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Happy Holidays Indiana Golfers As we dive into the holiday season here in Indiana, I just want to focus on the incredible inventory of golf courses, designed by brilliant golf course architects, that can be found in the state of Indiana. From north to south, they range from the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame in the far north to the Old Capital Golf Club in the southwestern section of the Hoosier state. I have said this many times, that one would be extremely hard-pressed to find a state with as many top-notch golf courses designed by so many talented and high-profile golf course architects as can be found in Indiana. The Hoosier state is truly blessed with such an amazing and diverse number of courses. It’s a great reason to be thankful that you play golf and you live in Indiana. And, the Indiana Golf Journal is pleased to have the platform to tell the world about all that’s great in golf in Indiana. While the weather remains overcast and chilly during the winter, enjoy the many non-golf activities that take place in Indiana in December, January and February. Ski at Perfect North in Lawrenceburg or join in the Red Nose Romp road races in Indianapolis. High school and college basketball games are an Indiana tradition, plus enjoy the winter festivals that take place across the state during the cold winter months. And, if you feel the need to escape to the warmer sections of the country during the winter, take those golf clubs and peruse through past issues of the Indiana Golf Journal for tips on where to go play. Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Georgia Golf Trail, the Brunswick Isles area of North Carolina, and the Florida Historic Golf Trail are great places to consider visiting. I have played golf at each of those destinations, and they get my seal of approval. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from your friends at the Indiana Golf Journal. Mike May MIKE MAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SUBSCRIBE Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Michigan Golf Journal Back 9 Report Indiana Golf Journal
NOW, THIS IS GOLF Go to BoyneGolf.com or cal l 855-554-0289 BRING YOUR “A” GAME. With 10 magnificent courses, and non-stop flights to TVC from 17 popular destinations, why wait? Lock in your 2022 golf plans today.
The Fort Golf Resort - Indianapolis Tippecanoe Country Club - Monticello Maple Creek Country Club - Indianapolis Brickyard Crossing Golf Course - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ackerman-Allen Course at Birck-Boilermaker Golf Complex - West Lafayette Kampen Course at Birck-Boilermaker Golf Complex - West Lafayette The Pete Dye Course at French Lick ONLY IN INDIANA PETE DYE’S EPIC COLLECTION Go to: petedyegolftrail.com/plan-a-getaway/ to Plan Your 2022 Golf Trip PeteDyeGolfTrail.com
Indiana Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Indiana Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles 36 FIND INSIDE 23 28 32 40 Biggest Stories In Golf From 2022 PGA Tour-LIV Controversy Needs An Adult in the Room 2022 Pictures from Indiana Golf Journal Last Minute Christmas Gifts For Golfers 06 10 14 20 Rivers Edge: A True Memory Maker Christmas Lake Golf Club: A Hoosier Original Home Is Where the Heart Is A POETIC SUMMARY OF THE LPGA IN 2022 26 28 32 23 Our Contributors Father & Daughter Work Scoreboard for LPGA Event Rotator Cuff Injuries In the Shoulder Indiana-Based Gainbridge Supports New Partnership with LPGA & Annika Sorenstam Hoosier Native Tim Prichard; A Road Warrior For Golf Channel Our Favorite Videos 44 36 42 40 34 45 Indiana Golf Journal
1. LIV Completes First Year Greg Norman and the Saudi Investment Fund have definitely made a huge impact on professional golf. They only held 8 events around the world in 2022, but the LIV media people made sure they kept social media and golf news outlets filled with plenty of content all year long. Biggest Stories In Golf From 2022 Greg Norman appears to be a man on a mission to completely disrupt professional golf and with the help of Saudi Arabia Royal Family’s endless supply of money, he is succeeding mightily. Two questions remain for the LIV. The outstanding Lawsuits will determine if the PGA Tour illegally tried to stop the LIV from getting started and if As we reflect back on 2022, we have never experienced the division and unrest that is currently present in men’s professional golf. With the LIV Golf tour offering top names exorbitant sums to leave the PGA Tour, fewer events and larger purses it has thrown the golf world into a tailspin. The fighting between the LIV and the PGA Tour is definitely the biggest story in golf last year, but there are also a few more that deserve consideration. Indiana Golf Journal
the OWGR will grant LIV players World ranking points. Lawsuits have become as important as birdies and eagles with both tours keeping hundreds of attorneys busy churning out legal briefs and filing multiple suits. Ed Travis examined LIV versus the PGA Tour, and you can read his report beginning on page 10. 2. Dustin Johnson Earned $35 Million on LIV To Top All Golfers Dustin Johnson has been one of the best golfers in the world for 15 years. He has won two major championships and over 20 titles on the PGATour. When the LIV offered him $125 million to jump to the rival tour, he took the money, plus added another $35 million in prize money, topping the LIV money list. With $74 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, Johnson earned nearly that much in one year on the LIV. 3. Tiger Woods Returns to Competition In February 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a horrific car crash that nearly required amputation of one of his legs. Through hard work and rehabilitation, he was able to actually return to a golf course for the first time in December 2021 and enter PGA Tour events in 2022. Shuffling around the golf course on a pair of less than perfect legs he made the cut at the Masters but could not make it to the weekend at either the U.S. Open or PGA Championship. He is scheduled to play in three events this month and we look forward to gauging his progress and fitness as we move to 2023. 4. Rory McIlroy Took on a Much Bigger Role Rory McIlroy had a phenomenal year on and off the golf course. In 16 PGA Tour starts he racked up three wins, plus runners-up finishes at both the Masters and the OPEN championship. He earned over $8 million in prize money and pocketed another $18 million for winning the FedEx Cup.
