In This Issue V O L U M E 22 • S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 • N U M B E R 2 h t t p : / / m i c h i g a n g o l f e r . c o m

MICHIGAN GOLFER W. Bruce Matthews III Herschel Nathanial 4 Golf Architects: They Build the Stuff That Publisher/Editor Bernice Phillips Art McCafferty Dave Serino Greens are Made Of. Ken Tabacsko [email protected] Kelly Thesier Editor Emeritus Marc Van Soest Terry Moore Phil Winch John Wukovits Managing Editor 9 Michigan Golfer Television Show Kelly Hill Photo/Video [email protected] Kevin Frisch Interviews: Golf Course Architects Dave Richards Chief Information Carter Sherline Officer Clarence Sormin Jennie McCafferty Brian Walters Joe Yunkman 10 The Perfectiona and Parfection of Notre Internet Service Provider Representatives Dame’s Tyrone Willingham Pat & Rick Rountree Brian Manning Dundee Internet B.J. Erwin by John Wukovitz Services, Inc. Director of Director of Information Accounting Technology Cheryl Clark Katie Delcamp 12 Par Fives ÐÐ Risk and Reward [email protected] Web Development by John Bebow Writers at Large ZebraFish Studios Susan Bairley Jack Berry zebrafishstudios.com Craig Brass Tom Doak Director of New Greg Johnson Media Development 14 Michigan Golfer Television Show 2004- Bradley S. Klein Trevor Zylstra Vartan Kupelian 2005 Program Schedule Jon Maddern Copy Editor Norm Sinclair Rose Zylstra Mike Shiels Ron Whitten Office Assistant Contributing Editors Erica Miller 16 Michigan Hosts the Big Break Series on John Bebow Mike Duff Michigan Golfer the Golf Channel Jim Neff William Shelton is produced by by Bernice Phillips Mike Terrell Great Lakes Sports Writers L’anse Bannon Publications, Inc. Margaret Bowers Rick Coates GLSP Advertising & 18 Slice of Life Liza Dypka Business Office Sam Fullerton by Terry Moore Dennis Grall 3588 Plymouth Road, #245 Thad Gutowski Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Gary Holaway 734.507.0241 Janina Parrott Jacobs 734.434.4765 FAX Mickey MacWilliams Brett Marshall [email protected] Judy Mason glsp.com Michigan Golfer - May/June issue

Michigan Golfer is published online six times a year by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., 3588 Plymouth Coming May 2004 Rd, #245, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2603. All contents of this publication are copyrighted, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, Michigan’s Great Architects, Part II: of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and illustrations Jerry Matthews will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materi- W. Bruce Matthews III als. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect endorsement of views and/or phi- Walter Hagen ÐÐ The Detroit Years losophy of Michigan Golfer. Back Issues: May be ordered by sending $5.00 with Upper Peninsula Golf your name, address and issue requested to Michigan Golfer, 3588 Plymouth Road, #245, Ann Arbor, MI 48105- Indiana Golf 2603. S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E Golf Architects: They Build the Stuff That Greens are Made Of

Grand Haven Golf Club, the home course of W. Bruce Matthews, begins to take shape.

he openings of new Michigan golf courses is now down to a trickle from the deluge we had just five years earlier. This year, College Field, Hawk’s Eye, Hawk’s Ridge and Angels Crossing are scheduled Tto open along with some others, like Port Huron CC that have gone through renovation or preservation. But that’s about it. The building boom of the 80’s and 90’s that added hundreds of golf courses to our state’s inventory and gave rise to our national ranking as a golf destination has quieted. Those were the salad days of golf course archi- tects, much like the 1920’s and 1950’s were before. The huge firms of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Art Hills and Robert Trent Jones and later, his sons, Rees and Robert Trent Jones Jr.; expanded their firms during this period to accommodate this frantic building boom. Michigan architects; Jerry Matthews, W. Bruce Matthews III, Harley Hodge, Ray Hearn, Ron Otto and Mike Husby to name but a few, split off of established firms or started their own. During this respite, we thought it might be prudent to take a look at our golf inventory in Michigan and benchmark it, but take that look through the eyes of the architects. We have chosen W. Bruce Matthews and Robert Trent Jones for the first of our series, on “Michigan’s Golf Course Architects”. Both were born at the turn of one century and died as a new one was to begin. We hope you enjoy our words, and just as importantly, the online video we direct you to as well. While it is always interesting to study and write about the accomplishments of architects, it is quite another thing to offer readers the opportunity to become viewers by clicking on a link.

