USGA OneStepCloserTo GolfBalRolback Opportunities forJunior Golfers
Let’s Play Some Golf! With the 2023 NCAA basketball tournament and the Masters in our rearview mirror, it’s time to get off the couch and start playing golf rather than watching the television. Seize the moment, book a lesson, head for a nearby driving range, and lose a few golf balls. Junior Golf. If you are interested in the Indiana junior golf scene, we have included a calendar of this year’s junior golf outings across Indiana, courtesy of Indiana Golf. New LPGA Event. Congratulations are in store for the leadership of the Sultan’s Run Golf Club in Jaspar for securing the rights to host this year’s Senior LPGA Championship from June 29-July 1. Australia’s Karrie Webb is the defending champion of this 54-hole event. Consider being a volunteer for the event. Korn Ferry Tour. In 2024, the Pete Dye Course in French Lick will host a Korn Ferry Tour tournament. The dates of that event have not been determined. Fitness Tips. In this issue, Franciscan Health has provided another enlightening and insightful column on fitness, exercise, and health. You will be inspired to perspire. Participation Data. On-course golf participation in the U.S. has seen five straight years of an increase in participation, with 500,000 new golfers in 2022, for a total of 25.6 million nationally. A record 3.3 million people played on a golf course for the first time in 2022. Female and non-white golfers now represent 25 percent and 22 percent, respectively, of all oncourse golfers, a record high-mark. Demographic Details. Gambling. com has created a Golf Retiree Index where it factored in the number of golf courses per capita, the average cost of green fees for an 18-hole round, the average percentage of sunlight, home values, and the average price of a 16-ounce Bud Light draft. When everything was factored into this survey, Indiana ranked eighth in the country as a retirement destination for golfers. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for dry, sunny skies throughout the 2023 golf season. 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 28 FIND INSIDE 06 20 23 36 There Are A Multitude of Golf Opportunities For Juniors Indiana Junior Golf Indiana Junior Golf News 06 10 12 Senior LPGA Championship Returns to Indiana This Year TAKE FIVE: Q & A with Dan Ross, Director of Golf, Birck-Boilermaker Golf Complex Proposed USGA Rollback Making Waves Golf Datatech Conducts Golf Ball Rollback Survey 17 20 23 14 Our Contributors Weight Loss Exercises You Can Do At Home Mission Inn Resort Has New Owners, But Provides the Same Quality Experience Srixon Introduces Newest Enhancements to Z-Star Line The Ultimate Five-Course Menu of Golf Along The Outer Banks New Joint Event For LPGA & PGA Tours Our Favorite Videos 40 26 28 33 36 34 41 Indiana Golf Journal
Most junior golfers originally become involved in the game via the influence of a parent, or grandparent. Many young golfers have seen professionals, like Tiger Woods, succeed at the highest levels and are motivated to practice and compete. Whatever reason draws kids to the game, the golf industry has done an excellent job of creating multiple outlets for young people. It would be impossible to list every opportunity for juniors in golf, but the following list includes several of the more popular programs for juniors. To keep the game viable in the future, serious golfers understand the need to create avenues and opportunities for younger people to learn the game the right way. Several programs are available to juniors to do just that. The First Tee The First Tee was the vision of former PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem. It was founded in 1997 as a joint effort by golf’s leading bodies, Augusta National Golf Club, the LPGA Tour, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR and the USGA. The curriculum of the First Tee program stresses the development of character and is built around nine core values found within the game of golf. The First Tee has grown to a network of 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. Youth on Course Youth on Course (YOC) is a relatively new organization that assures every child, no matter their economic status, has access to golf. Local golf courses join with YOC to allow junior golfers to play golf for $5.00 at their courses. They began in Northern California in 2006 and quickly spread to now include more than 140,000 There Are A Multitude of Golf Opportunities For Juniors By Fred Altvater Indiana Golf Journal
members in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. They provide access to nearly 2,000 courses across both the United States and Canada. High School seniors can also apply for college scholarships through YOC. Since the inception of the YOC Scholarship Program in 2008, they have awarded over $2.6 million to over 300 outstanding high school seniors to support their pursuit of higher education, many of which have become the first in their family to attend college. AJGA The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) provides a venue for the top junior golfers to compete at the highest level against the top talent in the country. College golf coaches can follow each player’s progress and they ultimately recruit AJGA members for their golf teams. AJGA understands the expense and financial burden for a family to allow their child to travel and compete in AJGA events. For this reason and with the help of their generous sponsors, the AJGA’s ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf tournaments. Many of the professional golfers you see today on the PGA and LPGA Tours competed in and won AJGA events. It is the premier junior golf program in the country and has provided a venue for thousands of junior golfers to impress college coaches and earn a college scholarship. Local Junior Golf Programs Over the years junior golf programs have sprung up in every city and town across the country. Local golf professionals organize a series of clinics and tournaments for junior golfers looking to enjoy competition and learn more about the game. For more information about any junior golf programs in your area, touch base with your local golf club, or course for their schedule of events. PGA Jr. Golf League The PGA of America through their 40,000 golf teaching professionals organized the PGA Junior Golf League. They provide fun team competitions for young players under the age of 17. All PGA Jr. League games are played with a two-person scramble format, which allows all players to hit shots and contribute to the team.