earnings and ascend to the No. 1 spot on the World Golf Rankings for a few weeks. – – The second major of the year saw Justin Thomas add another Wanamaker Trophy to his collection. JT has 10 top 10 finishes last season, earned nearly $7 million in prize money and finished No.5 in the FedEx Cup standings. – – Matt Fitzpatrick has been a world-class golfer for several years. When the U.S. Open returned to the Country Club for the 2022 U.S. Open, Fitzpatrick liked his odds. He had won the 2013 U.S. Amateur on the same golf course and once again found the historic course to his liking. He bested Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris by a single stroke to capture the USGA’s biggest trophy. – – Cam Smith had a monster year on the PGA Tour winning bothTHE Players Championship & THE OPEN at St. Andrews before jumping He ended the year as the No. 1 player on the DP World Tour and on the Official World Golf Ranking. Throughout the year Rory also assumed a larger role as a spokesman and leader of the PGA Tour players speaking out against the rival LIV Golf League. He has lifted the PGA Tour on his shoulders and worked tirelessly to promote the American Tour. He has become the acknowledged leader of the PGA Tour players. Look for him to continue to expand that role in 2023. 5. Major Championships The LIV Golf League also had an effect on the majors, but the players were not banned from participating, if they had previously qualified for the tournament. – – Scottie Scheffler started off the year with his win at the Masters. He went on to win four times last year, lead the PGA Tour in Indiana Golf Journal
to LIV Golf Tour for a very big payday. Smith’s consistency in finding fairways and relying on his ever-trusty putter translated to making him one of the best players in the world last year. 6. Lydia Ko Returned To The Top Of Women’s Golf As a teenager, Lydia Ko shocked the golf world winning multiple professional titles while still an amateur. When she turned professional the winning did not stop. Changing golf coaches and styles she struggled over the past couple of years, but golf pundits could see near the end of 2021 that Lydia was returning to her old consistent fairways and greens style of play. In 2022 and now 25 years old, she appears to be ready to once again dominate women’s golf. She won the $2 million first place check at the CME Group Championship. Her average score of 68.988 earned her the Vare Trophy for the second consecutive year. Ko also won LPGA Player of the Year honors and is just two points shy of winning induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She was the model of consistency all year, amassing three wins, plus 11 more top 10 finishes. Lydia Ko is once again a must-watch player on the LPGA Tour. 7. Bernhard Langer Closes In on Hale Irwin’s Record Hale Irwin holds the record for most Champions Tour wins with 45 victories. At the age of 64, Bernhard Langer won two Champions Tour events in 2022 to finish the year with 44 titles, one win shy of Irwin’s record 45 wins. The seemingly ageless Langer has been one of the top players on the Champions Tour for 14 years. Smart money says he catches and surpasses Irwin before the 2023 season is over.
