Scotland, High School Golf & A History Lesson As always, I hope you enjoy this edition of the Indiana Golf Journal as much as we enjoy assembling the content for your reading pleasure. The Scotland Report. Our featured story in this issue is a spectacular, detailed-rich account of a recent trip to Scotland by my publisher Fred Altvater. Clearly, for all avid golfers, making the trek to the home of golf is at the top of their ‘bucket list’ of golf experiences. I followed Fred’s trip via his frequent posts on Facebook and I thoroughly enjoyed his written memories of his recent trip in this issue, which included a round on the Old Course at St. Andrews. FYI: I have been told that Fred avoided the dreaded Road Hole bunker at the 17th green and the famous Valley of Sin at the 18th hole. Inside the Ropes. For the upcoming Senior LPGA Championship (June 29-July 1) at the Sultan’s Run Golf Club in Jasper, those interested in being a caddie should contact Jeff Howerton (jhowerton@sultansrun.com) at Sultan’s Run. As of May 1, 35 caddies were on the list and 78 players will be in the field. High School Stars. If you are interested in attending this year’s Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) boys state golf finals, circle the dates June 13-14 on your calendar. The event will be held at the Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. Ticket prices are $15, which covers both days of play. FYI: The Wilson Staff Duo is the official ball of this year’s IHSAA boys state golf finals. History Lesson. While the Country Club of Indianapolis is the oldest golf course in Indiana, its current site is not its original location. The Country Club of Indianapolis was originally built on what is now the Woodstock Country Club. The Country Club of Indianapolis was founded on June 4, 1891. Enjoy the late spring weather and the long summer days to follow….and don’t forget to fill in your divots and those of your playing partners, as well. 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
Bay Harbor Golf Club The Quarry • Hole #9 NORTHERN MICHIGAN BOYNEgolf.com 877.741.6855 TEN COURSES. THREE RESORTS. ONE AWARD-WINNING DESTINATION. 2019 National Golf Course of the Year Awarded to The Heather Best Golf Resorts in America by Forbes.com BOYNE Golf, Pebble Beach, Destination Kohler, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, Kapalua Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses The Heather #92 and Links/Quarry #80 Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Best Golf Resorts in the Americas Bay Harbor Golf Club and Inn at Bay Harbor GOLF Magazine | GOLF.com Top 100 Resorts – Double Winner Buddies Trip – BOYNE Golf Luxury – Bay Harbor Golf Club and Inn at Bay Harbor
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 18 24 30 The Home of Golf Awaits Your Visit Team Scotland Defeats Team USA Did Ben Hogan Really Win 5 U.S. Opens? 06 13 15 Drahman Wins PGA Tournament of Champions What’s OLD is NEW, TaylorMade BRNR Mini is a Throwback Sultan’s Run To Host Sr. LPGA Championship Indiana Golf News 21 24 26 18 Our Contributors USGA Proposes to Rollback Golf Ball Gulf Shores, Alabama: More Than Beautiful Beaches Callaway’s Big Bertha is BACK! News From Pinehurst, the ‘Home of Golf’ Square Launcher Xccelerator Makes Golf Simple Again Pinehurst Area Continues to Grow Treating Knee Ligament Injuries Our Favorite Golf Videos 42 28 31 34 36 38 37 39 43 Indiana Golf Journal
If you are considering a trip to the ‘Home of Golf’ here are a few items that will help you plan your visit. The Old Course Everyone has seen the Old Course when the OPEN Championship is held there and dreams of visiting those hallowed grounds. The OPEN was first held on the Old Course in 1873 and has returned 30 times since. The list of past winners includes the biggest names in the sport, James Braid, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Peter Thompson, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Both Woods and Nicklaus hoisted the Claret Jug on two occasions. The St. Andrews Links Trust oversees the Old Course, as well as the adjoining courses, The New Course, Jubilee, Eden Links, Strathtyrum, Balgove and The Castle. Publicly owned, St. Andrews residents can pay a relatively small fee to become a member and play all the courses. If you are lucky enough to actually play the Old Course the number of walkers and passers by provide a constant gallery for players trying to avoid the cavernous bunkers and three putts on the massive double greens. Don’t overlook the other courses in the St. Andrews Links Trust. The New, Jubilee and Eden are very enjoyable and require a much lower cost to play for visitors. Beware these courses are walking only and the Castle course is very hilly. The New accepts walk up and the Jubilee accepts tee times 24 hours in advance. Visitors are able to purchase a three-day pass that allows golfers to play unlimited golf on all six Links Trust courses, excluding the Old Course. In season the cost for the three-day pass is £350 ($ 435 USD). The ‘Home of Golf’ Awaits Your Visit By Brian Weis & Fred Altvater Indiana Golf Journal
