THE GOG BLOGS SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME
(L-R) PETE DYE AND THE GOG BLOG GUY RORY SPEARS AT FRENCH LICK RESORT PETE DYE
COURSE HOME OF THE 2012-13-14 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The Big Ten Mens conference championship is getting a taste of Pete Dye's design
at the Birick Boilermaker course at Purdue University this weekend.
At the the 36 hole point, Illinois coach Mike Small's Illini held a five shot lead,
now after 54 holes the standings shape up like this as the championship goes
into it's final 18 holes.
IT's ALL ILLINOIS...Coach Mike Small's juggernaut is rolling and leads the team
championship by 15 shots. Iowa is second with Northwestern and Indiana tied
for third place. Illinois Luke Guthrie holds a 1 shot lead in the individual race
for low finisher.
Illinois is looking to be the first team since Northwestern in 1999-2000-2001 to
win three straight Big Ten Titles.
"We just have to keep our focus no matter what the conditions are on Sunday,"
said Small.
Chris Deforest was first out for Illinois and got to three under par before he
fell back to finish with even par. But his score moved him into tie a for sixth
place. Small said," Chris went out and set the tone for us today."
THE LOCHENHEATH GC IN WILLIAMSBURG MI. HAS RE-OPENED UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
To steal one from the folks who write the travel ad's for the good people in Michigan,
it's time for area golfers to say, YES MICHIGAN.
The Sunday monring short game takes a look at the "Great Lake State" where
there is a lot of great golf. The reason the Gog Blog writes about Michigan is
because the state and it's golf properties, are number one excellent, and
secondly the folks in charge of promoting golf tourism do a great job of
getting the word out. There doesn't seem to be the later here in Illinois but
no surprise there.
For all of you Illinois golfers ready to road trip for some great golf, I have an
idea for you. Start your trip not in New Buffalo, but at Michigan.org, it only gets
better from there.
Right from the start it's only a short trip to Benton Harbor and the home of
the new Jack Nicklaus designed Harbor Shores Golf Club. The course will
host the 2012 and 2014 PGA Senior Championship. With holes near Lake
Michigan and on the nearby dunes, it's a course worth visiting. For more
information see www.harborshores.com.
Only a couple of hours north of Harbor Shores is the resorts of Tullymore
and St. Ives. What's new at Tullymore this year is a new lodge and a new
renovation of the Inn at St. Ives. The lodge bedrooms at Tullymore can
accommodate groups of up to 20 people for golf outings and or business
meetings.
"It's perfect for golfers, it's perfect for corporate meetings because a large
common room is set up with high tech wireless and flat screen televisions
on the walls that can be used for presentations. The meeting space can be
used for recreation," said Terry Schieber the resorts new CEO. "It's like a
miniature hotel with meeting space, and for golfers it can also be a mini
sports bar." The lodge overlooks the par 5 18th hole at Tullymore not far
from the clubhouse. St. Ives-Tullymore is in Stanwood Michigan and for
more information, www.tullymoregolf.com.
of Threetops one of the best par 3 courses anywhere. In addition to Threetops
there is the Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece Course celebrating this summer
it's 25th birthday. As a result play it on the 25th of each month for only $25
bucks, that's a deal. Tee times at 1-(888)-873-3867.
The resorts other courses the Fazio Premier, and Rick Smith Signature
designs opened yesterday. With a great tournament called the "Were
Open-Open". There are $99 dollar packages that include unlimited golf
through May 31st. www.treetops.com or (888)-treetops for more information.
THE INN AT BAY HARBOR..that has just picked up an award from the Cond'e
Nast Traveler magazine for being one of the worlds Top 125 Golf Resorts,
is also the home of 27 great golf holes. The three nines, called the Links,
Quarry and the Preserve make up some of the best golf one can find off
the coast of Lake Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. The Inn at Bay Harbor is
a Renaissance Golf Resort, www.innatbayharbor.com or 1-(231)-439-4000
for more information. Or also visit, www.boyne.com.
ALONG WITH TREETOPS.. are the Northern Michigan resorts of Shanty
Creek www.shantycreek.com. (please see Gog Blog feature from last
summer). The Resort has four courses headlined by the Tom Weiskopf
designed Cedar River, and Arnold Palmer's Legend Course.
This summer marks the 25th anniversary of the Legend Course. Golfers
can play the Legend for $25 until May 12th. Then after 4 PM daily for $25
the rest of the summer. Shanty Creek has several summer packages,
and some unlimited golf packages too. Daily specials and kids 17 and
under play certain Shanty courses for FREE with a paid adult. Shanty
Creek has four 18 hole courses. 1-(800)-678-4111.
JACK NICKLAUS put his stamp on the Grand Traverse Resort , by his
design called "The Bear", another course is called "The Wolverine. Both
are excellent challenges of golf. www.grandtraverseresort.com.
MACKINAC ISLAND, is also home to golf that sits alongside the islands
famed grand hotel, www.grandhotel.com. Great views of the lake and
the Mackinac bridge.
THE MOTOR CITY IS HOME FOR GREAT GOLF TOO IF..one doesn't want
to take the scenic drive up to the northern part of the state. As posted here
early last summer, Detroit has great golf options. That include courses
Shepherds Hollow, TPC Michigan, and Fox Hills. For more information,
www.shepherdshollow.com,, www.tpcmichigan.com, www.foxhills.com,
OSPREY RECREATION..offers golfers plenty of options across the state
fo Michigan for great golf. Starting with the Otsego Club and Resort in
Gaylord. Special rates and golf-blowout packages that start at $149 for
two rounds of golf and one night of lodging. www.otsegoclub.com
NEW for 2011 at the Otsego Club is the Jason Guss Golf Academy, Guss
has been named by Golf Digest as one of top young instructors in the
country. His programs start today, May 1st.
BLACK FOREST GC near Gaylord has a $50 dollar weekend special
May 6-8 and a member for a day special July 1-7.
MANISTEE NATIONAL.. has just opened all of it's courses for the 2011
season. The property also has great fishing for those golfers who want
to do that after a round a round of 18 holes. Inquire about the "Super Slam
Package" that starts at $333 dollars. For more information about both
golf and fishing visit www.manisteenational.com.
NEAR BATTLE CREEK IS THE..Medalist Golf Club, that sits in over 300
wooded acres near Marshall, the Medalist is a Parkland style course
designed by Bill Newcomb. Several spring golf specials are now running
at, www.themedalist.com.
FOR THOSE WATCHING THE WALLET..and the golfball count. If your near
Kalamazoo, try the Ridgeview Golf Club. A great place to learn the game,
with open fairways and playable green complexes. Bring your junior or
senior golfer and enjoy Ridgeview GC, www.ridgeviewgolf.com.
FROM OUR PHOTO UP TOP...NOW OPEN..LOCHENHEATH Golf Club,
with great views now. The course was designed by Steve Smyers, and
has been restored to play, with wider landing area's to speed play. Enjoy
Lochenheath and the views of East Grand Traverse Bay. For more on
Lochenheath visit www.lochenheath.com or call 1-(231)-938-9800.
SO THERE GOLFERS..there is so much golf in Michigan, it requires more
than your short game. Put the driver away, the GOG News Blog is out later
today. We will go long then. In the meantime it's YES MICHIGAN, and you
can find your way there through www.michigan.org.
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