That’s how a veteran Nashville, Tennessee, cabbie answered my question about whether spring or fall would be a better time for a golfer to visit his fair (fare?) city. “Either season would be a great time to enjoy the outdoors and sights of the area,” he said. “There’s so much to do.”

After visiting Nashville earlier this year, I couldn’t agree more. (Cabbies trump TripAdvisor in my opinion.) In fact, I’m still kicking myself for neglecting the Music City, by-passing it so many times on my way to Georgia and Florida. Gee whiz, even a hot new television series—Nashville, seen on Sunday nights—beat me there.

I’ll get to the golf in a minute but let me share a few highlights of my stay which included a few traditional stops as well as some new ones.

Vanderbilt University—This renowned institution is located less than two miles from the downtown business district and is definitely worth a tour. The 330-acre main campus is full of bustling charm and beauty and its Peabody section has been a registered National Historic Landmark since 1966. After buying a Vandy golf tee-shirt at the bookstore, I even caught parts of varsity baseball and lacrosse games.

Antique Archaeology

Antique Archaeology—Again, only minutes from downtown, this is one of only two shops in the U.S. owned by Mike Wolfe of the popular American Pickers series on the History Channel. My spouse is a big fan of Pickers and Wolfe, once aptly described by the New York Times as the “Jack Kerouac of junk.” Well, one person’s junk is another’s must-have collectible. Located in an early 1900s auto factory, the store boasts antiques, folk art and branded merchandise and—being Nashville—live music.

Cheekwood—Farther afield and west of the city is this wonderful botanical garden, sculpture trail, art museum and the Cheekwood Mansion itself, the former estate of Leslie Cheek. Cheek was an early and savvy investor in Maxwell House coffee and later IBM. His immense fortune accounts for this magnificent 100-acre estate centered by a huge Georgian-style mansion surrounded by gardens. Incidentally, en route to Cheekwood, there’s the added bonus of passing through the famed Belle Meade neighborhood, one of the most stately and prestigious residential areas in the region, which includes the private Belle Meade Country Club, an admired 1921 Donald Ross design. Twenty-five years ago, noted golf architect and writer Tom Doak described the club as “one of the premier social clubs of my experience, with ballrooms and formal dining rooms to beat the band.”

Parthenon—This astounding full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Greece is how Nashville earned its moniker, “Athens of the South.” Built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial and Expo, the Parthenon is now part of Centennial Park within the city and is home to Athena, the tallest indoor structure in the Western world. Okay, it’s no Michelangelo’s David in Florence, but it’s an amazing work with a compelling local history.

Station Inn—This iconic bluegrass music venue was the highlight of the weekend. The humble nondescript locale (aka, a dive) serves simple food, snacks, and adult beverages while delivering a rollicking good time by a rotating roster of guest musicians. For my visit, high octane live music and entertainment were provided by Shawn Camp and band; his “Too Drunk to Karaoke” is a classic. Tip: get there early because there’s no reserved seating.

Broadway—In spite of its tourist trap-like demeanor, this busy section of honky-tonk saloons and free live music must be experienced and checked off the list. Along the way, stop in at the Hatch Show Print, one of the nation’s oldest letterpress poster shops. Since 1879, it has created posters and art for countless stars, concerts and sporting events. You’ll be hard-pressed not to buy another tee-shirt.

Other considerations—Tried and true attractions include the Ryman Auditorium (Nashville’s Carnegie Hall but sadly dark on our weekend), Grand Ole Opry, The Hermitage (Home of President Andrew Jackson), Music City Trolley Hop, Country Music Hall of Fame, and scores of others.

Hotel Indigo Nashville

Hotel Indigo—As faithful readers may recall, I favor this smaller, boutique-style hotel brand and I’ve yet to be disappointed for its ambience, amenities and overall service. Located in the heart of downtown in a former bank building, Hotel Indigo Nashville just completed a major and most impressive renovation. So how good is the renovation? Well, so good that the aforementioned Nashville television program shot some recent scenes there. Talk about a set design affirmation!

The spacious lobby and bar has a nifty printer theme and decor in keeping with the city’s early roots in the printing and publishing industry that spawned a host of live music saloons and restaurants in the famed Printers Alley, only a short stroll away. An added bonus of the hotel’s bar and lounge area is the delightful live music offerings, available every night but Sunday. On one lucky evening, it was “songwriter’s night” where local musicians performed original works. Terrific stuff—with or without a worthy brew.

Hotel Indigo's elegant appointments

With a robust view of the cityscape, our compact but well-appointed room was newly redecorated with elegant panache featuring a large comfy bed, deluxe bedding, 32-inch HD TV, work desk and free Wi-Fi access. The bathroom seemed like a mini-spa with its marble counters, terrazzo floors and spacious shower.  Most importantly, the service component surrounding our stay was excellent due to the attentive staff. In particular, the valet staff members who helped with our car and luggage were standouts. And kudos to affable Mike in the lounge who served me coffee and breakfast one morning along with a wealth of helpful tips and suggestions.  And unlike the stars of Nashville, he wasn’t just acting the part. Mike really enjoyed his role in imparting genuine service and attention.

Golf Courses—Yes, the Nashville area has a strong and talented line-up. For starters, I’d recommend Harpeth Hills, a “people’s choice” municipal course selection set in the rolling hills of Percy Warner Park. Par-72, it offers five sets of tees ranging from 4904 yards to 6999 yards. Indicative of its mettle, it has hosted a USGA qualifier.

Harpeth Hills: the people's choice

For aspiring beginners and juniors—and the next Brandt Snedeker (a proud Nashville resident)—Percy Warner GC (west Nashville) and Shelby Links (east) are highly recommended. Both were recently rated as two of the top five courses for junior and beginning golfers by Nashville’s The City Paper. The oldest (1924) muni in the city, Shelby Links is where Snedeker honed his game as a junior.

Topping that list, however, is Golf House Tennessee’s superb par-3 course in nearby Franklin. Designed by Bob Cupp and opened in 1995, the Little Course at Conner Lane is a gem and a great place for kids, parents and grandparents to play the game. It’s also an affiliate location for Nashville’s First Tee Program at Vinny Links, another highly regarded par-3 course ideally suited to help grow the game.

In the big game hunters category, choices include the Hermitage GC, ten miles from the city, sporting two 4-star courses, General’s Retreat and President’s Reserve (tougher, according to loyalists), and offering scenic holes on the river. And located near Opryland Resort, you’ll find the inviting Gaylord Springs Golf Links, an upscale layout along the banks of the Cumberland River designed by former US Open winner Larry Nelson. Like the President’s Reserve, it’s rated as one of the top five daily fee courses in the state by Golfweek.

Hermitage GC: Big Game

Finally, if you know any private course members in Nashville see if you can wrangle an invitation to Richland CC, a Jack Nicklaus signature course, rated #9 in Golf Digest’s Best Courses in the State listings. Or better yet, try (mightily) to make a connection to Belle Meade, rated # 4. Alas, dropping Tom Doak’s or my name will not make a difference.

If all else fails, hail a cabbie somewhere in the leafy Belle Meade neighborhood, jump in and say, “follow that cart!”

For more information, visit: www.visitmusiccity.com, www.tnvacation.com/middle/, www.hotelindigo.com

Images courtesy of Antique Archaeology, Nashville Metro Parks, Hotel Indigo, Hermitage GC

• At his Chairman’s Press conference on Wednesday, Billy Payne gushed about having Condi Rice and Darla Moore (darn, no relation) as the club’s first female members. “It’s just awesome,” said Payne. After last year’s contentious Press Conference which included several pointed questions about the lack of a female member at Augusta National, no way was the progressive-minded Payne going to allow this gender and member issue continue to fester and be a distraction to the Masters. Although constitutionally protected as a private club, Augusta National deferred too long on the gender issue—unlike the club’s prompt response to admitting African-Americans following the highly volatile ‘Shoal Creek’ furor in 1990. At the Press conference, Payne didn’t get entangled with other hot button questions like the proposed ban on anchored putting, or whether or not Vijay Singh should be playing in the Masters due to his admitted use of a banned substance, and whether or not other clubs should follow suit on admitting female members. Asked ESPN’s Rick Reilly: “You can see that we are struggling for controversy. Do you miss the controversy (laughter).” Retorted a smiling Payne: “Do you have a question, Rick?” (more laughter.)

• Prior to the start of the tournament, the spot at which Bubba Watson last year hit his amazing hooked wedge shot out of the trees on the 10th hole during the playoff became a “must visit” area for patrons. When visiting there on Thursday, I heard a patron say to his friend: “I was right here last year when Bubba hit his shot. I thought for sure he was going to just chip out to the fairway.” Seeing the spot in person, makes Bubba’s feat even more incredible to me. And what makes it extra special, it’s an area at which patrons can actually place themselves inside the player’s shoes—unlike the inside-the-ropes locales at which Sarazen, Devlin, Maggert and Oosthuizen had their historic double eagles and where a number of players had their aces. When asked on Wednesday if the club would consider putting a plaque at the spot, Payne said: “You know, we haven’t talked about it…I think we’d have to get a little more time to how history remembers that before we make a decision.” Mr. Payne, history will always remember it fondly. (Note: There’s a plaque in the rough at Royal Birkdale’s 16th hole (then the 15th) commemorating Arnold Palmer’s explosive 6-iron shot out of a wet, gnarly thicket in the 1961 British Open, an approach shot finding the green that helped Palmer win the claret jug.) So order the plaque now for Bubba’s iconic shot and keep laying down the pine straw there—it will be a “must visit” place for years to come.

• My favorite tidbit about the Par-3 event was Rickie Fowler having his grandma on the bag, following previous years with his grandpa (“he’s the one that got me into golf”) and his dad. About his grandma as caddie, Fowler said: “She did great. I think she’s actually supposed to have knee surgery at some point coming up but all of sudden her knee felt pretty good today.”

• Of all the stats compiled for the week, most impressive was low amateur Guan not having a single three putt during the tournament. Using a belly putter, Guan tied Fowler for the lowest accumulative putting average per hole at 1.50. Fowler had two three-putts so I give the putting crown to Guan.

• The Masters’ credos, first voiced by founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, of the “endless pursuit of perfection” and “continuous improvement” were seen in a new seating innovation in the “Observation Stands” (Masterspeak for grandstands). To avoid distracting noise for nearby players, the new chair back seating features a spring that quietly lifts the seat bottom whenever a patron stands up. Speaking of Observation Stands, member Condi Rice joined by four other friends sat in one at the 5th green on Thursday for several hours in the back reserved seating row.

• Though Phil Mickelson had a disappointing Masters, he remains one of the most popular players and media interviews in the game. A few examples sharpened the point. In his press conference on Tuesday, Mickelson exhibited an easy, engaging manner with an impish and self-effacing sense of humor. When one reporter asked him the loaded question if he’d like to see the R & A Golf Club of St. Andrews admit a female member, Mickelson deftly dodged it by saying: “I really love the game of golf and I love playing professional golf…What I don’t love is getting involved in the politics of it. I tried that earlier in the year…it didn’t go so well.” (laughter.) His words were in reference to controversial (to some) comments made earlier in the year about high taxes and the possibility he might have to move out of his native California because of them.

• After the interview, I strolled over to the practice putting green and there’s Mickelson with his caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay. Mickelson was about to start a putting drill when a fan along the rope yelled out to him, “Hey, Phil, sweet shoes!” The nattily attired Phil was dressed in white cap, navy shirt, navy pants, silver/white belt and navy alligator (or faux alligator) shoes. Phil smiled, looked at the young man and at his shoes, and then quipped. “I wish I could reciprocate.” The gallery broke up in laughter. Then he added, “I’m just kidding.” Moments later, Bones went over and handed the beaming fan a new golf ball.

• On Tuesday afternoon, I attended the sparsely attended press conference for Steven Fox, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. After receiving the official invite, Fox said he played Augusta “12-13 times” with two Augusta National members from Nashville (TN). He cited the huge difference playing in front of the huge galleries on Monday. “I must have yelled ‘Fore’ 15 times yesterday,” said Fox with a smile. He stayed in the Crow’s Nest inside the clubhouse on Wednesday and Thursday nights. With his dad on the bag, Fox missed the cut (76-81).

• Best quote of the week is from Bubba Watson when talking about callers who contact Masters officials about possible rules infractions seen on television: “They must have a lot of time on their hands,” Watson said. “Because I don’t know the phone number to call, and I’m playing in the golf tournament.”

• Best sportsmanship award goes to runner-up Angel Cabrera for his “thumb up” signal to Adam Scott, applauding Scott’s approach iron to the 10th hole in the playoff.

• This was my 30th year covering the Masters, a privileged assignment. As Woody Allen once said, “80% of success is just showing up.” Thanks, Augusta National, for letting me in.

Before Adam Scott’s dazzling victory in a light drizzle on an overcast day, the Masters itself was somewhat beclouded and beset by two stormy rules decisions: The one-shot penalty for slow play placed on the sensational 14-year-old eighth grader Tianlang Guan from China; and the two-shot penalty for an improper drop—but not disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard—on Tiger Woods. Both decisions caused much second-guessing and even consternation among players and observers alike. In the former, Guan showed remarkable poise and precocious class in accepting the penalty—”I respect the decision”—that almost cost him a place in Masters history as the youngest player to make the cut. In my opinion, it was the right decision, albeit an unfortunate one, given the fact Guan was warned several times and placed on the clock, therefore setting the fuse on a possible penalty. Rules official John Paramour, the chief rules honcho for the European Tour, was just doing his job in spite of the fact that the average threesome pace of play on Friday took 5 hours, 20 minutes.

The latter case with Tiger Woods gravitated toward a testy Rulesgate inquiry—what did Woods and the Masters Competition Committee know and when did they know it? One camp wanted the Masters to DQ Tiger—or better yet for Tiger to voluntarily withdraw from the event—after he inadvertently implicated himself for the infraction in a post-round ESPN interview. Another camp defended just a two-shot penalty on Woods because of a disdain for the oversized influence of armchair rules experts watching on television and because the Masters rules officials didn’t speak to Woods immediately following his round and before he signed his scorecard. If someone had intervened at that point, Tiger would have incurred the two-shot penalty on Friday and avoided the clamor for a DQ and with it allegations of media ratings and player favoritism driving rules decisions. So the “Committee” took the fall in this case and not Woods. At a press conference on Saturday morning, Augusta National member and Masters Competition Committee chair Fred Ridley said: “Let’s face it, the committees make mistakes from time to time, and the players are entitled to rely on what a Committee does….We had made a decision before he (Woods) finished his round and I think he’s entitled to be protected by (Rule) 33-7, and that’s our decision, and others agree with us.”

The said Committee consisted of former US Amateur champion Ridley, Jim Reinhart, member and former chairman of the USGA, and Mark Russell, V-P of Competitions for the PGA TOUR. As such, I defer and trust their expertise, thoroughness and final judgement on the ruling. “Rules are rules”—and that also includes accepting a final Committee decision. That being said, don’t be surprised to see a walking rules official in each and every group next year at the Masters. Likewise, don’t be surprised about the pace of play next year for the second round being 5 hours, 30 minutes!

Answer: You bite your lip, hold back the floodgates of emotion, accept it graciously, point toward “next time” and then bounce back to win the Masters.

Yep, that’s what Adam Scott did on Sunday at Augusta National, in a dramatic sudden death playoff against two-time major champion and the rejuvenated Angel Cabrera, thus becoming the first Australian to win the storied championship. Hard to believe this roster of fine Down Under players never donned a green jacket: Greg Norman, David Graham (now serving on the Masters Cup & Tee Committee), Kel Nagle, Bruce Crampton, Ian Baker-Finch, Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Allenby, and Stuart Appleby.

Afterwards, Scott said: “It’s amazing that it’s my destiny to be the first Aussie to win. It’s incredible.”

How did the incredible happen? Exacting shotmaking, patience, competent putting, no train wrecks, and going six-under par on the weekend (69-69) were the ingredients for Scott’s popular triumph on a soggy, cloudy day. In the last round, the stats revealed Scott led the field in the all-important Greens in Regulation category with 15 which put less pressure on his anchored long putter to make crucial, gut-wrenching par saves. For the week, he incurred only two three-putts. Also, for the entire week he was only in a greenside bunker once. He also avoided the “big number” by carding no double bogies or higher for the week, making only four bogies for the tournament—one each round. On Sunday, he bogied the tough first hole (2nd most difficult for the week) but from then on was four-under par.

But stats don’t reveal the size of Scott’s heart and his determination to overcome the adversity and self-doubt engendered by last summer’s collapse at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. In the Press interview after his British Open win, Ernie Els said about Scott: “I really said to him, ‘I’m sorry how things turned out.’ I told him that I’ve been there many times and you’ve just got to bounce back quickly. Don’t let this thing linger.”

When asked in his post-round interview about how he’d handle this major setback, Scott said: “I’m optimistic and I want to take all the good stuff that I did this week and use that for the next time I’m out on the course. I didn’t finish the tournament well today. But next time — I’m sure there will be a next time — I will do a better job of it.”

By winning the 2013 Masters, a buoyant Adam Scott proved the “next time” is gloriously now.

An Everglades look distinguishes Fiddler's Creek

When asked what impresses golfers the most after playing The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek in Naples, Director of Golf John Calabria quickly replies, “its natural beauty.” And following a recent round there, let me join that chorus. In an area known for wall-to-wall housing developments on golf courses, Fiddler’s Creek offers a pleasing contrast, delivering a championship-style layout amid a tranquil and natural setting teeming with wildlife.