4 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E Part 1 - W. Bruce Matthews and Robert Trent Jones

W. Bruce Matthews

By L’anse Bannon with Paul Fullmer

. Bruce Matthews lived a full and robust life, Wwringing every drop of pleasure and purpose out of it. He was born in 1904 and died in the year 2000. Paul Fullmer, Executive Secretary, American Society of Golf Course Architects, penned an article in their association publica- tion that commemorated Mr. Matthews’s life. “Bruce represent- ed the almost gone, but certainly Grand Haven Golf Club not forgotten, era of golf that endured the harsh years of the Depression. That’s when an aspir- 1956 Award ing golf course architect had to Club Managers Association of make due during the lean years, as America (Member: 25-Year Club) 1993 Bruce did by working as the gener- Michigan Golf Hall of Fame al manager and superintendent of 1956-1960 Inductee Green Ridge Country Club in Michigan Turfgrass Foundation — Grand Rapids. Golf course archi- President 1996 tecture had to be done in his spare Michigan Golf Course Owners time. 1961-62, 1962-63 & 1963-64 Association Lifetime Achievement Club Managers Association of Award When Bruce entered the Society, America President — 25-Year Club members were somewhat puzzled W. Bruce Matthews will also be by his background. Who is Bruce 1970 noted for the Michigan architec- Matthews? Architect? Owner? Michigan Club Managers tural dynasty that he created. His Club Manager? Superintendent? Association Life Membership son, Jerry Matthews and grandson Well, he was all of those... and W. Bruce Matthews have success- proudly so. 1970 fully followed in his footsteps. The American Society of Golf Course total contribution of the three As much as anyone, Bruce Architects Regular Member (1970) architects is marked by the Matthews was “Mr. Golf in Fellow (1981) Matthews name on hundreds of Michigan.” Surely, golf and Michigan golf courses. Later on in Michigan could not have had a bet- 1978 our series, we will address the ter ambassador.” Western Michigan GCSA careers of both Jerry and W. Bruce Matthews III. We list here but a portion of the 1981 offices held and awards given to Michigan Turfgrass Foundation This list of courses that W. Bruce Mr. Matthews during his profes- Matthews, did or worked on by sional career. 1991 himself or with his son Jerry is as GCSAA Distinguished Service follows: S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 5 Courses Designed or Indian Hills Golf Course Worked on by Indian Lake Country Club W. Bruce Matthews Indian Run Golf Course Kalamazoo Elks Country Club Blossom Trail Golf Club Knollwood Country Club Brookshire Country Club Lake OÍ The Hills Golf Dun Rovin Course Essex Golf & Country Club Lakepointe Country Club Forest Akers Golf Course Lakes of the North Golf Green Ridge Country Club Course Hidden Oaks Golf Courses Lakewood Shores Golf & L. E. Kaufman Golf Course Country Manistee Golf & Country Lincoln Hills Golf Course Club Midland Country Club McGuires Evergreen Golf Mitchell Creek Golf Course Course Mt. Pleasant Country Club Salem Hills Golf Course Pine River Country Club Sandy Ridge Golf Course Plum Hollow Golf Club Scott Lake Country Club Shenandoah Golf & Country Sunnybrook Country Club Club Tyrone Hills Golf & Southmoor Golf Course Country Club Spring Lake Country Club West Ottawa Golf Course St. Clair Shores Country White Birch Hills Golf Club Course Stoneycroft Hills Country Jerry Matthews Winding Creek Golf Course Sugar Springs Golf Course The Pines at Lake Isabella Traverse City Golf & Country Club University Park Golf Club Courses Designed or Walnut Hills Country Club Worked on by Washtenaw Country Club W. Bruce Matthews White Lake Country Club & Jerry Matthews Wolverine Golf Club