Brian Weis talked about how to get on the Old Course, places to stay and things to do in St. Andrews on Back 9 Report https://youtu.be/ os7qsMv4d9E Dukes Course The Dukes Course is owned by the Old Course Hotel, sits above the town and provides wonderful views. It is more of a parkland course with wonderful bunkering. It does allow carts to be used and provides a wonderful break from walking. Carnoustie Carnoustie sits 35 miles north of St. Andrews, but is well worth the hour’s drive, or travel by bus from St. Andrews. Regarded as one of the most difficult courses in the world, it has hosted the OPEN on eight separate occasions. It is the site of Jean Van de Velde’s historic collapse, in 1999, Padraig Harrington’s win in 2007 and Francesco Molinari’s 2018 win over Kevin Kisner, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Xander Schauffele. Firth of Forth Coastline The Firth of Forth is technically an estuary at the convergence of four rivers, into the North Sea. Along its northern coastline sits three wellknown links courses, Kingsbarns, Crail and Dumbarnie. Kingsbarns Kingsbarns is universally considered one of the very best courses in the world. Golf actually began at Kingsbarns as early as 1793, but the course was returned to farmland in 1850. In 1922, Willie Auchterlonie laid out a nine-hole course and the old Kingsbarns Golfing Society was re-established. During WWII the course was reverted to pastureland to feed livestock for the war effort. Construction of the current Kingsbarns Golf Links began in November 1997 under the direction of architect Kyle Phillips and opened in July 2000. Back 9 Report captured these views from the Kingsbarns’ 9th fairway, https://youtu.be/ rXhgn5ejW9o Kingsbarns has hosted several major tournaments over the years and annually is one of the three courses used for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship along with Carnoustie and the Old Course.
is one of only 246 true links courses in the world and though relatively new, golfers feel it will soon rival the Old Course and Kingsbarns as a must play when visiting Scotland. Other Local Courses Kingsbarns, Crail and Dumbarnie are all upscale courses that can stress your travel budget. A good way to stretch your golfing dollar is to add one, or more of these courses to make your average cost more palatable. Leven Links Leven Links dates back to the early 1800’s. With its rolling fairways, sand dunes, fast putting surfaces and pot bunkers it has all the elements of a traditional links course. Over the years it has hosted many national and international competitions, as well as hosting local final qualifying for the Open Championship in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005. Lundin Golf Club Lundin Golf Club remains largely as it was some 100 years ago. The first five holes are in classic links tradition proceeding from the Clubhouse to the Mile Dyke. Players cross the old railway line and play the newer nine, designed by James Braid, in 1908. The final four holes revert to pure links. Not long by modern standards, Lundin nonetheless presents a thorough test of a golfer’s skills. Crail Crail has two 18-hole championship courses, Balcomie and Craighead. The Balcomie Course is the seventh oldest course in the world and was designed by Old Tom Morris. It sits along the coast on truly unique piece of property. The Craighead course sits slightly higher on land once used for farming. It was designed by Gil Hanse and opened for play in 1998. On a clear day golfers can see famed North Berwick across the estuary and Kingsbarns to the north. Dumbarnie Links Dumbarnie Links is the newest course in the region and has received outstanding reviews. It Indiana Golf Journal
For many years Lundin hosted the Final Qualifying stages of The Open Championship, when it was held in St. Andrews. Anstruther Golf Club Anstruther Golf Club is a nine-hole golfing experience that you will never forget. The par 3 fifth hole is touted as the most difficult par 3 in Scotland. I would wager it qualifies as one of the most difficult in the world. At 240 yards the green is partially hidden between a steep rocky cliff and the Firth of Forth. A shot hit to the middle of the fairway short of the green will ultimately roll sideways and be lost to a watery grave. The sixth and seventh holes are also difficult par 3’s that will challenge any golfer. Back 9 Report filed this video from the tee box at the Anstruther’s difficult par 3 fifth hole. https:// youtu.be/7kNN8TkUAO0 For a true Scottish links golf experience at a lower cost, don’t overlook Leven, Lundin and Anstruther, when you visit Fife. North Berwick Founded in 1832, North Berwick is listed as the fourth oldest course in the world and sits across the Firth of Forth from Kingsbarns, Crail and Dumbarnie. The course has hosted final qualifying for the OPEN Championship on several occasions, as well as the Scottish Amateur. Stone fences, berns and gently rolling topography make this a true test of golf. Along the route when driving to North Berwick from Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Muirfield and Gullane can also be visited. Back 9 Report filed this report from their visit, https://youtu.be/gog_1MK0OUo. How to Travel With two of us on this trip, we rented a car from the Edinburgh airport. Beware driving on the opposite side of the road is challenging, plus the narrow curving country roads add an exciting flair to your golfing adventure.