“People mention the Everglades feel of the course and how homes don’t encroach on the golf experience,” says Calabria. “There’s a separateness about the golf holes that make it especially appealing.” Opened in 2002, the Art Hills-designed course sports seven different tees ranging from 5185 yards to 7157 yards. Consequently, there’s no excuse for not selecting the right markers for one’s handicap. And that’s important because the course poses enough challenge. Indicative of its mettle, the course has hosted a number of tournaments including several USGA qualifiers, the South Florida Open and the South Florida PGA Open Championship.

Starting off somewhat ominously with some overly tight holes, the course really takes off beginning with the par-5 fifth hole. Here, the natural beauty of the course pops wide open with that expansive Everglades look and feel. The scenery and natural habitats are impressive and the golf course complements it in quiet fashion. The land abutting the 10th-11th-12th holes is protected as a conservation preserve so no development will ever infringe on it. A creek that serves as the development’s namesake is the result of a thoughtful dredging and widening of an agricultural ditch near the 10th hole that now is a clear-flowing stream. It’s further testimony of how a golf course can enhance the environment.

And wildlife? Near that 10th hole I noticed two deer that joined our sighted menagerie of egrets, blue herons, and gators. And according to Calabria, you can add a bobcat to the mix.

In terms of its playability, the course also gets one’s attention. It recalls the famous Bob Newhart line when asked if he was ever nervous on-stage. “Not nervous but incredibly alert.” To score well at Fiddler’s Creek one must stay alert. Hills provides ample landing areas but the approach shots must be particularly well-struck to find the center of the green complexes. Case in point is the short par-4 12th hole. From the tee, the green looms like a fortress on the horizon and in many ways it is. Strategy comes into play off the tee because the best angle to attack the perched green is right center, avoiding a pot bunker, and where a pond lurks right. Meanwhile the left side of the fairway offers a shorter route to the green but at an undesirable angle. It’s a tough and feisty hole disguised by its length. As the on-line course guide humorously opines, “Prayer advised.”

Less daunting is the par-4 15th hole that offers a lower profile and open front green complex. There’s an eye-pleasing waste bunker that borders the right side of the fairway. It’s a hole where two good shots may result in a birdie. Another favorite is the par-5 17th hole. Here, three good shots are necessary to find the rolling putting surface fronted by water. But again the fairway is wide and the forced carry over the water for the approach shot to the green is not too intimidating. As my playing partner said as he proudly walked off the green buoyed by a well-earned par, “that’s a good golf hole.”

Along with a variety of golf holes, the conditioning at Fiddler’s Creek is exemplary with smooth putting surfaces and well-manicured tees, fairways and bunkers. With so many positives, there are nonetheless a few shortcomings to the experience found at Fiddler’s Creek. For one, I wish there were fewer forced carries over hazards at several of the par-3s’ forward tees. Another is the route to the distant 13-acre practice range that compels golfers to share the cart path for the first hole—an unfortunate result of a land sale near the range that changed the club’s right of way. But the club is managing it well with added staff and understanding members. Finally, with seven sets of tees, it’s difficult at times to discern one’s tee markers without any added distinguishing colors or shapes. Admittedly, it’s a quibble for one’s first visit.

In the big picture, The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek is a challenging and scenic test of golf that’s never humdrum for its members and their guests. Its beautiful surroundings and natural habitats provide a memorable journey as one wrestles with the reality of the scorecard. Apropos to its name, it delivers a most pleasant tune.

 *    *    *

Located between Naples and Marco Island, Fiddler’s Creek is a gated community comprising nearly 4,000 acres and zoned for 6,000 residences. Launched in 1998, it currently has over 1750 homes. With a very low density level of 1.6 homes per gross acre, the community will have about 100 distinct neighborhoods upon completion. Home prices range from $300,000 to $2 million. Less than a third of the land will be developed, while the remainder is dedicated to nature reserves, lakes, parks, golf courses and recreational areas. Amenities include the 54,000-square-foot Club & Spa, Fitness Center, Multi-Pool Swimming Complex, Tennis Courts, Tot Lot and Restaurants. Residents also have an opportunity to join The Golf Club—ranked in Golfweek’s 100 Best Residential Golf Courses in the country—and The Tarpon Club, a beach and boating venue. A limited number of non-resident annual and seasonal memberships are available at The Golf Club and The Tarpon Club. On the drawing board sometime in the future is a second course, to be called The Preserve. Visit www.fiddlerscreek.com

Images courtesy of The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek

Shadow Wood North: A Bob Cupp design

Those telling quotes echoed when I had an opportunity with friends to play an attractive Cupp design— Shadow Wood’s North Course in Bonita Springs, FL. All of us agreed it was a fun, pleasing private course to play for members and invited guests alike. True to his philosophy, Cupp eschews penal and fun-killing design traits commonly seen at many high profile development courses in SW Florida. There’s water at Shadow Wood yet with only a few exceptions it serves as a lateral hazard and not a forced carry. Likewise, the bunkers are shallow and often strategically placed to save a ball from a watery grave. In fact, I luckily found a fairway bunker on my drive on the first hole which prevented me from finding a lateral hazard. And I still made par on the hole.

Along with five sets of tees—ranging from 7065 yards to 5238 yards—there’s also a family or forward tee at 4644 yards, ideal for beginners and youth. Again, “fun golf” is practiced and not just preached here.

I have a fondness for short par-4s and how strategy comes into play on them. Case in point was the 319-yard second hole where you’re faced with a dogleg right around a pond. The more you cut off the dogleg, the shorter the second shot to the green. However, finding the right line affords not only a shorter second shot but also a more open shot to the putting surface, avoiding a yawning greenside bunker. Our foursome played it in different ways, all from different tees, and no one made more than bogey.

I also liked the variety in the par-3s at Shadow Wood. Surprisingly, many par-3 designs are often cookie-cutter when it comes to distance. Not here. A five-iron, seven-iron, five-wood and a wedge were my choice of clubs on the par-threes, a good indication of Cupp’s design sense. Probably my only quibble with Cupp’s handiwork (or possibly via a local course decision) is the forward tee box on the par-3 eighth hole. I didn’t like how the tee placement compels a forced carry over a waste area and high grasses. Forward tees should have an open approach to a par-3—ever mindful of the “fun” mantra.

Along with a player-friendly design, Shadow Wood boasts admirable course conditions thanks to Superintendent Eric Ruha and his staff. The greens are especially quick and smooth and true. Likewise, the tees, fairways and bunkers are all well-attended. Usually not a fan of in-cart GPS systems, I must confess it made perfect sense for one on-course contingency, beyond its normal benefits of providing distance and monitoring pace of play. As we approached our second shots on the 15th hole, a message popped up on our cart screens: WARNING. HUGE GATOR NEAR GREENSIDE POND. CAUTION. In all my years playing golf in Florida, I’ve never seen a more effective use of such technology.

The member-owned Shadow Wood is located within The Brooks master-planned community and offers memberships to residents in Shadow Wood and Shadow Wood Preserve, as well as nonresident membership options. Members have access to two Cupp championship courses, a nine-court tennis complex, and a third golf course designed by Arthur Hills that is serviced by a second full-service clubhouse at Shadow Wood Preserve. It recently celebrated nearly a $5 million renovation project that included added gathering spaces, al fresco dining and a complete re-do of its popular Grill Room. The club reports “a stable membership base” with three consecutive profitable years.

As Bob Cupp might quip, “Happiness is a fun golf course…with positive cash flow.”

For more information, visit www.shadowwoodcc.com

Great seats abound at Bright House Park

A lifelong baseball fan, this was my first spring training game and it was worth the wait. The game was played at the Phillies’ home field, Bright House Field. Home to the Phillies since 2004, Bright House Field (named for the area’s dominant cable TV company) is a state-of-the-art venue that raised the bar for spring training ballparks in Florida. Now seen as an important cog in the tourist industry, cities in Arizona and Florida are in a competitive race to maintain their spring training connections with Major League teams. In the past decade, the sprawling suburbs of Phoenix built expensive new ballparks to attract teams, several of them with deep Florida roots.

Borrowing some of the design features seen in many new Arizona ballparks, Bright House Field offers a 360-degree main concourse open to the playing field. It boasts 7300 fixed seats with grass berm seating for an additional 1,500. I went on-line and bought two seats down the third base line which turned out to be a hotbed of Tiger fans. It was also nice to have the sun at our back since at game time the temperature hit 83 degrees—not that I was complaining.

The Tigers didn’t disappoint their snowbird fans as they routed the Phillies 10-1. To top it off, Triple Crown batting titleist Miguel Cabrera hit a monster home run that literally flew out of the ballpark and went viral when seen later on video. When making a stroll around the stadium a worker told me it was the longest home run he’s ever seen at the field.

But really, the score is a secondary consideration when it comes to a spring training game. It’s more about taking in the atmosphere, the ambience and especially the warmth of the Florida sunshine. And yes, exchanging some baseball talk about prospects and veterans too. I liked how one Tiger fan asked his friend what he thought of young outfielder Nick Castellanos who was coming up to bat. “Hey, he’s got potential and remember he was a first round draft pick by the Tigers,” the friend replied. Moments later, Castellanos was rounding the bases after a well-struck home run.

A neat feature of the ballpark is a tiki-hut pavilion in left field, a sun-bathed seating and table area ideal for soaking in the game and suds. The food fare is also eclectic with a variety of traditional and healthy menu items including gluten free selections. And over at the Beers of the World concession 75 different bottled beers and seven tap beers are offered. As noted, you can walk around the ballpark via the concourse and once in the outfield can even peer down in the bullpen, carved out of the berm, and watch the relievers warm up. All in all, Bright House Field is an ideal venue to watch baseball.

Hotel Indigo: location, location, location

After the game, we had a 20-minute drive to our hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, the Hotel Indigo. We discovered this brand several years ago when we traveled to San Diego and we haven’t been disappointed since. Part of the IHG group (which includes Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn), Hotel Indigo is a fast-rising, smartly designed boutique hotel that offers the services and attention of a much larger one. Our room was clean and spacious and nicely appointed. Plus the hotel provided free and adjoining parking, always a welcome sight after a long day on the road.

Moreover, the hotel (as its custom) was centrally located, conveniently within walking distance to restaurants, galleries, attractions and entertainment. When it comes to selecting a hotel like the Hotel Indigo, it’s often best to remember the real estate mantra: location, location and location.

In our brief two-night stay, we were able to explore downtown St.Pete’s without the use of our car. We took in the must-see Dali Museum (that’s artist Salvador Dali), the fine Museum of Fine Arts, a wonderful waterfront area with a host of outdoor dining options and the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort that put St. Pete’s on the tourist map almost 100 years ago. (Incidentally, the Philadelphia A’s led by manager Connie Mack made St. Pete’s its spring training site in 1915.)

Needing a diversion on a rainy day, the Dali Museum was a delight. The three-story building, opened only two years ago, is an art exhibit in itself, lending modern design attributes of a geodesic glass bubble and a helical staircase—both in homage to the Spanish surrealist. Inside there is the largest collection of Dali’s works anywhere, featuring 96 oil paintings, including a number of large masterworks by the artist. Tip: take a docent tour to best appreciate the genius of Dali and the stories behind his creations.

Okay, but what about the golf? For affordability, it would be hard to beat nearby Mangrove Bay, an 18-hole municipal layout that offers good golf at a good price. A par-72, Mangrove Bay boasts a clubhouse and pro shop, lighted driving range, and is nicely maintained. It has earned “three stars” by Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” guidebook while also being ranked as one of the “Top 100 Most Women Friendly Golf Courses.”

For those with modest golf expectations, check out the par-three courses at Twin Brooks (18) and Cypress Links (9.) And golfers looking for upscale resort options may select from the Renaissance Vinoy right in St.Pete’s while farther afield there’s Innisbrook, the Ritz-Carlton and Longboat Key.

Let’s see: baseball in March, great weather, plenty of diverse attractions, both affordable and resort golf options and accommodations in a walkable, safe urban setting—no wonder descendants of A.W. Hicks keep heading for St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit www.st.pete.org, www.hotelindigo.com and www.thedali.org

But the President’s Cup affair most intrigued me. At the time, Graham insisted Greg Norman was the major instigator behind the coup, a charge quickly rejected by Norman and some of the players. But given Norman’s notorious role in 1995 when he falsely accused Mark McCumber of cheating at the World Series of Golf, I wanted to see if this book shed any light on not only Graham but also Norman himself.

As background, Graham in 1994 was the first non-playing captain of the International Team for the Presidents Cup held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club outside Washington, D.C. The favored U.S team won in comfortable fashion but the success of the event was clearly established. So when the Cup was held two years hence, Graham was again named Captain, a post he didn’t seek or campaigned for. The author states that the events leading up to Graham’s resignation is “still something of a mystery.” Yet he performs able forensics in dissecting the “player revolt.” It seems Graham, well before the Cup, had not only ticked off Norman but also fellow teammates Ernie Els and Steve Elkington, all for different reasons.

Norman was peeved at Graham because supposedly The Shark was still harboring ill will for the captain nixing him being a guest commentator for CBS-TV when it telecast the ’94 event. Explained Graham at the time: “The President’s Cup is not Greg Norman’s tournament. It’s a twelve-man. It’s not Greg’s team.” And so, Graham rejected the CBS request to have Norman—not on the team due to injury—up in the TV tower.

Elkington was upset because during the ’94 event, Graham refused his request, prompted by Elkington’s pregnant wife, for the entire International Team to leave early from a pre-tournament reception at the White House. The Elkingtons didn’t want to appear rude by leaving alone so they urged Graham to have to entire team leave together. Graham declined given the setting. The Elkingtons, very close friends with Norman, fumed. Adding salt to the wound, Graham was later overheard by Mrs Elkington on the team describing her with the B-word.

Finally, the even-tempered Els also had a bone to pick with Graham. This was also due to another two-year-old remark made by Graham when he learned Els was skipping the ’94 Presidents Cup due to a prior tournament commitment. At the time, Graham said: “I hope those who skipped the Presidents Cup will regret it the rest of their lives.”

At the ’96 British Open, a majority of International team members present voted to replace Graham, a first ever happenstance for any team competition. Without further discussion, Mike Bodney of the PGA of America promptly asked Peter Thomson, a long time nemesis of Graham, to fill the vacancy.

“When I first heard that I had been ousted from the 1996 Cup, I cried,” said Graham. “To get toward the end of your reputation and your credibility, you take it personally. I cried, absolutely. So did my wife.” When asked by the author if he could forgive “the collaborators,” Graham replied: “I won’t forgive them…the wound is healed but the scar is still there.”

Incidentally, the International team led by Thomson again lost the Cup but in a close one-point margin. My conclusion is that Norman was definitely a ring-leader in the coup but with willing accomplices. Also, Tim Finchem didn’t help matters by not intervening.

The book explores Graham’s humble upbringing in Australia. Oddly enough, his first clubs—found in his garage and purchased by his mother—were left-handed although he was naturally right-handed. His big breaks came when as a junior golfer he was mentored by pro John Crean at a nearby public golf course and later in a “traineeship” under respected pro George Naismith. Graham quit school at age 14, contrary to his father’s wishes. The two of them had a life long strained relationship and one that undoubtedly shaped the youngster’s “flinty” personality.

It was Naismith who became a father figure for Graham and who was responsible for him becoming a right-handed golfer. To make the switch, Graham didn’t play competitive golf for nearly a year. “It was at least eighteen months before I won anything …playing right-handed.” The book traces not only the arc of Graham’s international golf career but also the slings and arrows prompted by his “hard-edged character” and the insecurities of fame. It’s a complete and telling story of Graham’s failings and triumphs and his “blunt” personality.

A few shortcomings about the book, published in Australia, include the poor quality of some of its photographs and the omission of any background on the author, Russell James. (I had to learn from the publisher that James is a nephew of George Naismith and used to play junior golf with Graham.) But all in all, it’s a solid and recommended read—with ample and diverse quoted sources—about an enigmatic, somewhat distorted, but accomplished figure in golf.

Other tidbits I relished from the book:

• At the ’79 PGA at Oakland Hills, Graham had a spat with his caddie on the 72nd hole when he was leading the tournament. After an errant drive, he was in a spot where he couldn’t determine the yardage to the green so he asked his caddie, Willie Peterson. “You haven’t asked me one question all the way around. I don’t know. Figure it out yourself,” said Peterson. Upset by the exchange, Graham took a double-bogey six on the hole, ending up in a playoff with Ben Crenshaw which Graham eventually won.
• After his US Open win at Merion which was lauded for his nearly flawless final round of 67, Graham received a call from Ben Hogan who extended his congratulations and said, it’s “one of the best rounds of golf I’ve ever seen.”
• Since 1993, Graham has served on the six-man “Cup and Pins Committee” for the Masters. He counters the misconception that the greens are “tricked up” during tournament week. Instead, he says there are “very subtle shelves on the greens and it takes time to get to know them.” He also says “the pin positions the members play are far more difficult than what the tournament pins are.”
• A turning point in Graham’s battle with congestive heart failure in 2004—when he became depressed—occurred when he saw a television program about a young cancer patient. On camera, she said, “I can choose to be sick and unhappy or I can choose to be sick and happy. I choose to be happy.” Struck by her upbeat attitude, Graham immediately changed his outlook on his health predicament.

Now living in Montana and playing little if any golf, Graham is now a U.S. citizen (along with his Aussie citizenship) as are his two sons. “I will be forever grateful for what golf in the U.S. has given me.”

“David Graham: From Ridicule to Acclaim” is published by Ryan Publishing and is available through a number of online sources, including Amazon.