Antrim Dells Golf Club n the winter of 2001, W. Birmingham Country Club Bruce Matthews III had Blythefield Country Club Ithe opportunity to reflect Bonnie View Golf Course upon the life of his grandfa- Cadillac Country Club ther during a visit to our stu- Candlestone Inn Golf & dio. In our story, you will Resort find out that he was fondest Cascade Hills Country Club of his own Grand Haven GC Country Club of Detroit and his work at Forest Akers Crockery Hills Golf Course for his beloved MSU. You Crystal Lake Golf Course will also hear him talk about Falcon Head Golf Club the day he spent in his youth Fellows Creek Golf Club helping his grandfather by Flint Elks Country Club picking up sticks in the fair- Godwin Glen Golf Course ways. The imprinting of W. Grand Blanc Golf Club Bruce Matthews III had Grand Haven Golf Club begun. Well, enough of this Hidden Oaks Golf Course writing see for yourself and Highland Hills Golf Club enjoy. Independence Green Golf W. Bruce Matthews III Club http://michigangolfer.tv

6 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E Robert Trent Jones

By Art McCafferty

s a youth, Oakland University tuition pay- Aments, an insatiable hunger for fast women, fast cars and adult beverages, took most of my money and left little to support my golf addiction. The courses I selected were based on their affordability. I remember how wonderful it was when I discovered that a new nine hole course, Bogey Lake GC, had opened up their original nine and offered mid-week play of $1 a day. Now that was my kind of course. Somehow during this scholarly and hedonistic life style, all the stars in the heavens lined up one week and I found myself and a group of buddies playing The Heather course at Boyne Highlands. It was an absolutely over- whelming, mind blowing experience for all of us. We had never seen a course like The Heather ever. The architect of the course was Robert Trent Jones. Everett Kircher had the vision to hire him to design it and northern Michigan golf was changed forever. Jones, one of the most prolific golf designers in the world, had, as his final tally, designed over 350 golf courses in 45 states and 35 countries.

Jones was born in 1906 in Ince, England, a town on the Trent River. Bobby Jones at the time inserted the Trent and Robert to distinguish himself from his friend and colleague Bobby Jones, early in his career. He purportedly said Robert Trent Jones to Bobby Jones, “There is only room for one Bobby Jones.” His breakout work occurred when ards here and there. he reworked the Oakland Hills CC Jones impact on Michigan has He was to work with Bobby for the US. Open in 1951. He been substantial. He left us three Jones on Peachtree CC in as well retained the original routing of courses that continually rank in the as Augusta National, when he did Donald Ross, but filled in all of his top 100 course in the U.S; The some work on the 11th and 16th original bunkers. He then created Heather, Point O’Woods in Benton holes. He changed them from new ones and put them out from Harbor and, finally, Treetops in indifferent to bold and memorable. 230-270 yards from the tee and Gaylord. And besides turning a also added his signature water haz- very playable Donald Ross course