It’s always refreshing when someone you respect agrees with you, or is it the other way around? When the number one ranked golfer says exactly what you are thinking, it’s nice to know you aren’t completely alone. The current No. 1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy has taken a leadership role in the world of professional golf with a sensible suggestion to solve the unsustainable and stressful situation that exists between the PGA Tour and LIV. “There’s a few things that I would like to see on the LIV side that needs to happen,” McIlroy said. “I think Greg [Norman] needs to go. I think he needs to just exit stage left. He’s made his mark, but I think now is the right time to sort of say, ‘Look, you’ve got this thing off the ground, but PGA Tour-LIV Controversy Needs An Adult in the Room no one is going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.’” For those who may have been spending the past few months perfecting their pickleball serve, or training 16 hours a day for a WWE comeback, LIV Golf is a competitor to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the former European Tour. It is a disruptor to the otherwise usually staid week to week tournaments run by the established tours. Again, in case you have not been following the controversy, LIV Golf gets its money from the Public Investment Fund which is the sovereign wealth fund of the Saudi Arabian royal family with Hall of Fame member Greg Norman as their front man. By Ed Travis Indiana Golf Journal
Three things, about LIV Golf, stick in the craw of many observers. First, is the over-the-top signing bonuses paid by LIV to lure PGA Tour stars. Fan-favorite Phil Mickelson reportedly received $200 million. The list includes Dustin Johnson ($125 million), Bryson DeChambeau ($125 million) and Sergio Garcia, who also banked $125 million, while British Open Champion Cameron Smith had to settle for $100 million. Not unsurprisingly those taking the LIV money were put on suspension by the PGA Tour losing their rights to compete, plus their status in the major championships is yet to be determined. Secondly, are the LIV tournaments real competition? Certainly, no one begrudges players winning huge sums because of their playing skill, but it would appear the line is drawn with payments based on reputation alone. Should LIV tournaments really be considered professional competition. The LIV events are closer to a series of exhibitions with limited 48-player fields and 54-hole no-cut tournaments. Plus, there is a team competition format inside each event that can assure some players big paydays even if they don’t play well. Pat Perez did not come close to a top ten finish on the LIV in 2022, but still finished in the top ten in total money earned because he benefitted from his teammate’s, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch, strong finishes, which paid Perez over $3 million in team payouts, giving him a total of $4 million for the season. Last season’s leading money earner on the PGA Tour, Scottie Scheffler, played in 25 events, won $14 million in total prize money, plus another $5.75 million from the FedEx Cup bonus pool, garnering just shy of $20 million. Rory McIlroy won $8.6 million in 16 events, but added the
FedEx Cup title, which paid him another $18 million for a total of $26.6 million. In contrast, the LIV’s top performer Dustin Johnson took home $35.6 million in just eight events. $9 million more than McIlroy and $15 million more than Scheffler in fewer starts. Plus, DJ got his big signing bonus, as well. Luring stars away from the PGA Tour simply lessens the product without a commensurate gain for fans not to mention the local charities, who receive substantial donations from every tournament. LIV has no broadcast contract leaving those interested to watch on the LIV social media channel and onsite event attendance has been minuscule. Third, the LIV doesn’t address the source of their money, namely the Saudi Arabian regime. Even considering Saudi’s sizable percentage of the proven world oil reserves and all the critical political factors, the Kingdom’s dismal record of human rights abuses is an overwhelming point of contention. Norman has become the focal point and seems to relish the spotlight. From the initial announcement of the LIV series, it was clear the former world number one was on a mission to “get” the PGA Tour. This likely can be traced back to the early 1990’s when Norman’s proposed world tour was vetoed by the PGA Tour. Norman doesn’t seem to be working towards any solution, simply making matters worse with antagonistic comments via social media and interviews. Don’t forget that according to Norman’s early statements, LIV’s goal was to grow the game by creating additional playing opportunities for a select number of players. This has not been accomplished since the defectors have lost their membership on their former tours. In fact, an acrimonious competitor to the established circuits has been created and professional golf seemingly thrown into a state of confusion. What has become crystal clear is that unless an amenable solution can be found, golf fans and the many charities supported by the PGA Tour are going to be the losers. McIlroy’s call for Norman to resign from LIV would be a good first step and bringing “an adult in the room” to open a dialogue between both sides is the only reasonable path. Indiana Golf Journal
5. Two Crooked Stick caddies, Emerson Bostic and Matt Alley 2022 Pictures from Indiana Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal
Hoosier native from Carmel, Ariana Savich works behind the scenes on the graphics team for Golf Channel’s LPGA broadcasts Zionsville resident and Clemson University junior, Annabelle Pancake participated in the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Midland, Michigan
Siarra Stout Winner Golfweek Hoosier Amateur Women’s Division. Carmel Girls Golf Team won the team title at the 2022 IHSAA Girls High School State Golf Tournament. Indiana Golf Journal
The statue of Pete Dye stands sentry at The Pete Dye Course in French Lick Resort. Ladies Day clinic at the Epson Tour’s French Lick Charity Classic in August. Nels Surtani Winner Golfweek Hoosier Amateur Men’s Division.