Dieleman: praying this putt goes in for Coach Kelly

Raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Kelly’s pro partner at Pebble Beach was Boston native James Driscoll who had a strong week finishing T-9 and earning $175,000. Their team made the cut and played on Sunday to end up in 23rd place at 22 under par. Their playing partners the first three rounds were New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick and pro Rickey Barnes who failed to make the cut.

“It was a great week especially by playing on Sunday,” said Dieleman by phone on Monday. “And Brian had his moments out there. A 13 handicapper, he helped the team 11 shots over the first two rounds which was the difference in making the cut.” Dieleman said Kelly had a nice stretch at the difficult Spyglass when he parred five holes in a row. He was was impressed with pros Driscoll and Barnes and also Belichick. “One would get the impression from TV that Belichick wouldn’t have much personality but on the course he was fun to be around,” said Dieleman. On Sunday, Kelly and Driscoll were paired with Jason Day and his partner Jim Harbaugh. “Day is such a phenomenal player,” said Dieleman, “and he hits everything so flush.”

Kelly had a hectic week. After arriving in Monterey on Sunday night, he played practice rounds Monday and Tuesday. He then flew back to South Bend and Notre Dame on Tuesday night, to be at signing day on Wednesday morning. Later that evening he flew back to Monterey where he arrived at Pebble Beach at 4 a.m. Thursday, only hours ahead of his 8:44 a.m. tee time. Meanwhile, Dieleman was holding down the fort at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Tough gig, Scottie!

Success on the PGA Tour often gets down to playing well on Sunday because they don’t pass out those big checks on Saturday. That’s why it was encouraging to see three Michigan players fare well during the final round at the AT& T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Leading the way was Wyandotte’s Justin Hicks who improved his Saturday night standing by 15 spots by carding a final round 67 to end up T-12, worth a healthy $131, 165. Also playing well in the last 18 at Pebble Beach were Mount Pleasant native Doug Labelle II and Jackson’s Brian Stuard, both of whom moved up 26 places by shooting 68s on Sunday. They finished T-30th for the week, worth $36,205. Meanwhile, Michigan’s other player in the field, Tom Gillis, didn’t make the cut after posting 71-81-75.

Also, high praise is due to Pebble Beach title sponsor AT& T for introducing its excellent “No Text on Board” campaign during the telecast, a timely and much needed initiative to combat texting while driving. Its TV spots were especially compelling with poignant testimonials from parents and spouses talking about loved ones who lost their lives due to the distraction of texting. Kudos to AT&T for raising awareness on this vital safety issue by also offering a free app to its customers on their mobile devices. When enabled and the vehicle is moving at 25 mph, the app automatically sends a customizable auto-reply message to incoming texts, letting the party know the receiver is driving.

Pebble Beach

I guess the next best thing to playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this week is caddying in it. Well, Grand Rapids resident and one-time Tour caddie Scott Dieleman is doing just that. A long time friend of Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, Dieleman is on the coach’s bag this week on the scenic Monterey Peninsula. Dieleman first became friends with Kelly when he was coaching at GVSU in Allendale. “I told Brian if he ever got invited to a big Pro-AM like the Pebble Beach, that I was his designated caddie,” said Dieleman who caddied professionally in the late 70s and early 80s for brothers Danny and David Edwards. In fact, a photo of Scott caddying was on the cover of the April/May issue of Michigan Golfer in 1983.

Dieleman probably has caddied at Pebble Beach five or six times but this week will be a special thrill for both himself and Kelly. A New England native, Brian Kelly’s pro partner is James Driscoll who hails from Boston, Mass. To top it off, they’ll be playing with New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick and his pro partner Ricky Barnes. It’s been a hectic week for Kelly according to Dieleman, an independent sales rep for Image Builders Management.

“We got here on Sunday night and then played on Monday with actor and comedian Jackie Flynn,” said Dieleman. “Then on Monday night we were invited to Clint Eastwood’s party in Carmel at Mission Ranch and all of the celebrities were there including Kenny G and Huey Lewis. Just a great time.

“We played Monterey Peninsula Shore Course early yesterday (Tuesday) morning, being one of the first groups off,” said Dieleman. “Afterwards, Kelly then flew back to South Bend for Wednesday’s signing day for football. He’ll fly back here on Wednesday night to make our Thursday morning tee-time.”

Scott Dieleman

Their tee-times are as follows: Thursday: 8:45 am PST at Monterey; Friday: 8:00 am at Spyglass; and Saturday: 9:30 am. Dieleman reported that Kelly’s handicap is 13 while Belichick’s is 14. The low 25 amateurs make the cut after Saturday’s round and will play on Sunday. Dieleman says Kelly’s game is rusty, no surprise considering the 24/7 pace the coach has been on with the football season.

True to his caddie ethic, Dieleman walked Spyglass Hill on Wednesday due to Kelly’s absence, getting himself reacquainted with the layout and the yardages. It’s a grueling job but someone—like the good-natured Dieleman—must do it. Afterwards, Dieleman will retire to his digs for the week—The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Sometimes, life is a beach.

Photo courtesy of the PGA Tour

Hot water: Lefty goes righty on tax remarks

I like Phil Mickelson. He’s considerate to both fans and the media. But once again his loose lips have gotten him more attention than he ever imagined. The latest flap occurred over remarks made the last few weeks during a press conference call for the Pebble Beach A T & T, where’s he the defending champion next month, and later last week at the Humana (nee Hope) Challenge in Palm Springs where he competed.

During the conference call, Mickelson made a passing reference to “what’s gone on the last few months politically.” Then last week at the Humana, when those remarks were asked to be clarified, he said: “There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state, and it doesn’t work for me right now,” he said. “So I’m going to have to make some changes.”

He then admitted that he could end up leaving his home state of California. He also said that the financial issues were the reason why he abandoned an ownership stake in the San Diego Padres back in August. He later expounded on the hit to his tax bracket due to recent tax law changes at the federal level. “If you add up all the federal and you look at the disability and the unemployment and the Social Security and the state, my tax rate is 62, 63 percent,” Mickelson said. “So I’ve got to make some decisions on what I’m going to do.” He intimated that retirement might even be considered.

Well, as expected in the 24/7 news maw, the comments went viral and snowballed on Mickelson. He was seen by some as a whining conservative mega-millionaire, by others as a righteous Tea Party advocate, and still others as just Phil speaking his mind.

But by this Monday, due to the furor and attention caused by his comments, his press agent and spokesman, T.R Reinman—knowing the value of getting out in front of a controversy—released this statement by Mickelson:

“I know I have my usual pre-tournament press conference scheduled this week but I felt I needed to address the comments I made following the Humana Challenge now. I absolutely love what I do. I love and appreciate the game of golf and the people who surround it. I’m as motivated as I’ve ever been to work on my game, to compete and to win championships.

“Right now, I’m like many Americans who are trying to understand the new tax laws. I’ve been learning a lot over the last few months and talking with people who are trying to help me make intelligent and informed decisions. I certainly don’t have a definitive plan at this time, but like everyone else I want to make decisions that are best for my future and my family.

“Finances and taxes are a personal matter and I should not have made my opinions on them public. I apologize to those I have upset or insulted and assure you I intend not to let it happen again.”

The statement and apology were the smart things to do. Yes, Phil Mickelson is a citizen and has the right to say whatever he wants to say. That’s not the point. The point is: does a respected golfer and sports icon like Mickelson want to get ensnarled in incessant media discussions about his taxes and income and whether or not making and retaining money is an overarching concern for him? No. Our public discourse is divisive enough without a new strain of golf politics commanding the airways.

To me, this was just another instance when Phil should have backed off the shot.

Photo courtesy of Callaway Golf

Brian Stuard

Jackson’s Brian Stuard is off to a hot start on the PGA Tour after finishing T-5 and T-10 in his first two events of the year. At the Sony in Hawaii, Stuard earned $204,400 after putting together rounds of 68-68-65-65—264. And last weekend at the Humana Challenge in Palm Springs, he had another strong week with rounds of 71-67-62-67—267, earning $124,133. On Saturday, Stuard flirted with a 59 but missed a short birdie putt on 17 and bogied 18 for his 62.

The Humana event also represented the first time in recent memory that four Michigan players all made the cut in the same PGA Tour event. Joining Stuard were Tom Gillis at T-27 ($35,7280); Justin Hicks at T-37 ($22,400); and Doug LaBelle II also at T-37 ($22,400). For the season, Stuard rests in 11th spot in money rankings at $328,533 while Hicks is at T-46 with $112,000, LaBelle II is at T-77 with $36,221 and Gillis is at T-79 with $35,728. All four players are in the field for this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines GC in San Diego.

Incidentally, last week Doug LaBelle II was named to the PGA Tour’s 16-member Player Policy Council (PAC) which advises and consults with the PGA Tour Policy Board (Board of Directors) and Commissioner Tim Finchem on issues affecting the Tour.

Photo courtesy of the PGA Tour

Traverse City G & CC

Best in-state golf experience: A threesome of golf cronies played Traverse City Golf & Country Club and we all loved it. Excellent playing conditions, a walkable and friendly design, and agreeable weather all added up to a memorable day.

Best out-of-state golf experience: It’s hard to beat Naples, Florida, in the winter for exceptional golf. One of the premier clubs is Grey Oaks where I’ve had the privilege of playing in its Men’s Invitational the last few years. Everything is expertly handled at Grey Oaks and the golf over its three distinct courses is top-notch. My sleeper course in Naples this past year was the rebranded Talis Park, a marvelous collaboration of Pete Dye and Greg Norman, formerly known as Tuscany Reserve.

Best hotel accommodations: Santa Barbara’s Bacara Resort and Spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean is superb for service and spectacular views. As a bonus, it was terrific by-passing LAX and flying directly into Santa Barbara Airport, only minutes away from Bacara.

Best historic golf tidbit: In an interview with legendary designer Pete Dye, he observed: “When Ben Hogan won the ’53 U.S. Open at Oakmont those greens rolled only at a six—if they had a stimpmeter.”

Best unsung senior amateur event: Never having played in Battle Creek’s 36-hole City Senior Championship, I was floored by the turnout of over a 100+ golfers of various handicaps and ages competing in a fun event. Hats off to PGA Pro Ron Osborne and company for all of their efforts.

Mediterra's Beach Club

Best grandchild club amenity: Easily goes to Mediterra in Naples. Besides two outstanding Fazio courses, Mediterra offers a member-only Beach Club with swimming pool overlooking the Gulf. When it comes to beach-happy grandchildren, Mediterra is one-up on the competition.

Best day watching golf: Watching Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson team up and win 4 & 3 in their Friday morning Ryder Cup match against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia was as good as it gets. Stationing myself later at the drive-able 15th hole at Medinah, I patiently waited for the foursome and was richly rewarded with Bradley’s clinching and ear-splitting putt for birdie.

Best golf lesson: PGA teaching pro Mike Sullivan at The Meadows in Allendale got my swing fundamentals in good shape early in the year when he espoused a proper spine angle at address. Runner-up: Tour Tempo’s breakthrough research demonstrated at the West Michigan Golf Show was enlightening on optimum swing tempo. Most golfers swing too slow.

Best golf book: In a close race, Lorne Rubenstein’s Moe & Me noses out Dave Stockton’s Unconscious Scoring. Rubenstein deftly tells the story of the eccentric genius of Canada’s Moe Norman and how he developed into one of the game’s best ball-strikers. Incidentally, my best new reading accessory is the Buglit LED Micro Flashlight—a nifty and versatile reading lamp. Check it out at www.niteize.com

Best new golf quip: This occurred after one of my weekend golf pals hit a shot right at the flag on a par-three and started complaining before it even hits the green. Thinking it was not enough club, his shot ended up 15 feet dead short of the flag. Hence, we dubbed him “Moan Norman.”

The Creekside course at Bonita Bay features smart bunkering

One of the little joys of golf is playing a fine course and being first off the tee in the morning. Both the course and the day are all in front of you without interruption or annoyance. That was the case last February when I played the Creekside Course at the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, FL. Designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1990, Creekside is one of five courses of the Bonita Bay Club, one of the most popular private clubs in the Naples area. Member-owned since 2010, Bonita Bay has weathered the storms of the recession and real estate debacle and has emerged as a solid community focused on customer service and member satisfaction.

That was readily apparent as we drove up to the bag drop on a busy day when the club was hosting a large member-guest event. Accompanied by a good friend who thrives on early morning golf, we were warmly greeted and set up for golf without delay. Before we knew it we were on the first tee preparing for our initial shots. Just prior, I squeezed in a cordial chat with a member on the putting green. Asked about how to play the Creekside Course, he offered: “It’s not too difficult or long but you have to keep the ball in play off of the tee. So you don’t always need the driver.” As it’s been said, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Creekside boasts seven sets of tees ranging from 4607 yards to 6632 yards so it’s well-suited for “playing it forward” for every type of golfer. We selected the next to the back tees at 6141 yards and it was just the right test of golf. I liked how the course gently got us into the round with some mild-mannered and shortish par fours.

The first real test came at the 507-yard par five 5th hole, the number one handicap hole on the card. I liked how the ample landing area off of the tee allowed one to use a driver for maximum length. However, the remainder of the fairway narrowed into a tight green surrounded by wetlands. In a sense, it’s a risk-reward hole where birdies are readily obtainable in equal measure with double bogeys. The choice was ours to make.

This attention-getting hole is nicely paired with the short par-four 6th hole, only 305 yards. After a good drive, I only had a gap wedge and managed a birdie which was sorely needed after the previous hole. So the architect knew what he was doing in matching up these holes.

The par-five 10th also deserved a star on our scorecard. At 452 yards, it again tempted us to go for the well-guarded green in two shots. The hole is a slight dogleg left with the green curled around a pond. Discretion this time compelled us to lay up and stay safely dry for our third shots. Again, the hole—as was the case with the 5th—showed how a short par-five can be problematic in how one plays the hole.

We also liked how the course ended our round with a short but somewhat beguiling par-four. Here sizing up the landing area before one’s tee shot—especially with distance-finding binoculars—was crucial. Picking the wrong club off the tee could easily lead to finding one of seven fairway bunkers. But as the member wisely advised, you don’t always need the driver.

The Creekside layout provided a pleasant golf experience marked by very good playing conditions. With five different courses to choose from, members have a rich variety of options with their membership. As noted, the service was excellent and included some helpful “lost ball” assistance by one of the marshalls. Also, Creekside has renovated its cart paths, rerouting many of them for playability and aesthetics.

Bonita Bay’s Creekside layout was a perfect way to start our day. No doubt it’s a good way to end it.

For more information, visit www.bonitabayclub.net

Randy Lewis

1. Randy Lewis at the Masters—The Cinderella story of the reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Randy Lewis, Alma, teeing up at the Masters is my top story of the year. A member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, the 54-year-old Lewis fulfilled not only his dream golf experience but also ours as he competed in golf’s most storied event.
2. Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores—I was admittedly skeptical how the penal nature of the course design and layout might adversely influence both player and spectator reaction. But the event turned out to be huge success, thanks to yeoman efforts of the local Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community and the sponsoring Whirlpool Corp.’s KitchenAid Division. And the stellar play of Roger Chapman certainly allayed fears of the course’s playability.
3. U.S Senior Open at Indianwood—The Old Course at Indianwood looked and played like an inland links course and provided a worthy test. And you gotta love how winner Roger Chapman paid a tribute to “Pure Michigan” in his televised acceptance speech.
4. Justin Hicks, Brian Stuard and Doug LaBelle II all earned PGA Tour cards for 2013—The Michigan natives all made it to the ‘Big Show’ by finishing in the Top 25 money-winners for 2012 on the Web.com Tour. LaBelle II was the only one who won last year, taking home the trophy and $99,000 at the Utah Championship.
5. Shasta Averyhardt earned conditional status on LPGA Tour. The Flint native now has her foot in the door via her solid finish at the LPGA Q-School. I’ve watched Averyhardt compete in several Michigan events in the past and have always been impressed with her game and demeanor.
6. Tom Gillis finished T-2 at Honda Classic—The former Michigan Open champion and onetime caddie at Indianwood had his best finish on the PGA Tour by finishing T-2 last March and winning $501,000. Gillis finished the year 72nd on the money list, winning $1.2 million dollars.
7. Barrett Kelpin’s eight shot victory at the Michigan Open—Kalamazoo native and recent University of Iowa grad Kelpin blew away a strong field at The Orchards, tying the all-time tournament scoring record, held by Chick Harbert, by going 23-under-par. It was his first professional event.
8. Drew Preston beat Tom Werkmeister in an all-GR Michigan Am final—OK, call me a hometowner but I relished this Grand Rapids duo competing for the state’s most prestigious title at Oakland Hills North. I also liked how self-taught Preston “owned” his game and his swing while carrying his bag throughout a very hot stretch of weather.
9. Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll captured GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur—The Michigan State Women’s golf coach practices what she preaches by winning her seventh Mid-Am title in the last eight years.
10. The Weather—Favorable golf weather for the large part of 2012 really gave the industry a terrific boost this past season. Remember those 80 degree days in March and how dry it was for most of the summer and fall? Heck, courses were even packed the first Sunday in December. All added nicely to the bottom line.

Brian Stuard

In the last Q School Finals of the PGA Tour, Michigan’s Matt Harmon, Randy Hutchinson, and Brian Stuard all competed last week at PGA West in Palm Springs, CA. Jackson native Stuard was in the enviable position of already having earned his card via his Top 25 finish this past year on the Web.com tour, now the official and only gateway onto the regular Tour. Stuard competed so as to improve his playing status for 2013 events. Stuard played well, finishing at T-57, and ended up 12-under par bolstered by a final round 67. Outside of the Top 25, Stuard didn’t improve his status.

