fell in love with Royal County Down and it Ohio Golf Journal
Lodging BOYNE has also been busy updating their accommodations and they have never been better. With three locations, The Highlands, The Mountain and the luxurious Bay Harbor Inn, they have something for everyone. All three locations provide world-class lodging, plus they offer several wonderful dining options. For the discerning traveler, the Inn at Bay Harbor offers the very best in
accommodations, dining and service. BOYNE Mountain offers a variety of lodging options. Chalet Edelweiss, the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, Clocktower and Boynehof Lodges, Deer Lake Villas, Mountain Cabins and the four golf courses nearby, the Hills, the Ross Tribute, the Heather and the Moor, the Highlands Lodge and the Ross Cottages are perfect for buddies’ golf trips, girl’s golf getaways, corporate retreats, as well as family gatherings. Villas, Creekside and the Village at Disciple’s Ridge can accommodate any size group, or outing. The Highlands has undergone massive renovations over the past few years and with Ohio Golf Journal
Dining There is no need to leave the property once you arrive. BOYNE offers world-class dining opportunities at each of their three locations. Other Amenities When you are not on one of the 11 courses, zip lining, hiking, biking, swimming, or enjoying any of the many other outdoor activities that are available. BOYNE also boasts the largest indoor water park in Michigan at BOYNE Mountain. The world’s longest and tallest timber-towered suspension bridge, SkyBridge Michigan is also located at BOYNE Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Upon arrival breeze through the Cherry Capital Airport and be on the first tee at a BOYNE golf course within two hours of touchdown. With the long summer days in Northern Michigan, there will be ample sunlight to get in 18, or 27 before sunset. Why Wait Book NOW! BOYNE Golf has a 10-year plan for systematic renovation to their properties and to continue to offer the best vacation experience imaginable. Now is the perfect time to book your 2024, or 2025 Golf Getaway to BOYNE Resort. Mountain. At 1,203 feet long and 118 feet above the valley floor, resort guests can access SkyBridge via the chairlift, or hike the trail to the top. Cherry Capital Airport Has 18 Direct Flights Golfers will find it’s never been easier to get to BOYNE. The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City now offers nonstop flights from 18 cities across the United States. American, Delta, United, Sun Country and Allegiant fly direct to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington D.C. (Dulles and Reagan), Newark, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Punta Gorda, St.
Barry Cronin’s Michigan Golf Odyssey By Barry Cronin, Editor Chicago District Golfer Part 3: Parts 1 and 2 of Barry Cronin’s Michigan Golf Odyssey included stops at Gull Lake View Resort, Tullymore, St. Ives, Forest Dunes, BOYNE Golf and historic Belvedere Golf Club. They can be found at the Michigan Golf Journal Website. Michigan is the land of Ford, GM, Chrysler, the UAW, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Eminen, the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and the hapless Pistons. Michigan is also known for its pleasant summer weather that is paired perfectly with 20 of the “Best Courses You Can Play” as rated by Golfweek. The Mitten State finished tied for runner-up with Ohio Golf Journal
California, behind only Wisconsin, in a recent Golf Digest ranking of the “Best States For Public Golf Courses.” This entire Michigan Golf Odyssey took eight days, covered more than 800 miles, included 153 holes of some of the finest golf imaginable and did not require schlepping golf clubs through an airport. Last Leg: Heading Back South Two hours south of Belvedere sits Arcadia Bluffs, home of two fantastic and completely opposite style courses. The Bluffs Course, ranked 64th on Golfweek’s Top 200 Modern Courses built after 1960, is links-style built adjacent to Lake Michigan. A little over one mile away lies the South Course, an architectural homage to Chicago Golf Club. The fact that these two courses co-exist at the same resort is reason enough for a visit. The Bluffs features wide, rolling fairways, spacious and challenging greens and deep bunkers strategically placed in fairways and around greens. Being on a sand bluff high above Lake Michigan, the winds are normally an issue. The views from the holes that play along the elevated sand bluffs over Lake Michigan are more than worth the price of the green fees. If you play in the late afternoon, the sunsets over the lake, along with the bagpiper make for a perfect round of golf. While the Bluffs has spectacular views of Lake Michigan, the South Course gives players a look backward into the creative imaginations of Chicago Golf Club designers C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, whose genius of the 1890s continues to inspire today’s golf course architects, especially South Course designers Dana Fry and Jason Straka. Built on farmland, the South, like Chicago Golf, is flat compared to its sister course, The Bluffs. There are no trees or water hazards. Wide fairways and huge greens make the course look easy on first glance, be warned, it isn’t. Thoughtful players are asked to make strategic decisions starting from the tee all the way to highly contoured greens. The brilliant white Nantucket-style clubhouse and veranda at the Bluffs course is the perfect place to catch a Lake Michigan sunset. On-site accommodations include, the Lodge and the Cottages, both of the highest quality, as are the formal dining room and menu options.