Ava Bunker from Columbus North High School was the individual medalist at the 2022 IHSAA Girls State High School Golf Tournament at the Prairie View Golf Club A look inside Pete Dye’s Locker at Maple Creek Golf and Country Club, his first 18-hole design. Indiana Golf Journal
OnCore Golf Balls OnCore Golf Balls have not been on the market for that long, but they are rapidly becoming the go-to ball for golfers around the world. They were born from years of development and the proprietary perimeter-weighting technology delivers performance advantages for every skilllevel. They have found the magic formula to increase Moment of Inertia with lower spin rates, tighter dispersion and better aerodynamic lift that yields a more stable ball flight. All this means that OnCore has created a better golf ball for the average golfer. Area 419 Putters Most golfers want to focus on finding that perfect driver and will spend well over $500 for a weapon of mass destruction, which is used approximately 14 times during an 18-hole round. Putting, however, is the area where every golfer can take shots off their handicap. The putter is Last Minute Christmas Gifts For Golfers If you haven’t completed your Christmas shopping and are struggling to find just the right gift for your favorite golfer, check out this list of great golf products that every golfer will love and will make you the perfect Santa. Indiana Golf Journal
used on every hole and once a golfer finally gets to the green reducing the number of putts during a round exponentially reduces the overall score. Not every golfer can hit it 300 yards, but every golfer can improve their putting statistics. Area 419 Golf uses their knowledge of design, metal characteristics and balance to create putters with thousands of variations that will conform to each golfer’s unique physical needs. Area 419 Golf putters are ‘American Made’ and their in-house precision manufacturing process allows them to design, produce, assemble and pack the highest quality parts with unmatched agility. SQAIRZ The rapid success of SQAIRZ Golf Shoes is based on the latest technology and performance where it counts, on the golf course. Balance and stability are necessary for an accurate swing. SQAIRZ’s wider sole provides a solid base to build your swing from the ground up. Longer and straighter shots result in lower scores while the FUN factor increases dramatically. If you want to see your favorite golfer play better, put a pair of SQAIRZ Golf Shoes under the tree. Putting Arc Are you tired of listening to your favorite golfer complain about three-putt greens? The Putting Arc has been helping golfers develop a confident and repeatable putting stroke for years. They understand the physics behind the stroke and their training aid will help you become more consistent on the greens. Over the years they have helped hundreds of professional golfer win championships and they can help any golfer putt better and lower their scores. In fact, Grant Waite, Charley Hull and Keegan Bradley all recently won professional titles after honing their putting stroke by using The Putting Arc. GearUp Sportswear Every golfer wants to look and feel their best both on the course and off. Gear Up Sportswear has a variety of great styles to fit every size for both men and women. These comfortable shirts are guaranteed to never shrink, fade or wrinkle, plus their unique design keep golfers cool, calm and collected even when staring down a five-foot putt.
Gear Up Sportswear shirts are available in a variety of sizes and their bold patterns keep you looking sharp while you are struggling to make a double-bogey. Golf Lessons A great gift for any current golfer, or someone who may want to learn the game is a series of lessons from a certified teaching professional. Don’t forget your kids. Golf lessons for children can open a window that will give them a lifetime of enjoyment, plus help them gain confidence, while getting away from the electronic devices and getting much needed outdoor exercise. Google search PGA, or USGTF Teaching Professionals in your area and a host of qualified instructors will instantly pop up to help your golfer improve their game and drastically increase their enjoyment level. PLAYthe M I DWE S T LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN Get started at frenchlick.com/golf or call (888) 936-9360. Tee up a 2023 road trip and experience the award-winning Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses. Play a little more at the casino, and unwind at two historic hotels. With free customized planning for groups of 8+, play time has never been such a breeze. Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any event without notice. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT or text INGAMB to 53342! Find us here Indiana Golf Journal
The Dormie Network understands and appreciates the adage, “home is where the heart is.” Your home will always be the place for which you feel the deepest affection, no matter where you happen to be. Which is why Dormie Network members, and their guests enjoy a home — and a home club — wherever they want to be. Dormie Network continues to expand its offerings with ongoing enhancements and additions at its collection of geographically diverse golf clubs. All six Dormie Network clubs create customized experiences that are ideal for entertaining family, friends, or clients. Take for instance, Hidden Creek, near Atlantic City. The clubhouse is classically styled, with a nod to the northeast in its shake siding and stone Home Is Where the Heart Is pillars on the exterior, and dark wood paneling and unique chandeliers throughout the interior. A round of golf on the Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design, widely considered one of New Jersey’s finest, is followed by a dining experience that includes fresh seafood from the Jersey Shore. Hidden Creek now includes mansion-style housing in a pair of differing styles. The new Houses at Hidden Creek can accommodate up to 16 people. The Houses each have eight bedrooms on the lower level and four suites on the upper level, with a living room, kitchen, bar, and deck on each floor. The eight-bedroom Lodge features two great rooms, each with an oversized, fully stocked