Traverse City’s Randy Hutchinson rallied in his last few rounds but came up short in his quest to fall within the Top 50, the cut-off point for full playing privileges on the Web.com Tour. Despite going 13-under par his last four rounds, Hutchinson finished at 10-under par, good for a T-73 spot, thereby earning conditional status next year on the Web.com. Hutchinson got off to a poor start shooting 73, 74 in his first two rounds. Still, his finish will allow him to get into a number of events next year.

Randy Hutchinson

Grand Rapids native and fellow Michigan State Spartan Matt Harmon also faltered in his early rounds going five-over par in the first three days. Finishing strong with a 68, Harmon ended up in T-146 spot. He also earned conditional status on the Web.com Tour in 2013. This past year, Harmon competed in 16 events, earning $88,000.

Along with Stuard, Wyandotte’s Justin Hicks and Mount Pleasant’s Doug LaBelle II also earned their PGA Tour cards next year by finishing in the Top 25 on the Web.com Tour. Neither of them competed last week at the Q School finals.

At the LPGA qualifying finals, Flint’s Shasta Averyhardt earned conditional status on the Tour next year by finishing T-39th, closing with a clutch 69 at the Champions Course at Daytona Beach, FL. Lake Orion’s Britney Hamilton also competed but failed to make the cut for the final round.

Images courtesy of PGA Tour, Michigan PGA

Matt Harmon

Both Michigan State grads, Harmon and Hutchinson competed at different sites in Florida and Texas respectively. Finishing 10-under par for four rounds, Harmon ended up T-17, good enough for the last qualifying spot. Hutchinson finished at eight-under par in T-12 position. At that same site in Texas, Ryan Brehm—another Spartan standout and past Michigan Open champion—missed qualifying by a single shot. Former Michigan Amateur champion, Willie Mack III, also failed to advance. But just take a look at some of notables not making it out of the second stage: Rich Beem, Ted Purdy, Chris Riley, Joe Durant, Robert Damron, Lee Janzen, Jason Gore, and Cameron Beckwith.

In spite of securing his PGA Tour card for 2013 via his yearly earnings (20th spot) on the Web.com Tour, Jackson’s Brian Stuard also will be competing in the Finals for the prize money and the chance to improve his standing for added events next year. (Note: Michigan’s Justin Hicks and Doug LaBelle II also earned their cards next year but are not competing in the finals.) Harmon, Hutchinson and Stuard will be part of the 156-player field competing at stroke play over 108 holes (6 rounds.) Another upside to Harmon and Hutchinson making it to the Q-finals, they’re assured of a home on the Web.com next year.

Randy Hutchinson

Coincidentally, I ran into former Michigan Amateur champion Andy Matthews at the U-M football game this past Saturday in Ann Arbor. Electing not to compete in the Q-School, Matthews is focusing instead on a strength and conditioning program at U-M as well as the new 2013 Canadian Tour which will become a gateway into the Web.com Tour.

Acquired by the PGA Tour only last month, the Canadian Tour will have at least eight tournaments next year, each with prize money of about $150,000. Web.com Tour cards will be awarded to the top five players on what now will be called PGA Tour Canada, with the next five players given exemptions into the final stage of qualifying school for the Web.com Tour. A Grand Rapids native, Matthews is a former winner on the Canadian Tour at the 2010 Mexican PGA championship.

Images courtesy of the PGA Tour and the Michigan PGA

Tom Gillis

Despite his stellar season, Gillis will likely have to win a Tour event by April 7 to play in the Masters the following week. Masters qualifications include a regular Tour win, a Top 30 ranking on the PGA Tour’s 2012 money list, or being in the Top 50 leaders of the World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the Tournament. Currently, Gillis is ranked 142nd on the World Ranking.

Hard to believe but the last PGA Tour pro from Michigan to have played in the Masters was…drum roll, please…Marshall’s John Morse in 1997. Morse, a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, drove down Magnolia Lane thanks to a solo 4th finish at the ’96 US Open at Oakland Hills.

Of course, just getting to the PGA Tour is an achievement onto itself. This Friday and Saturday will mark the last day of the second stage of Tour Q-School at six different sites. A number of Michigan players will be competing so go online to check their results. The final stage takes place in Palm Springs, CA, and ends on December 2. This will be final year where the final stage determines a ticket to the regular PGA Tour. Next year, the Q-School will advance qualifiers only to the Web.com Tour.

In Coral Springs, FL, the Champions Tour on Friday also marks the final day of its Q-School for the 2013 season. Michigan’s Lloyd Fisher and Jerry Gunthorpe are competing in a field of 78 players, including 14 former Tour winners and one former major champion, Steve Jones, who won the ’96 U.S. Open. Only the top five players will earn exempt status next year.

Image courtesy of the PGA Tour

On the game’s biggest stage, Pontiac’s Tom Gillis is guaranteed full privileges next year thanks to being 88th on the money list at $1.1 million in earnings. The former Oakland Community College golfer has a solo second and two top ten finishes so far in 2012. This week, Gillis is competing in Malaysia at the CIMB Classic at The Mines Resort. Indicative of Asia’s growing prominence, the CIMB next year will be an official event on the PGA Tour and will count toward FedEx points.

Justin Hicks

On the Web.com tour, three Michigan players have done very well this year. Wyandotte’s Justin Hicks (#11) and Jackson’s Brian Stuard (#16) sit comfortably within the Top 25 money list (the cut off point for earning a lucrative 2013 PGA Tour card) as the regular season ends on Sunday at the Web.com Tour Championship in McKinney, Texas. On the bubble at #26, is Mount Pleasant native Doug LaBelle II who claimed his first win and $99,000 back in July in Utah. So, tune in on Sunday for the final round at 3 pm EST on the Golf Channel. Those who finish the season between 26 and 60 on the final money list are fully exempt on the Web.com Tour in 2013.

Matt Harmon, Grand Rapids, narrowly missed qualifying for the season-ending and Top 60-only field in Texas. Harmon ended the season last week in 64th place with $88,533 in earnings. Last Sunday, Harmon birdied his first three holes and was four under after seven at the difficult and wind-swept Pete Dye-designed venue. Sadly, he stumbled badly coming home, ending up at two-over par for the day and finishing in T-15 place, not enough to vault his earnings into the coveted Top 60. Yet observers said Harmon advanced his game this year and earned valuable experience by competing on a regular basis (16 events) on the Web.com tour. He’s exempted into the second stage of Q School next month and already achieved conditional status next year on the Web.com tour.

A rookie on the Web.com Tour, Jeff Cuzzort of Grosse Ile struggled this year, earning only $14,720, 163rd on the money list. He played in 17 events and made the cut six times. He’ll be returning to Q School.

Beginning in 2013, the Web.com Tour will become the gateway to the PGA Tour with all 50 cards coming through the Tour for the 2013-2014 season at the four-event Web.com Tour Finals in September, 2013.

Speaking of the gut-wrenching Q School, Michigan players advancing out of the first stage of qualifying so far are: Ryan Brehm, Randy Hutchinson and Willie Mack III. Reigning Michigan Open champion Barrett Kelpin did not advance. This Friday another first stage ends in which Michigan’s Clark Klassen and Ryan Lenahan are competing.

Thanks to the GAM’s Ken Hartmann for citing other Michigan players such as Brendan Gielow, Adam Hogue, Dan Olsen, Eric Atsma, Andrew Ruthkowski, Joe Juscycyk, and Patrick Wilkes Krier as all still vying at various Q School venues. Hartmann also reported “Lloyd Fisher from Grand Rapids and Jerry Gunthorpe from Owosso have both advanced out of the first stage of the Champions Tour q-school.” It takes a village to keep track of homegrown Q School competitors. Check out www.pgatour.com/qschool/

If I inadvertently missed any qualifiers shoot me an email at terry50moore@gmail.com

Image courtesy of the PGA Tour

Planning our excursion out of Detroit, it was a pleasant surprise to learn Santa Barbara can be reached directly by many major carriers. There’s no need to deal with the hassle of the often unnerving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Instead, after connecting with a flight in Phoenix we arrived at the stress-free, compact and user-friendly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (RE-LAX).

An ocean view is a glimpse away at the Bacara

In all my years of travel, I’ve never had a shorter drive from an airport to a finer full-service resort. The Bacara Resort & Spa, sitting majestically above the Pacific coastline, was only ten minutes away. Serving as an ideal starting point for our trip, Bacara was an oasis of friendly and prompt service and innumerable amenities. With its ambitious, gradual and tasteful renovation, the resort now offers 360 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony overlooking stunning views of the ocean or flower-abundant gardens.

Inside our room, we found all the comforts of home even if it wasn’t our home—HD flat screen television, patio, expansive shower, tile floors, fireplace and sitting area all in keeping with the resort’s Mediterranean design and motif. But who wants to stay inside even in a luxurious room when the Bacara property is so inviting? Not us—so we took advantage of the 78 acres of oceanfront grounds, beset with comfortable walking paths and trails and with an easy access to the beach. And later we took a dip in one of the three zero-edge swimming pools while marveling at the views of the ocean and the surrounding mountain ranges. To cap off a busy day of travel, we savored the moonlit delights of al fresco dining at one of Bacara’s superb restaurants.

At this point in your reading, you may be asking: “OK, the place sounds wonderful. But what about Fred and Michael?” Let’s talk about Jordan first. For a number of years, MJ has hosted a popular summer basketball camp at nearby University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). So while he’s in town every summer for a week or so holding court at UCSB, he’s nicely ensconced at the Bacara due to its ambience and facilities and most importantly its proximity to some wonderful golf courses. Seen recently at the Ryder Cup Matches, Jordan is a golf junkie.

The Sandpiper's majestic 10th green

One of MJ’s most frequent golf venues is at the adjoining Sandpiper Golf Club. In fact, sources told me he played Sandpiper eight times during his recent camp stint. After visiting this impressive oceanside and public course, I understand why. It offers excellent conditions, a challenging but fair test and some stunning Pebble Beach-type views on the back nine. And thanks to the high standards set by fellow Chicago native and General Manager D.J. Limardi, customer service is not just reserved for NBA Hall of Famers. “We want our golfers and customers to be greeted with a smile when they arrive at Sandpiper,” said Limardi, a PGA pro who moved to Santa Barbara from the Windy City in 2000. “It all comes down to treating people how you want to be treated.”

The Golden Rule certainly was applied to a foursome of Twenty-Something golfers I met on the 10th tee, as they were making the turn. Coincidentally, it was also their first visit to Sandpiper, a layout designed by William Bell and opened in 1972. “We love it, it’s great and we’ll definitely will come back,” said one of the guys. And these glowing comments were voiced before the spectacular back nine was played.

Holes no.10-14 all deliver an exciting array of golf punctuated by the stunning backdrop of the Pacific. In particular, 13 and 14 pack a special wallop running parallel and high above the beach. Once you play the Sandpiper it’s no surprise Jordan calls it one of his favorite tracks. And let the record state, his best round there from the tips is 72, a Faldoesque round of 18 straight pars.

Oh yes, Fred Couples also played Sandpiper when he lived in nearby Montecito. But it was at Rancho San Marcos, a sister property of the Sandpiper, that Couples made his mark. Also owned by Ty Warner properties, it’s located 15 minutes east of Sandpiper just over the Santa Ynez Mountains and nestled in a lovely valley. Its contrast to Sandpiper and its cooler, breezy and oceanside clime was striking. On the day we visited, the temperature was 35 degrees warmer here than at the Sandpiper, at a toasty 100 degrees. That’s why the best time to visit this Robert Trent Jones Jr. -designed gem is in the spring and fall.

A peaceful golf preserve (no urban development) set within the historic (1804) Rancho San Marcos ranch, the layout boasts two distinctive “feels” for its nines. Settled down in the valley, the front side invokes a fast and firm links design while the back winds its way up and around a mesa. To give you an idea about the topography, the 15th hole—the highest point on the course—sits 550 feet higher than the ranch-style clubhouse.

Rancho San Marcos: a peaceful golf preserve

Besides the scenery and tranquil setting, Rancho San Marcos’ added appeal is its top-drawer conditioning. Following a smart renovation completed in 2008, the course is now grassed with wall-to-wall bermuda, delivering an optimum playing surface for hot and arid conditions. The bunkers were renovated as well, now sporting new liners and handsomely dressed with Augusta National-like crushed white marble. In sum, the course looked and played admirably especially with the greens kept smooth and quick and set at a constant 11 on the stimpmeter.

A frequent visitor to Rancho San Marcos in past years, Couples had the course record of 64 for a number of years. But it’s since been eclipsed  by a shot by California PGA pro Roger Kennedy.

We stopped and chatted with one couple on the back nine and asked them for their thoughts on the course. “We love it here and try to play it every time we’re in the area,” said the gentleman. “The scenery is so special and we like the the fact it has six par threes and five par fives. It’s unique and fun and we always come back.”

Head golf professional Kyle Oliver said a popular golf itinerary for those visiting the area includes Rancho San Marcos, the Sandpiper and La Purisima, a highly regarded Robert Muir Graves design located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. “A typical schedule will be Friday at Rancho San Marcos, Saturday at La Purisima and then the Sandpiper on Sunday since it’s so close to the airport,” said Oliver.

Yep, veteran golf travelers like their airports close by and easy to manage. Because when it comes to Santa Barbara, the coming and the going is almost as good as what’s in between.

For more information, visit:

www.bacararesort.com

www.sandpipergolf.com

www.rsm1804.com

www.santabarbaraca.com

1. Sample the Urban Wine Trail. Within blocks of downtown and the beach, there’s a terrific collection of wineries representing the finest wines produced in Santa Barbara County. Visiting Jaffurs Wine Cellars, we savored its syrah.
2. Mission Santa Barbara. Dubbed the “Queen of the Missions,” this landmark Franciscan mission lent a stirring lesson in the area’s and California’s rich early history.
3. Botanic Garden. Nestled along scenic Mission Canyon, this was a sleeper attraction for its 65 acres of native California flora including a majestic Redwood forest.
4. Shopping on State Street. You could leave your purse or wallet in the hotel safe and still enjoy the people watching at this stylish hub of shops, boutiques and restaurants.
5. Sterns Wharf & Santa Barbara Harbor. The West Coast’s oldest operating wharf, this was another great walking around spot with shops and dining and gratis scenic views.
6. The Funk Zone. No, not Fred Funk but instead an eclectic coterie of artists, surfboard shapers, shops and antiques.
7. Brew Trek. Not as plentiful as the wineries, there’s still a nice collection of regional micro-breweries. We enjoyed the Santa Barbara Blonde–hey, that’s a brew!
8. ‘Channel’ Julia Child. Noting the 100th anniversary of the iconic chef’s birth and Santa Barbara native, we visited one of her favorite and more humble Mexican eateries, La Super Rica Taqueria.
9. Leisurely Country Drive. Take your time, ease off the pedal and enjoy the sights, sounds and sips of this acclaimed wine-growing region.
10. Be Surprised. Unplanned happenstances often are the most memorable on any trip; Santa Barbara and its friendly environs won’t disappoint.

For more information, visit www.santabarbaraca.com

After a long day of watching the exciting finale of the Ryder Cup on Sunday, I received one of those late night phone calls one always dreads. On the line was a friend telling me that Kevin—our big-hearted, bear-hugging high school classmate, good guy and longtime pal—had died earlier that day on a golf course in northern Michigan. In spite of lingering chest pains, Kevin had insisted on keeping his golf date and with plans afterwards to catch the Ryder Cup on television. (Note to all: Please see a doctor ASAP if you feel chest pains.)

At the course, Kevin and his friend were on the practice putting green. All of sudden, Kevin collapsed and fell to the ground. I can only imagine the shock, fear and chaos that happened next as course and emergency personnel attempted for over 45 minutes to revive Kevin. But he was gone. And right then, the always-spinning-take-it-for-granted world stopped and changed direction.

I share this story because it lent a timely slap-in-the-face perspective to the Ryder Cup. Yes, it’s an incredible sporting event and one that’s unrivaled for its emotion and excitement and drama. But as Davis Love III properly reminded us in the Opening Ceremonies, “these matches are not life and death.” It’s a game and an entertaining diversion from the more pressing issues of the day. And I must add: the finger-pointing, second-guessing and over-the-top punditry about how certain players and captains performed and underperformed bordered at times on the absurd. Come on, Man!

Events happened one way and not the other. Shots fell one way and not the other. Steve Stricker’s final putt on Saturday could have “lipped in” but it didn’t. Ian Poulter’s final putt on Saturday could have “lipped out” but it didn’t. Justin Rose’s momentous putt at 17 on Sunday could have just missed as did Phil Mickelson’s incredible chip shot only a few minutes before. Looking back and overanalyzing what could or should have transpired in the matches is a silly exercise. So long as the players gave it their utmost and showed in Love’s words—“heart and soul and leaving it all on the line”—that’s all that really matters.

As a member of the media, I’ve been privileged to cover seven Ryder Cups starting in 1987 at Muirfield Village in Columbus, Ohio when the Europeans won for the first time on American soil. My most cherished sporting event was covering the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline when the U.S. overcame a seemingly insurmountable four point deficit to win the matches in as stunning a fashion as did the Europeans on Sunday. I feel thankful to have been a part of both events and to witness how when individuals give it their all, amazing things can happen. Let’s leave it at that and forego the often unseemly dissection.

I’m also thankful for knowing Kevin, someone who loved golf and knew how it engendered good times and laughter and camaraderie.  Last Thursday at Medinah on the eve of the competition, Love said it best: “We started these matches on a note of friendship and we will end them the same way. In this world, we need all the friends we can find.”