Harbor Shores A little over three hours south of Arcadia Bluffs we made the last stop at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor. It’s the home of a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, which will host the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship for the seventh time this month. The course meanders through inland terrain on holes 1–6 and the dunes on 7–9, where Lake Michigan vistas appear. Holes 10–13 feature rolling hills, ravines and a hardwood forest, while holes 14–18 play along the Paw Paw River and various wetlands. The course is the shining star of the massive revitalization of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community led by Whirlpool, a company that was founded in Benton Harbor in 1911. More than 13 years ago, Whirlpool took its corporate citizenship commitment to another level, working with the two cities and other stakeholders to realize their vision of using a golf venue to revitalize the area. More than three-million square feet of dilapidated buildings were demolished and 140,000 tons of waste material — some of it toxic — were removed. The end result, a championship-caliber golf course, the comfortable Inn at Harbor Shores, real estate opportunities and even a high-rise condo building. But beyond all the good feelings of the revitalization project, Harbor Shores is a golf course worth playing. A little further south sits American Dunes, a dramatic Nicklaus renovation, associated with the Folds of Honor charity. It is a relatively new renovation and has helped draw thousands of golfers to the Southwest M i c h i g a n coastline. Ohio Golf Journal
So Many Courses and So Little Time…. There are simply too many great golfing opportunities in Michigan. Other outstanding Creek has 90 holes of golf, including Arnold Palmer’s The Legend. Grand Traverse Resort has three wonderful 18-hole championship courses and Crystal Mountain has two challenging courses that have been recently renovated. It is hard to imagine any other spot on earth with so many quality golf courses open for public play. Michigan is awash with superb golfing opportunities for every golfer. “Michigan resort golf is terrific and well worth the drive.” Reprinted with permission from Barry Cronin and Chicago District Golfer. resorts that I did not have ample time to visit include, the 81 holes of golf at Treetops Resort, plus the additional 11 championship courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Shanty
Gianna Clemente Finishes T-5 At Augusta National Women’s Amateur Gianna Clemente had a magical season in 2023. She won the Southern Atlantic Women’s Amateur, the 2023 Girls’ Junior PGA and with partner Avery Zweig won the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball Championship. She also reached the finals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur, finishing runner-up and represented the United States in both the Junior Solheim Cup, in Spain and Junior Ryder Cup, in Italy. Florida, when she isn’t traveling to big-time women’s amateur tournaments. Back 9 Report had the opportunity to chat with Gianna in January, 2023, in Naples. You can see the full interview HERE. Put Gianna Clemete video thumbnail here. In 2022, she Monday qualified for three consecutive LPGA Tour events, a feat that is unprecedented, especially for a 14-year old. Also last year, she competed for the first time in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, finishing T-14. She was in the field again this year and improved on her impressive 2023 performance. After the first two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club, she was in the final group for the championship round at famed Augusta National. She sat just two shots behind the leader and eventual winner, Lottie Woad. Gianna got off to a slow start making bogies on the first three holes, but rallied with birdies at 16 and 17 to finish with a one-over par 73 and a tie for fifth place. Originally from Warren, Ohio, she now resides in Estero, Only a sophomore, she takes high school classes online in the morning and heads to the Bonita Bay Country Club to practice in the afternoon. She has not made any decisions on attending college, but playing professionally on the LPGA Tour is her ultimate goal. Ohio Golf Journal
