Congrats to Sultan’s Run I want to provide an editorial round of applause to Sultan’s Run Golf Club General Manager Chris Tretter for the magnificent job done by his staff and legion of local volunteers who were able to put together an outstanding Senior LPGA Championship in late June/early July. I was on-site for all three days of play and was impressed with every aspect of the tournament. GOLF: DOLLARS AND CENTS. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the wholesale size of the golf equipment market (balls, clubs, bags, and various accessories) in the U.S. in 2022 was $3.995 billion, 8.3% higher than it was in 2021, when it was $3.687 billion (at wholesale). In 2022, the size of the wholesale golf footwear market was $320.8 million, which was 3.8% lower than the $333.5 million in 2021. GOLFING FOR A GOOD CAUSE. On Wednesday, July 5, Nick Coccaro -- a golf management major at Trine University, a member of Trine’s men’s golf team, and an intern this summer at The Pete Dye Course in French Lick -- played 247 holes (in honor of the U.S.’s 247th birthday on July 4), as a fundraiser benefitting Folds of Honor, which helps provide financial support for families of disabled Veterans. Nick’s best round was his 7th round where he shot a three-under par round of 69. He teed off at 6:00 am and holed his final putt at 8:05 pm. If you want to support Nick’s recent marathon golf fundraiser, contact Dave Harner (dharner@frenchlick.com) at the French Lick Resort for donation details. GOLF MAKEOVER. In late June, it was announced by the leadership of the Otter Creek Golf Club in Columbus that longtime PGA Tour star Tom Kite and former Augusta National GC superintendent Billy Fuller are being hired to renovate the original 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, which opened for play in 1964. TALKING ABOUT GOLF. Did you know that Legends GC general manager Ted Bishop and longtime golf broadcaster Brian Hammons host a regular podcast called Straight Down the Middle? It’s posted and accessible via Buzzsprout. com. Check it out as the guests and themes of discussion are topical. We hope you enjoy the wide variety of stories inside this issue, including the Open Championship preview poem! MIKE MAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SUBSCRIBE Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Michigan Golf Journal Back 9 Report Indiana Golf Journal
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 26 FIND INSIDE 06 12 20 38 Angela Stanford Wins Senior LPGA At Sultan’s Run Hollis Stacy and Trish Johnson Have Vivid Memories of Winning in Indiana Gaylord Golf Mecca (Magnificent, Extraordinary, Calming, Captivating & Amazing) 06 10 12 Indiana Golf Alumni Launch ‘Fore The Girls’ Clothing Brand The 151st OPEN Championship Preview Poem 16 20 Our Contributors Daytona Beach Is Not Just For Spring Break & NASCAR News & Notes Ping Introduces New G430 LST Three-Wood Callaway’s New CB Wedges Hit Golf Shops This Month Traversing Wine In Northern Michigan Golf Rules: The Embedded Ball Issue Our Favorite Golf Videos 40 22 26 32 34 36 38 41 Indiana Golf Journal
At the recently completed Senior LPGA Championship (June 29-July 1) at Sultan’s Run Golf Club in Jasper, the 54-hole tournament was as much a challenge of dodging the stormy weather as it was staging a major women’s professional golf tournament, which was the “biggest sports event to be contested in the history of Dubois County,” according to Visit Dubois County executive director Whitney Lubbers. The field included 72 players from 22 states and nine countries (Australia, Canada, England, France, India, Italy, Sweden, U.S, and Wales). Florida won the number of competitors from each state with 12 participants. There was one pro in the field with native ties to Indiana: Jackie Gallagher-Smith, born in Marion, Indiana. The sixth edition of the Senior LPGA Championship kicked off late and it finished late, just before an oncoming summer storm. The first group was meant to tee off on round one at 7:30 am on Thursday, June 29, but the first tee shots were not struck until six hours later -- at 1:30 pm. The final putt didn’t drop into the 18th hole until after 7:30 pm on that Saturday, July 1. AND THE WINNER IS….. The winner was Texan Angela Stanford, who was the model of consistency for three rounds with 42 pars, 11 birdies, and just one bogey. While she didn’t have the most birdies in the field, she had the fewest bogeys. Stanford’s victory was a come-from-behind spectacle. Stanford, 45, a rookie on the LPGA Legends Tour, who is still a regular on the LPGA Tour, shot a seven-under-par round of 65 for a three-round total of 206 (10 under par). FINAL ROUND DETAILS Stanford’s 65 was both the best round of the day and the best round of the tournament. During the third round of the tournament Stanford made up a five-shot deficit to beat England’s Trish Johnson by one shot. As well as Stanford played, she benefitted from Johnson’s errant play down the stretch. In a nutshell, Stanford played the last two holes of the tournament in one-under-par (par, birdie) Angela Stanford Wins Senior LPGA At Sultan’s Run By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal
while Johnson played the final two holes in four-over-par (triple bogey, bogey). Johnson’s downfall was not being able to find the fairway off the tee on the tournament’s 71st and 72nd holes and Johnson’s three-putt on the 17th green was another uncharacteristic miscue, which was shocking since she had just birdied the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th holes. Stanford’s closing birdie moved her to -10, while Johnson’s over-par stumble dropped her from -13 to -9. On the last hole of the tournament, Johnson had a chance to salvage par, which would have sent her and Stanford into a sudden-death playoff, weather permitting, but she failed to get up-anddown for par from just short of the 18th green. JOHNSON’S ROUGH FINISH The 57-year-old Johnson, who won this tournament in 2017 and 2021 when it was held at The Pete Dye Course in nearby French Lick, was shaking her head in disbelief at the end. “My game was great for about 16 holes,” said Johnson, who shot 70-66-71 (-9) for three rounds. “I ended triple, then bogey to finish. Not much more you can say really, just a horrendous finish. It was, obviously, very, very disappointing. Literally throwing the tournament away, but life goes on. There are worse things.” STANFORD REJOICES IN VICTORY Stanford, shocked by the sudden turn of events, was also thrilled to win in her debut on the LPGA Legends Tour. “This win has changed my life,” said Stanford, whose last tournament victory was the LPGA’s Volunteer of America Classic in New Colony, Texas in December 2020. Stanford’s win came off a dreadful effort at the previous week’s KPMG PGA Championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey. She left Indiana feeling better about her game. “I putted well this week,” said Stanford, who knew absolutely nothing about the Sultan’s Run GC upon her arrival. “I had never been to this golf course and I had never heard of Jasper, Indiana.” But, she has now. GLOBAL CONTENDERS At the beginning of the final round, the leaderboard had a British Commonwealth of
Nations-like look to it as the top three players were from three countries that all pledge an allegiance to England’s newly crowned King Charles II – England’s Johnson (136, -8), Australia’s Karrie Webb (139, -5), and Wales’ Becky Morgan (139, -5). In the second round, Johnson shot a six-under 66, Webb recorded a four-under 68 and Morgan carded a threeunder 69. Stanford, who shot a two-underpar 70 in the second round, was in a tie for fourth, as third-round play began on Saturday. On Saturday, Stanford slowly crept up the leaderboard throughout the day. Walking down the 18th fairway, she knew she had played well, but figured it was not well enough. She had no idea that Johnson was imploding on 17. “When I saw the leaderboard coming up 18, I saw Trish was at -13,” said Stanford. “I especially considering that we were up against the July 4th holiday weekend.” TOP HOOSIER As for Gallagher-Smith, the only native-born Hoosier in the field, she opened with a two-over-par round of 74, which left her in a 29thplace tie after the first round. She rebounded with a fiveunder-par 67, which left her in a fourth-place tie after two rounds, five shots behind Johnson. She finished the final round with a one-over-par 73 leaving her at two-under-par for the week, good enough for a fifth-place tie. FINAL DETAILS The first-round leader Audra Burks, opened with a threeunder-par 69. She then tumbled down the leaderboard as she ballooned to a second-round six-over-par 78, putting her in a tie for 21st at 147 (69-78, +3). She drifted further down the leaderboard with third-round 78 to finish at 223 (+9), in a tie for 33rd. This year’s pro-am party was held at League Stadium in nearby Huntingburg. League Stadium was the Hollywood set used for the filming of the movie A League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis. think at that point I was pretty upset because I felt like I didn’t have a chance, which is probably why that (birdie) putt went in (on 18). I hit it pretty hard because I was pretty upset with myself.” In the end, Stanford was the winner and the LPGA found a new great venue in a community that welcomed women’s professional golf. HAPPY HOST Sultan’s Run owner Chris Tretter was delighted with the condition of the golf course and the legion of volunteers in the area who made this tournament a reality. “The greens are the best they have ever been. Our grounds crew worked hard to get this course in tournament-ready shape,” said Trettor. “We had a good response on local volunteers for the tournament, Indiana Golf Journal
Stanford is the first American to win this senior major as the first five editions were won by England’s Johnson (twice), England’s Laura Davies, Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson, and Australia’s Webb, the defending champion, who finished third at -8, two shots shy of Stanford. This year’s Senior LPGA Championship was the 13th professional golf major championship to be held in Indiana. The first being the 1924 PGA Championship at the French Lick Golf Club (now, the Donald Ross Course) in French Lick where Walter Hagen defeated Jim Barnes, 2 up, in the match play final. This Senior LPGA Championship had a $400,000 pursue with Stanford collecting the first place check of $60,000. SPONSOR APPRECIATION Some of the tournament’s key sponsors and supporters were Visit Dubois County, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Dentons, French Lick Resort, BrandedByWoods.com, Kimball International, Indiana Sports Corp/Team Indiana, Harrell’s Profertilizer, McMahon Exterminating, Best Home Furnishings, Zaxby’s, Howard’s Golf, Brunette & Associates, International Paper, Monesmith & Wood Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, P.C., EPIC Insurance Midwest, Eckert’s Pool Supply, Discover Southern Indiana, Radius Indiana, Weyer Electric, Wings and Rings, Tenbarge, Harman Dental Care, Culver’s, Kerstein’s Custom Builders, Wolfe’s Collector Car Collection, Buschkoetter’s Nursery, Lawn, & Garden Center, Meyer Distributing & Logistics, Hallmark Homes, Mom Water, Runko Engineering, McDonald’s, Southern Indiana Propane, Olinger Diamond Center, Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, Retired Vanderburg County Sheriff Dave Wedding, E-Z-GO, Advanced Turf Solutions, David A. Bromm CPA, River Centre, and Brosmer Land Surveying & Engineering, Inc.