LPGA & USGA Girls Golf LPGA & USGA Girls Golf is the only national junior golf program that specializes in providing a friendly environment for girls to learn the game of golf. They make the game fun and teach much more than just stance and swing. The young women also learn valuable life skills like confidence and perseverance that will help them all through their lives. With over 500 Girls Golf sites around the country, they help prepare girls, ages 6 – 17, for a lifetime of enjoyment of the game while also inspiring them to gain confidence and build positive selfesteem. The Five E’s of Girls Golf: Empower, Enrich, Engage, Energize and Exercise prepare these young women to live active and healthy lives. High School Golf Team Nearly every high school has both a men’s and women’s golf team that compete against other golf teams in their league, region and for state titles. While local junior golf programs hold tournaments in the summer months, players that will be competing for their high school team in the Fall, or Spring use those programs to hone their games for the high school golf season. Playing golf for your school is a rewarding experience for any young golfer. Friendships are PGA Jr. League utilizes match play scoring, which focuses on performance versus a score-to-par as is traditional with golf. Within a PGA Jr. League game, the two-man teams play in a head-to-head, 9-hole match with each match broken into three flags. Each flag is three holes in a row, and each team has the opportunity to earn points at the end of each flag. PGA Jr. League provides a low stress program for young golfers to compete and continue to enjoy golf. Drive, Chip & Putt Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) holds a number of local and regional qualifiers around the country to identify the best young golfers, which are invited to compete in the DCP National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday prior to the Masters Tournament. In the Drive segment, junior golfers’ three attempts are rated both in length and accuracy. Participants get three tries to Chip a ball closet to the pin, plus the Putting competition involves putting from three various distances. The points from all three segments are totaled and a winner is recognized. The Finals are broadcast on the Golf Channel. Watching these kids compete on Sunday morning, prior to the Masters, is always one of my favorite television shows. Indiana Golf Journal
developed that last a lifetime. These young athletes are encouraged to always exhibit proper golf etiquette, which help them become successful adults. Evans Scholars Chick Evans was a very successful amateur golfer, who won the 1916 U.S. Open. He also won the U.S. Amateur in the same year and was sought out for golf instruction and appearances. As an amateur, he was not able to accept prize money, appearance fees, or any other income earned from golf. His mother suggested a charitable foundation be formed that could accept the money. Evans spent many years as a caddy in the suburbs of Northern Chicago. Due to a lack of funds, he was forced to drop out of college. He took his mother’s suggestion, and those charitable efforts became the Evans Scholarship Foundation, which gives full-ride college scholarships to former caddies at clubs across the country. Since the Evans Scholarship Foundation officially began in 1930, they have granted 11,815 college scholarships to deserving young men and women caddies. Currently there are over 1,100 students enrolled at 22 universities. To view a list of Indiana caddies that were awarded college scholarships in 2023, visit https://wgaesf.org/the-latest-news/2189eighteen-indiana-caddies-earn-evansscholarships The Evans Scholarship program is one of the most successful and worthy charitable foundations in the world. To learn more about how you could become involved visit their website: https:// wgaesf.org. Play Golf With Your Kids & Grandkids There is truly nothing better than playing a round of golf with your children, or grandchildren. The game teaches young people respect for others, plus helps them grow into successful adults. As you can see there are numerous programs available for young people to learn more about golf from people who know the game and will help your child learn the game the right way. Do your kids a favor and get them involved in golf this year. If you have any questions, please contact me at: Fred@Back9MediaGroup.com and I will help direct you to someone in your area that can help your child get started in golf.