Last month on Sunday, just ahead of the Masters, the National Finals of the Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) wer e held at Augusta National Golf Club. Four Ohio junior golfers made it through local, subregional and regional qualifiers to compete at the home of the Masters. Preston Tolnar Preston Tolnar’s father, Brian is the Director of Golf at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman and introduced Preston to golf when he was just six years old. He plays a full schedule of junior tournaments in Northeast Ohio and has a goal to be on the PGA Tour someday. His favorite part of the game is chipping and spends over two hours daily practicing at the Mill Creek facility. Preston said of this opportunity to compete at Augusta National, “I practice a lot and you have to work hard to get to Augusta. I practice for two and half hours a day.” Preston’s father Brian said of the experience, “Only 10 kids have the opportunity to go there and no matter how it plays out, just having the opportunity to walk off the 18th green, where the champions walk off , I think is very, very, special. It’s like going to Disneyland. Just to have Preston compete at the highest level, to play the world’s best juniors and to say you stepped foot on Augusta at age 9 is unbelievable.” Preston totaled 17 points at the DCP Finals, good for fifth place and garnered a lifetime of memories for his time at Augusta National. Nikitha Suresh Nikitha Suresh from Plain City made it to the DCP subRegional in 2019, but was able to win a playoff at the Scioto Country Club Regionals last September to qualify for the 2024 DCP Finals. She loves watching Victor Hovland on television and enjoyed watching Jon Rahm win the 2020 Memorial at Muirfield Village. Four Ohio Junior Golfers Make It To Drive, Chip & Putt Finals
Her golf career began by hitting a few golf balls on the range, when she was eight years old and is now a member at Kinsale Golf Club in Dublin. She scored a total of 15 points in the DCP Finals to finish seventh. She attends Alum Creek Elementary school and North Star Golf Club is her home course. Calista began playing golf at the age of five and putting is the favorite part of her game. Calista Hahn Competing in the Girls 10-11 division, Calista Hahn from Lewis Center garnered a total of 15 points and was T-6 at the Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) National Finals. Ohio Golf Journal
She qualified via the Golf Club of Dublin’s Local Qualifier, made it through the sub- Regional at Kinsale Golf Club and the Oakland Hills Golf Club Regional. It wasn’t easy though. Calista who was trying to make her second appearance at the DCP National Finals was tied with Kylie Miller, who had been a participant in the 2023 DCP National Finals. The playoff wasn’t decided until Hahn managed to get her putt closer to the hole to edge out Miller. Calista said of returning to Augusta, “I’m really happy about going back,” she said of the 2024 National Finals. I liked the putting and how fast the green was there. Saw Tiger Woods, which was pretty awesome.” competed in seven Masters tournaments and earned Low Amateur honors in 1987. Flynn advanced to the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals for the first time via the Great Lakes regional qualifier at Scioto Country Club. He is a fifth-grader at Beacon Cove Intermediate School in Jupiter, Florida and has been playing golf, since he was three years old. Grandpa Bob was an early golf mentor before passing away from cancer in 2021, at age of 76 and shared a lifetime of knowledge and experiences with his grandchildren. “He used to give us a lot of golf tips and tricks,” Flynn said of his grandfather. “I’m so excited and grateful to be here for the Drive, Chip and Rose Zhang and Tiger Woods are her favorite players and she loved watching Jennifer Kupcho win the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Flynn Lewis Flynn Lewis isn’t the first member of his family to compete at Augusta National. A participant in the Boys 1011 division of the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, Flynn Lewis’ grandfather Bob, was a regular presence in the Masters Tournament during the 1980’s, when he was one of America’s finest amateur golfers. Flynn, who made it to the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club last month walked in his grandfather footsteps as Bob
Putt. But it’s way more special because he has been here playing in the Masters. He used to talk about the course and tell us about the holes.” After going to Rollins College in the late 1960s, Bob Lewis turned professional and played in 47 PGA Tour events from 1971-74 before deciding to forego tour life and join his father’s steel tubing manufacturing company. Lewis regained his amateur status in 1978, that summer becoming the first amateur since Jack Nicklaus in 1957 to win the Ohio Open. The Ohioan played in 31 USGA championships, his résumé highlighted by a runner-up finishes in the 1980 U.S. Amateur and in the U.S. MidAmateur in 1981 and 1984. He compiled a 10-4 record over four appearances on the winning United States Walker Cup team (1981-83-85-87) then captained the Americans in 2003 and 2005, with a victory over Great Britain & Ireland in his latter role at the helm. Lewis’ sportsmanship and integrity were recognized when shortly before passing away he received the 2021 Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor. “The USGA has played such an important role in my life,” Lewis said. “Many of my fondest memories in amateur golf come from representing our country both as a player and captain of the USA Walker Cup