I witnessed an amazing display of commercial skywriting over Medinah’s blue skies early this morning. Four planes coordinated and puffed out this message: Go Euro@paddypower. Check out this reference to Paddy Power, a British betting house, at this Ryder Cup preview story: http://tourontap.com/ryder-cup-2012/handicapping-the-ryder-cup/

Caught some incredible action out at the par-four 12th hole this morning. Watched Ian Poulter redeem himself after a terrible second shot from the middle of the fairway by holing a clutch and winning par putt. Then witnessed Phil Mickelson’s remarkable third shot to within gimme par distance thereby setting up a match-clinching 7&6 outcome on this 476-yard uphill hole. The cheers and roars from the gallery for Mickelson and partner Keegan Bradley were deafening.

A boat tucked away in the landscaping near the 13th hole

Chatted briefly with some “friends” of Nicolas Colsaerts, three of whom were sporting Belgium flags and following their long-hitting country man. “People think we’re waving the German flag, but it’s Belgium,” said one individual. On one of their flags was written: “Belgium, Baby.” Such little encounters really make the Ryder Cup such a special event.

Many lucky patrons are using the nifty and American Express-sponsored FanVision, a nifty, compact hand-held video player providing live television feeds of the action. It not only delivers the main live feed of the NBC-TV coverage but also separate feeds of three other holes plus stats. Fans are also using the official Ryder Cup radio (with separate XM and BBC feeds) with earphones to keep abreast of the action.

On the way back to the Media Center, I walked by the par-three 13th hole which sits next to Lake Kadijah. Then I spotted a boat (probably placed there for rescue purposes) nestled in the shrubbery. Heard a fan say about it: “It’s for the European team because if they don’t play better and they’re up the Lake without a paddle.”

After pulling his drive on 18 into the woods yesterday in his losing morning foursomes and paired with Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker said in his press conference: “I just hit an awful shot and put Jim in a terrible position…Under pressure I get quick and stuff happens in my swing that I don’t want to happen.”

Fast forward to this morning’s foursomes and here’s Snedeker again on the 18th tee, 1 up with partner Furyk against McDowell and McIlroy. This time Snedeker misses the fairway but not dead left in the woods, finding a forgivable right side fairway bunker and with a good lie. From there, Furyk knocked it onto the green which proved the pivotal shot for the Americans to win their point. Afterwards, Snedeker said about gaining his first victory: “It’s a huge monkey off my back. It was obviously a tough way to end yesterday…”

The continuing matter of Rory McIlroy being labeled a “marked man” at this Ryder Cup has been taken to absurd lengths by certain members of the British press. One of them pressed Furyk today if he was the one that started it all. Furyk said in reply: “What I said was that in the FedEx Cup, he (Rory) was a marked man because he was the best player in the world and he was no. 1 in the FedEx points. Then we started talking about the Ryder Cup in that interview and the headlines the next day were that I said he was a marked man…I’m not the one to incite the other team or give them any bulletin board material…”

Furyk should have echoed what Phil Mickelson said on Wednesday to a similar line of questioning by a British tabloid writer, “Nice try.”

A baiting British writer asked Phil Mickelson, who won both of his matches with Keegan Bradley, to comment on BBC commentators wondering how he “got such a suntan after spending so much time in the trees?” Phil bit his tongue and shot back: “You know, we won, right? I’m not sure you saw the result. Okay.”

Mickelson about partner Bradley: “The more pressure the situation, the better he plays; the better he sees the shot; the better he focuses; and the better the result. And there’s no more pressure situation, no higher-pressure situation than the Ryder Cup.”

Nicolas Colsaerts on putting instructor Dave Stockton: “Well, I started working with Dave Stockton close to two years ago now. On top of being a fantastic putting teacher, he’s a fantastic guy as well. I’ve had a wonderful time perfecting my putting skills with him and it brought me a lot of confidence, especially on those slick greens that we get to play in America.” Stockton also has worked with Rory McIlroy. See my review of Stockton’s book, “Unconscious Putting” at http://theaposition.com/teemoore/golf/golf/instruction/591/q-a-with-dave-stockton-part-i

When asked by playing partner and red-hot putter Colsaerts how long was his momentous birdie putt at the 17th hole, a deadpan Lee Westwood quipped, “I wasn’t watching.”

When asked if Tiger Woods had said anything to him during his sensational round (8 birdies and an eagle), Colsaerts replied: “No, except on 18 when somebody like Tiger Woods looks at you and goes, ‘Great playing, man,’ you understand you’ve done something pretty good.”

On sitting down Tiger Woods for the first time in his Ryder Cup career, Captain Davis Love III said: “We just felt like we didn’t want anybody to have to play five matches on this golf course…We just don’t want guys to be worn out. We need Tiger and Steve in the afternoon… and on Sunday.”

European Captain Jose Maria Olazabal: “There are no secrets about this game. You have to make more birdies than your opponent. And if you don’t do that, you’re going to struggle.”

Between holes today, the European team members regularly stopped and signed autographs, winning some cheers and some PR points with the “home” U.S. gallery. A graduate of Northwestern and a Chicago resident, Luke Donald remained a crowd favorite. On the 17th tee, Donald asked a father and his young son, standing along the rope line, to come up to the tee. There he presented the boy with a Chicago Bears jersey. Touchdown, Luke Donald!

Meanwhile, the U.S. team members intentionally avoided signing autographs and instead passed out U.S. Ryder Cup lapel pins. The pins are a smart and practical move and a big improvement over the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills scenario when the U.S. complied with the official request for both sides not to sign autographs. However, the European team—at Captain Bernhard Langer’s cagey urging—did sign autographs thereby gaining some goodwill with the partisan gallery. So, pins or autographs? What’s your choice?

Sitting in a grandstand there this afternoon, I can attest the par-four 16th hole is also a bear. For members, it used to be the no.1 handicap hole. With a new back tee, the dogleg par-four now stretches out to a beastly 482 yards. The second shot is uphill to a perched green with not much depth. The only birdie seen there today was by Lee Westwood whose second shot just hit the front portion of the green and popped up near the flag. If they get this far, several matches will be decided with pars on this most demanding hole.

I had a good conversation today with a Medinah member who provided added insight into the course. He said the tournament course will never play easier due to how it’s been set up this week by Captain Love. Love wanted a layout conducive to making birdies for this team and so there’s only a moderate rough this week—an anomaly for member play. However, the greens are stimping out at 13 and will pose a challenge if the weather stays dry. He also said 800 trees were removed on the par-four third hole. In terms of difficulty, he expects the 509-yard par-four 6th and the 617-yard par-five 7th holes to top the list on the front side.

On the “short” par-four 15h hole which can play anywhere from 358 to 391 yards, Bubba Watson drove over the green during a practice round. But don’t expect to see a lot of that bravado, at least according to Phil Mickelson. In his press conference on Wednesday, Mickelson said most of his U.S. teammates will not go for the green off of the tee and instead lay up and make birdies with wedges. “…We have to play what’s there in front of us and try to score the lowest score and lowest score will be shot by laying up.” A vocal critic of architect of Rees Jones’s re-do work at nearby Cog Hill, Mickelson said: “I just think it’s overdone as a hole…unlike the 10th at Riviera which really entices you and gives you options.”

Speaking of Bubba Watson, he was highly entertaining at his press conference on Thursday, particularly in his remarks about Mickelson and table tennis, aka ping-pong. “Me and Jason Dufner dominated Sluman (assistant captain) and Mickelson yesterday in doubles…and Mickelson is still mad about it. He hates any time I beat him because I’m just this goofy left-handed kid named Bubba.” Later he added: “The Ryder Cup is all about ping-pong. When you bring your own paddles in cases, a briefcase with a paddle in it, then obviously it’s about ping-pong. Mickelson and Kuchar have their own cases…it’s nuts.”

Yesterday, I added a Facebook comment saying Phil Mickelson was in top form in his press conference on Wednesday, lending equal measures of thoughtful perspective and humor to various Ryder Cup issues. He also didn’t take the bait from two British tabloid writers who asked him to comment if Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter were “marked men” by the U.S. team. After Mickelson deftly handled the loaded inquiry, he ended the session by quipping, “Nice try.” Last night at the Media Hotel, I discovered one of the questioners represented The People, a London tabloid based founded in 1881.

Medinah is in fine shape for the Ryder Cup

Medinah CC is in fine shape and is set up with minimal rough. The weather so far is ideal and is mindful of that glorious week of weather at Oakland Hills for the 2004 Ryder Cup. The extended outlook is dry through the weekend.

With so few players on the course and with such huge galleries, the Ryder Cup remains a tough venue to watch so little actual golf. Instead, spectators have to bide their time and be patient and be rewarded in other ways. Being at the Ryder Cup is about getting caught up in the emotion and excitement of this international team competition. It always delivers an Olympic-like atmosphere and aura, imparting a completely different setting and feel than a Tour event or even a major.

I walked some of the course yesterday and I was disappointed not to see more grandstands throughout the venue. There’s really limited general public seating. I’m checking if the number of grandstands is more or less than at Vahalla or Oakland Hills. In contrast, hospitality suites (villages?) are in plentiful supply throughout the course. There are seven video boards erected on the property but not many near general public grandstands as some of them were at Oakland Hills. A spectator with the Ryder Cup radio ($15—a must item) can hear four different stations: Sirius XM; BBC; Holes 1 & 17 Video Board; and Holes 13 & 16 Video Board.

On Wednesday afternoon when I toured the course, it was gratifying to see some players on the course, even though they weren’t necessarily the Ryder Cup competitors. The PGA of America smartly added a Junior Cup & Friendship Exhibitions of one boy and one girl from both the U.S. and Europe making two teams of 12 players. Included on the U.S. team were: Jimmy Liu who won the 2010 USGA Junior at Egypt Valley in Grand Rapids; lefty Gavin Hall who set a tournament scoring record of 62 at Egypt Valley; and Beau Hossler who was a sensation at the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic Club.

Concession prices here are not in the Masters’ category for value and affordability but they’re not outrageous, I guess. A hot dog is $5 and bottled water is $3. Bud Light is $5.50 and wine is $8. A grilled chicken sandwich is $9 while whole fruit is $1.50.

The official Ryder Cup program is a pricey $10 but it’s a worthwhile keepsake. Funny, but what caught my eye were two ads: one touted Sea Island Resort with a terrific vintage photo of a young Davis Love III on the practice tee there with his late father; the second also centered on a youthful Captain Love but this time as a college player, courtesy of University of North Carolina proudly supporting its “Tar Heel Alumnus.”

Michigan golf history: The youngest U.S. player in the history of the Ryder Cup remains Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Horton Smith who competed in the 1929 matches in Leeds, England at age 21 years, 4 days. According to the PGA Media Guide: “Horton Smith, a budding star, played one singles match and switched for the first time to hickory-shafted clubs,” winning 4 & 2 over Fred Robson. In 1934, Smith won the inaugural Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Later in his career, he served as the head golf professional at Detroit Golf Club.

Medinah image courtesy of John and Jeannine Henebry

Circa 1990, Pete Dye was happy in the dirt at the Ocean Course

At 86 years young, Pete Dye is still happily getting his pants dirty and his boots muddy as he tackles yet another golf course design and construction project. Inducted into the 2008 World Golf Hall of Fame, Dye is widely considered the most influential golf course architect of the modern era, responsible for such luminous designs as Harbour Town, Whistling Straits, TPC Sawgrass (Stadium), Crooked Stick, Teeth of the Dog, Blackwolf Run, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Resort, the site of the 94th PGA Championship. A few weeks ago, after walking his dog and hitting some practice balls, Dye spoke with me.

How much pressure was it to design the Ocean Course for the ’91 Ryder Cup?

It was a unique situation because the first players on the course were the team members. A brand-new course making its debut never happened before in the history of the Ryder Cup. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Were there special challenges in the building process?

We just started building the course when Hurricane Hugo hit the area [1989], wiping out a lot of our work. It was a mess. But then the governor issued a special moratorium on regulations so we could clean up the course including some of the swamps. We rebuilt the dunes and turned some of the salt-water marshes into freshwater ponds. Without the hurricane, the course wouldn’t have turned out as well as it did. Then Alice [Pete’s wife and fellow designer] made the smart suggestion that some of the tees and fairways needed to be raised so the ocean could be seen.

On Sunday at the 1991 Ryder Cup, did you ever think the par-three 17th would play as brutal as it did?

A few days before the start of the matches, the wind was out of the south and southeast. That meant it was behind the players on 17, which was set at 197 yards. [U.S. team player] Ray Floyd told me during practice rounds players were hitting 6- and 7-irons there. Then the weather forecasters predicted that the winds would change and come out of the north and northwest for the weekend. I mentioned to someone at the PGA they should move up the tee markers and the gallery area. But it was decided to leave them as planned for the final day. When the wind changed direction and became a strong head wind on Sunday, Hale Irwin actually hit a wood at 17 to clear the water.

How have you altered the course and protected it against the added length of Tour pros?

I went back there over a year ago and made many improvements. When I was building the course in 1990, I was already worried about how far the pros were hitting the ball. So I pushed dirt for some back tees then covered them up with high grass as kind of an insurance policy if they were ever needed. This year they’re going to use a number of those new back tees for the PGA Championship. We also brought some of the bunkers into play at 310 and 320 yards, where before they were at 280 yards. In all, we made changes to eight or nine holes to some degree with tees, greens, and bunkers.

What’s the most misunderstood aspect about you?

Many people don’t realize that I’ve never drawn up plans for a golf course. Some of my friends in the business devise elaborate design plans and then have someone else build it. I’m the only one dumb enough who just builds it.

Most misunderstood aspect about course architects?

When you’re building a golf course, you’re building it for the owners and trying to match what they want done and the type of course they envision. It’s rare when you have an owner who says, “Build me a course for the Ryder Cup.” Most of the time, it’s a residential property and you build it for the members like I did in Hilton Head at Long Cove. One of my earliest courses is Delray Dunes in Delray Beach [Florida]. I built it for membership play and it’s held up well over time. So in spite of what some people think, I’m always conscious of the type of players I’m building the course for.

What do you want to do in the future?

Well, I look forward to being involved with the Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra if the PGA Tour still wants me. I’ve reworked that course five different times now. Golf evolves and when you have a course like that you have to stay up with the changes in the game, the equipment and also agronomy. I had to rework all the greens at the Stadium Course due to how fast the greens were getting. Same with Harbour Town, where I never dreamed it would happen.

If you could sit down with two or three people at the 19th hole, past or present in golf history, who would they be?

Ben Hogan, Ben Hogan, and Ben Hogan. I played with him several times and it was always something special. I’ve played with a number of great players over the years but no one hit it as consistently on the clubface as Hogan did. Before his accident, he was such an outstanding ball-striker. But it was even more unbelievable to see him recover from his serious injuries and eventually strike it that well again. As an aside, I like to tell people that when Hogan won the ’53 U.S. Open at Oakmont, those greens were probably only rolling at a six if they had used a stimpmeter back then.

Photography courtesy Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Sixteen years ago, Tom Lehman claimed his first and only major championship, the 1996 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. He put together rounds of 67, 67, 64, and 73 to win by two shots. Now a dominant player on the Champions Tour, the 53-year-old Lehman will be competing again at Royal Lytham and at the Open, where he has made the last five cuts, finishing T22nd last year at Royal St. George’s. Originally from Minnesota and now living in Scottsdale, Lehman is also active in golf course design, with nearly two dozen new courses or renovations in his portfolio. He was interviewed by Terry Moore.

When did you first see Royal Lytham?

I was in London for four days and played several courses around there with my dad, my caddy (Andy Martinez), and some buddies. We drove up on the Sunday before the Open.

And your first reaction?

A lot of bunkers! I knew I had to hit the ball awfully straight. I talked to the club professional, whose recommendation was simple: Being in the fairway was far more important than being long. Put it somewhere off the tee to avoid the bunkers. He also pointed out that going over the green was not as penal on several holes. In modern golf going long is usually a big mistake. But at Lytham being long with an approach shot was not that big a deal.

Were you concerned about the wind?

I typically don’t get worked up about playing in windy conditions. If it’s blowing and I’m consistently hitting it in the middle of the clubface, I’ll play better than some of the other players. If I’m hitting it well I’ll be able to control my trajectory and that’s a key for links and Open Championship golf. Being able to hit high or low when the situation calls for it is absolutely crucial over there.

Talk about the your third-round 64.

I was in the second-to-last group, a good start position. Early on, both my swing and my putting just clicked. On the very first putt of the day I had the speed perfect and it went into the hole. Same on the second hole for another birdie. I made a lot of putts that day.

You had a six-shot lead but you were to be paired the last day with Nick Faldo, who earlier in the year erased Greg Norman’s similar margin at the Masters. How did you sleep that night?

I fell asleep easily but woke up at 5 a.m. The problem was what to do until 3 p.m. when I teed off. I tried to keep busy, lounged around, took a nap. There’s a fine line between focusing on the round at hand while at the same time relaxing and not getting too worked up. You can be exhausted before you even tee off if you get too nervous: Being too nervous burns up energy you need for the golf course.

There were reports that Sunday’s gallery was quite partisan, including someone yelling “Remember Augusta!” Did you hear them?

Yes, I did, but generally speaking the gallery was very respectful. It was what I expected so it didn’t surprise me. And when I did hear some of that stuff it was a motivator. To be honest, I wanted to take that golf ball and shove it up someone’s nostril. It just made me work a little harder and really say to them, “Well, I’ll show you!”