galley bar, dining and conference table, living room area appointed with leathers and premium textiles, fireplace, and flat screen television. Briggs Ranch in the Texas Hill Country outside of San Antonio recently completed construction of their new classic Southwestern accentedstyled casitas. There are 15 four-bedroom casitas with master suites, a fireplace and lounge, a fully stocked bar, and a walk-out patio with a firepit. Briggs Ranch is truly the perfect spot for teambuilding, family time, or a private retreat. Designed by Tom Fazio, Briggs Ranch just received a complete revamp of their greens. Dormie Network returned the putting surfaces to their former glory and original size. The new TifEagle Bermuda greens provide a sustainable, high-quality putting surfaces year-round. Briggs Ranch’s distinctively Texan clubhouse, replete with Spanish-style tiling and terra-cotta roof, serves up a variety of dining and meeting spaces to suit parties of all sizes.Tex-Mex influence weaves throughout Briggs Ranch’s menu with spice at the forefront. In addition, the new “Truck Stop” at Briggs Ranch is an all-new mobile bar experience made from an old truck, with beer on tap and plenty of fixings for cocktails. Dormie Network’sVictoria National in Newburgh, Indiana offers a variety of housing options. The course annually hosts the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. “The Vic” was carved from an abandoned coal mine and famously culminates in The Gauntlet: four of the most difficult holes found anywhere in golf. The cottages at Victoria National set the standard, including premium-appointed master king suites, a common great room, a snack bar or a kitchen, a dining area, and screened-in patios. Lodging at Victoria National include a total of 68 beds across 15 cottages and are Indiana Golf Journal
available in three options: Dormie, Executive, and VP. Arbor Links in Nebraska City, Nebraska was the first Dormie Network club. The 18th green features a drive-through silo along the South Table Creek and historic Arbor Day Farm is just a short hike away. The Arnold Palmer masterpiece at ArborLinks is regarded as one of Nebraska’s best layouts. And the clubhouse, true to its surroundings, procures modern farmhouse styling features throughout. Steakhouse-inspired, ArborLinks’ menu celebrates the best of Great Plains cuisine. Next spring, members can enjoy the allnew eight-bedroom and 12-bedroom houses at Arbor Links. ArborLinks also offers premium two-plex cottages featuring two bedrooms and one bathroom, as well as four-plex Dormie and Executive with four bedroom/bathroom suites and a common space. The cottages have a rustic aesthetic and offer space for small meetings, private dinners, and casual socializing. Not to be outdone, the best Southern comforts are found at a pair of unforgettable settings: Ballyhack in Roanoke, Virginia, and Dormie Club near Pinehurst, North Carolina, where PGA Tour standout Lanto Griffin, a Dormie Network ambassador, recently enjoyed his wedding celebration. The perks for Dormie Network members continue to impress. An all-new, pure golf destination club in the Nebraska Sandhills called GrayBull is currently being constructed from the ground up by master architect David McLay Kidd, with a projected open date of fall 2024. For more information about the Dormie Network and their locations visit: https://www. dormienetwork.com/
Now is a good time to look back at the LPGA in 2022. This fact-filled poem was written specifically for you! The LPGA started and finished the year in the Sunshine State. But, in between, the Tour went far and wide, which has been first rate. The LPGA tournaments get covered every week by the Golf Channel crew. Their cameras cover the action -- putting it all in clear view. While Grant Boone, Morgan Pressel, and Tom Abbot lead the on-air team. It’s the people on camera, in audio, and in graphics who provide the steam. This Tour features talented athletes, the world’s best. Every week, the majority are under par passing the golfing test. The Golf Channel is given scoring computers for leaderboards and TV. These devices allow fans to follow the leaders – making it easy to see. As we look back on this year, There were many first-time winners, which is something to cheer. Jennifer Kupcho won the first major in the desert southwest. She simply had the lowest score, which made her the best. A POETIC SUMMARY OF THE LPGA IN 2022 By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal
The LPGA will miss its annual trip to the longtime desert home of Dinah Shore, That Chevron-sponsored major now moves to Houston where the cash payout is a lot more. The K-P-M-G PGA winner was In Gee Chun, She played with guts and courage, which is why she won. Pine Needles was the site of Min Jee Lee’s U.S. Open victory celebration. Her adoring friends and family gave her a deserving Sunday ovation. The Evian was won by the Canadian, who we all know as Brooke, She won by making great shots – that’s all it took. The Women’s Open champ was Ashley Buhai, But, she needed five extra holes to break the tie. The winner of the LPGA’s CME Globe Tour Championship was Lydia Ko, She was also the Rolex Player of the Year, I want you to know. The LPGA loves to honor the many fans who show support at every site. Without them, there would be no cheers with every video highlight. The LPGA is looking forward to providing exciting golf in 2023. Providing the great images for all to see. A big thanks to the LPGA rules officials, who enforce every rule in the game. Any tournament without that crew wouldn’t be the same. Violets are blue and roses are red, 2022 was an amazing year -- and there’s still more ahead.