Stacy has also had success playing golf in Indiana, as she won the 1978 U.S. Open, which was held at the Country Club of Indianapolis, and the 1979 Mayflower Classic, which was contested at Harbour Trees Golf Club in Noblesville. “I loved the layout of the Country Club of Indianapolis,” said Stacy, who also won the U.S. Open in 1977 and 1984. “That course had some tough par fours, and I was able to get some up-and-down pars on those holes. I loved playing U.S. Opens because every shot really mattered. They are a great test. In 1979, I was getting ready for the U.S. Open and I actually peeked too early by winning the Mayflower Classic.” As for Stacy’s interest in the players on the current LPGA Tour, she’s an avid viewer of the telecasts. “I watch the LPGA every week on television,” added Stacy. “I love it.” Hollis Stacy & Trish Johnson Have Vivid Memories of Winning in Indiana By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal spoke with two of the players in the field at Sultan’s Run who have won ladies pro golf tournaments in Indiana, Trish Johnson and Hollis Stacy. Johnson, who won three LPGA tournaments while on the LPGA Tour, won the Senior LPGA Championship in 2017 and in 2021, both of which were played on The Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort. As Johnson recalled the events played in 2017 and 2021, she felt that she won because of her accurate tee shots and pinpoint iron play. “In 2017 and 2021, I drove the ball straight which left me lots of short irons to the greens,” said Johnson. “Hitting short irons is one of my strengths.” Johnson has strong, positive memories of those 2017 and 2021 tournaments at the Pete Dye Course. “I love that course,” said Johnson, who works 21 weeks a year as part of the golf broadcast team for Sky Sports back in Great Britain. “I love the aesthetics of the Pete Dye Course. They say that there are horses for courses and I think that applies to me with reference to The Pete Dye Course at French Lick.” Stacy was also fond of her time playing golf in the Hoosier state. “I loved the Indiana hospitality,” said Stacy. Indiana Golf Journal
The definition of the word Mecca is a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity or interest. The Gaylord Golf Mecca means golf and plenty of it! For golfers experiencing the area, it is likely to become their “Sacred Ground.” Why? Simply stated- the golf is magnificent and extraordinary. The quaint city is calming, with captivating and amazing Gaylord Golf Mecca (Magnificent, Extraordinary, Calming, Captivating & Amazing) both the East and West Courses at Garland, the Gaylord Golf Club, Michawaye Pines, the Classic at the Otsego Club and Wilderness Valley. Twenty years later, The Midwest’s Golf Capitol now has 17 courses and more than 20 hotel properties all within a 45-minute drive. The properties have changed over the years, with additional courses, redesigns, more lodging choices, as well as constant Phyllis C. Barone (Queen on The Green) landscapes on 17 stellar course collections. It’s a player’s paradise. It just doesn’t get much better than this! According to Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Gaylord Golf Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, the golf mecca started as a simple idea in 1987 to promote seven area courses. The founding members included the Robert Trent Jones’ Masterpiece at Treetops Resort, Indiana Golf Journal
renovations to maintain the quality of the sacred grounds. New ownership at the Garland Resort has enhanced the entire golf experience with bunker renovations, comfortable accommodations and exceptional dining. The Fountains Course is cited as their Premier course, of the four championship layouts, featuring bent grass from tee to green, creating a most pristine appearance. The Tamarak Dining room and Antler’s Bar and Grille present top-notch appetizers and entre’ choices. The bone marrow crusted filet garnished with succulent pieces of Northern Michigan’s seasoned asparagus deserves a five-star rating and is a great alternative to those that prefer Michigan’s popular Walleye! For dessert, the strawberry brownie sundae is a decadent choice. A short walk to the Tiki Bar, after dinner, provides the ideal place to catch up with friends, while discussing the best shots of the day, or settling wagers. The Gaylord Golf Mecca also gets five stars for its ability to offer golf courses that appeal to any golfer’s palette. Treetops, considered the crème dela crème, attracts the player looking to experience some of the best architects in the region. The Jones Masterpiece-the first Treetops Golf Course is most scenic with dramatic drops and lush greens, The Signature is a Rick Smith favorite with slick bent grass greens and visually majestic landscapes, The Premier, the only Fazio designed course in the state of Michigan, is player-friendly with wide open fairways and challenging breaks on the greens. Threetops, a bucket list Par 3 Thriller, is the first of three Rick Smith designed courses at Treetops. Frequently ranked as the number one Par 3 course in America, it is famous for the shot heard around the world, when Lee Trevino made
a hole in one on the 7th hole in 2001. The Rick Smith designed Tradition began restoration in 2022 to bring the course back to a modern linksstyle walkable course as it was originally intended. The new chalets located near the courses at Treetops and adjacent to the ski slopes elevate your golfing experience to yet another level. Each contains two bedrooms with two full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and televisions in each room. They provide a comfy, convenient stay when visiting this acclaimed Resort. Only a six-minute drive from Treetops is Otsego Resort, with The Tribute, a Robbins/Koch design that provides a 1,100 acre tour of the stunning Sturgeon River. Elevation changes on every hole are breathtaking and memorable. The course does not return to the clubhouse after nine holes and this is not just another four-hour round. Be sure to stock up on snacks and beverages at the clubhouse before hitting the first tee. If you have a large group and prefer to stay together, Hilltop at Otsego Resort is an excellent option. The kitchen is located in the center with a comfortable family style setting for all to gather. Otsego Resort offers several lodging options with packages to suit your wallet. Lakes of the North, The Pines at Michaywe, Gaylord Golf Club, Indian River Golf Club, Black Lake and The Natural are independent courses central to the quality and quantity of golf at Gaylord Golf Meca. Multiple price points, to fit every budget, and community cooperation are the hallmarks of the ‘Mecca.’ When you add these six courses to the four at Garland Lodge, the five at Treetops and two at Otsego Resort, these 17 member courses in Gaylord provide a unique quality and quantity of golf not found anywhere else in the world. Independent, or resort, Beachanu’s mantra is “a rising tide raises all ships.” “You can take any one of our independent courses and compare them to resort properties anywhere else and they offer as good or most of the time a better golf experience.” Twenty-one lodging partners offer accommodations ranging from shiny new hotel rooms to rustic cabins. Once golfers determine what courses they want to add to their itinerary, the Gaylord Golf Mecca partners can package and arrange the accommodations and tee times to provide a fresh and memorable fit for an individual, or golf group. In addition to the spectacular golf, the Alpine Village, enjoys a long standing tradition of independently owned shops, restaurants and 90 inland lakes to experience and appreciate, when visiting the area. Bennethum’s Northern Inn is a local favorite that offers quality cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Whether you are driving to play and stay at the Gaylord Golf Mecca, or arriving on one of the 17 non-stop flights into Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, America’s Summer Golf Capitol is a dream golf destination where long, warm summer days continue into early evening allowing extended play on the finest golf courses in Northern Michigan. Golf Digest and Golf Magazine consistently rank Gaylord Golf Mecca among the top stay-and-play destinations in the country. Life is always good when golf is in it! Indiana Golf Journal
team at Westfield High School from 2014-2017, where their team was runner-up for the state high school team title for three of those four years. After high school, Henderson played for The University of Indianapolis, while Wentz played for Sewanee (University of the South) in Tennessee. In 2022, Henderson won the Indiana State Amateur at the Delaware Country Club in Muncie. The pair began conceptualizing the idea for ‘Fore the Girls’ during their senior year of high school, but it did not come to fruition until 2022. Both Indiana Golf Alumni Launch ‘Fore The Girls’ Clothing Brand This past March, Cailyn Henderson and Margaret Wentz, a pair of Indiana junior golf alumni, launched a women’s and girl’s golf clothing business called ‘Fore the Girls.’ Henderson and Wentz are golfers, who played in multiple Indiana junior golf events throughout their lives, including the prep tours, state championships, and the Junior Masters Tour. After years of summer junior golf tournaments, they continued to play competitively in high school and college. They both played for the girl’s golf By Santana Shipley Indiana Golf Journal
ladies launched ‘Fore the Girls’ to fill a market gap in women’s and girl’s golf clothing with the goal to provide colorful, comfortable, and flattering golf clothing options for women and young girls. Growing up, Henderson and Wentz noticed that there were few clothing options for women and girl golfers. Many pro shops had small clothing sections for women and young girls, and the options were often very limited and unappealing. Sometimes they sold super unflattering garments that were too boxy or long, and other times there were not enough appealing color options. ‘Fore the Girls’ resolves that issue by offering a variety of fashionable garments for golf-related activities and events. Last year, Henderson and Wentz worked on building the business and brand before the launch. Since they are first-time business owners, they took baby steps along the way to successfully check off business-related tasks that needed to be completed before the launch. They planned and designed their own hat -- The FTG Blossom Bucket Hat -- with the help of a Purdue fashion student, Anna Mariacher. They designed their own website and created a tech pack. When orders are received, they package and fulfill the orders themselves. They also plan, design, film, and edit all their marketing materials. Another large component to the brand is their work in social media. Both Henderson and Wentz post beginner golf tips, golf fashion tips, and will post many insightful golf-related videos in the upcoming months to encourage all female golfers to enjoy the sport in both competitive and recreational environments. In the U.S., women’s and girls’ golf is also growing rapidly, based on figures from the National Golf Foundation. Right now, ‘Fore the Girls’ is selling the FTG Blossom Bucket Hat which has a hidden agent for a ball marker. These hats come in two different styles, are washable, adjustable, and are available in three colors: white lily, pink peony, and blue poppy. At the end of the summer, Fore the Girls plans to come out with a golf dress for women and young girls. The dress will have very flattering elements including shape-wear, and comfortable,
yet breathable, material. Additionally, the dress will have an appealing color block design which will elevate the dress from a basic design. In the future, they plan to produce and sell polos, jackets, rain jackets, skirts, pants, more dresses, totes, and, potentially, beauty products that protect women’s and girls’ skin and hair from the sun. Their goal is to produce numerous products that elevate women’s and girls’ confidence on the golf course while also succeeding to provide comfortable and appealing apparel. They hope to grow their company and become a well-known brand for all female golfers across the country, especially as the sport continues to grow. Their social media presence has been a driving force in accomplishing this goal, and they will continue to post encouraging, positive, and helpful golf-related tips and videos on social media. For more information, access www.forethegirlsgolf.com and follow them on social media @forthegirls_ golf on TikTok and Instagram. Indiana Golf Journal