team. Bob Jones was the ultimate amateur, and I am truly honored to be included in his company.” Flynn’s aunt Tiffany now resides in her parents’ former home in Pepper Pike. She has preserved her dad’s “golf room,” which is full of trophies and other memorabilia from Lewis’ stellar golf career, including a pair of crystal goblets he received for making an eagle on the 15th hole at his maiden Masters in 1981. Flynn earned a total of 18 points and finished fifth in his division at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals last month. Given his family’s heritage in golf, I expect this will not be the last we see the Lewis name at the top of leaderboards. Enter Your Little Golfer In Drive, Chip & Putt This was the 10th anniversary of the DCP competition for junior golfers. Over those ten years it has drawn thousands of entrants and sent 721 golfers and their parents to Augusta National. Participants from 31 states, Canada and Australia competed in this year’s Finals and several are now playing on the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, as well as at the college level. Akshay Bahtia competed in the very first DCP Finals in 2014 and just got his second PGA Tour win at the 2024 Valero Texas Open. Jimmy Roberts narrated this wonderful video about the 2024 Finals. Click HERE to watch it. Insert Video Thumbnail here. Qualifiers for the 2025 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals will be held at locals around the country this summer. Visit their website, https:// www.drivechipandputt.com to find a location near you and to register your young golfer. Ohio Golf Journal
Buckeye Golfer Neal Shipley Has Magical Week At The Masters From: OSU Golf Ohio State graduate student, Neal Shipley made the cut in his first Masters Tournament, earned low amateur honors and enjoyed a Sunday round at Augusta with Tiger Woods. He was the only amateur to make the cut and received the Silver Cup for being the low amateur. The only other Buckeye to earn the Silver Cup was Jack Nicklaus, in 1960. Ohio Golf Journal
out here and I don’t need to do anything special to make cuts. When I was just kind of doing my thing and not doing anything special, that was good enough to make the cut and compete out here and beat a lot of players that are on the PGA TOUR.” Shipley won’t have much time to rest on his laurels as he will return home to join his Buckeye teammates to finish out the 2024 collegiate season. Ohio State hosts the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate at the OSU Golf Club. Next they will compete in the Big Ten Championship at Scioto Country Club, before the NCAA Regionals and the NCAA Championship, with the finals being held at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, in Carlsbad, California, at the end of May. Shipley was just the fourth Buckeye to ever make the cut at the Masters, as an amateur. Nicklaus finished tied for 13th, 1960. John Cook made the cut and finished tied for 39th, in 1979 and in 1984, Clark Burroughs finished tied for 46th. Shipley learned from the experience that he can compete at the professional level. He has another shot to mix it up with the big boys later this summer, as he will play in the U.S. Open at yet another famed golf course, Pinehurst No. 2. When asked what he’ll take from this week into that event, Shipley’s replied, “I think what’s going to help me out a lot is just knowing that my game can compete
Mother’s Day Gifts For Golfing Moms There is a very special day in May every year that recognizes all that our mothers do for us. If your mother is a golfer, we have a few ideas that might make your Mother’s Day gift memorable and help make you her favorite child. LaTona Golf Apparel for Women Michigan-Based Latona Golf Wear for Women creates stylish, yet comfortable golf wear for lady golfers that looks good, on the course, or off. Stacey Latona didn’t like the selection, or the styles available at retail shops for women golfers and she set out to do something about it. Back 9 Report chatted with the founder of Latona Golf Wear, Stacey Latona. View the entire interview HERE. All, of her designs, are functional, yet comfortable to wear on the course, or off. Clean lines keep every golfer confident in their appearance while swinging for those long drives and delicate chips. Click HERE to check out the styles that will make your mom look great on the golf course. They are definitely worth look. Ohio Golf Journal