Rivers Edge: ATrue Memory Maker By Mike May For golfers searching for an unforgettable coastal golf experience, then Rivers Edge in the Brunswick Isles area of North Carolina is a great choice. This par-72 Arnold Palmer design in Shallotte, North Carolina overlooks the nearby Shallote River tidal basin which impacts play on seven holes, while marshes, ponds, and lakes influence play on another nine holes. With six different tees on every hole, it’s easy finding your comfort zone at Rivers Edge. “At Rivers Edge, no two holes are the same and the stretch along the river was done in such a way that to replicate it today would be difficult, Indiana Golf Journal
the 5th, a short par three, you’ll see the Shallotte River. While not long, the fifth hole does require a full carry from tee to green. After disappearing into the countryside for the next two holes, you emerge into the tidal basin for the final two holes on the front nine. The 8th is a splendid downhill par three with the tidal basin behind the green. The 9th is the only hole at Rivers Edge with a name: Arnie’s Revenge. This par five features two shots over water with a narrow approach to a peninsula green bordered by the tidal basin on three sides. If you play the hole too conservatively, you can easily make double bogey. If you play it too aggressively, a if not impossible,” notes Jeff Pianelli, head golf professional at Rivers Edge. When playing the seven holes along the Shallotte River, take the time to admire Mother Nature’s beauty, which includes sightings of osprey, turtles, fox squirrels, and the occasional alligator. “With the tidal change throughout a day, it is not odd to see different aspects of river life during your round,” adds Pianelli. At Rivers Edge, the first four holes are inland, but water does come into play, especially Mr. Happy’s Pond, which borders the 2nd green. At
Indiana Golf Journal
‘snowman’ or worse is quite possible. Securing a par, or better at Arnie’s Revenge is a worthy achievement. “What the design may lack in overall yardage, it makes up for in course strategy,” adds Pianelli. “Each hole offers a safe route or a risk/reward that can be chosen by the player. If you successfully pull off the game, you are rewarded for your efforts. Rivers Edge is definitely a place that allows multiple play without getting bored.” After playing the front nine, you’ll discover that the back nine is even better. The highlights of the inward half are your approach shot to the par five 11th hole, where Palmer Lake sits greenside; the commute along the ‘river’s edge’ from the 11th green to the 12th tee; and the last four holes which are flanked by the Shallotte River. Palmer’s creativity in designing those four finishing holes leaves you impressed and begging for more. The views across the Shallotte River while playing 15, 16, 17, and 18 are worth the price of admission, as they say.
Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s only appropriate that we focus on the Christmas Lake Golf Club in Santa Claus, Indiana in our December issue. Golf media agree that Christmas Lake Golf Club is a great place to play. Golf Digest ranked it as one of the Top 75 Public Golf Courses in America and Indiana Business Magazine listed it as the 7th Most Challenging in Indiana. This course is so well-respected that it is a qualifying site for the Indiana Open. Christmas Lake Golf Club, designed by Edmund Ault, opened for play in 1967. Ault also created the well-known Tournament Players Course at Avenal in Potomac, Maryland, as well as, a re-design of Congressional Country Club, which has hosted three U.S. Opens, one PGA Championship, plus one U.S. Senior Open. The Christmas Lake Golf Club has tree-lined fairways, rolling hills, valleys, and a few sparkling lakes. The tees and fairways are planted with Zoysia grass, with bent grass greens. According to Todd Grundhoefer, the general partner at Christmas Lake Golf Club, the course never disappoints as the front nine and back nine have their own identities. “With the outward half cut through the wildlifefilled forests of the southern Indiana hills, the inward nine flattens out a bit and winds through the beautiful homes of Christmas Lake Village. Christmas Lake Golf Club: A Hoosier Original By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal
Spread out over 280 acres, Christmas Lake Golf Club’s diversified array of holes and friendly people make this a true gem of Indiana’s south central region.” One of this golf club’s annual traditions is the Nightmare Before Xmas golf tournament which is always held the first Saturday in December. It’s a two-man scramble, played from the tips with the pins placed in tough-to-reach sections of the greens. Players are encouraged to wear outfits that reflect the spirit of Christmas and nearly 70 teams always play in this annual event. “This is a perfect occasion to wear that ugly Christmas sweater,” added Grundhoefer. Several positive reviews on TripAdvisor about the Christmas Lake GC are worth mentioning, “This course is a true gem….”, “The large tiered greens are some of the best in southern Indiana….”, “Outstanding course….”, and “nice co layout.” After golf, satisfy any hunger pains and quench your thirst at the Back 9 Grill & Bar Room. In honor of the occasion, it’s appropriate that the Christmas Lake GC is closed on Christmas Day. But, weather permitting, it will be open on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. JUST ASK OUR COURSE RECORD HOLDERS: PHIL MICKELSON, FRED COUPLES, LEE JANZEN & AN UNKNOWN AMATEUR. (We’re not kidding!) Can’t Top That. WWW.TREETOPS.COM | 81 SPECTACULAR HOLES BY GOLF’S GREAT DESIGNERS. EASY. GOLF IS
When you watch an LPGA golf tournament on Golf Channel, one of the reasons your signal is so strong and clear is due to the efforts of a Hoosier native. Tim Prichard grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Lawrence Central High School in 1982. Many sports events that you have watched on television since 1984, when Prichard began his career in sports television, initially working an Indy Car Racing event in Ohio, have been impacted by his work. Currently, he is a mobile unit engineer for NEP, the world’s largest provider of mobile facilities for all the networks, one of which is Hoosier Native Tim Prichard; A Road Warrior For Golf Channel By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal
Golf Channel. Prichard started working fulltime in television back in 1991 with ESPN. His professional career in sports television has not only included working many golf tournaments, but also the occasional Super Bowl and World Series. “I’ve been doing the shows, off and on, for Golf Channel for the past 15 years or so,” said Prichard. As for his current duties with Golf Channel, it’s fair to say that Prichard is a person who gathers and consolidates. “In a nutshell, I’m the EIC of the mobile unit,” added Prichard. “I bring all the sources into the truck -- audio and video -- and combine them and then send them to their appropriate places.” For somebody who spends so much time at country clubs and golf courses, it’s no surprise that Prichard has evolved into an avid golfer. “I love to play golf,” said Prichard. “I picked it up later in life. I started playing around 40 years old. I shoot in mid-80s, but I have never played in a league due to traveling.” Of all the places that Prichard has visited over the years, there’s no question about his favorite city to visit in the world. “My favorite city is Lowell, Ohio, which is my home,” said Prichard. “I have lived there for the last 24 years.” Clearly, if he’s not at home, he’s on the road with Golf Channel, usually at an LPGA tournament bringing those great women golfers right into your living room.