S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 7 © Jim Neff On hand for the grand opening of the Robert Trent Jones course at Treetops in July 1987 were (l to r) architect Robert Trent Jones, owner Harry Melling, and head pro Rick Smith. into The Monster at Oakland Hills, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 1948 his early days in the business, the he also did some work on the Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield growth of golf throughout the Country Club of Detroit. He Hills, Michigan 1951 world, his building of the Heather became “The Open Doctor” Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and his battles with Everett because of his work and punched (Gold Course), Williamsburg, Kircher over the design, his build- up a number of courses that had Va. 1963. ing of Treetops, his hole in one fallen behind the times in their Mauna Kea Beach Golf Course, shot on Baltusrol, the impact of appearance and competitiveness. Kamuela, Hawaii. 1965. modern golf equipment and his Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Pebble contribution to golf: water hazards. At Baltusrol, Jones did a redesign Beach, Calif. 1966. for the 1954 U.S. Open. Some of the Club de Golf Valderrama, He will also share with you, con- members indicated that he had made Sotogrande, Spain. 1975 versations he had with his friends the 4th hole too hard for them. He Ballybunion (Cashen Course), Alister MacKenzie, Bobby Jones took up the challenge by going to County Kerry, Ireland. 1984 and his admiration for his boyhood the 4th hole and acing the new 185- The Heather, Harbor Springs, hero, Walter Hagen. Enjoy. yard, par-3. “See gentlemen; it’s not Michigan that difficult,” said Jones. Pointe O’Woods, Benton Harbor, Part I Michigan http://michigangolfer.tv/2001show When he died on June 14, 2000, Treetops, Gaylord, Michigan 1987 s/show19/show19qt.html he left behind a legacy of more than 350 courses in 45 states and e now would like to take Part II 35 countries. We list here the four you on another journey. http://michigangolfer.tv/2001show Michigan courses he built or WYou can experience Mr. s/show20/index.html redesigned along with a few others Jones by visiting each of the fol- for which he was famous. lowing three links. In our three Part III part video series, Jones will tell http://michigangolfer.tv/2001show The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, you about his philosophy of golf, s/show21/index.html MG

8 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E Robert Trent Jones with one of the most famous golf holes in Michigan, the Sixth at Treetops. Michigan Golfer Television Show Interviews: Golf Course Architects Paul Albanese Harley Hodge W. Bruce Matthews III http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 19/index.html 12/index.html 3/index.html http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 22/index.html Mike Husby William Newcomb http://michigangolfer.tv/2002shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show Steve Forrest 6/index.html 1/index.html http://michigangolfer.tv/2002shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 19/index.html 18/index.html Jack Nicklaus http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/the- Ray Hearn Robert Trent Jones bull/index.html http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 21/index.html 19/index.html Rick Robbins http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 8/index.html 20/index.html 33/index.html http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show Arthur Hills 21/index.html Charles Scott http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 13/index.html W. Bruce Matthews http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show 27/index.html 16/index.html

S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 9 The Perfectiona and Parfection of Notre Dame’s Tyrone Willingham

By John Wukovitz best that he can be.”

he campus of the University Willingham first took up the sport of Notre Dame glistens in in 1978 when he worked as a gradu- Tthe mid-morning sun as I ate assistant for the Michigan State drive up for the interview with football staff. At the urging of fel- head football coach, Tyrone low coach, Sherman Lewis, who Willingham, who has agreed to recognized the value of golf in discuss his love for golf. building relationships and recruiting Towering trees throw their shade for the football program, especially on the multi-colored flowers that with alumni golf outings, line the paths, and small groups of Willingham played his first round. visitors meander about the cam- He began with a 14 on a par-4 hole, pus’s landmarks. which only whetted his appetite to conquer the demanding game. Not surprisingly, football domi- nates many of the landmarks’ When his busy schedule permits, themes. Coach Willingham’s Willingham plays three times a office rests directly across from during May-July. He claims his the stadium, where Knute current eight handicap is low for Rockne, the Four Horsemen, his talents, but states that he usual- Paul Hornung, Ara Parseghian, ly shoots between 78 and 84 on the difficult par-71 Crenshaw lay- and Joe Montana worked their Notre Dame's Tyrone Willingham miracles. Statues honor athletic out. director Ed “Moose” Krause and Not surprisingly for an introspec- football coach Frank Leahy. ated with being Notre Dame’s tive football coach, Willingham Even the university’s 14-story head coach, relax, and have some loves the mental aspect of golf. library, built to further advanced fun. Instead of the football coach “He thinks about every shot,” says thought and research, is more or analyst, I would chat with Simmons. “His course manage- commonly associated with a Tyrone Willingham, the regular ment is one of his strengths.” stone mural that students have person, as if the two were separate Simmons adds that Willingham’s labeled “Touchdown Jesus” for entities. length off the tees supplements a the way its main figure raises his sound putting and chipping game. hands as if indicating six points. Not so. You learn immediately that Willingham views every Two aspects of the course partic- Fortunately, I thought, our inter- endeavor in the same fashion—as an ularly appeal to the coach in view will be conducted in a more opportunity to learn and to instruct. Willingham—Notre Dame’s 10th pastoral locale—the school’s The golf course, like the football hole, a par-5 tester that, at 495 7,011-yard Warren Golf Course. field, is yet another classroom where yards, temptingly offers the chance Surely there, on a gorgeous, education and challenges take place. to either go for the green in two or demanding layout designed by Ben As Notre Dame assistant football lay up in a safe area, and the mul- Crenshaw, away from the football coach and close friend, Bob tiple-layered greens which impar- and the memories, Willingham Simmons, states, “Golf is a reflec- tially reward accuracy and punish could escape the pressures associ- tion of him. He’s there to be the errant shots. It is just as he would

10 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E The 16th hole at Notre Dame s Warren Golf Course. have it in football—develop a the competition that brings him the cannot properly execute the play.” strategy, then rely on execution for fun. He does not understand those “The basic fundamentals in golf success or failure. who can play the sport and not care are alignment, alignment, and about their score, for that is his alignment,” he adds with a laugh. Willingham’s philosophy does method of challenging himself to do “It starts with hands, then it goes not vary whether it relates to golf better. “Some guys say they’ll take to feet, lower body, upper body. If or football—he approaches each any score in golf,” says Coach one can get perfectly aligned and shot or each play as if it is the only Simmons. “That’s not Coach bring the club face back on line, important matter, but once it is Willingham! He wants to be the best. they will have success.” done, he moves on. “In golf, I If he can improve, he wants to.” want every shot to be the best it Golf, like football, thus provides can be, but as soon as that shot is Willingham notices many similari- the same thrill that Willingham over, it’s over. It is similar to what ties between golf and football. “If seeks in any endeavor—to be the I teach my players. It is this play you want to be good, you need best he can be at that moment. that is important.” attention to detail. In golf, if you “It’s fun to compete. Not that you just go up there and hit the ball, you have to win all the time, but the As another foursome walks down may have chosen the wrong club or real fun is competition.” One quick the 16th fairway, Willingham misjudged the wind. In football, conversation with the likable coach explains that while he plays golf for players have to be aligned properly. shows that he lives that philosophy both enjoyment and competition, it is If a split is too great, then a player every moment of his life. MG

S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 11 Par Fives ÐÐ Risk and Reward

The 16th at Eagle Crest Resort

By John Bebow

he risk of being a Michigan golfer is having to shovel the driveway in that first fickle week of April. The reward, sometimes, is an early thaw and extra rounds in March. No matter the weather, by after- Tnoon of April’s first or second Sunday our location is awfully predictable _ in front of the television, watching the back-nine heroics at The Masters.