TBD SPRING & FALL SERIES Ages 12-19 MASTERS TOUR Ages 13-19 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Ages Vary By Event @injrgolf @IndianaGolf @IndianaGolf 2023 JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM SCHEDULE INDIANAGOLF.ORG TEAM SERIES Ages 7-15 June 8 June 19 June 29 July 6 July 21 July 25 Golf Club of Indiana Forest Park GC Anderson CC Hillview CC Bridgewater Executive GC Woodwind GC April 29-30 May 6-7 May 20-21 TBD TBD TBD Girls Jr. Spring Series Girls Jr. Spring Series Girls Jr. Spring Series Boys Jr. Fall Series Boys Jr. Fall Series Boys and Girls Fall Series TPC @ Woodland Trails Kokomo CC Legends GC TBD TBD TBD PREP TOUR Ages 7-12 Ages 13-19 JUNIOR TOUR Greensburg CC Chippendale GC North Branch GC Old Capital GC Meadow Valley GC Wilcat Creek GC Woodwind GC Foxcliff GC Etna Acres GC Hidden Creek GC AJ Thatcher GC Sunrise GC Crestview GC Country Oaks Muncie Elks GC Fox Prairie GC Woodstock CC Black Squirrel GC Richmond Elks GC June 6 June 9 June 9 June 12 June 13 June 13 June 14 June 15 June 30 July 13 July 14 July 14 July 17 July 18 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 24 June 5 June 6 June 6 June 9 June 12 June 13 June 13 June 14 June 14 June 15 June 15 June 30 July 10 July 13 July 14 July 14 July 18 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 20 July 21 July 24 July 25 July 25 July 27 Wood Wind GC Greensburg CC Tippecanoe CC North Branch GC Old Capital GC Meadow Valley GC Wildcat Creek GC Shadowood GC Zollner GC Foxcliff GC The Players Club Etna Acres GC Pebble Brook GC Hidden Creek GC Sunrise GC West Lafayette CC Country Oaks GC Muncie Elks GC Fox Prairie GC Anderson CC Cascades GC Black Squirrel GC Richmond Elks GC Chestnut Hills GC Highland Lake GC Junior Tour Championship- The Players Club June 18-19 July 9-10 July 16-17 July 23-24 Northern Junior Masters Central Junior Masters Southern Junior Masters Masters Tour Championship Orchard Ridge GC Battle Ground GC Otter Creek GC Rock Hollow GC June 7-8 June 12 June 16 June 20 June 20 June 22 June 26-30 July 6-7 July 11-13 July 26 July 27 October 7-8 Girls Indiana Jr. PGA Championship Boys State Qualifier Boys State Qualifier Boys State Qualifier Boys State Qualifier Boys State Qualifier Boys State Jr. Championship Boys Indiana Jr. PGA Championship Girls State Jr. Championship Indiana Junior Team Championship Boys Team Championship Hoosier Junior Ackerman-Allen Course Chestnut Hills GC Harrison Hills GC Country Oaks GC Maple Creek CC Briar Ridge GC Ackerman Allen & Kampen Rock Hollow GC Coyote Crossing GC Maple Creek CC The Players Club Otter Creek GC
As you can see Indiana Golf hosts a number of junior golf programs every year and encourages parents to enroll their children and get them involved in the game for a lifetime. Each program is conducted in a safe environment and not only teaches golf basics, but helps them become better individuals. A schedule of junior golf tournaments can be found at IndianaGolf. com. Tournaments begin April 29 with the AJGA’s Players Club Spring Junior Series at TPC Woodland Trails in Yorktown. Overall, more than 75 junior events are held at locations all across the Hoosier state. The final event of the season, Legends Junior Fall Series, will be held in October at the Legends Golf Club in Franklin. Indiana Junior Golf
Greenwoods’ Erica Shepherd Makes Cut at ANWA In the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) Erica Shepherd from Greenwood made the Friday cut and was in the final round played at Augusta National. Over the first two rounds at Champions Retreat, she carded 74-71 to put her solidly in the top 30. Her round of four-over par 76 on Sunday at Augusta National left her with a tie for 22nd. A senior at Duke University, this was Erica’s fourth start at the ANWA and her third crack at Augusta National. She finished T-23 in 2019 and T-16 in 2021 but missed the cut last year. Shepherd was a five-time Junior All-American and represented the United States in both the Junior Solheim Cup and Junior Ryder Cup. In 2017, she won both the U.S Girls’ Junior Championship. Two years later she and her partner, Duke teammate Megan Furtney won U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. In eight starts this season for the Blue Devils, Erica has five top-25 finishes. She was also invited to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup for a second consecutive year last summer. Indiana Junior Golf News By Fred Altvater Indiana Golf Journal
40 boys and 40 girls competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday, April 2. They had to make it through local, subregional and regional qualifying held at 342 sites around the country. Conducted in partnership between the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America and the USGA, the Drive, Chip and Putt is a nationwide youth development program open to boys and girls age 7 to 15. The top three scorers in the local qualifiers advanced to subregional qualifiers, with the two top participants in each moving on to regional competition for berths in the National Finals at the home of the Masters. “It’s very difficult to get to this stage,” said 2015 Masters Champion Jordan Spieth, who presented the prizes in the Girls 12-13 division.“To compete and win at Augusta National is always a good feeling.” Elijah Lemmon from McCordsville made it to Augusta National out of the Great Lakes Regional and was in the Boys 14-15 age division. With a drive of 236 yards, chip total of 18 feet and putting of 12 feet he finished tenth in his age group. The Wind By Any Name When, at last The sun has set And dusk begins to grow With all our strokes recorded We’ll reflect, and smile, and know That though the wind was raging And stole from us the score We’ll rise at dawn tomorrow To battle it once more. By: Bo Links Indiana Junior Competed in the National Finals of Drive Chip & Putt
Last month the USGA took another step and gave ‘notice and comment’ to golf fans and the golf industry that they are proceeding with plans to reduce the distance a golf ball can fly for professionals and elite amateurs. Given more athletic golfers and advancements to golf equipment, elite golfers can consistently drive over 300 yards. This prodigious distance is making older, more traditional golf courses obsolete for championship play. The required enhancements to golf courses to keep up with the longer carries are extremely expensive for the Proposed USGA Rollback Making Waves By Fred Altvater Indiana Golf Journal