By Mike May While the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, won by Lydia Ko, was held in late November at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, there was an Indiana element to the event. During the final two rounds of this 72-hole tournament, the father-daughter tandem of Brent and Kate Edwards of Evansville served as a volunteer walking scorer-standard bearer team. During the third and fourth round of the CME Group Tour Championship, Brent tracked the scoring of the LPGA players in their group on a cell phone scoring device (supplied by R2 Innovative Technologies, the official scoring provider of the LPGA) and Kate walked alongside her father carrying the sign which displayed the scores. Father & Daughter Work Scoreboard for LPGA Event Indiana Golf Journal
“Kate had the role of ensuring that the patrons could see the players’ scores within our group as she was carrying a standard bearer score sign,” recalled Brent, who alongside Kate, plays most of his golf in Evansville at the Cambridge Golf Club. “I was tracking the strokes and other data points, allowing the digital platforms to receive live scoring data, which was displayed on the large scoreboards on property, on the LPGA website, and on Golf Channel. The device I carried also allows the tracking of other important information such as greens in regulation, total putts, and sand saves.” During the third round, they walked with Andrea Lee and Chella Choi and on Sunday, they scored for Hye-Jin Choi, Patty Tavatanakit and Yuka Saso. Traveling to the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship to serve as volunteers was something Brent and Kate had been discussing for months. “We have been talking about being part of the CME Championship since this past spring,” said Brent. “I have gained a relationship with Candace Adkison from the LPGA office as she has been so kind in helping our junior golfers in the Evansville area for several years. Candace was able to connect me with Taylor Low (of the CME Group Tour Championship staff) and we were able to work it out.”
It helped that Brent and Kate had some experience scoring golf tournaments. “We had worked the 2022 French Lick Charity Classic, the LPGA’s Epson Tour event in French Lick back in August,” said Kate. “My dad and I were scorers and worked together at the event for several days. I have also worked many local tournaments (in Evansville) such as the Evansville Men’s City Tournament.” The LPGA players were kind and courteous to Brent and Kate, especially young Kate. “The players were very nice to me,” said Kate. “On the first tee, they came over and introduced themselves and thanked me for helping out. Also, during the round, several times they spoke to me. On Sunday, I was a bit cold so Yuka (Saso) and Patty (Tavatanakit) came over and each gave me an extra jacket from their bags. I was able to add a few layers and stay warm and dry.” The LPGA players expressed their true appreciation at the end of each round. “Each day after the round, the players thanked my dad and me for helping,” noted Kate, now in the sixth grade. “All of the players gave me a signed ball after the round, which was really nice of them. Patty also gave me a signed glove.” In addition to their roles as volunteers, Brent and Kate were able to watch many of the LPGA’s top players in action. “We were able to watch Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko a bit,” added Brent. “Kate was also able to participate in the in Girls Golf Clinic held on that Saturday afternoon.” Kate’s favorite LPGA players are Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, and Brooke Henderson. Indiana Golf Journal
Starting in 2023, The Pelican Women’s Championship will be renamed THE ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. It features a tournament purse of $3.25 million – the largest on the LPGATour outside of the major championships and the CME Group Tour Championship – with proceeds benefiting the ANNIKA Foundation. Gainbridge, an Indianapolis-based company has served as title sponsor for several LPGA Tour events in the past including, the Indy Women in Tech Championship held in Indianapolis, 20172019. By Mike May This new tournament will take place November 6-12, 2023 as the last tune up before the CME Group Tour Championship, the final LPGA Tournament of the year. Sorenstam will serve as tournament host, “I’m incredibly honored to host one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour schedule starting in 2023 and give back to the game I love while mentoring the next generation of players,” said Sorenstam. “I look forward to working alongside my friends at the LPGA Tour, Pelican Indiana-Based Gainbridge Supports New Partnership with LPGA & Annika Sorenstam Indiana Golf Journal