You made an important birdie on the 12th hole…

At the time, I was one-over for the day and not much was happening. But I was playing reasonably well. The 12th is a tough par-three. I hit an amazing 4-iron, then made a nice putt for birdie. It was a huge boost for me. It got me back to even for the day and made me feel I could attack the rest of the round. Getting it back to even par fit into my game plan because when you have a six-shot lead playing par golf made me hard to beat. But then I made a bogey on 14 when I three-putted from 40 feet. It was a stupid mistake, like walking a guy late in the game with two outs in baseball.

But you made a great par save on 15.

I had an awkward stance in the bunker near the green and got the ball out to within eight feet. Then I made probably the best putt of the week and it really settled me down.

What was your mindset on the 18^th tee?

“Just keep it out of the bunkers.” The only way for me to lose was to find a bunker. So I picked a spot where I couldn’t find a bunker and hit a 1-iron. From there I hit an 8-iron on the green and two-putted from 50 feet.

What did the victory mean to you?

It was a validation that I could win and not just contend in a major. Since I was a late bloomer on Tour and then had some near misses in the majors, finally breaking through and winning were so important to me. I always felt I had played well enough to win before but it just didn’t happen. And as a Christian, I believed both the victories and defeats were part of a bigger plan and that the near misses made me work harder.

Has links golf influenced your golf design?

I like studying the strategy of a links hole and then applying that strategy to a new course. But it’s hard to replicate links design over here because the essence of links is having the ball run on fast, firm turf. I love how in links golf the targets are guarded by bunkers: Depending upon the length of the hole and how the wind is blowing, different facets of a hole may be guarded. Sometimes the green is guarded, other times the approach is protected. Rarely in links golf are you not thinking about how the ball will run. And it always gets down to how accurate you are following the correct line to the hole. It’s not just distance that matters, which is why guys like Tom Watson can contend. I love that aspect of links golf.

Photography: Golfsupport.nl/IconSMI

At Isle Royale, citizens debate the merits of a senior golf event

A resident of Grand Rapids and a past champion of the West Michigan Senior Championship, Jakubowski has played in senior events in Ann Arbor, Jackson, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Muskegon to mention only a few cities. The guy has an uncanny ability to search the internet for local events catering to senior competitors. If Isle Royale announces a senior event later this summer, expect to see “JJ” there.

Anyway, Jim tipped me off about the Battle Creek City Seniors being held next Tuesday and Wednesday (July 10-11) at Cedar Creek and Binder Park golf courses. Run by respected PGA pro Ron Osborne, the competition will be a 36-hole medal play event with an 8 am shotgun start each day at the respective courses. If riding, the all-inclusive price is $100. To enter, stop by or call Binder Park at 269-979-8250.

Drew Preston

This season there’s been chatter about players “owning their swing.” In Lorne Rubenstein’s excellent new book about Canada’s Moe Norman, Moe & Me, the author quotes Tiger Woods as saying, “Only two players have ever truly owned their swings: Moe Norman and Ben Hogan.” The more I thought about this observation, which is largely true, I found other examples. Surely, Jim Furyk owns his swing despite its confounding loop and so does Masters champion Bubba Watson who prides himself on never having taken formal golf instruction. In an era of over-glorified swing doctors, psychologists, trainers, and nutritionists, it’s refreshing to see such players trusting themselves and their innate talents.

On the state golf scene, a similar example is Drew Preston, the recent Michigan Amateur champion. I’ve followed Preston since he competed at Forest Hills Central High School and later at various Grand Rapids-area tournaments. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Preston’s swing is short and quite fast. It reminds me of a combination of Dana Quigley and Doug Sanders, Tour players known for abbreviated but powerful backswings. In local circles during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, celebrated junior player and later Michigan State golfer John VanderMeiden, of Grand Haven, was known for his short but repeatable backswing.

Anyway, Preston’s story of golf achievement is especially noteworthy given the fact he’s been largely self-taught, a rarity these days for aspiring junior and prep golfers. “I’ve only had one lesson my entire life,” said Preston. “My parents don’t golf and so I’ve learned the game on my own.”

Preston didn’t pick up the game until his parents gave him a set of junior clubs at age ten. Before then, he was an avid hockey player. Not members at any private club, his parents had a cottage in north Muskegon where Preston played his summer golf. “I didn’t play my first junior tourney until I was 13 or 14 when I started breaking 80,” said Preston.

So how did he learn the game and its many intricacies? “Besides just watching other players and tournament golf on television, I read all the golf magazines and explored the philosophy of the great players and teachers,” said Preston. “I know my swing is a little unorthodox but I’ve always focused on the six to ten inches around the impact zone. That’s how I get the ball around the course.”

As his game developed and became successful in competition, Preston realized his swing delivered consistent results. “I stepped back and evaluated my swing and said, ‘OK, I have a short swing but I have less room for error.’ ”

Preston says too many college players get trapped into rigid swing mechanics. “I feel some of my friends struggle at times because they don’t focus on playing the game and get too caught up with swing mechanics. Basically a feel player, I rely on myself and try to figure it as I go around the course.”

Self-reliance was a Preston strength as he handled the big stage of the Michigan Amateur. In fact, Preston carried his clubs without use of a caddie for all nine rounds (including a practice round) at Oakland Hills North. “I thought about getting a caddie and three or four people even offered to caddie for me for free but I said, ‘thanks and no offense, but I’ll go it alone.’ My plan was to keep my head down, trust myself and keep my focus on each match.”

Early in the week, Preston sensed his game was in synch. “All players want that feel where they’re in the slot and can just hit it. And that’s what I felt all week. In my first match, I birdied four out of the first six holes and in the second match I birdied the first two.”

In the final match, Preston bested fellow Grand Rapids golfer and the 2009 Amateur Champion Tom Werkmeister, 2 up. “Tom is such a solid player and competitor; I knew it would be close.” A key shot occurred on the 18th hole when Preston’s drive found the hillside in the left rough. “I had 104 yards to the hole and 91 yards to just carry the bunker,” recalled Preston.” I decided to go with a 60 degree wedge, put it in the back of my stance and just hit it hard. Fortunately, it came out perfectly to within 15 feet.” From there and after Werkmeister made par from the bunker, Preston claimed the title by rolling in his birdie.

In terms of the rest of the summer, Preston will try to qualify for his third U.S. Amateur at Muskegon CC on July 30 while also competing as an exempt player in the GAM Championship at Point O’Woods in August. In the interim, he’s taking 12 credits both this summer and fall at Bowling Green in order to finish up his Business degree in December.

Even a successful self-taught golfer and now Michigan Amateur champion knows the future is brighter with an old-fashioned diploma.

Image courtesy of the Golf Association of Michigan

Well, the greens last week at pristine Traverse City Golf & Country Club weren’t that fast but they were definitely the best greens I’ve seen this year. Thanks to Superintendent Steve Hammon and a supportive membership, the conditions at TC G & CC were exemplary. After playing it with friends Jack Berry and John Jessup, we all remarked afterwards what an enjoyable playing experience was found here. Designed by Tom Bendelow, it’s a layout conducive to diverse member play, eminently walkable and thankfully void of penal attributes common to many modern designs. As someone said during our round, “This is a course you can grow old on and have no regrets.”

A Grand Rapids native and Michigan State graduate, Hammon is the Past President of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendent’s Association. He’s also a fine golfer although finding time to play now goes with the territory. But his playing sensibility informs his philosophy and practices on course maintenance.  He realizes that private club golfers expect fast and true greens on a regular basis and not just for certain club events. That’s why Hammon and his staff roll the greens daily allowing green speeds to average 11 on the stimp. Hammon uses a True-Surface green roller which is custom-designed to fit on a triplex green mower thus making it easier and more convenient for staff members to use.

It’s been a few years since I last played Traverse City so I had forgotten what a fun and sporting test it delivered. John and I played the back tees and at a par-71 and 6330 yards it posed a well-balanced and friendly challenge. In particular, the four par-threes were all stout and required well-struck shots. The 189-yard seventh hole is a feisty one-shotter with its elevated green perfectly nestled into a hillside.

Due to deft tree removal and trimming over the years, the fairways are now healthier, more generous and offer multiple lines to the greens. At the same time, the shortish 9th and 10th holes are still well-guarded by pivotal trees that require prior deliberation on the tee box. And being an aquaphobe, Mr. Berry relished a layout with only a few water hazards. In terms of aesthetics, the course is beautiful with the lush fairways and greens contrasting with golden native grasses.

In a time when so many private clubs in Michigan have struggled, it was refreshing to learn Traverse City is prospering, adding 35 new members in the past year. Head Golf Professional Roger Bliss attributes the club’s “gift membership” initiative whereby prospective members are given two months (excluding July & August) free to try out the club before making a final commitment.  And the club’s amenities are first-class thanks to a $3.5 million clubhouse renovation that was undertaken in 1998.

Situated on elevated terrain overlooking Traverse City, the club is affectionately known by members as the “Gem on the Hill.” Not needing two months, I can safely say now it’ll never be sued for false advertising.

• “I’ll go back there and hit some shots, play a few holes. It’s almost like being in northern Michigan.”—Pat Croswell, head PGA professional
• “I play probably 50 percent of my rounds over there. From the back tees it’s a tough a test as the South—different, but every bit as good.”—Peter Jackson, member
• “The 17th hole (428-yard uphill par-four) may be the best hole on either course.” —Jeff Rivard, then GAM Executive Director
• “It’s no red-headed stepchild, by any means.” —Byron Perry, member and author of the club’s 75th anniversary book

Next week the Michigan Amateur returns to Oakland Hills North and once again competitors and spectators alike are in for a treat, relishing one of the state’s most underrated golf courses. Having the chance to play it several times, including on a sun-drenched media day a few weeks back, I always come away telling my golf cronies: “I love this course. Because it sits in the shadow of the historic South Course more people don’t talk about it as being one of the best courses around.” Then, I add: “And I’m not just being a polite and appreciative guest!” Okay, I’m partly guilty of that.

First, it’s always in excellent condition with impeccably groomed tees, greens, fairways and bunkers. It may be a sister course to the South but in terms of make-up and cosmetics the girl receives her fair share. I love how walkable it is, like many of the old courses predating motorized golf cars, where tees and greens are nestled together. Isn’t this a bonus for match play, competitors and for lucky observers? And at 6653 yards and a par-70, it still growls with plenty of bite. Admittedly, it’s nowhere in the lofty league of the South for its shot values but overall the North is a most worthy test especially with the rough long and gnarly as it will be next week.

Water beckons at the reachable par-five 12th

What I particularly admire about the North Course is how it encapsulates, in somewhat edited form, the design attributes of its celebrated architects, Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones. Six years after the opening of the South Course in 1918, the North—also designed by Ross—was opened for play. In a delightful brief history of the North Course written by Richard Howting, the South opened a month before the 1924 U.S. Open so members were asked to “kindly refrain from playing golf on the (South) during the week of the National Open.” Less than ten years later in the midst of the Great Depression, the club was forced to operate the North Course on a daily fee basis, calling it North Hills. (In the midst of the Great Recession, history and necessary business practices have a way of repeating themselves in the private club arena.) According to Howting, there’s evidence that some of the original Ross greens were modified in order to speed up play in deference to its pub-links clientele. In spite of such accommodations, North Hills was largely viewed as “one of the finest courses available to the public.” In fact, it annually hosted the prestigious Hearst Tournament hosted by the old Detroit Times newspaper.

In 1967, the Oakland Hills membership voted overwhelmingly to be updated—by Jones—and taken private again. Howting reports that Jones sealed the deal by stating the redesign would compare favorably with Augusta National. Jones lengthened it, added new bunkering, reversed some holes, and reshaped the greens. In sum, he delivered a championship layout, one that later served with distinction by hosting the 1992 Michigan Amateur won by Randy Lewis.

Now twenty years later, the Michigan Amateur returns to the North Course. In spite of the passing of two decades, Saylor’s words about it still ring clear and true: “It will be the site of some exciting matches…Oakland Hills North is another great step forward for the Michigan Amateur.”

Image courtesy of the Golf Association of Michigan

Charlie Sorrell, Master PGA Professional

A long time industry friend whom I first met when he won his national award in 1990, Sorrell, 71, is staying young by teaching at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, FL. “My job is take on the overflow,” says Sorrell. “I’m the on-call doctor.” Sorrell and his beloved wife Joyce retired to Port St. Lucie in 2007 after selling their home and property which housed his Golf Meadows teaching academy in Stockbridge, GA. He’s compiled a laudable teaching career that emphasizes a non-jargon, simple and fun approach to giving golf lessons. He’s also known for his clever rhymes to stress certain swing fundamentals, such as: “Wrists that are tight/destroy ball flight” and “When you’re balanced throughout the swing/A repeatable motion is a sure thing.”

A long time ago, Deb and I visited the always affable and self-effacing Charlie at his teaching academy in Georgia and he provided Deb with the most effective lesson she’s ever had—then or now. Basically, he encouraged her to generate more clubhead speed while remaining on plane by this simple adage: “Hinge and sling.” He got Deb to correctly hinge her wrists, creating a powerful and correct angle, and then for her to swing through the shot. The results were immediate and remarkable. As Charlie more fully explained, “The hands are made to hold, the wrists are made to hinge, the arms are made to fold and the arms are made to swing.”

Sorrell’s golf career was influenced by his first boss in the business, Virgil Morey, head professional at Riverside CC in Lanette, Alabama. “He gave me two very important lessons about teaching golf. Number one: kill them with kindness; and number two: learn how to cure a slice or a hook quickly.” In over forty years teaching the game he loves, Sorrell has added a third bedrock tenet. “I also stress MYFI—which stands for Making You Feel Important.”

Over the winter, Sorrell was part of a panel presentation that talked about “blending the old styles of teaching of modern technology.” He said today’s teachers have excellent tools, particularly with video, to identify and correct swing maladies. “But the human element of teaching can’t be underestimated,” says Sorrell, “because everything still must be communicated properly.” When asked about Tour Tempo and its recent research findings on tempo for Tour player swings, Sorrell brought up the story of how in winning the 1937 Masters Byron Nelson reminded himself to compare his swing tempo to dancing a waltz. “Most of what we know about the game and the swing is not new; but we’re seeing it in a new light with the help of technology.”

Charlie teaches Deb on the proper impact position

Sorrell, a PGA Master Golf Professional, is a joy to be around because he loves what he does, helping to put a “smile back on a golfers’ faces as they play the game of a lifetime.” And it’s the everyday golfer getting better that remains the focus of his attention and astute eye. Sorrell said: “I always remember something Bob Toski once told me, ‘Anyone can teach a Tour player. That’s easy compared to working with beginners or struggling average golfers.’ ”

Deb Moore was one such struggling golfer. But after another lesson with Charlie Sorrell, she was hinging, swinging and smiling.

For more information about the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance visit www.pgavillage.com

Roger Chapman's tee to green game was masterful

In spite of it being an awkward venue for spectators to get around, the Senior PGA Championship held at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor was a resounding success on many fronts. First, the weather was summer-like and virtually void of weather delays and rainfall. In fact, it may have been almost too good with hot and humid temperatures. One observer said a year ago on the same date, the weather was gray, cloudy and with temperatures only in the mid-forties. Ah, Pure Michigan. The favorable weather over the Memorial Day weekend certainly contributed to a strong turnout. Even on Wednesday and Thursday, the crowds were very respectable.

One must commend tournament organizers, starting with presenting sponsor KitchenAid of Whirlpool and KemperSports, for aggressively marketing tournament ticket sales throughout the past year. In my tenure in the golf industry in the state, I’ve never seen an event promoted as widely as this event. In the Grand Rapids media market, television ads touting the Senior PGA ran on all of the major outlets for months. No one could say they hadn’t heard about Harbor Shores. And even losing defending champion Tom Watson, due to an injury, didn’t dampen the attendance.

In the pre-tournament interviews, there were some player concerns about the penal nature of the Jack Nicklaus design, particularly in relation to the green complexes and putting surfaces. Specifically, the tenth green came in for some valid criticism for its over-the-top mounding and huge “bunny hill” drop-off. Mild-mannered Fred Couples even said it was “a little too much.” Bernhard Langer said, “I think it’s a phenomenal golf course from tee to green.  One of the world’s best, I would say, but could be the most severe or worst green complexes I’ve ever seen in my life.” Fred Funk said, “the greens I think are a little too busy, but they are what they are… I don’t mind a lot of movement to the greens or even terraces, but give us some flat areas where you can have the officials go out there and…have five or six or four really good pin placements.”

The galleries were impressive all week

During the opening round, such criticism was compounded when the prevailing wind direction switched and made scoring particularly difficult. In the afternoon teetimes, only one player broke par. Pre-tournament favorite Michael Allen shot 77. But on Friday, the winds switched back and conditions were more forgiving. Allen’s score improved by 13 shots. From then on, the players were off to the races and birdies arrived in bunches. So in spite of all of the concerns about the difficulty of the design, the players ate it up. Eventual champion Roger Chapman put on a ball-striking clinic, hitting fairways and greens throughout the week. On Sunday, Kenny Perry fired a 62, establishing a new tournament record. In sum, the game’s best players didn’t have any problems with Harbor Shores.

The course itself, thanks to Superintendent Brad Fry and his staff which also included a host of volunteering superintendents, was in superb conditions and looked spectacular on television. Considering the course only opened two years ago over some difficult and  unsightly terrain, this was a remarkable achievement. How this once forsaken land, a favorite dumping ground and a site of dilapidated, vacant buildings, was transformed into a world-class development is really the compelling story of Harbor Shores. With a total investment of a half-billion dollars, this 530-acre residential, golf, recreational and waterfront community is a showcase for the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. More importantly it has galvanized the area and fostered new and strong civic alliances.  In addition, the development has nurtured the Boys & Girls Club and The First Tee of Benton Harbor. Whirlpool Corporation and the Whirlpool Foundation have been stalwart citizens in all of these endeavors.