The 151st OPEN Championship Preview Poem By Mike May This year’s Open Championship returns to England’s Royal Liverpool, Also known as Hoylake, this course is a classic links jewel. The Open is the fourth and final men’s major of this calendar year. To prevail, the winner must have his game in high gear. The Open has been held at Hoylake 12 times in the past. History says dry conditions means the course will play hard and fast. The Open was last held here nine years ago. It’s anyone’s guess who will win, place and show. The betting favorite is the Masters champ, Jon Rahm from Spain, The big question with Rahm is how he will cope in the wind and rain. Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick are England two top choices. If either wins, England will praise them with millions of cheering voices. Scottie Sheffler is a popular pick to play well. I tend to agree, but only time will tell. Indiana Golf Journal
OPEN Championship Facts: Factoid #1: The OPEN has been played at Royal Liverpool/ Hoylake on 12 previous occasions. The winners include, Rory McIlroy (2014), Tiger Woods (2006), Roberto DeVincenzo (1967), Peter Thomson (1956), Fred Daly (1947), Alf Padgham (1936), Bobby Jones (1930), Walter Hagen (1924), J. H. Taylor (1913), Arnaud Massy (1907), Sandy Herd (1902), and Harold Hilton (1897) Factoid #2: Royal Liverpool/Hoylake is the second venue outside Scotland to ever host an Open Championship. The first was Royal St. George’s, in 1894, won by J. H. Taylor. Royal Liverpool/ Hoylake hosted its first Open Championship in 1897, which was won by Harold Hilton. Factoid #3: The governing body for The Open Championship is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Rickie Fowler is one of the ‘hottest’ players in the pack. He, too, played well in ‘14 and is happy to be coming back. Fowler was the runner-up to Rory McIlroy back in 2014. Seeing Fowler win would be just, if you know what I mean. Brooks Koepka is another popular pick to win. A victory would probably propel him into the world top ten. A victory for Brooks would confirm his place on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. That would give the U.S. squad more power, might and steam. If Cam Smith repeats as the Open Championship winner, I’m sure he will be treated to more than fish & chips for dinner! You can bet that whoever is declared Champion Golfer of the Year ………Will use that Claret Jug to drink some champagne, wine and beer. Violets are blue and roses are red, I plan to watch The Open with a picnicsnack spread.
In addition to great beaches and the Daytona Speedway, greater Daytona features 20 golf courses. Since 1994, Daytona has been the home of the LPGA, and annually hosts the final stage of the Qualifying School each year. Its two courses were designed by two of the game’s best architects, Arthur Hills and Rees Jones. Three other courses have withstood the tests of time and are included in the 50 facilities on the Florida Historic GolfTrail. One of the oldest collection of courses in the country, it honors courses built between 1897 and 1949, that still remain open for public play today. Riviera Golf Club, in Ormond Beach, is the home of The Riviera Daytona Beach Is Not Just For Spring Break & NASCAR By Len Ziehm died in 1948 before the first nine opened in 1949. The full 18 holes were not completed until 1956 and Bobby Weed did a complete renovation in 2006. Side Note: Jim “Bones’’ McKay, the well-known caddie for Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas, as well as part-time NBC television analyst, grew up on New Smyrna Golf Club. Another golf course not to be missed is Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange. It was an airport before it was a golf course and is part of the largest fly-in community in the country. The golf course opened in 1972 and home-building started after several retired pilots decided to live in the area. Open, the longest-standing mini-tour event in the United States. Both New Smyrna Beach and the Daytona Beach Club were designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross. Ross designed the first nine holes of Daytona Beach South in 1921 and completed the rest of the course in 1923. He re-designed the course in 1944 and in 1945 it hosted an exhibition match with Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Jug McSpaden. The next year Jimmy Demaret replaced McSpaden and he bested the other three Hall of Famers, by shooting a 63. New Smyrna is one of Ross’ last creations, and he only completed the front nine. His work began in 1947, but he Indiana Golf Journal
“People can fly right in and drive their airplanes right into their garages. We have a lot of hangar homes and a whole lot of roadways for airplanes to drive on,’’ said Jason Pomroy, Spruce Creek’s head golf professional. “It’s quite a unique environment. Aviation is first, and golf is always second here.’’ As far as a golf destination goes at Daytona, it will always play second fiddle to Daytona’s biggest attractions, the white sand beaches and the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 auto race. “We have a wide group of courses,’ said Andrew Booth, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, “but we offer a lot of different things. We’re a great destination. There’s lots of ways you can plan your visit.’’ Big things have been happening around the Speedway. A $400 million renovation was initiated in 2014, which greatly upgraded the motor sports aspect. More recently One Daytona, a shopping and entertainment area across the street from the Speedway, has enhanced tourism options.