12 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E History has taught us to expect golf coach at EMU. However, the tee shot is a little bit down- thrills and spills from Augusta’s Cunningham preaches to his play- hill. Hit it into the 40-yard-wide par fives. Through the annual flur- ers to play it as a three-shot hole. fairway and you face an ry of birdies and eagles at 13, we approach over a couple bunkers wince and remember Curtis “The fairway is so narrow that and a pond on the right to an Strange’s second-shot dump into players who get in trouble off the 8,000-square-foot green. A lot of Rae’s Creek, which started his tee seem to take more risk on the players go for it. fatal slide down the leaderboard a next shot,” Cunningham says. number of years ago. And as we “Then the hole seems to have a honor Gene Sarazen’s legendary snowball effect.” No. 9, Faulkwood Shores, double eagle at 15 in 1935, we Brighton chide Chip Beck’s boring 1993 lay Or a snowman effect. up, which sealed his fate as an Gamblers will love this one also-ran. because it’s a great place to No. 3, The Bear, Acme decide a skins match. On many “With a great risk-reward par five weekends Faulkwood’s nines are you want a hole where you can If any Michigan hole resembles reversed so that No. 9 actually make a three or a four or a five or a the tempting dangers of Augusta it plays as the finishing hole. It’s a six or a seven,” says renowned, might be this one. At 528 yards from welcome respite after one of the Toledo-based golf course architect the blues (472 from the whites), this toughest collections of holes in Arthur Hills. “These are holes where is a softie compared to much of the the state. With a slope rating of every time you go for a green it’s brutal Bear. A good drive leaves the 140 from the tips, Faulkwood fraught with interest. The ideal low handicapper about 200 yards to offers only a couple breaks. On examples are Number 13 and the green. But a creek cuts in front the ninth (or 18th on the week- Number 15 at Augusta.” of the large putting surface and an ends), a fairly open driving area eight-foot-deep bunker also yawns at tempts players to end the round Augusta’s a long way from you in front. with a bang. Once in the fairway, Michigan, especially in early April, they face a Donald Ross-like but we have our share of holes visual hazard _ a sunken creek where eagles and double bogeys No. 14, Travis Pointe Country which makes the green appear seem equally likely. With eyes Club, Ann Arbor much closer than it really is. toward spring, here are a number of Avoid under-clubbing, clear the Michigan holes where you might When architect Bill Newcomb creek and a short incline to the play the hero’s role this year: designed Travis Pointe he didn’t green, and you’ll face a flat putt envision the 518-yard 14th as for eagle. No. 16, Eagle Crest Golf Club, much more than a decent par five. Ypsilanti “We knew the longest hitters No. 6, Pilgrim’s Run, Pierson Water, water everywhere, and could always get there,” Newcomb nary a drop to drink. Instead, a says. “But now, with the better Pilgrim’s Run sixth hole is a per- parched throat is the logical equipment every third player can fect example of a risk-reward par- impulse after the first look at this get there.” five. Design consultant Mike short, 475-yarder at the Eastern DeVries is rightfully proud of this Michigan University course. The A small round green is tucked in hole that begins from an elevated drive must clear a marsh while behind a pond and a tricky bunker tee that looks out toward a wide avoiding heavy woods left and complex. While Travis Pointe is a fairway bisected by a yawning Ford Lake immediately to the private country club, it has hosted bunker. A strong tee-shot will right. A big, straight drive is half many public tournaments. And in leave a player with a 220 yard shot the battle. To get home in two, tournament play the 14th tee is usu- to an elevated green with trouble players must hit a very straight, ally moved up to induce risk-taking. lurking left and right. Eagles are very high long iron or fairway possible here as are doubles, just wood to a small, boulder-encased the right mix for a reachable and green. Oh, by the way, Ford Lake No. 5, Mistwood (Blue Nine) daring par-five. protects the green on three sides. Lake Ann This is an edited reprint from the “If the risk pays off, you’ll defi- Here’s a chance for the average archives of the MG. John Bebow is nitely have a makeable eagle putt,” golfer to play the hero. It plays now a reporter for the says Bruce Cunningham, men’s 479 yards from the whites and Chicago Tribune. MG S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 13 The Michigan Golfer Television Show

http://michigangolfer.tv 2004 - 2005 Program Schedule

–– The Tom Izzo and Steve Mariucci Golf Classic –– The Ryder Cup Series –– Ken Devine’s Last Hurrah –– Arthur Hills and the Michigan Golf Trail –– Ireland: The Destination of the 2006 Ryder Cup –– Upper Peninsula Golf-The Other Michigan Golf Mecca –– 2004 Great Lakes Junior Masters Golf Championship –– 2004 Bank of Ann Arbor Futures Golf Classic –– “The Concession” --Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin –– Gene Sarazen and Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf –– The Big Break at Treetops –– 2004 Bay Mills Open Players Championship –– Arnold Palmer’s Turning Point Invitational –– 102nd Western Amateur Chuck Kocsis –– Chuck Kocsis - The Best There Ever Was