Kudos to the Michigan PGA for its collaborative efforts with the tournament. I noticed many Michigan pros in attendance and also volunteering at the practice range. Heck, one West Michigan pro even picked up a chipping lesson from guru Stan Utley. Tournament organizers smartly implemented a spectator trolley system which lessened the “hard walk” posed by the vast layout (6.2 miles of cart paths.) But to get to some scenic holes—say 7-9 or the infamous 10th green—spectators still needed a long trek. And sadly there were only a few observations stands for spectators. More stands should be planned for 2014 when the event returns.

All in all, a notable week for the PGA of America, Harbor Shores, southwest Michigan and golf itself. It will only get better in 2014. Count me in again.

Photos courtesy of PGA of America

Knowing the rules paved the way for Kevin Na

OK, so what transpired here? I figured Na would get relief from where his ball originally rested since his stance would have been on the cart path. But the rules also say the player needs to take complete relief from the cart path which meant his ball wouldn’t have ended up on it. So how did Na end up making a shot off of the path? Perplexed, I called Roger Ostrander of Grand Rapids, Mich., a 20-year rules official who has worked six U.S. Opens, nine Senior Opens, and 14 Mid-Amateurs. Luckily, Ostrander had also observed the sequence of events on Sunday. Better yet, he had already reviewed the situation by phone with the PGA Tour rules staff at Ponte Vedra.

“What wasn’t made clear on Sunday,” said Ostrander, “was the fact that Na’s tee shot rested in an area deemed ground under repair—an area of wear and damage due to gallery traffic. As such, he was entitled to relief and after determining the nearest point of relief, the ball may be dropped on the cart path, strange as that may appear.” Ostrander said that Na dropped his ball twice and each time it rolled into an area that didn’t provide relief and so Na was able to place his ball on the surface of the cart path—the flattest, cleanest lie— at the spot of the second drop. “The television commentators were too busy sizing up Kuchar’s second shot to fully explain the situation,” said Ostrander who last year was the recipient of the GAM’s Distinguished Service award. “To me, it also showed how talented these players are and how they always strike the ball first even off a cart path.”

By making par, Na finished T-7 and earned $296,083. If he had made bogey, he would have earned $247,000 and if he made a double, he would have earned $199,500. So you gotta hand it to Na, especially considering all of the angst he endured the last two rounds, to keep a clear head and have the rules work in his favor. As Roger Maltbie used to say on the old NBC Golf segment, “If you play this game, you gotta know the rules.”

And if you don’t, be sure to consult a rules official.

Image courtesy of the PGA Tour

The curious case of Moe Norman is deftly told

There couldn’t be a better writer to relate the story of Moe Norman than Rubenstein, a member of Canada’s Golf Hall of Fame. The author first met Norman at 13 years of age when he and his father used to hit balls at the De Haviland Golf Centre in north Toronto. At the time, Norman gave lessons and sold golf equipment there. The Rubensteins were captivated by Norman’s amazing golf swing not only because it was so unique but because it was so effective. Norman would address the ball with his feet wide apart, his arms outstretched and with his hands much higher than normal. With no bend in his elbows, he then set his clubhead nearly a foot behind the ball. Although unorthodox, Norman’s swing was repeatable and possessed laser-like accuracy. And it held up during the heat of competition as Norman became a force in Canadian golf, winning consecutive Canadian Amateur championships and 55 career Canadian Tour events.

In the book, Rubenstein traces the arc of Norman’s life, his personality and his golf game. Looking back on his long and friendly relationship with Norman, Rubenstein says he “would chase the truth of the man” as a college student, as a caddie and as a writer. Moe was five when he was in a sledding accident where he was hit by a car. Soon after, he started exhibiting some strange behavior, speaking quickly and repeating himself which became a trademark personality trait for the rest of his life. Rubenstein cites one physician who felt Moe had Asperger’s syndrome, a spectrum of autism which includes repetitive speech patterns. But the youngster found a sanctuary in golf when he became a caddie at 10 at Westmount Golf & Country Club and where two years later a member gave him a five-iron. Golf quickly became the center of his small world especially after dropping out of high school at 14 and leaving home at 17. He was a loner and lived mainly in motels, hitchhiking from tournament to tournament and finally not owning a car until his late twenties. Observed Rubenstein, “Golf gives loners the freedom to express themselves. Moe expressed himself through golf.”

With an acute sensitivity to his subject, Rubenstein organizes a review of Norman’s life in telling chapters about his upbringing, his mind, his swing and reflections about him from friends and contacts in golf. A fine golfer and student of the game, Rubenstein dissects Norman’s game from public comments and solicited opinions from a number of teaching and Touring professionals. The most enlightening is the analysis provided by Craig Shankland, a noted PGA teaching pro, who conducted clinics with Norman for 18 years. Amazingly, all of Norman’s swing oddities coalesced to deliver a powerful and precise strike. For example, Shankland studied unique Norman’s set-up where at address his clubhead sat a foot behind the ball. This set-up, according to the teacher, prevented him from taking the clubhead inside, prevented him from lifting the clubhead, and thus encouraged a wide, on plane backswing. Shankland would marvel at Norman’s instinctive shotmaking. “We need these players. It’s necessary to allow individuality. I think we’re over-instructing players.”

But even Moe himself knew his swing was not for everyone. “Be yourself, be yourself. Don’t try to be me. You can’t be me.” And when offering advice, he often boiled it down in the simplest terms: “Two things you got to finish in this game, your backswing and your follow through.”

There’s much to relish in this deftly told narrative. Rubenstein probes the circumstances surrounding Norman’s two Masters appearances in ’56 and ’57 and reveals how Sam Snead possibly played a sinister role one year in Moe missing the cut. I also like the passages digging into Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein’s remarkable sponsorship of Norman beginning in 1995 which paid him $5000 per month for life with no strings attached. When the author asked him why he made such a decision, Uihlein said: “We just wanted to make sure that what doesn’t happen thirty years from now is that Moe is forgotten about when people talk about the best players.”

In a similar fashion, Rubenstein ensures the story and genius of Moe Norman will not be forgotten by future generations. And for that, readers and observers of the game should be thankful, should be thankful.

Moe & Me is published by ECW Press.

A so-called 5th major shouldn't be decided by a sudden death playoff

My renovation is an easy and timely fix: change the playoff format for The Players Championship. Largely due to television considerations, the Players relies on an unfair sudden death playoff format whereby a single shot or hole may decide the winner.

Remember the playoff begins on the devilish par-three 17th where a sudden breeze knocked down Paul Goydos’ iron shot in 2008 in a one-and-done anti-climatic outcome with Sergio Garcia.  A “wannabe” major like the Players deserves a more fitting resolution. As in the case of the British Open and the PGA, a multi-hole aggregate score playoff is more equitable and delivers even more compelling theatre. Have it be contested over the reachable par-five 16th, the 17th and the ever scary 18th hole.

And one more thing: start the final round an hour earlier to allow more daylight on the drama.

photo courtesy of the PGA Tour

The Flip Face putter is available in three models and lengths

In terms of innovation, Odyssey’s new Flip Face putter is a breakthrough product. It’s a putter with interchangeable faces built into the design. No need here to install and correctly align different inserts. Rather, the Flip Face allows players, with the use of provided wrench (that’s ingeniously serves as part of a divot tool) to unscrew the face, allowing it slide open, rotate, and presto a different face. No fuss; no mistakes. The two face inserts are distinct but not radically different: an aluminum Metal X-insert versus a White Ice insert. The Metal-X insert is firmer, delivers more rebound and more friction than the slightly softer White Ice. Also, the Metal-X’s face has oval depressions designed to dampen the sound of the stroke while imparting more overspin.

Michigan’s pleasant and early spring weather demonstrated a need for matching the right putter with the speed of the greens. Although courses opened early, most superintendents didn’t cut the greens daily and if they did, the grass was left longer given the fickle weather. One Saturday, I putted on greens that hadn’t been cut and were naturally very slow. Because I was using a soft-face putter, I hardly ever got the ball to the cup. The next day, I played again but used a different, firmer face putter. The positive results were immediate as I holed numerous putts. If I had the Flip Face putter the day before, I could have made a face adjustment on the putting green prior to the round and been ready for the pace of the putting surface.

The Flip Face putter comes in three models: 1) a rounded heel-toe weighted blade putter with a crank-neck hosel and full-shaft offset; 2) a rounded mallet putter with a single bend shaft and full-shaft offset; and 3), a toe-weighted, heel-shafted, flanged blade putter with a long hosel and half-shaft offset. Three lengths are also offered: 33,” 34” and 35”. For what it’s worth, the PGA Tour’s Stuart Appleby has used the rounded mallet model.

Each putter comes with a nifty putter cover with zippered pocket that stores the wrench-and-divot tool combo.

At a suggested retail price of $349, the Flip Face is, as they say in Ireland, rather “dear.” But if you need some rationalization, consider you’re getting two putters for the price of one.

Matt Harmon

You got off to a great start on your final round. Tell us about it.

Well, after I parred the first hole I had five birdies in a row. With the exception of the fourth birdie, they were all within five feet of the cup. On the fifth hole, I sank a 25 foot putt for birdie. I made my only bogey when I hit a poor iron shot into the green on the 10th hole and missed a five footer for par.

But then you made three birds in a row on the back side?

Yes, my putter really got hot. I made three long putts in a row from 20, 35 and 25 feet. Then I made a tap-in birdie on 15 when I hit the par-five in two. And my final birdie was another bomb from 35 feet.

When you holed that one, how did your playing partners react?

They were great, giving me high fives and pulling for me.

Did you ever think about shooting 59?

I wasn’t really thinking about it but it did cross my mind once on the front side after I made those five birdies in the row. And obviously, it’s easier to break 60 on a par 70 course. But really I was more conscious of being in the Top 25 because it would exempt me into the next Nationwide event.

What is your Nationwide status?

I’m exempted into the next Nationwide event but I will have to finish in the Top 25 in order to maintain that exemption for the next several tournaments. However, the good news is that there’s a reshuffle among the Nationwide players and beginning with the 11th Nationwide tournament—the Mexico Open in June—I’ll be in the Nationwide field for the remainder of the year. So that’s a huge plus.

Okay, about that $44,800 second place check. Is that the biggest of your pro career and also how do you receive that money?

Yes, that’s my biggest check. Checks are normally electronically deposited in a player’s bank account the Tuesday or Wednesday following the tournament.  Since we’re independent contractors, the whole amount is deposited but I believe 7% is taken out for California state taxes. That’s one aspect of being a Tour player that can get complicated, having to file tax returns for the various states we play in. But I have a good accountant.

Who was your caddie this past week?

His name is John Rathoz from Omaha, Nebraska. It was first time he had caddied for me. He normally caddies on the PGA Tour but he had some open weeks so he came out to the Nationwide event. We met and hooked up out there. He was very helpful and I expect to use him in the next Nationwide event as well.

By the way, how did you get into the event? Did you Monday qualify?

No, I was given a sponsor’s exemption but that had a funny twist to it. Actually the exemption was originally set to go to a fellow player on the NGA Tour but then he qualified for the event and didn’t need it. So my name came up next on the list and I received the exemption. When I received the phone call on Monday morning I was already set to play in the Monday qualifier and so instead I just played a practice round.

Knowing you work with Dave Kendall, what have the two of you been working on?

Dave and I worked on some things before the end of the year and then again in Florida in January. I played miserably at Q School so I had to get back on track. Basically, we worked on finding more balance in my swing. It all worked well last week.

What goals have you set for yourself this year?

I’m not a huge goal-setter. I focus instead on working hard and not setting any unrealistic expectations. I figure if I do my best, things will take care of themselves.

For the equipment mavens, please go through your bag.

I’m a Titleist guy. My driver is a 910 D3 model with a 9.5 degree loft and a Fujikura Speeder 757 XS shaft. My 910 S three-metal is 15 degree. My irons— 3 to PW— are the Titleist 712 CB model with the Rifle Project X Flighted shafts. I’ve been playing with the irons since last June.  And I have three Vokey wedges—51, 55 and 60.

The Scotty Cameron "GoLo" putter

And what about that hot putter?

I only started practicing with it two weeks ago and used it in a tournament for first time last week. I just needed a change. It’s a Scotty Cameron Select “GoLo” model.

On Sunday, it lived up to its name. Continued success, Matt.

photos courtesy of PGA Tour and Titleist

Wayne Mitchell

After he caught the ball and placed it into his pocket, Mitchell was later escorted by security and green-jacketed members to Butler Cabin where he met Billy Payne, Augusta National’s Chairman. As reported by several news outlets, including the Augusta Chronicle and The Morning Call, Mitchell’s local newspaper in Bethlehem, PA, Mitchell gave the ball to the club for its archives located in the Trophy Room which includes the ball Gene Sarazen holed out with for his iconic double eagle in 1935.

As quoted in The Morning Call earlier this week, Mitchell said: “I’m not a souvenir-grabber. For me, the ball clearly represented a special moment in history. Now, it’s in the hands of the club, where it belongs.” Mitchell and the club declined to discuss details on the actual transaction.

However, I’ve learned from a reliable source that in exchange for the ball Mitchell was offered two Lifetime Badges to the Masters. Before happily accepting, Mitchell also asked Payne for one other request: the opportunity to play Augusta National. Payne said that could be arranged.

That’s what I call a great catch: Lifetime Badges to the Masters topped off by a memorable round at Augusta National. So next year don’t be surprised to see patrons with catcher’s mitts.

Photo of Mitchell by Air Products

Here’s the rest of the story. In October, I was in Las Vegas for a rare visit and one afternoon I walked into the cavernous MGM Grand’s Race & Sports Book, the state-of-the-art betting arena, filled with 60-inch plasma TVs and 17 separate race and sport betting counters.

My wallet was pulling for Oosthuizen

On a side table, I picked up a betting sheet titled The 2012 Masters: Odds to win the Masters. Knowing something about golf and that little event in Augusta, I figured this was my type of action. Besides, I’m a rube at blackjack and poker. Seeing the name of Louis Oosthuizen at 100-to-1 odds got my attention. His breakthrough win at the 2010 British Open by seven shots was still memorable and I recalled his beautiful swing, his impressive ball-striking skills and his calm, poised demeanor. His game had been “off the boil,” as the Brits like to say, due to various injuries over the past year which limited his play. So I happily plunked down $10 on “Louie” and placed the betting slip into my wallet.

When I got back home to Grand Rapids and friends asked, ‘Well, how did you do you in Vegas?’ I’d say, ‘I’ll tell you when the Masters is over.’”

The Masters is now over and Bubba Watson is a worthy champion, adding an inspiring story for golf’s first major. Looking back, I might even say my heart was always pulling for Bubba. OK, that’s baloney. Bubba’s hooked wedge shot off the pine needles and onto the 10th green drove a dagger into my heart and into my wallet.

As the runner-ups often say, it’s gonna take some time to get over this one. But with the help of family, friends and professional counseling, I will somehow carry on.

Oh by the way, last October Bubba was listed at 40-to-1. Some rube from Dubuque placed twenty bucks on him.

But that’s a fantasy scene. Tiger lacks any sense of humility and self-reflection to ever make it a reality. Despite his dramatic fall from grace which shattered his marriage and his public image, he’s still the same old Tiger, full of himself. Even when he won at Bay Hill, Tiger’s immediate post-round comments were revealing. He couldn’t or wouldn’t even mention by name some of the people who helped turn his game around. He said something to the effect, “You know who you are.”  Gee, isn’t that nice. Let everyone just fill in blanks on your thank yous, Tiger. Smart, time-saving precedent for other winners, too. “Normally, I’d thank a number of people for helping me on this journey for tonight’s Oscar but as Tiger Woods said, ‘you know who you are.’”

As it’s oft been cited, the game of golf reveals character. In this important category, Tiger once again has missed the cut.

Separate from Sixty Minutes, the Masters needs to reset its clock

No, the needed change I’m talking about deals with how the Masters television broadcast ends on Sunday. The Masters is just too wedded to having the tournament conclude around 7 pm as a cozy lead-in to Sixty Minutes. Ideally, this illustrious Major should end an hour earlier, affording extra time for a multi-hole playoff scenario. By doing so, the Masters could also implement the more equitable aggregate score playoff system wisely adopted by the British Open and the PGA Championship.

In the past, the Masters has dodged the bullet by its playoffs never lasting more than two holes, always edging up against the fading light. But the day (and night) will come when a playoff goes more than two holes and then Masters officials will be faced with the embarrassing proposition of postponing the outcome of the tournament until Monday morning. Just think back to last year when a large group of players could conceivably have all tied after 72 holes. There was a distinct chance of four or more players in a playoff that may have taken three, four or more holes to determine the green jacket. But by ending at 7 pm there would’ve been limited daylight for such an extended playoff.

Someday, the Masters will get burnt by stubbornly adhering to this impractical television timetable. Instead, it should see the light and simply move up Sunday tee times by an hour. Phooey on Sixty Minutes!

On Tuesday in a press conference, Mickelson was asked about Lewis. “I thought he had  a really solid game. Kept the ball in play. I think it’s really cool what he did, winning the Mid-Am as a gentleman eligible for the Senior Am. I love that story. I hope he has a good week,” said Mickelson.

Having a good week will be an easy up and down for Lewis. “It’s been a dream week so far,” said Lewis. On Monday, he played with Tom Watson, another former champion. Lewis played well, hitting 14 fairways, 10 greens and with birdies on 15, 16 and 17. In that grouping was two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North and former PGA champion Martin Kaymer who made a makeshift ace at 16 courtesy of a skipped shot across the pond, a longtime custom at the famed par-three hole during practice rounds. (Note: It’s already posted on YouTube.)