GearUp Sportswear It took, Gear Up Sportswear founder Terry Desmond, 18 months to create his final fabric combinations that make his line of women’s golf attire the most comfortable, wrinkle-free, faderesistant and attractive on the market. The proof can be found in the women that return every year to update their wardrobes with the newest colors from Gear UP Sportswear. Gear Up Sportswear’s women’s line is also perfect for heading to the gym, coffee with the girls, or just lounging around the house. In addition to being comfortable, pleasing to the eye and easy to care for, Gear Up Sportswear won’t break you piggy bank. Visit https://gearupsportswear.com/ to see the latest styles and order the best Mother’s Day Gift for your mom. They created the world’s first matte finished golf ball and they continue to expand their product line with their newest Vivid ball. Volvik golf balls have been in use on the world’s professional tours since 2012. Just in time for Christmas, purchase two dozen Vivid golf balls and receive a free leather belt. (Offer expires 12-10-2023) Help your favorite golfer stand out in the crowd and play with colorful Volvik golf balls. Find out more at: https://volvik. com/ Volvik Golf Balls The most colorful ball in golf makes the ideal gift for any mom on Mother’s Day. Volvik has over 40 years’ experience in golf ball production. Their innovations have led the industry in the production of 3- and 4-piece multi-layer high performance golf balls for players of every skill set.
419 Putters If you mom struggles to get the ball in the hole, maybe a new putter would help her game. The designers at 419 make putters that will improve every golfer’s game and take a few strokes off the handicap. Every golfer’s stroke, style, and feel are different from everyone else. A fitting to find the right combination of weighting, face, shape and feel will create the perfect putter for your mom Every component on a 419 putter is interchangeable so they can build the right putter for every golfer. To find out more about 419’s line of putters visit: https://419.golf/. SQAIRZ Golf Shoes SQAIRZ Golf Shoes have taken the golf world by storm. A blend of research and modern technology SQAIRZ Golf Shoes provide a stable foundation to help produce a balanced golf swing. Nick Faldo believes in them and Sepp Straka wins with them, on the PGA Tour. With new styling and a lighter weight, every mom will be happy to receive a new pair of SQAIRZ Golf shoes for Mother’s Day. Find out more at: https://sqairz.com/collections/all-womensfootwear. Square Launcher Xccelerator Lowers Scores Does your mom struggle to make consistent contact with her golf swings? The Square Launcher Xccelerator helps reduce unruly swings to create a repeatable swing that produces a square club face and makes the game easier. By helping to imitate a natural underhand tossing motion the Square Launcher Xccelerator provides one easy repeatable motion to more consistently produce solid contact and better golf shots. The inventors of the Square Launcher Xccelerator tested over 60 different methods of golf improvement aids, but found this to be the best solution. Help you mom improve her practice sessions, build muscle memory and increase her enjoyment of the game by using the Square Launcher Xccelerator. To learn more watch this short video, https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=zc-UEks7HXE and visit their website: https:// squarelaunchergolf.com/. Ohio Golf Journal
By Len Ziehm Ohio Golf Journal
Book Reviews From Len Ziehm Being a fairly voracious reader, I have contributed book reviews to my social media outlets for several years. I have written about books that I’ve enjoyed on a variety of subjects, but have always restrained from reviewing political books, for obvious reasons. In this review I’m discussing books on one of my favorite topics, golf. There have been several new golf books published recently, many written by golf media colleagues and friends. Arnold Palmer, American Hero No one does coffee table books better than Martin Davis, who had several prominent golf writers contribute to this book. Marino Parascenzo, Jaime Diaz, Adam Schupak, Alex Miceli and Jeff Babineau are just a few of the contributors. Martin has edited, or published 39 golf books, and I particularly enjoyed his book on the Ryder Cup. He is a historian of the game and this latest book is filled with classic pictures of golf’s most charismatic and photogenic player, Arnold Palmer. Coffee table books are, by definition, large and this one may be the biggest in my collection. It’s 370 pages and weighs seven pounds. This book needs to be read at a leisurely pace to savor the memories of this most special individual, who just happens to have been a champion golfer. Life On The Green Ann Liguori’s career has been in sports broadcasting, but she has also been a dominant winner in the International Network of Golf’s annual Media Awards for her writing efforts. Jim Nantz provided a glowing forward for the book. Each of the 12 chapters spotlight a legend of the game from her unique perspective. The subjects