“The renovation transformed the area into an arena experience,’’ said Booth, “and that was a real game-changer.’’ The family of Bill France, founder of NASCAR, opened the Speedway in 1959 and he had a big vision for the area. One Daytona now includes The Daytona Hotel, a variety of restaurants and shops surrounding a play area for youngsters willing to get wet in the fountains. Daytona is also home for the Tortugas, a minor league baseball team. The ballpark is historic as it opened in 1914, but was renamed the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, after Robinson made his professional baseball debut there in 1946. Jackie went on to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier the following year playing for Branch Rickey’s Brooklyn Dodgers. Another interesting Daytona attraction, Ponce Inlet Watersports offers boat tours to catch glimpses of manatees and dolphins, as well as kayaking, or parasailing for the more adventurous visitors. The Atlantic Ocean provides fishermen a great day on the water and Tomoka State Park is an ecological masterpiece for those into cycling, botanical study, paddling, hiking, boating, or wildlife viewing. The Museum of Arts & Sciences has a diverse collection of art, history and science exhibits. If you are into Pickleball 49 courts will soothe your itch. The USA Pickleball Diamond National Championships were contested here, in 2022. The golf is great in Daytona, but with the Daytona Speedway, beautiful beaches and One Daytona there is plenty to keep you occupied off the golf course, as well. While the dining is excellent at One Daytona, one other area restaurant that’s not to be missed is Rose Villa Southern Table, in Ormond Beach. It was established as a bed and breakfast in 1901, but has evolved into an upscale restaurant serving a wide variety of cuisine with a Southern hospitality atmosphere. In addition to One Daytona, the Speedway itself is welcoming more than motor sports enthusiasts. Soccer matches were played at the racetrack last year and a rock music festival drew a huge crowd this year. The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, are considering playing several home games at the Speedway, while their stadium undergoes renovation. Indiana Golf Journal
Caledonia & True Blue Among South Carolina’s Top 5 Courses Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue in Pawley’s South Carolina were designed by Toledo-native Michael Strantz. Both courses have long been favorites in the Myrtle Beach area and are some of the best representatives of Strantz’s impressive works. Golfweek Magazine recently ranked both courses inside the top five of “The Best South Carolina Courses You Can Play 2023.” The Myrtle Beach area is loaded with great golf, thus the high rating for these sister courses is something to be proud of. Caledonia was Strantz’s first solo design and was an immediate hit with golfers when it opened in 1994. Built on just 120 acres, the course is News & Notes renowned for its creativity and is a stunning Lowcountry beauty. Annually a consensus top 100 public course, Caledonia plays through soaring live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and is always immaculately maintained. Caledonia is a treat to play from beginning to end. Caledonia and True Blue sit within one mile of each other. While Caledonia normally is ranked slightly higher than True Blue, it offers a delightful challenge for players with its sweeping fairways, sprawling waste bunkers, and large multi-tiered greens complexes. When you are planning your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach be sure to add CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com and TrueBlueGolf.com to your itinerary. Indiana Golf Journal
The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort Named “Best New Attraction in Oklahoma” If your travels take you to the mid-west this summer you may want to check out the award-winning Shangri-La Resort. Sitting in the far northeastern corner of Oklahoma near the convergence of the Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri state lines, it has received rave reviews and numerous awards from the travel industry. Most recently it received the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s (OTIA) Redbud Award for its new indoor-outdoor activity park, The Anchor. The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor in the tourism industry in Oklahoma. Shangri-La has previously been honored as “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018, plus it was named “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022. The Anchor, which opened in June 2021, was named “Best New Attraction” at the 2023 Awards Banquet. Built on less than seven acres, The Anchor features tennis, pickleball, basketball, cornhole, sand volleyball, plus a mini-Fenway WIFFLE®Ball park. The 11,000 square foot indoor facility features a sports bar, food service, simulator bays with Trackman Golf and LaserShot shooting simulators, as well as a complete arcade with a variety of games including virtual reality games and rides. More traditional games such as ping-pong, pool, shuffleboard, darts, and foosball are also featured at the facility which has served to make Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees a true year-round destination. The Anchor is just one of many amenities offered at Shangri-La. The features 27 holes of Championship Golf, a 119-room hotel, medical spa, indoor pool, expansive outdoor resort pool and pool bar as well as a variety of dining options at Doc’s Bar & Grill, The Monkey Grind, The Summit Restaurant, and Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. Boat and personal watercraft rentals, yacht charters,