“I hit the ball very well yesterday (Monday),”  said Lewis. “I was really up for that round and about playing with Tom Watson; he was so friendly and helpful as were the other guys.” Lewis said he and Watson during the round also talked about golf in northern Michigan, where Watson’s family had a summer cottage at Walloon Lake.

On Tuesday afternoon, he played the front nine with Ian Woosnam, the ’91 Masters champion. “I didn’t play as well as I did on Monday but the course conditions were much different due to the overnight rain,” said Lewis. “I picked up quite a bit of mud on my ball and the ball wasn’t rolling.” Lewis said he probably was four over par for the nine “but I had a great time.”

On Thursday, Lewis will tee off at 8:01 am with two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and long-hitting Robert Garrigus. “I’m so happy I’m playing early on Thursday morning. The thought of teeing off later in the afternoon and have all that time to think would have been horrible.”

But right now Lewis is enjoying the moment, skipping along on top of the surface.

There are countless examples of players arriving in Augusta with their games in tip top shape and being picked to be a contender for the green jacket. But lo and behold, dozens of them miss the cut each year. Likewise, there are players who drive up Magnolia Lane burdened with lack of confidence in their swings or in their putting, desperately seeking some remedy, some steadying clue before Thursday’s round. Yet every year we learn some of these players had found “something” during the week and “it clicked” as they climbed the leaderboard.

That was the case with Ben Crenshaw trying to find his swing early in the week of the 1995 Masters. Carrying the added grief of his recently deceased teacher and mentor Harvey Penick, ‘Gentle Ben’ was struggling mightily with his ball-striking. No one was picking Crenshaw to be a two-time Masters winner. Then during a practice session Crenshaw’s longtime caddie, Carl Jackson, made suggestions to him about his ball position—moving it slightly back—and making a fuller shoulder turn and presto “something” clicked. Crenshaw went on to his win his second Masters, commenting afterwards that Penick was “the fifteenth club in my bag.”

Predicting who might win the Masters is an annual diversion, nicely filling up space and conversation.  Too eagerly we all want to know the ending to the drama. Intuitively, we know it’ll turn it out well. But how? As the character in Shakespeare in Love says, “I don’t know. It’s a mystery.”

Might as well ask the Psychic Hope Palm Reader.

I still recall how nervous I was in April 1984, covering my first Masters for a fledgling regional golf magazine. Adopting a trusted survival mechanism, I kept quiet, did my work, and minded my manners. But being at the Masters is not about the writer, it’s about the story being written, that of the tournament and how it’s conducted.

Nearly three decades later, I’m still writing that story.

Here’s a little peak behind the curtain, in the form of answers to questions I’m often asked about one of sport’s truly wonderful events.

Where does the media work?

The Press Center. Opened in 1990—replacing a Quonset hut erected in 1953—this state-of-the-art structure is so well-managed and affords so many services, a writer could cover the Masters without ever stepping on the golf course. Some never do. From an assigned seat in a tiered amphitheater, we can view tournament action on huge HDTV monitors, follow every player’s progress on electronic scoreboards, and read transcriptions of every interview.

How do you follow the final-day action?

Early on Sunday I walk the first few holes to get a sense of the conditions and how the course is playing. Last year, I was at the first hole when Charl Schwartzel chipped in for an unbelievable birdie. Considering how tough the hole had been playing that day, it was nearly a two-shot swing on the field.   When the contenders head to the 10th tee, that’s my cue to get back to the Press Center or the clubhouse to watch the drama unfold on television. There are too many pairings and pivotal holes to follow on foot. Ironically, most of the writers at Augusta on Sunday watch on television just like you do.

What’s the best shot you’ve seen?

Easy: Tiger Woods’ chip shot, from on the green, at the par-three 6th hole during the third round in 2005. His tee shot was on the putting surface but 30 feet away from a back-left pin surrounded by steep slope. Tiger used a sand wedge to surgically clip his ball, lofting it over the slope while applying the necessary backspin to keep it within four feet of the cup. He made the par putt. It was quintessential Tiger, leading someone in the gallery to crack, “Don’t try that at home!”

What makes The Masters so special?

Besides the ineffable beauty of Augusta National in full bloom, I’m always struck by an overriding sense of order, decorum, and etiquette. There’s no littering at the Masters: Instead, green plastic bags imprinted simply with “Please” beckon patrons’ discarded cups and wrappers. Likewise, attendees are instructed: “Wear you badge, please, where it can be seen.” The complimentary Spectator Guide reminds, “Everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect.” And they are.

Anything you think should be changed?

I wish the final round would end closer to 6 p.m. (instead of 7), allowing for more time and daylight for a multi-hole playoff scenario. The Masters doesn’t need a lead-in to Sixty Minutes.

Do you have a favorite Masters moment?

I was always appreciative and humbled by the courtesies shown to me by the late Herbert Warren Wind, golf’s famed man of letters who penned eloquent and long essays for The New Yorker. Following some correspondence, a modest friendship had developed.    During the final round of the 1988 Masters, we were standing together near the 4th tee watching leader and eventual champion Sandy Lyle in the distance on the green. In his 70s, Wind’s eyesight wasn’t keen so he asked me to report on what was happening. With my binoculars (a must item for savvy Masters patrons), I watched Lyle line up his two-tier, impossible putt and then did my best Jim Nantz rendition of the ensuing call. “Lyle is over his putt, he strokes it, it’s rolling and rolling and my goodness it finds the cup for birdie!” Turning back to a beaming Wind, I heard him say, “Magnificent!”

In a word, that’s the Masters. And that’s why I keep showing up.

• Michigan’s legendary Chuck Kocsis, named by the Golf Association of Michigan in 2003 as its Amateur Player of the 20th Century, played in the Masters 11 times, the last in 1961 at age 48.
• Masters co-founder Bobby Jones last played in 1948 at age 46.
• Jay Sigel played in 11 Masters as an amateur, the last in 1988 at age 45.
• Arizona’s famed Ed Updegraff played six times, the last in 1970 at age 48.
• Billy Joe Patton, who almost won the ’54 Masters and was a six-time Walker Cupper, played 13 times, last in 1966 at age 43.
• Charles Coe, who finished T-2 in 1961—the best finish by an amateur—played 19 times, the last at 48.
• Charlie Yates, British Amateur champion, Augusta National member and contemporary of Bobby Jones, played in 11 Masters, the last in 1947 at age 34.

How many times have you played Augusta National since you received the invitation?

I’ve played five rounds so far. I was planning to drive down to Florida this winter to get my game in shape, so I looked at the weather forecasts and called the club about playing there on my way down. I played my first round in late January. I wanted to shake off some of those nerves about being there well before Masters week and I’m glad I did.

And so, how was it?

It was an incredible experience. I dreamed about playing there as a kid. The two co-head golf professionals were wonderful and assisted me with the scheduling details.  In fact, all the people at the club have been unbelievably nice and helpful. I couldn’t have been treated any better. The first two times I played were by myself and with my caddie.

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame's Randy Lewis is Masters-bound

Who was your caddie at Augusta and will you be using him during the tournament?

His name is Julius and he’s been phenomenal in helping me learn the course and the greens. But for the Masters I’m using the same caddie who was with me in Houston (TX) when I won the Mid-Amateur because he played such an important role there.

Tell us about him and how did the two of you meet?

He’s Bob McFadden, a professional caddie who lives in Houston and works at River Oaks CC there. Not on the Tour caddie circuit anymore, Bob spent 14 years working on the Senior, now Champions, PGA Tour for Tom Jenkins. Together they won seven times out there and earned over $13 million. It was kind of a fluke how we met. In Houston for my first practice round for the Mid-Am, my scheduled caddie—arranged by the pro shop—didn’t show. I asked the assistant pro to find me another caddie for my first qualifying round. So an hour before that round and, as promised, McFadden showed up for my bag.

What made McFadden so valuable?

Well, he’s such an experienced and veteran caddie. He made sure I slowed down and caught my breath. Of course, he’s 64 and I’m 54 so that was a good idea for both of us (laughing.) But he knew how important it was to stay calm and not get too hurried especially between matches. And besides it was 95 degrees and humid down there. Anyway, he made a huge difference and it’ll be great for us to team up again at Augusta. He’s never caddied there but Julius has agreed to help us with the greens.

Where are you playing and practicing in Florida?

I’ve been at The Floridian National Golf Club, a fabulous golf course and facility in Palm City. Formerly developed and owned by Wayne Huizenga, it was bought two years ago by Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros and a major businessman. He had Tom Fazio do a major renovation on the course. There’s also a new Butch Harmon Learning Center. Everything is first-class and I’ve been fortunate to be here. I also want to thank my partners at the Raymond James office in Michigan for allowing me to work out of Florida while getting my game ready. They’ve been so supportive; they know how much this opportunity means to me.

What are your goals for the Masters?

They’re simple: I’m trying to play to the best of my ability. That’s all I really can ask. I’ve been working on some things in my swing down here and hope everything falls into place for the Masters. Obviously, I want to hit the ball well and try to manage the pace of the greens.

Will you be adopting Zach Johnson’s strategy of not going in two for any of the par-fives?

Definitely, because I don’t hit it long enough to do otherwise (laughing.) Now on the 13th hole (510 yards, par five), I’ve hit some good drives and been within distance to go for the green. But then I found myself trying to hit a hybrid off a severely sloping fairway so it didn’t make sense. You can’t believe some of the hanging lies—sidehill, downhill, uphill—you’ll have in the fairway. The course has so much slope and roll to it. So yes, I’ll be laying up.

When do you plan to head to Augusta?

I’m headed there again next week (week of March 26) to play some more rounds but after that I’ll spend some time practicing and resting up at Reynolds Plantation. My plans are to check in officially for the Masters on the Saturday before tournament week or March 31.

Are you renting a house or bunking down in the famed Crow’s Nest inside the clubhouse?

No, we’re renting a house since my family will be with me. I did visit the Crow’s Nest and it was a treat to see. But with the way I sleep it wouldn’t be a good idea for me. I’m going to need a good night’s rest all that week.

(Photo courtesy of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame)

Tom Gillis

I remember first seeing Gillis as a teenager working at Indianwood Golf & CC for head pro Dave Zink, setting up members’ carts and occasionally serving as a caddie. A few years later in 1990, I covered the rainy finals of the Michigan Amateur and watched Gillis, then 21 and with plenty of game but somewhat lacking in course management skills, lose to gallery favorite and former champion Steve Maddalena of Jackson. It was a tough loss for Gillis because in many ways he was the better ball-striker. But Maddalena was more experienced and composed and that made all of the difference.  Undaunted, Gillis turned pro later that year.

Gillis bounced around the mini-tour circuits for a few years and then had a breakthrough in 1994. That year he won the Jamaican Open and also the Michigan Open at The Bear.    At The Bear, I recall following him during his last round when he held the lead and was in the final group. What struck me during that final round—as it did scribe Jack Berry who shared a media cart with me—was the brisk, unfettered pace of Gillis’s play. With a confident bounce to his step, he’d promptly peg his tee-ball, take a few waggles and hit it. No fuss, no angst and no belabored pre-shot routines. It was refreshing to witness and made Gillis’s title all the more impressive.

From 1998 to 2002, Gillis played on the European Tour where he had five career Top-10 finishes and with a best T-3 finish in 2000 at the Belagom Open. In 2001, Gillis suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome which reduced his playing time to only six events.

Finally in the fall of 2002, Gillis earned his first PGA Tour card by finishing T-21 at Q School finals. The next year and in spite of not getting into the early season West Coast events, Gillis had a decent rookie season with five Top-25 finishes. Due to a broken wrist, Gillis didn’t play in a PGA Tour event in 2004. He did regain his Tour card for 2005 when he finished T-26 at the previous Q School finals. However, he endured another tough season in 2005, making the cut in only 12 of 28 events but with a season best T-12 finish at the Buick Invitational, taking home $83k.

For the next four years, Gillis played on the Nationwide Tour and competed in other mini-tour events. Last week, he said in an interview that he almost called it quits as a Tour player after a disappointing 2006 season and failing at Q School. “Well, geez, I’m 38 now, what am I going to do. So I went back to Michigan for a few months, thought it over. Job market wasn’t very good. Didn’t have a whole lot to offer them to be quite honest with you. So I thought, geez, I’d better turn around and go back out there and see if I have anything left.” That he did as he held his own on the Nationwide Tour the next few years.

He secured his card for the 2010 PGA Tour with an outstanding Nationwide season in 2009 when he won the Nationwide Tour Players Cup, earning $102K.

The Players Cup win was special for Gillis in another poignant way. He had played the entire week with calmness and perspective due to the news of a tragic auto accident the week before that claimed the life of Beth Smith, the wife of his friend and fellow Nationwide player Chris Smith, that also seriously injured two of their children. At the trophy ceremony, Gillis said, “It puts things in perspective. I was in shock. All week long I said I wasn’t going to let one shot bother me.” A father of two now living in Jupiter, FL, Gillis added, “It’s amazing how life can change at a moment’s notice.” It could be argued that since that pivotal tournament Gillis has had his feet firmly on the ground in the PGA Tour and has never looked back.

Competing in 28 events in 2010, Gillis finished the season in the 76th spot on the money list, earning $1.2 million. Due to some injuries, last year was a fall-off for Gillis but he still maintained his card, grabbing the 120th money spot while earning $814K.

Fast forward to last week. Coming off a dismal West Coast swing where he only made one cut out of five starts, Gillis was still struggling with shaft issues when the Tour arrived in south Florida, his native turf. A graphite user since 1999 to ease the stress on his wrists, Gillis had switched to steel on the West Coast and the change didn’t take root. “So now I’m out there swinging steel and I was changing grips on the putter and just a lot of stuff was going on,” said Gillis in a post-round interview at the Honda.

Finally, in the middle of a practice round last Tuesday he switched back to graphite and the results were immediate. ”I just flushed it the last nine holes,” said Gillis who lives only a few miles from PGA National. “So as soon as I got those old shafts in my hands, and then this wind started to blow, I could hit all the shots again. I could shape the ball and do everything I wanted to do.”

Along with a hot putter and an underreported astute knowledge of the course, Gillis put together rounds of 68-64-69-69, ten under par. When he made a 22-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to tie Tiger Woods for second, Gillis broke out in big smile. It was a perfect ending to a memorable week.

With his victory, Rory McIlroy reached the summit of the world golf ranking. But in Michigan and to his many followers, Gillis was the no. 1 story of the week.

photo courtesy of PGA Tour

Stone walls, not Dye-esque railroad ties, define some hazards at Talis Park

One way to measure a golf course experience is to recall what was said about it afterwards at the 19th hole. Well, I only wish Norman and Dye had been eavesdropping from the next table because we all had positive comments. First, the layout is very playable and accommodating to all levels of play. The greens have open approaches and few have any full forced carries over water hazards. Moreover, there’s usually a bailout area and alternate route to the green on even the most demanding holes. Secondly, our group was duly impressed with the overall conditioning with tees, fairways and greens all maintained at tournament standards. The rough at Talis Park is also more forgiving and less dense than what is more commonly found around Naples. On these notes alone, what’s not to like?

The shot values around Talis Park are strong but not penal in nature. For example, the 340-yard (back tee) par-four 4th hole is especially admirable. The design beckons a devilish risk-reward decision from the teebox. If you select driver and hit it well and remain slightly right of the pond-protected green site, you’ll be rewarded with a short approach shot or pitch and not have to worry too much about the hazard. Of course, if one yanks a driver left or tries to reach the green your ball may end up in the drink. Even a smart layup poke with a fairway metal brings the hazard into play when the pin is tucked on the left side. This is an ingeniously conceived short par-four worth the price of admission.

The back side is more demanding than the front but by that time one’s game should be coming around. Or so the theory. Other than a too long gap between the 11th green and the 12th tee, it’s another pleasing nine. The 12th hole is a nifty short par-four with a pond lurking down the left side and grabbing a portion of the green bolstered not by Dye-trademark railroad ties but rather by a more fitting and picturesque stone wall. (Note: this design is Norman/Dye and not vice versa.) And again, there’s an ample bailout and chipping area on the right side of the green for those of the faint of the heart on their approach shots.

The bunkering here is also impressive. They’re placed in just the right spots and are not overwrought in number or design. However, if you find yourself in a steep faced fairway bunker you’ll probably have to think “just get out.” But the overall layout affords such a pleasant golf experience and test at the end of the day you’ll think “just get back here.”

The primary reason golfers may underestimate Talis Park Golf Club is that its curb appeal is currently low with an array of vacant lots and the specter of an unfinished and massive edifice (the once planned clubhouse) overlooking the 18th green. But things are looking up with new owner Syd Kitson now repositioning the community in both its price points and image. Its original owner, WCI Communities, marketed Tuscany Reserve as a turbo-charged exclusive golf course development—marked by lush Mediterranean landscaping and lavish infrastructure—with home prices starting at $2 million.

Kitson now expects 550 homes to be priced in the $700,000 to $2 million range and situated in three neighborhoods in a park-like setting. And instead of a grandiose clubhouse, Talis Park will be highlighted by a town center. As quoted in the Naples Daily News that later devoted a positive editorial on the revitalized project, Kitson said, “We won’t have one of those big clubhouses people are intimidated walking into. There will be a village center and indoor and outdoor spaces that will be comfortable for residents, their families and their friends.” Kitson said the village center will be the locus of an ice cream shop, cafe, golf club, pool, spa, racquet club and fitness center.

Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child as well as a golf course community.

For more information, visit www.talispark.com