golf courses, not to mention the additional costs to keep the additional yardage maintained. Golf fans are split on the benefits of the proposed rollback for professionals. One of the key aspects of golf is that average golfers can play many of the courses the pros play on and try to hit the same shots they see the pros pull off on television, with the same equipment. Golf ball manufacturers will be required to design and produce two different golf balls. One for PGA Tour, as well as USGA competitions and another for the everyday golfer. Titleist controls over 50% of the golf ball market and their President and CEO, David Maher issued this statement, “Playing by a unified set of rules is an essential part of the game’s allure, contributes to its global understanding and appeal, and eliminates the inconsistency and instability that would come from multiple sets of equipment standards. Unification is a powerfully positive force in the game, and we believe that equipment bifurcation would be detrimental to golf’s long-term wellbeing. As a result, we will actively participate in this conversation with the governing bodies, worldwide professional tours, PGA Professional organizations, amateur associations and federations, and golfers, in an effort to contribute to the continued enjoyment and growth of the game.” One of the leading golfers on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas has openly spoken against the idea of different balls for professionals and average golfers. Mike May and Kieran Clark joined Back 9 Report to discuss the Pros and Cons of a golf ball rollback. You can see the entire episode here: Mou – leave a black rectangle Golf’s ruling bodies, the USGA and The R&A, have been studying this issue for over 20 years and have provided data that proves the everincreasing distance a golf ball can travel. Given that the trend continues on its current path, courses will be forced to add acreage and length to their courses. As early as 2017, when Tiger Woods was asked about mandating different golf balls for the professionals, he answered, “There is no reason why golf can’t be like baseball and have a line of demarcation between college, or amateur and the professional ranks, which would be the minor leagues all the way up to the bigs. My idea was to have it so that every professional
would have to play a reduced-flight ball. Even if you played a pro-member you would have a reduced-flight ball for the pro, and have to play with that type of ball, where as the amateur, go ahead and make it fun, juice the golf balls up, juice the clubs up and let them go have a great time. But at a professional level I see no reason why we can’t have it very similar to where baseball has it right now.” Jack Nicklaus has long proposed using a different golf ball for professionals, but the general golfing public is still not that enthusiastic about any change to the golf ball. Even though the gap between the average golfer and the professional is wider than it’s ever been, change is difficult for golfers. Indiana Golf Journal
The survey reveals a majority of golfers do not like the USGA’s proposal to limit the golf ball for professionals and elite amateurs. On the heels of the USGA /R&A’s announced proposal for a “Modified Local Rule” for elite competition that reduces the overall distance a golf ball would travel at extremely high speeds, Golf Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer, and trade trends, has unveiled a survey that provides immediate analysis of where Serious Golfers stand on the issue. “This golf ball rollback is a hot button topic across the professional tours and among the amateur golf community, especially among better players who rely on distance as key part of their game,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech, LLC. “For this reason, we expedited this Serious Golfer Survey to put a stake in the ground so we can assess how perceptions and opinions shift on this issue over time.” The USGA and The R&A have proposed changes to the Rules of Golf to create a ball that flies shorter only for “Elite Professional and Golf Datatech Conducts Golf Ball Rollback Survey
Amateur” events. Average recreational golfers will still play the current ball. Golf Datatech analyzed data from over 1,250 avid golfers who are active and purchase golf equipment. As such, their opinions are particularly important and valued by the golfing community. Opinions on the Proposed Rule: • 52% don’t like the proposed rule. • 23% are in favor of the proposed rule. • 13% don’t know enough yet to have an opinion. • 12% don’t care. Among those who DO NOT SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule (647 respondents): • 72% indicate they “like knowing that everyone plays by the same rules.” • 55% don’t think it is necessary. • 43% believe it “complicates” the rules. • 7% indicate they play “high level competition” and the proposed rule complicates things for them. Open End Feedback among those who DO NOT SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule includes: • It penalizes Elite players for being Elite. • Many like to play the same equipment as the Elite players to see how they are the same/different. • Some feel the ball is being held accountable, when the focus should be on clubs. • There is an undercurrent of golfers who are concerned that the expense of designing and making two different balls will ultimately have to be born by the consumer, and golf ball prices will rise as a result. Among those who SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule (293 respondents): • 85% don’t want to see the classic courses made obsolete. • 45% believe technological improvements are ruining the game. • 39% feel Tour Pros hit the ball “too far.” Indiana Golf Journal
• 26% don’t hit it like a tour pro, so they don’t really care what the Elite players use. Open End Feedback among those who SUPPORT the Modified Local Rule: • A shorter ball will bring more skill back to the game for Elite players. • Concern that bigger/longer golf courses require more resources to maintain (capital, water, fertilizer, etc.), and ultimately will create a sustainability case against the sport. Respondents were also asked what impact the proposed new rule will have on their personal enjoyment of the game, and results were as follows: • 79% indicated it will not have any effect on their own enjoyment. • 17% said it might make the game less enjoyable. • 4% believe it might make the game more enjoyable. • 1% indicated they will no longer enjoy the game. “While the majority of Serious Golfers polled are opposed to the proposed Modified Local Rule, ultimately most do not think it will have a direct impact on their own personal enjoyment of the game. What this survey did not evaluate is what are the potential ramifications on interest in the professional game? Will there be less interest in watching Elite players compete on some of the world’s biggest stages if they are using a shorter/ modified golf ball? That is yet to be determined, but what is certain is that this topic is not going away and we will continue to analyze the issue in the weeks ahead.”