and Oklahoma’s only parasailing adventures are also offered at Shangri-La Marina. The Battlefield, Shangri-La’s all-new 18-hole Par 3 golf course is also open and will be officially dedicated at a special Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremonies at the end of June. The Battlefield honors Oklahoma heroes of World War II as well as all veterans and military personnel. To learn more about this unique mid-western resort visit shangrilaok.com. BMW Owners Can Stream Ryder Cup While Driving If you just can’t get enough Ryder Cup coverage, BMW has signed an agreement that will allow BMW drivers to watch coverage of this year’s event from inside their cars, albeit in the back seat only. BMW 7 Series owners will be able to follow every shot at the 2023 Ryder Cup live in the second row of seats on the BMW Theatre Screen. The live broadcasts and other on-demand content can also be accessed on the BMW Curved Display in the front row of seats when the car is stationary. The APP will be available in multiple markets around the globe, as well as many other BMW models. “The Ryder Cup is associated with unique emotions and great prestige – there is no other golfing event like it,” says Stefan Ponikva, Vice President BMW Brand Communication and Brand Experience. “The same is true of BMW vehicles, particularly the BMW 7 Series. The exclusive opportunity to combine sheer driving Indiana Golf Journal
pleasure with the emotions of the Ryder Cup combines all this with the BMW Group’s aspiration to rethink the digital experience both inside and outside the car and to create innovative worlds of experience.” The BMW Theatre Screen transforms the rear of the new BMW 7 Series into an exclusive private cinema. The 31.3-inch display screen offers firstclass entertainment with Amazon Fire TV built-in. The Ryder Cup isn’t scheduled until October, so there is still time to get your new BMW, hire a driver and watch all the action while tooling down the expressway. Michigan’s Rick Smith Becomes Brand Ambassador for GolfForever GolfForever, one of the world’s leading golf fitness companies, reached a new milestone last month. Rick Smith, a renowned expert on golf instruction has become a brand ambassador for their groundbreaking golf fitness mobile APP. Smith’s enthusiasm for connecting fitness training with swing performance comes through brilliantly and makes the benefits of using GolForever relatable for golfers of all abilities. If you are serious about taking strokes off your golf game and getting in better shape check out GolfForever’s APP with videos by Rick Smith. McLemore, Sweetens Cove to Host ‘Where the Valley Meets the Sky’ Golf Tournament Acclaimed McLemore, Golf Club which sits atop Lookout Mountain is partnering with Sweetens Cove Golf Club, one of the South’s most renowned clubs, to host ‘Where the Valley Meets the Sky’, golf tournament Sept. 2-4, 2023. The two-player, net best-ball event will feature two rounds of stroke play competition with the tournament field split evenly between McLemore’s Highlands Course and Sweetens Cove on Sept. 3-4. Players of all skill levels are welcome to form their own teams that will compete in both a gross and net-score division. All participants must have a GHIN Handicap Index and register with their partner at https:// www.valleymeetsthesky.com/.
Along with the competition, participants will enjoy evenings of music, food and drinks, with a kickoff party at Sweetens Cove to open the event on Saturday, and a post-round celebration at McLemore on Sunday. Following the conclusion of play on Monday, live scoring will be broadcasted at both venues with an awards ceremony to celebrate the champions. The entry fee for the inaugural “Where the Valley Meets the Sky” tournament is $900 / per player and includes both rounds of golf plus access to McLemore’s short course, evening shuttle transportation between evening events, as well as all food and beverage costs beginning with the kickoff party on Saturday evening. The entry fee does not include travel or accommodation costs; however, on-site lodging at both McLemore and Sweetens Cove can be reserved exclusively for players who have registered for the tournament online on a firstcome-first-served basis. Reynolds Lake Oconee Offering Dream Grand Prize Package Reynolds Lake Oconee is home to six (soon to be seven) of the most elite golf courses in the country, as well as diverse lodging and dining options on a stunning lakefront location. The residential community is a premier golf and lakefront destination, located just one hour east of Atlanta. Indiana Golf Journal
The entry period for Reynolds Lake Oconee’s “Three for Four Sweepstakes” closes Thursday, September 28. The lucky quartet will receive a dream trip worth over $15,000.00 including: • Two rounds of golf at two of their six courses, with one round to be played with Blake Adams, a PGA Tour professional, who serves as the director of player development and instruction at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee • Club fitting at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee with a $500 credit toward TaylorMade golf clubs • Shooting experience at the Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds hosted by British Olympian trap shooter Justin Jones • Culinary experience with Zouhair Bellout, executive chef at Reynolds • Four tickets to the sixth annual Rhythm & Brews Festival on Saturday, October 21 Other highlights include domestic round-trip airfare arriving at and departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), ground transportation to and from Reynolds Lake Oconee, meals at selected restaurants in the community, plus lodging in the National Club Cottages. Entry forms are available at www.reynoldslakeoconee.com/reynolds-insider-sweepstakes. There is a limit of one entry per person, plus entrants must be residents of the United States and at least 21 years of age. The winner and three guests must be available to travel together from October 19-22 to claim the grand prize; no alternative dates are available.