are an excellent mix of men and women golfers, plus other important contributors to the game. The chapters spotlight, Amy Alcott, Ben Crenshaw, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, Jack Nicklaus, Dottie Petter, Gary Player, Renee Powell, Annika Sorenstam, Jan Stephenson and Tom Watson. Those names should spark any golfer’s interest. One of the special anecdotes in the book come from the 1985 Masters, in which Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros played in the nextto-the last pairing on Sunday, just ahead of Raymond Floyd and Curtis Strange. Langer and Ballesteros were great rivals in Europe and both, of course, were Masters champions. On the first tee, Ballesteros turned to Langer and said, ``Good luck, and let’s make sure one of us wins and not the Americans.’’ Langer, went on to win his first Green Jacket that day and said he found extra meaning in the comment, ``No doubt about it. Even at the Masters, which is so individualistic, obviously (Seve) wanted to win it, but if he couldn’t then the next best thing was just to keep it away from the Americans.’’ That singular comment stills resonates today, when we watch the European Ryder Cup Team want so badly to beat the American team. The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National The author of “The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National,” Ward Clayton, was the sports editor for the Augusta Chronicle for ten years, and produced a 2019 television documentary, ``The Caddie’s Long Walk.’’ He is more than qualified to write a book on Augusta National caddies. The caddies nicknamed, Stovepipe, Burnt Biscuits, Skillet, Skinny and Marble Eye witnessed some great moments, both public and private, in their days on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. New Books If you get through those interesting reads, there were two new books released last month. ``Rainmaker’’ is the autobiography of Hughes Norton, with George Peper and ``Drive, the Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods,’’ was written by Bob Harig. Norton was Woods’ first agent and a tantalizing excerpt of the book has run in Golf Digest. Harig previously authored the book, ``Tiger and Phil’’ and has been a leader in the ongoing coverage of developments involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League. When you aren’t on the course and head to the beach this summer grab a couple of these interesting reads. Ohio Golf Journal
Sand Valley has become one of North America’s top summer golf destinations. With four legendary golf courses, Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, The Lido and the par-3 Sandbox designed by top name golf architects, the new fifth course, Sedge Valley by Tom Doak, will open in June. Because it is located in the middle of cold and snowy Q: How important is the new Tennis Center to making Sand Valley a Year-Round Destination? Tennis provides another activity for golfers, lawn tennis is rare enough, but court tennis is a chance to really dig in and learn about the origins of the modern game. As the Sand Valley community grows to include more and more families, tennis Sand Valley Is Rapidly Becoming a 4-Season Destination By Steve Pike, SpikeOnGolfandTravel.com Wisconsin, Sand Valley has become more than just a golf and summer destination. In a conversation with Sand Valley’s Director of Marketing, Brandon Carter about the resort’s new, 13-000 square-foot Tennis Center, where in addition to 15 grass courts, the Keiser brothers, Chris and Michael, have created the country’s 11th American Tennis Court. Ohio Golf Journal
and pond skating are also popular with families. Q: Are local people coming for the winter programs? Yes, we are offering B&B packages for Wisconsin residents to enjoy throughout the winter. The outdoor Sand County Classic attracts hockey enthusiasts from all over the state. Our Thanksgiving Dinner and New Year’s Eve programming are very well attended, plus our culinary programs have shown increased demand every year. Q: Other than golf and tennis what’s next on the list for Sand Valley? New restaurants, Bill’s BBQ at the Sandbox and the Gallery at the Tennis Center. The Tennis Center itself with Court Tennis and the new grass courts is a major expansion. There is also a new 40-acre lake that will offer aquatic sports and retreats, holiday getaways, wellness programs, ice sports, and culinary events. Plus, we have plans for additional programming and activities in the future Q: What has been the most popular winter sport/ activity this year? By far our most popular winter sports activity is the Sand County Classic Pond Hockey tournament. We have also become a popular outdoor curling destination. There are very few places where you can do outdoor curling. Sledding Q: Do you expect to attract “non-golfers?” There may be tennis clubs, who want to travel for grass courts. It’s certainly great for nongolfing guests, plus tennis also opens up the door for couples, groups and mixed golf/tennis club competitions. Q: How has this Winter season been as a four seasons destination? We are beginning to see guests, who came for golf in the summer, return over the winter. The winter schedule has evolved to include is a major draw. The Tennis Center itself, with a scenic patio and the Gallery restaurant is an amenity all its own.