Sultan’s Run will host the sixth playing of the Senior LPGA Championship. It was the first major championship for senior women and was held at French Lick in 2017-2021. It was moved to Salina, Kansas last year, but returns to Southern Indiana this year. The 2023 tournament will take place over three days, from June 29 to July 1. Players will compete for $400,000 with no cut being made during the week. Sultan’s Run Golf Club opened in 1992 and went through a redesign by Pete Dye disciple, Tim Liddy in 1996. Senior LPGA Championship Returns to Indiana This Year The Senior LPGA Championship is a stop on the Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA. The women on the Legends tour have combined for 750 LPGA Tour victories, including 84 major championships and includes 15 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame players. Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Julie Inkster, Beth Daniel and Laura Davies are expected to be in the field. “Sultan’s Run is thrilled to be counted among 250 of more than 15,000 golf courses nationwide who have the distinction of Indiana Golf Journal
hosting a professional golf tournament,” said Chris Tretter, Co-Owner of Sultan’s Run Golf Club. “We appreciate the Tour’s trust in our quality and capability. We look forward to showcasing our community, our premium course and our hospitality to players and spectators from far and near.” Two World Golf Hall of Famers, Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb, battled for the title last year with Webb coming out on top. The pair talked highly of their experience competing against other Legends of the LPGA. “Playing in the 2022 LPGA Senior Championship was a great week from start to finish. Catching up with players and friends that I hadn’t seen for a while was special,” said Webb. “Obviously winning was exciting and icing on the cake. Going head-to-head with Annika over the weekend was a blast from the past. It was a great feeling to be back in a position to win, with all the nerves and adrenaline flowing, to then be able to play well enough when it counted. I look forward to defending my title this year at Sultan’s Run Golf Course in Indiana.” Sultan’s Run is an award-winning course located in Jasper, Indiana. Now in its 31st year of operation, Sultan’s Run was built on land purchased from Ruxer Farms, where legendary World Champion American Saddlebred Supreme Sultan roamed. Each of the holes at Sultan’s Run is named for one of Supreme Sultan’s World Champion offspring, except hole 18 which is named after the legend himself. This beautiful hole, which features a waterfall on a natural stone outcropping, is widely known as the “most dramatic signature hole in Indiana.” You too can play where the pros play, standard and premium stay-and-play packages are available with local courses, or with historic French Lick Resort, located just 30 minutes away. Follow Sultan’s Run at www.sultansrun.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
TAKE FIVE: Q & A with Dan Ross, Director of Golf, Birck-Boilermaker Golf Complex Q: What are some of the major modifications and upgrades that Pete Dye made to the two courses at the Birck-Boilermaker Golf Complex that helped improve the look and playability of each golf course? A: “The Kampen-Cosler course was built in the late 1990s and the old “North Course” was long and flat with very little imagination to it. Pete turned the course into a links style, improved the layout and the greens and also added bunkering to augment the holes. That bunkering will have all been renovated over the last two winters, making this great course even better.” “Ackerman-Allen was redesigned in 2015 and opened in 2016. Pete kept the old “AckermanHills” course as a parkland-style layout and was able to keep the original design and feel alive in the new layout, while adding a few new wrinkles to the course as well. Because we obtained more land, a couple of new holes were built on the west side of the course, adding a great par four and par five. Ackerman-Allen is loved by almost all who play it.” Q: At what time of the year are both golf courses in their absolute best condition for play? A: “I would say the courses are in great shape from May to September. There really isn’t a bad time, but the weather and conditions are typically best during those months.”