Ping Introduces New G430 LST Three-Wood By Ed Travis Complimenting PING’s current G430 fairway woods, SFT and MAX, the company announced the G430 LST for high swing-speed players looking for low-spin and added distance in low profile tour-type head. LST stands for Low Spin Technology and this beefy 3-wood is designed for Tour players and elite amateurs so don’t look for it in the bag of a guy in your Saturday foursome. It fills out the fairway wood line for Ping who introed the MAX (game-improvement category) and the SFT Straight Flight Technology (super game-improvement) models in January. Note the titanium alloy face wraps into both the crown and sole which improves distance by additional flex at impact. The use of a carbon fiber crown and a tungsten sole lowers the center of gravity and moves it towards the rear for higher launch, low-spin hits. The crown is an 8-layer 8.5-gram composite and saves 5.5 grams versus the more usual titanium crown and partially wraps the heel and toe parts of the head’s rear or skirt. The saved weight was moved to lower the center of gravity even further. John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President said, “We’re excited to bring this score-lowering technology to golfers during the heart of the Indiana Golf Journal
golf season to give them a long and versatile three-wood to help them lower their scores and raise their enjoyment on the course. The lightweight properties of titanium and the density of tungsten open a lot of possibilities to improve performance. The results are phenomenal. The G430 LST 3-wood goes forever and sounds amazing. It’s already in the bags of Tour players around the world. We look forward to getting the new fairway wood in the hands of golfers who want the best of multi-material technology.” Fast Facts Ping G430 LST Fairway Wood Better player category 169cc low profile head Variable roll radius, less bulge radius Variable thickness 2041 beta-titanium face 8-1-1 Titanium body 80-gram tungsten sole Carbonfly Wrap crown Stock loft:15°, adjustable +/- 1.5° Stock shafts: Alta CB Black 65, PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65/75, PING Tour 2.0 Black 65/75 Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet Price: $600
By Ed Travis Callaway Golf’s new CB Wedges for 2023 are designed for recreational players and feature forgiveness without sacrificing spin control and feel. Finally, a club average golfers can play to help with those touchy-feely shots around the green. Hopefully, they will help alleviate those awkward skulls, shanks and fat shots. These wedges feature a slightly larger head with a rounded leading edge to decrease digging, plus the higher sole bounce adds forgiveness. The CBs are the first Callaway wedges to have urethane microspheres inside the head, to improve both the sound and feel of the cavity back design. The grooves are the company’s familiar aggressive pattern and in the 54° to 60° lofts grooves are full face. Fast Facts Callaway CB Wedges –– Game-improvement category –– Larger head with rounded edge and cavity back –– Interior filled with urethane microspheres –– Jaws grooves with added face roughness for added spin –– Stock shafts: True Temper Elevate 95, Project X Catalyst 65g –– Stock grip: Golf Pride –– At retail shots: July 7, 2023 –– MSRP: $159.99 each Callaway’s New CB Wedges Hit Golf Shops This Month Indiana Golf Journal
Traversing Wine In Northern Michigan By Kurt Wieneke It had been several years since I visited Traverse City and the Leelanau wine region in northern Michigan. My daughter and I revisited this area last fall and discovered some beautiful scenery and wines in two days of touring and tasting. There have been a lot of new wineries pop up in this area over the past 10 years. The Leelanau Peninsula AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established in 1982 and the Old Mission Peninsula AVA in 1987. These northerly grape-growing regions in Michigan benefit from their ‘great’ lake effect in important ways. In general, lakes retain heat and thus warm the surrounding land. But, unlike southern Michigan, the Leelanau and Old Mission areas are buffered by both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan when the extreme -20 F to -40 F freezes of the Canadian polar vortex dip to the southeast. This double-lake buffering prevents severe trunk damage and death of the vines. A combination of both white and red vinifera grapes are planted throughout the Traverse City area, leaving consumers with several great choices. White wines, like Riesling and Auxerrois, shine best up here due to the amount of bright acidity, which is retained. Indiana Golf Journal
The sparkling Rieslings can be a revelation. Red wines are a bit more temperamental with their zippy berry flavors. But, in the right winemaking hands, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Marquette can be wonderfully fragrant, supple, and complex. My favorite wineries of this area for high quality winemaking and winery experience are Brys Winery, Aurora Cellars, Bel Lago Winery, and L. Mawby. Next time you head to northern Michigan, check out the great selection of vineyards and wineries in the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas.
Golf Rules: The Embedded Ball Issue By Mitch Moon, LPGA Rules Official A common theme in this year’s first two men’s major championships, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, has been the controversial relief procedure for an embedded golf ball. First and foremost, the golf ball must be embedded in the general area to get relief under this rule. The general area is the entire golf course except for all penalty areas, bunkers, putting greens and the teeing area. The ball must be embedded in its own pitch mark from the player’s previous stroke. It is not embedded if someone steps on it, the ball is dropped after taking relief, or the ball goes straight into the ground, without becoming airborne. Indiana Golf Journal
When it is determined that relief has been granted for an embedded ball, the reference point is the area directly behind where the ball is embedded. The player then has one club-length relief in either direction from that point to drop the ball, but it must not be closer to the hole and must stay in the general area. One distinction that many golfers may not realize is that a ball is embedded if it is below the level of the ground, even if the ball is not touching the soil. This was the scenario for Rory McIlroy, when he was granted relief last month at the U.S. Open. The major golf associations, the USGA, the PGA of America, The R&A could avoid this controversy in the future. Under Model Local Rule (MLR) F-2.1, the Committee can restrict embedded ball relief to only be granted when a ball is embedded in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less. In the situations referenced above, those players would have had to play from their spot or chose a different option to get out of their unfortunate scenario. Will they change it for next year? It would shock me if these associations implemented this MLR, but they do have the option. Know the Rules of Golf. They are there to help you and make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Kurt Wieneke 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 KurtWieneke, akaWineGuyKurt, a freelance wine writer who grew up in Seymour and is now based in Indianapolis. Kurt, an avid wine taster, enjoys sharing his 30 years of experience in collecting and tasting fine wines. 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 Randy Tantlinger talks with competitors in the 2023 Team USA vs Team Scotland Championship. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=T1WTs3PaLlI There has been news of a Player Revolt, while PGA Tour Commissioner, JayMonahan recuperates from a medical issue, plus the Senate will investigate the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Investment Fund PIF https://youtu.be/zZhQhvlZUxg In this video Back 9 Report talks with Bandon Dunes General Manager, Jeff Simonds about the courses and amenities at Bandon Dunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swxK322PNE&t=52s Player Testimonials From Team USA vs Team Scotland Tour Players Revolt, Monahan Laid Up & Senate Investigates PGA Tour Bandon Dunes: Golf the Way it was Meant to BE! Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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