–– Michigan’s Golf Pioneer: Everett Kircher

14 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E

16 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E Michigan Hosts the Big Break Series on the Golf Channel

By Bernice Phillips according to Matt Friedman, publi- cist at The Golf Channel. ichigan has a rich history Friedman indicated that while of televised golf. there was not a Nielsen rating for MThroughout the years, the show, the feedback they got we have had national and interna- was substantial enough to call it a tional audiences viewing the likes hit, Paul Beachnau, Director of the of the PGA Championship, the US CVB from Gaylord, said, he has Open, The Buick Open, The all kinds of people talking to him Carling World Open, Ford Senior about the show. Players Championship, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, The Par The series featured 10 reason- Anthony Sorentino 3 Shootout, Bay Mills Open ably good golfers who underwent Players Tournament, TPC a series of golf skill tests that Alas, the match was over far too Championship and the U.S. resulted in eight of them being soon for our local lad, Anthony Amateur. On a statewide level, we eliminated. Golfers had to hit a Sorentino, as Justin Peters pre- have had Golfing Michigan, golf ball down a highway at a tar- vailed. Golfing the Great Lakes, Beat the get, hit punch shots through panes Pro, Michigan Golf Live and our of glass, hit balls into a moving Rick Smith hosted the series, own Michigan Golfer Television vehicle with a big barrel for a tar- with major sponsorship coming Show, which, in a sense, is world- get, hit blind wedges over walls from the Ford Motor Company. wide. hopefully onto greens, hit to par This year, we were treated to three holes, make long and short Vanessa Bell and the Michigan additional coverage by being the putts and finally compete in a Golfer TV cameras caught up with site of one of golf’s reality shows, match play round for the win. Rick at the PGA Merchandise “The Big Break” which was pro- Show and our reporter, Brian duced at Treetops Resort, and The final show of The Big Manning, interviewed 2nd place proved to be “highly successful”, Break had the final two contes- winner, Anthony Sorentino, who tants, Anthony Sorentino of was a guest spearker at an Eastern Michigan University class. This is Photos of Rick Smith (opposite Rochester Hills and Justin Peters what they had to say about the Big page) and Anthony Sorentino of Florida, fighting it out in match play. The winner was awarded four Break. http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/- (above) are courtesy of the Golf show5/ Channel. entries on the 2004 Canadian Tour. S P R I N G 2 0 0 4 ¥ M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E 17 S L I C E O F L I F E