Q: What does your superintendent do to transform two golf courses that are impacted by cold, winter temperatures into a pair of golf courses that are playable in the spring? A: “For one thing, our superintendent will not open the courses until they are ready and the ground temperatures are favorable. We debate this all the time, but I am glad he sticks to his guns so that the conditions for the courses stay good throughout the year instead of being tempted to let people play when the air temperature is higher, but the turf is not yet ready.” Q: What is your favorite hole on each golf course and why? A: “My favorite hole on Kampen-Cosler is the sixth hole. It is a par five that wraps around the water condition known as the celery bog. It has a great elevation drop off the tee and gives a fantastic view of the hole from the tee. On Ackerman-Allen, I think my favorite hole is the third hole, which is a par four. This hole plays down and back up a hill to a green that is somewhat hidden with the second shot. A large bunker guards the left side of the hole and in the background the Purdue Water Tower can be seen. It is not a hard hole, but one that is very good to the eye.” Q: What big events and tournaments are scheduled to be held at the BirckBoilermaker Golf Complex this year and in 2024? A: “This year, we are hosting the National Collegiate Club Golf Championship, The Boys State Junior for Indiana, and the Veterans Golf Association Championship. In 2024, we are scheduled to host the Men’s NCAA Division I Collegiate Regionals.” Indiana Golf Journal
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rest by walking until your heart rate returns to normal. Before you begin a new workout routine, check with your primary care physician to Weight Loss Exercises You Can Do At Home By Franciscan Health Some people are motivated by the social aspects of working out at the gym. Others worry about parking, gym fees or what may feel like critical glances from other people. You don’t really need to go outside the comfort of your own home to exercise and get fit. Before You Begin Warm up for at least three to five minutes before you start and cool down at the end. Engage your abdominal muscles as you exercise to build up your core strength. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid sitting down. If you need to take a break, Indiana Golf Journal
make sure it’s safe to do so, and follow any guidelines he or she provides. Strength-Training Exercises Full-body exercises build muscle and cardiovascular strength. THE PLANK – Lay face down on the ground. With your arms and legs extended, lift your body up, so your weight is rested on your hands and tiptoes. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat, working your way up to a full minute. SQUATS – Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend your knees until they’re in line with the tips of your toes at a 90-degree angle. Hold for a moment, then stand. Repeat for 15 repetitions. PUSH-UPS/SIT-UPS – Push-ups (starting on the knees or in a plank position) build bicep- and tricep- muscle strength, while sit-ups build your abdominal strength. Cardio Exercises The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that to ensure you’re getting all the benefits of cardio exercise; your target heart rate should be 64%-76% of your maximum heart rate for moderate-intensity physical activity and 77%-93% for vigorous physical activity. JUMPING JACKS/JUMPING ROPE – These traditional moves will get your heart rate going. According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, jumping rope for just 15 minutes is considered a moderateintensity workout. No jump rope? Mimic the motion and get the same results! MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS – Start in a plank position. Draw your right knee up toward your right arm, then back to starting position. Do the same with your left knee. Repeat quickly for 15 repetitions. STAIR-CLIMBING – Climbing up and down stairs in your home will strengthen your thigh and calf muscles, in addition to your heart. If you’ve got stairs leading to your apartment or inside your home, you’re in luck. Carrying heavy loads of groceries or other packages up the stairs could be considered a vigorous workout, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It recommends 75-150 minutes of this type of workout or 150-300 minutes of moderateintensity exercise per week in its publication, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. No stairs? Simply jog or march in place. TIP: Take it up a notch by trying short intervals of cardio exercises, mixed with strength-training exercises. HealthDay News contributed to this article.
