In closing out the calendar, I’m decluttering my desk and my mind with jots and thoughts from the past year:
My favorite golf tidbit discovered while reading a new biography of Johnny Carson—“Carson the Magnificent”—was the origin of his trademark golf swing that ended his opening monologues. It came about after Carson watched his oldest son, Chris, take a golf lesson at Westchester CC, and he then, on Late Night, began mimicking some of the swings suggested by the pro for his son.
Podium emotion
My favorite golf photo of the year was of men’s gold medal champion Scottie Scheffler, overcome with emotion as he stood on the Olympic podium in Paris in July.
My second favorite photo was of the Army men’s golf team standing at attention and saluting the flag at 13:00 hours at American Dunes GC in Grand Haven during the Folds of Honor Collegiate in September.
My favorite course compliment this past year was from PGA Tour player Chez Reavie, who played in a company outing at The Meadows @ GVSU in Allendale. Afterward, he told head PGA pro Steve Milewski that “the greens here are PGA Tour quality.”
Army golf team saluting the flag
My favorite golf products of the year were the unheralded Honma golf balls, which delivered quality and performance at a reasonable price, and TRUE golf shoes, which were stylish and comfy in design and shipped in sustainable and reusable packaging, ideally suited as shoe bags.
Compliments of PGA golf professional, teacher, and coach Mike Boogaard of The Pines, my favorite golf advice of the year was to keep my weight at address more on the left side and stay over the ball while swinging back to the inside of my right foot and then turning back and through to the outside of the left foot. Okay, it’s a mouthful. But golf legend Byron Nelson always espoused building one’s swing from the ground up.
My favorite on-course tournament moment was watching Lexi Thompson at Blythefield CC during the Meijer LPGA Classic in June. Announcing her retirement from regular LPGA play only weeks earlier, Lexi ignited the gallery as she raced into contention for her bid to win for the first time in five years. Ultimately, it wasn’t to be, but what a memorable run for her and her many fans.
Lexi made a memorable charge at Blythefield CC
In terms of responses I received on social media, my favorite question posed to a world-class player was this one to Jon Rahm during his Masters press conference before tournament play:
“Brian Harman was in here yesterday, and he talked about how important it is to test his game at the PGA Tour event, especially ahead of this week. Do you feel the same pressure to test your game in a LIV event? Is the intensity the same as a PGA Tour event?” Holding to the LIV line, Rahm’s answer was weak and unconvincing. (By the way, has anyone ever broken down with emotion after winning a LIV tournament?)
The favorite player’s reply to a media question about course conditions goes to Charl Schwartzel at the Masters after his Friday round when wind gusts of up to 40 mph wreaked havoc on scoring: “Were there any impossible shots? I thought I had 81 impossible shots today.”
My favorite shot witnessed this year goes to fellow competitor and long-time friend Joe Puplis when he aced Kaufman’s par-3 13th hole during the Kent County Senior in July. Picking up his tee, Joe didn’t see his well-struck shot go into the cup, but I did.
Notwithstanding my weekly games at The Meadows and Kaufman GCs around Grand Rapids, my favorite rounds in Michigan this season included playing (thanks to my generous brother-in-law, John) at the new High Pointe near Traverse City. As Tom Doak’s inaugural design, the original High Pointe began in 1989 (I was at the opener) and closed in 2008. Led by visionary founder Rod Trump (no relation to Donald), this re-imagined High Pointe is now a private club on the expanded property with six holes from his original work and 12 new golf holes. It’s another minimalist and walker-friendly gem by Doak.
The new High Pointe is a gem
I also relished playing Marquette’s Greywalls GC, designed by Mike DeVries. The front side has some of the most stirring topography and green sites found anywhere, many marked by massive rock formations. It’s an amazing golf experience if one can avoid incessant three-putting.
Along with my spouse and family, you were my favorite readers of the year. I am grateful. See you next year.
Images courtesy of the IGF/PGA Tour, American Dunes, LPGA and Meijer LPGA, Terry Moore