ardon ohnny Miller and his commentary. slide—see above.) This year while polling the Miller is the preeminent color analyst 72 players, it included the question of Pinter- Jin golf. No one else is even close for “Who is the most overrated instructor in ruption, but I making salient, bold and usually intelli- golf?” Treetops affable and omnipresent must get a gent observations. I remember once talk- teacher Rick Smith topped the list at 30%, few things off ing to one of the assistant producers for followed next by David Leadbetter at my chest. NBC Golf who said Miller has such acute 29% and then Butch Harmon at 21%. My perceptions that he can consistently tell a two cents worth is that some Tour players Usually a player’s errant shot by merely listening to can be insanely jealous and resentful at nice, com- the audio feed of how the ball is struck. times of anyone’s success derived from forting essay Wow, that’s as spooky as Dustin Hoffman outside the ropes. (They’re even more about some in the movie Rain Man! But Miller is that jealous of success inside the ropes!) By Terry Moore aspect of golf sharp and that perceptive. But my two In many ways, Tour players prefer swing is in order for cents on Miller is that he gets too enam- gurus, like Smith, to mirror their job edict this column but spring fever and the ored with himself and his lofty reputation. for caddies: show up, keep up and shut up. emergence of the Michigan golf season Case in point was his comment last month Admittedly, Smith and other celebrated have gotten the better of me. There have about Craig Parry’s swing, describing it instructors are often over-exposed. But been so many incidents and media tem- so disparagingly that it would make “Ben isn’t that more the fault of national golf pests surrounding the game that I must Hogan puke.” Of course, Parry got the magazines, The Golf Channel, and network jump in and offer my two cents worth. ultimate last laugh by holing out a spec- TV all who gladly collaborate with them tacular eagle at Doral’s 18th hole in the on over-emphasizing swing techniques and en Venturi and his book: You playoff. Truth be told, Miller had a long analysis? And to be fair to Smith, this sur- know the story by now. Venturi vacation between his last ‘03 telecast and vey was taken before his star pupil Phil Kreviews his storied golf career by his first ‘04 one. So when he got to Doral Mickelson’s resurgent play and early Tour including a section about the ‘58 Masters and his 2004 debut, Miller must’ve felt win in January. Mickelson credits Smith saying in so many words that eventual some subconscious need to get “on the and Dave Pelz (who finished fourth on the winner Arnold Palmer knowingly broke a board” with his fan base and/or the USA nefarious list) for an off-season re-haul of rule on the 12th hole involving an embed- TODAY’s influential sports television crit- his game and course management. As ded ball. Reading the full text of the sec- ic Rudy Martzke. Why even earlier during such, SI Golf Plus should have at least tion (excerpted in Golf Magazine), Doral telecast, Miller said something noted somewhere when the survey was Venturi makes some interesting and chal- about how annoying it had been for him completed. Instead, being “edgy” and hav- lenging observations about the incident. to watch the winter golf telecasts where ing some “bite” often take editorial prece- But the upshot of all of this, in the world announcers were constantly talking over dence nowadays in even the best publica- of public opinion, is that Venturi calls the putts. Gee, now Miller is even into tions. Most importantly to me, however, “The King” a cheater and not deserving Martzke’s turf! Miller is a terrific com- was how Smith handled this rare public of his ‘58 Masters title. My two cents mentator but not everything that pops up relations setback. Although Smith admitted worth is that Venturi must’ve received in that fertile and original golf mind needs he was “hurt” by the player survey, he was some terrible advice and counsel from verbalization. quoted in USA TODAY as saying simply, somebody on including his version of this “I’ve just got to believe in my guys and long-forgotten incident, especially since I Golf Plus Tour Player Survey: trust in their faith in me.” And in a nice he never brought it up before in all of his Sports Illustrated hit a publishing defense of his close friend, Mickelson years as a CBS analyst and Masters com- Sace a decade ago when it started added in the same article, “He’s (Rick) a mentator. Instead, one can imagine the Golf Plus, its golf magazine-within-a- tremendous teacher. He doesn’t teach a book publisher (and certainly the publi- magazine. It’s an excellent section with system. He teaches each person a swing cist) gleefully welcoming the inclusion of some of the best writers and features they can execute the best.” Let’s see now: the Masters incident. “Hey, this should around. For the past several years, it has Phil’s play this year has been steady and sell more books!” This underlying moral conducted a PGA Tour player survey on a strong while Adam Scott, Harmon’s stu- is best summed up by paraphrasing a number of topics, most of which are pure- dent, wins the Players Championship. quote by the iconoclastic Michael Moore ly entertaining-e.g. “Best-looking Tour Anybody for a survey recount? in a recent documentary titled The wife or girlfriend?” (Elin Nordegren, Corporation: The rich man will sell you Tiger’s fiancé, in a runaway (bride?); A member of the Golf Writers Association the rope to hang yourself with if he thinks “Which TV commentator would you like of America, Terry Moore can be reached he can make a buck. to strangle?” (Johnny Miller in a land- at [email protected] MG

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