Mission Inn Resort Has New Owners, But Provides the Same Quality Experience By Len Ziehm Mission Inn Resort, one of Florida’s oldest golf resorts, is no stranger to hosting tournaments. The fourth playing of the Epson Tour’s Inova Mission Inn Resort & Club Championship is returning next month, but this time it’ll be different. In December, the Beucher family, who had owned the resort for 58 years, sold it to MMI Hotel Group, which has been owned by the Sturdevant family for 67 years. The family ownership aspect played a part in the sale and the Beuchers will continue to reside in the area, will remain as members of the club, plus will retain ownership of part of the property. MMI has deep roots in the Southeast, but its portfolio includes only one other golf facility, The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort in St. Simons Island, Georgia. “We’re a golf resort, and golf is critical to our success and always will be,’’ said Dominick Buompastore, MMI vice president of operations. Indiana Golf Journal
“We’re thrilled to be part of this tournament. The Epson Tour is really great for us, and we have a contract for future years.” The Inovia Mission Inn Championship will be held, May 26-28. The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes. Two pro-am’s will be held on May 24 and 25, preceding tournament play. Previous winners at Mission Inn were Matilda Castren, Min Lee and Gina Kim. This year’s 144-player field will compete for $200,000 in prize money, with $30,000 going to the champion. Buompastore said an investment in technology has been the first order of business in the first three months of MMI’s ownership. Next comes an analysis of what should be done with the two golf courses, El Campeon, site of the Inova event with roots back to 1917, and Las Colinas, an 18-holer designed by ex-PGA Tour winner turned broadcaster Gary Koch in 1992. El Campeon is one of the oldest and most challenging courses in Florida. It was designed
by a Chicago architect, George O’Neil, and was brought into prominence after the Beuchers took over the resort in 1964. It has hosted a variety of high school, college and state professional tournaments, and its steeply-elevated terrain sets it apart from other Florida courses. Golf-wise the ownership change produced a significant staff adjustment. Michael Bowery, the former Director of Golf at Mission Inn, has turned that responsibility to Brian Mulry, while Bowery will assume a sales and marketing role under the new ownership. “It’ll allow me to go out to bring in things like this,’’ he said of the Inova Championship. “We’re always looking at those opportunities. We would love to host a televised LPGA event on this golf course.’’ The resort is a 35-minute drive northwest of Orlando. Its Spanish Colonial architecture features 176 hotel guest rooms, 131 deluxe rooms, 38 club suites, four one-bedroom suites, two twobedroom suites and one penthouse suite with three bedrooms. In addition to the two golf courses, Mission Inn has four restaurants, two lounges, plus a poolside bar. Amenities include tennis, pickleball, jogging, as well as cycling trails, volleyball courts, a spa, fitness center and a marina offering pontoons, bass boat and kayaks for eco-touring. More than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space is available for meetings, banquets, holiday parties, weddings and special occasions. Mission Inn Resort makes a great place to stay slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando, but still close enough to drive into all the activities that the Orlando-area have to offer. Indiana Golf Journal
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Srixon Introduces Newest Enhancements to Z-Star Line By Ed Travis The golf ball has been making headlines recently due to the proposed roll back for professionals and elite amateur golfers. Titleist currently controls over 50% of the golf ball market. Callaway has 22% while the rest of golf ball manufacturers, Wilson, Vice, OnCore and Srixon compete for the remaining 28%. One of those, Srixon recently introduced their eighth rendition of their popular Z-Star line. Each of the Z-Star models feature a core with variable firmness, firmer on the outside and softer on the inside. This gradation of core response helps to provide higher ball speed and improved feel with the longer clubs. Srixon also reformulated their coating on the urethane cover called Spin Skin+. The improvement produces additional spin with short irons and wedges for more control. why technological advances like the new Spin Skin+ and FastLayer DG Core give players confidence that their ball is going to react how it should and excel in every category that matters – more spin, bite, and speed.” Fast Facts Srixon Z-Star Three-piece construction 6mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White or yellow Srixon Z-Star XV Three-piece construction 5mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White or yellow Srixon Z-Star Diamond Three-piece construction 6mm urethane cover 338 dimples Spin Skin+ White only The regular Z-Star is targeted for those with a 90+mph driver swing speed and has a mid-launch trajectory. The Z-Star XV is for higher swing speed players, 100+ mph, and produces a mid to high launch while the Z-Star Diamond fits neatly between the two. In addition, the Z-Star Divide is has returned, half white and half yellow, in the Z-Star and Z-Star XV models. “Finding the right golf ball for your game is just as important as finding the right irons or driver,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager of Srixon. “It’s the one piece of equipment you use on every single shot, which is
LastmonththePGATOURand LPGA Tour announced that a new mixed-team event, sponsored by Grant Thornton, will feature both women and men professionals competing Golf Club. The tournament will offer equal prize money and visibility for both the LPGA and the PGA Tour. The two tours last combined for a joint event in 1999 with the JC Penney Classic. The Wendy’s 3 Tour Challenge was held 19922013 and featured teams from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour competing against each other. The Grant Thornton Invitational’s 32-player field will be comprised of 16 PGA TOUR and 16 LPGA Tour professionals New Joint Event For LPGA & PGA Tours By Fred Altvater together in a unique cosanctioned tournament. The Grant Thornton Invitational will be held at the end of the year,December4-10,atTiburón Indiana Golf Journal