additional club-style family amenities scheduled for 2026. Q: How do the Winter Food & Beverage experiences vary from the summer experiences? The Winter season allows the culinary team to commit to the farm-to-table experience by exploring new menu offerings that change based on seasonal availability. Winter Food & Beverage experiences are truncated. Mammoth Bar is the central winter venue for day-to-day operations and Aldo’s Farm to Table is open for dinner service Thursday through Saturday. We also offer in-cottage dining and grocery stocking during the winter, along with special culinary events throughout the season. Q: Plans for any new restaurants/dining experiences? The Gallery will open in May, with handcrafted pizzas, time-honored Italian specialties, and a curated wine list. Bill’s BBQ at the Sandbox will feature traditional BBQ and all the fixin’s. Q: Are more home buyers moving here permanently and what is the mix of permanent and seasonal home buyers? The Lido Conservancy has the highest number of permanent and seasonal residents. These are estate homes and operate with a limited rental pool available only to Lido members. The privatelyowned cottages at the Mammoth Conservancy and Sedge Village areas have owners who generally visit several times a year and participate in the rental pool when not on property. Sand Valley is already one of the country’s premier summer golf destinations. With future expansion and year-round programs, it’s popularity will also stretch into the fall and winter months. Ohio Golf Journal
Bettinardi Launches MB24 & CB24 Irons By Ed Travis Bob Bettinardi has been known for milled putters, of the highest quality, for 30 years, but now he has released his first sets of irons, the co-forged MB24 and CB24 irons. Bettinardi’s reputation for innovation in milled putters has carried over to the new irons and if looks are an indication of performance, both will be an instant hit with golfers. Using a sophisticated co-forging technique, the one-piece heads have a tungsten ceramic matrix (CMC) composite weight on the inside, with the size and placement, loft dependent. This means a lower center of gravity in the long irons helps create a higher launch, plus a higher center of gravity in the shorter irons, aids in producing more spin. The cavity back of the CB24s is generous and changes shape from the lower to higher lofts to increase the modulus of inertia, or resistance to twisting, just a fancy way to say more forgiving. Mixed sets are easily accomplished because the MB24’s and CB24’s stock lengths and lofts are identical. Golfers may want the CB24 long irons mixed with the MB24 scoring irons. Fast Facts MB24 Irons, muscle back CB24 Irons, cavity back Better player category Co-forged 1025 carbon steel Tungsten-CMC interior weight Progressive center of gravity vertically Stock lofts: 5-iron 26°, pitching wedge 45° Stock shaft: KBS Tour, True Temper Dynamic Gold Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet MSRP for 7-club set: $1,600.00 Ohio Golf Journal
Wilson Dynapower Irons for 2024 By Ed Travis Wilson’s new Dynapower irons are designed to aid players wanting consistent solid impact and feature the iconic Wilson feel with added resistance to twisting. The classic Dynapower irons were first made in 1956 and the newest modern model was designed with a tip of the hat to the almost 70-year-old Dynapower tradition. Fast Facts Game-improvement category, for average golfers Variable thickness face Sole Power Holes Toe-bias weighting Low center of gravity Stock lofts: 5-iron 21°, pitching wedge 42° Stock shafts: KBS Max Ultralite, UST Recoil Dart 65 Stock Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360 MSRP: 7-club set steel shafts $800 or $900 graphite Power Holes are Wilson’s label for three slots in the iron sole allowing added face flexing when the ball is struck. This construction helps retain ball speed across the face, particularly if the ball is struck near the toe, the tendency of 65% of average golfers. The head’s toe-biased weighting makes resistance to twisting (MOI) high and the low center of gravity creates a higher launch angle. Dynapowers also have sufficient hosel and shaft offset to promote another desirable position at impact, having the hands ahead of the ball. These newer models are made with recreational golfers in mind, many of whom have swing issues that prevent consistent ball striking. The variable thickness face was created after using artificial intelligence to analyze thousands of face configurations, or Power Holes, to achieve the maximum result, when impact is not in the center of the face.
Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley Doesn’t Want 8,000 Yard Masters Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley supports rolling back the golf ball. As a past U.S. Amateur Champion (1975), a former USGA President and current Augusta National Golf Club’s (ANGC) Chairman, Fred Ridley understands the traditions, current problems and future of golf like few others. In his comments to the press, Chairman Ridley reiterated Augusta National Golf Club’s support of the USGA and The R&A’s decision to roll back the golf ball beginning in 2028. His support, however, does appear to be a bit self-serving, as he hopes the Masters will not be forced to be played at 8,000 yards. By Steve Pike Ohio Golf Journal
That is at least a possibility if equipment experts are correct in their beliefs and mathematical calculations, that today’s – and tomorrow’s – equipment will make historic golf courses obsolete. For the 2024 Masters, the course was stretched to 7,550 yards – approximately 600 yards longer than in 1997, when Tiger Woods won his first of five Green Jackets. “We may well play one of the tournament rounds this year at more than 7,600 yards,’’ Ridley said. “I’ve said in the past that I hope we will not play the Masters at 8,000 yards, but that is likely to happen, in the not too distant future, under current standards. Accordingly, we support the decisions that have been made by the R&A and the USGA as they have addressed the impact of distance at all levels of the game.” The decision made by the USGA and The R&A to roll back the ball has not been well received and is not universally supported by the golf community. The PGA Tour, Titleist and their parent company, Acushnet, have each questioned the decision. Average golfers are not too excited about playing a shorter golf ball, as well. Ridley also said that if the decision to roll back the ball was not adopted by the Tour and the other major golf industry leaders, “It would cause a great deal of stress in the game, which it doesn’t need it right now.’’ Even though golf has reached new all-time levels of participation, especially among women and juniors, it seems there are important issues that need to be resolved to assure the game remains enjoyable for all golfers.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Steve Pike 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 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 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/ Barry Cronin Barry Cronin is a former golf writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and is currently the Editor for Chicago District Golfer. He owns and operates Cronin Communications with clients such as the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic and Western Golf Association. He brings a unique “extra-journalistic” perspective to his writing. Contact Barry at: https://www. facebook.com/barry.cronin.7 Ohio Golf Journal
VIDEOS Stacey Latona’s new golf apparel line for women offers a clean, stylish and comfortable look whether on the course, or off. Team USA is set to travel to Ireland to compete on Irish links courses. The very best of Irish golf and castles will play host during their trip! Amateur Golfers NO USGA GHIN Handicap required to play in Team USA Qualifiers! You could win a trip and play for Team USA in Ireland in 2025! Treetops’ Doug Hoeh talks about the renovation and tree removal, over 800 trees were removed, that has made the Tradition Course at Treetops one of the very best in Michigan. Latona: Stylish Golf Apparel for Women Team USA vs Team Ireland in 2024 Amateur Golf Championship Doug Hoeh Explains Renovations to Treetops’ Tradition Course Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
OHIO GOLF JOURNAL ALLRIGHTS RESERVED; COPYRIGHT 2023 www.ohiogolfjournal.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ2Nzk4