Golf Club and Gainbridge in continuing to elevate this championship to one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour.” “The purse increase announcement at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican is a gigantic step forward for the LPGA and a fitting tribute to Annika’s enormous impact on women’s golf and on women’s sports more broadly. It is also a significant nod to the worldclass talent of the current LPGA players,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “We are grateful to Dan Towriss, Dan Doyle Jr., and our friends at Gainbridge and Pelican for honoring and supporting Annika, her foundation and all our amazing LPGA Tour athletes. We look forward to this unique championship continuing to elevate the LPGA and the women’s game for many years to come.” “Having a global icon in Annika teaming up with Gainbridge and us at Pelican Golf Club to elevate the tournament purse to $3.25 million as we head into 2023 is an amazing start to our long-term partnership,” said Dan Doyle Jr. of the Pelican Golf Club. During her 15-year Hall-of-Fame career, Sorenstam rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, and amassed more than 90 worldwide wins, including 72 on the LPGA Tour and 10 major championships. She won a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards, was the first woman in 58 years to play on the PGA TOUR, the only LPGA player to shoot 59, and is still the LPGA’s all-time money leader with more than $22 million in earnings.
The “rotator cuff” is a group of four muscles that help with shoulder movements. Problems with the rotator cuff can include tendinitis, or a tear in the tendons. Both tendinitis and tears can cause pain and weakness in the shoulder. Larger tears tend to cause a constant pain that is worse with any movement in front of the body, or overhead. Rotator Cuff Injuries In the Shoulder From Franciscan Health Indiana Golf Journal
“The unfortunate reality of the rotator cuff is that everyday use can cause tearing and damage, especially in the older athlete,” said Sean Calloway, MD, sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Franciscan Physician Network in Greenwood, Indiana. What Causes Rotator Cuff Injuries? For many individuals, the onset of pain is not caused by a specific injury, but rather the result of repetitive use over time. Pickleball, for instance, is an overhead activity that requires several different arm movements that stress the muscles of the rotator cuff. Pain with these activities can lead to what is termed an “overuse injury.” Can You Prevent Rotator Cuff Injuries? While rotator cuff injury isn’t necessarily completely preventable, stretching and lightto-moderate strength training may keep your shoulder healthier and more flexible. “Warming up and stretching before activity, with the appropriate post-exercise cool-down, may allow for better shoulder performance during sporting activity and easier post-exercise recovery. Examples of pre-exercise stretching include gentle shoulder rolls, shrugs and upper body stretches.” Weight training may help prevent future injuries by strengthening the muscles around the shoulder. A strong core (low back and abdominal muscles) also leads to a lower risk of shoulder injury with racquet sports. In all aspects of movement within a pickleball volley, a strong abdominal core supports the torso and offers more overall control of the body. As a general recommendation, begin each weight training session with a brief cardiovascular warmup to loosen up muscles and joints. Make sure to stretch the upper body after lifting weights to prevent tight muscles and ligaments that are vulnerable to tears and sprains. What To Do for Shoulder Pain? If you are experiencing lingering or worsening shoulder pain after pickleball, don’t wait to see a doctor. “If you have pain that gets progressively worse in the shoulder, or pain that persists for a long time after your activity, these may be warning signs of a torn rotator cuff tendon,” said Dr. Calloway. How Are Rotator Cuff Tears Fixed? The only way to repair a torn rotator cuff is through surgery. Living with a rotator cuff tear can be painful and limit movement, making it difficult to remain active. Surgery is often minimally invasive with only a few small incisions. Recovery after surgery is geared toward patient-specific goals. Dr. Calloway’s main goal as a sports medicine surgeon is to return patients to their previous level of activity, especially in athletes of all ages.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. https://www.facebook.com/ed.travis.98 Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http://lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/lenziehmongolf/ Indiana Golf Journal
VIDEOS Brothers, Chris and Mike Keiser talk about the new Lido Course designed by Tom Doak that will open at Sand Valley next year. Tiger and Rory will partner for the Match versus good buddies, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Plus Tiger will play in the Hero World Challenge and PNC Parent/Child with his son Charlie. The Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida is Perfect for Golf & Family Fun! If you are looking for a great golf resort in central Florida the Reunion Resort sits near the Disney Parks, with three Signature Courses by Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson. The Lido Course To Open at Sand Valley in 2023 Tiger To Play in 3 Events in December Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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