competing for a $4 million purse and will be televised by NBC and Golf Channel. “We could not be more excited to add the Grant Thornton Invitational to our 2023 schedule,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “By joining forces with the PGA TOUR to host a mixed event where the top male and female golfers in the world compete alongside each other, we’re going to deliver a memorable and entertaining experience for all golf fans, showcasing our players’ incredible skills in a new context to a new audience. This is an important step forward for golf, women’s golf and the LPGA. We’re incredibly grateful for the leadership of our partners at the PGA TOUR and Grant Thornton, and we look forward to producing a best-in-class event that inspires, elevates and advances opportunities for golfers around the globe.” Grant Thornton CEO Seth Siegel echoes this sentiment: “At Grant Thornton, we believe golf can bring people together – to be their very best, to eliminate barriers to achievement and to help build inclusive communities. That’s why we are working with the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour to create a tournament where the world’s best golfers, both men and women, can compete head-to-head on a level playing field. We know that players and fans alike will enjoy this singular event and what it represents for sports and society.” “PGA TOUR athletes playing alongside the best athletes from the LPGA Tour is going to be incredible for our fans,” said Tony Finau, PGA TOUR professional golfer. “They’ve been wanting something like this for a long time. Our fans deserve it, and seeing Grant Thornton stepping up to help the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour put together this tournament, I think is very special.” “The Grant Thornton Invitational really is about being inclusive and showing people that golf can be accessible for everyone, no matter what way you play,” said Nelly Korda, LPGA Tour professional golfer. “This is going to be the perfect opportunity for me to do something important in helping to grow the game and inspire the next generation.” For more information visit: https:// grantthorntoninvitational.com/
The Ultimate Five-Course Menu of Golf Along The Outer Banks By Martin Armes The Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina has all the components needed to fashion a fivestar, five-course package full of food, fun and folic. There truly isn’t a better recreational activity than an 18-hole round out on warm, windswept links to build up an appetite, plus there isn’t a better destination to satisfy your need for a delicious meal than along the Tar Heel Coast. For those looking for the ultimate combination of great dining and golf, look no farther than the Outer Banks. For those looking to tee it up and drive their taste buds to another level, a round of golf at one of the five area golf courses will satisfy even the most demanding palate. Even better, string them all together over a course of days, and you come up with a five-course delight. First Course: The Appetizer There is no better place to start your OBX golf adventure than at The Pointe Golf Club in Powells Point because it is arguably the area’s most forgiving layout. This is a “wet-your-appetite” design, Indiana Golf Journal
features the best putting greens in the area and is a favorite among the locals. Nestled along the Currituck Sound, this forgiving design opened in the mid-1990s and is a unique blend of a traditional and a links-style layout. The wind is the great equalizer for scoring at The Pointe. It is located on the mainland and is closest to the beach, just west of the Wright Memorial Bridge. Second Course: The Soup The Carolina Club is the longest golf course in the region and is home to the only signature island green near the shore. The par-3, seventh hole highlights this outstanding 7,000-yard championship design featuring wetlands, water and bunkers galore. Now in its 25th year, The Carolina Club was designed by course legends Russell Breeden and Bob Moore. For those trying to finish with a low number on the scorecard, however, beware of the “soup” you have to hit over TWICE on the way to the 18th green. Third Course: The Salad Tree-lined and leafy green during the high season, Kilmarlic Golf Club is a mixing bowl of holes that will challenge all levels of golfers with its classic Tom Steele design located in Powells Point. As one of the more intricate layouts found anywhere across the state, Kilmarlic is continually looking to evolve its playing challenges and surfaces to keep up with golfer demand and intrigue. This marvel plays through a maritime forest and across sprawling wetlands where golf and the environment exist in perfect harmony.
Canopies of giant oak, pine and dogwood trees offer a unique setting for the game and several holes play in sight of the Albemarle Sound. Fourth Course: The Entrée As the OBX’s top-ranked layout according to statewide lists, The Currituck Club is the main course for many golfers visiting the region. It is over 20 years since it opened, but it will always remain the newest talk of the town. The sprawling 600-acre golf-resort property gives true meaning to “social spacing.” Its upscale ambiance situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound is also appropriate for both locals and visitors alike. Designed by famed architect Rees Jones, this big-league design winds through a beautiful maritime forest and offers prime views along the nearby sound and even out towards the Atlantic Ocean. Closing Course: The Dessert As the last but certainly not least is what could be considered the sweetest flavor of all, The Nags Head Golf Links. Cap off your memorable five-course menu with a round of golf unlike any you will ever experience again. As one of the area’s earliest designs, Nags Head Golf Links welcomes golfers to a wind-swept challenge and a “don’t mess with Mother Nature” experience playing hard along the Roanoke Sound. The appropriately named “Links” features as true a Scottish links replica design without requiring a long flight across the pond. Golfers who like to play later in the day are afforded a gorgeous summer sunset across the water. Ending your golf trip to the Outer Banks at Nags Head Links makes the perfect dessert for your trip to the Outer Banks. Check out the latest golf packages at: www.PlayOBXGolf.com Indiana Golf Journal
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 This video was taped in 2020, but it clearly demonstrates the power of the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full-ride college scholarships to deserving caddies. We are a huge supporter of the Evans Scholars programs and hope you fill visit their website and donate. Kieran Clark and Mike May join Back 9 Report to discuss the Pros & Cons of the USGA’s proposal to roll back the Golf ball for Pros and Elite Amateurs. The winners of the five handicap divisions talk about the experience of playing Arnold Palmer’s home course Latrobe Country Club and winning a trip to Scotland to compete versus Team Scotland. Evans Scholars Foundation Provides Full-Ride Scholarships Pros & Cons of Golf Ball Rollback Team USA Versus Team Scotland Amateur Golf Championship Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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