Scotland has a wonderful bus and rail system that can be used to reach nearly any destination. For a group, a packager can arrange a bus, or other travel arrangements. Tips to Get a Tee Time at the Old Course There are several ways to obtain a tee time for the Old Course starting with standing in line at the starter’s shed in the wee hours of the morning and waiting in line for an open spot. If your group includes more than one player, don’t try to try this method together. Split up into singles, or a twosome to increase your odds of making the first tee. Twosomes can also enter the ballot, but the odds of securing a tee time are extremely low as members and packagers receive priority. If you are traveling with a group, it is advisable to book through a travel packager. There are several of these and are the only real hope to obtain a tee time on the Old Course. Residents of St. Andrews and members of the course can enter a lottery to obtain a tee time 48 hours before the desired date. We were fortunate to have a friend, who is both a resident and member and was able to secure a tee time for our foursome. If you are not playing with someone that is familiar with the Old Course, it is advisable to hire a local caddie. He can help with avoiding the hundreds of pot bunkers hidden around the course and help identify the best putting lines on the gigantic greens. Where to Stay There are several options for accommodations in the St. Andrews area including AirBNB, hotels Indiana Golf Journal
and rentals. On our trip we experienced two very different options. The Old Course Hotel sits beside the famous 17th ‘Road Hole’ on the Old Course. Golfers must hit their drive over a two-story building attached to the hotel to find the best route to the green. Owned by the Kohler family from Wisconsin, everything is first class. Words to the wise, rooms run upwards of $600 per night, so plan accordingly. If you would like to avoid the hustle and bustle of the Old Toon, there are several small villages within a 20-mile radius of St. Andrews that offer various accommodation packages. Charleton House is located just outside of St. Andrews near the coastline at Leven. It has been owned by the same family for 11 generations, dating back to 1749. The old castle still sits on the property, as well as several new eco-lodges that sleep 5-6 people. They include a kitchen, sitting room and back deck that looks down to the Firth of Forth. These provide lodging for golfers visiting the nearby courses, hunters that come for pheasant season and bikers traversing the beautiful Scottish countryside. The property also includes an 18-hole course opened in 1995, that saw former President George Bush on hand to officially open the course. Where to Dine The Old Course Hotel offers the Swilcan Loft that sits on the top floor of the hotel and provides a full panorama of the Old Course. The Road Hole Café serves breakfast and lunch. The Jigger Inn is also attached to the Old Course Hotel and guests dining al fresco are always in peril of a wayward golf ball from the 17th tee finding its way into their repast. The Old Tom Morris Bar & Grill is in the clubhouse for the St. Andrews Links. It is the perfect place for a traditional Scottish lunch between rounds and sits near the first tees of the New and Jubilee Links. Hams Hane Pub & Grill is a short chip away from the 18th green behind the R&A Clubhouse. It offers a variety of sandwiches and delectable treats, as well as a complete list of adult beverages. These are only a sampling of the enjoyable pubs and eateries to be found in St. Andrews. You can sample the rest when you visit the Home of Golf. Final Word Remember nearly every course is walking only. Push carts and caddies are available. Taking a caddie especially at the Old Course, Kingsbarns, Crail, Carnoustie and Dumbarnie are highly recommended. