Michigan Golf News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some of golf’s most influential leaders and members of the game’s most prominent associations converged on the nation’s capitol to celebrate a bipartisan Congressional resolution which declared April 16, 2008 as National Golf Day.

The golf leaders discussed the game’s impact on society, in particular its role to the U.S. economy.

The golf industry is the sports and entertainment worlds’ largest contributor to our economy, generating $76 billion in direct economic impact according to a recent study, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, commissioned by World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative completed earlier this year and released at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Veteran PGA professional and instructor Paul Haase might not remember every student he’s ever taught, but he recalls all of his notable lessons - and not just the ones he’s given.. “I had my first lesson at age 14,” says the winner of the 2008 Michigan PGA “Teacher of the Year” award. “It was with Don Tinum at Redford (now Rogell Golf Course) in Detroit. He worked on my grip.”

Since then, thousands of golfers have put themselves in Haase’s capable hands for their own instruction. The veteran professional has long been one of Michigan’s most successful and popular instructors at the Kendall Golf Academy, located at Miles of Golf near Ann Arbor. Haase has been with the Kendall Academy since 1998, primarily in a teaching role over the duration of those years.

The golf industry is always trying to figure out what you want next, and this January 1250 companies showed off their new toys to retailers, golf shop owners, and our intrepid reporters at The Golfer’s Guide. (for more photos and info visit michigan.golfersguide.com)

Clubs

Adjustable shafts

They’re all the rage now with the new USGA ruling allowing you to change shafts between rounds of play. Most of the major club makers will be out with some form of adjustable shafts in ’08, the most extreme being TaylorMade’s kit, featuring three shafts, all the weights and tools, and yes, the driver head, goes for $999. www.tmag.com.

Boyne Falls, Mich. – BOYNE's 2008 golf season brings continued course enhancements, valuable packages, accolades and the return of the caddie program. Golf at BOYNE has never been better!

Toledo, OH - The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger announced today that Hootie & The Blowfish will be the headline entertainment for this year’s Merrill Lynch Gala Dinner and Show scheduled for Tuesday, July 8th at the SeaGate Convention Centre. 

“In keeping with the tradition of bringing top musical talent to the gala dinner we’re extremely excited to have Hootie & The Blowfish headline this year’s event,” stated Steve Mickus, 2008 General Chairman.

EAST LANSING , MI - The Special Awards Committee have announced the following award winners for 2008 as follows:

Golf Professional of the Year - Mike Areddy, Travis Pointe Country Club-Ann Arbor

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year - Pete Mogg, Lost Dunes Golf Club-Bridgman

Bill Strausbaugh Award - John Lindert, CC of Lansing-Lansing

Horton Smith Award - Mark Wilson, Watermark CC-Grand Rapids

Junior Golf Leader - Dan Thomas, Oasis Golf Center-Plymouth

Merchandiser of the Year-Private - Ron Beurmann, CC of Jackson-Jackson

Merchandiser of the Year-Public - Greg Babinec, Arcadia Bluffs-Arcadia

Merchandiser of the Year-Resort - Brad Dean, Crystal Mountain Resort-Thompsonville

President's Plaque -  Scott Wilson, Crystal Mountain Resort-Thompsonville

Teacher of the Year - Paul Haase, Kendall Academy of Golf-Ypsilanti

CHANDLER, Ariz. - ProLink Solutions - a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProLink Holdings Corp. and the world's leading provider of Global Positioning Satellite ("GPS") golf course management systems and digital out-of-home on-course advertising - announces Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (Arcadia, Mich.) now features the ProLink Solutions ProStar GPS system used at many of the world’s most famous golf courses.

Situated on 245 acres of windswept Lake Michigan shoreline, Arcadia Bluffs ranks among America’s top daily-fee golf facilities. Golf Digest rates the Warren Henderson-Rick Smith design as the nation’s No. 10 public course, and No. 46 among America’s 100 Greatest. Arcadia Bluffs features 3,100 feet of shoreline, 50 sod-walled bunkers, native grasses and large greens. Views of Lake Michigan abound from the course’s wide fairways.

TOLEDO, OH, February 19, 2008 – The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger is pleased to announce the launching of “Birdies for Charity” to benefit this year’s tournament charities. The Birdies for Charity program is geared towards raising thousands of additional dollars for each charity.

The way Birdies for Charity works is that anyone can fill out a pledge form.  Simply pledge one cent or more per birdie made during the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic tournament rounds (Thursday thru Sunday).  Birdies for Charity will donate 100 percent of the money received to the designated tournament charities.  Interested donors can visit the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic website for details, www.jamiefarrowenscorningclassic.com

Located near Traverse City, MI, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s award-winning golf courses allow visitors to play courses designed by golf's greatest legends while enjoying the season's great package deals!

Each championship course provides a beautifully lush setting that ensures a truly inspired game of golf. The Resort's three distinguished 18-hole championship courses include The Bear, a Jack Nicklaus signature course; The Wolverine, a Gary Player signature course and the Spruce Run, a Bill Newcomb designed course.  Golf Digest previously listed "The Bear" as the 18th toughest course in America, along with recognition from Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the World's Best Golf Resorts and Golf magazine's Silver medal. In addition to the Resort's three golf courses, the Jim McLean Golf School is also available for guests looking to improve their game. Plus individual lessons are available from the Resort's six-time Michigan Open Champion and Head Golf Professional, Scott Hebert.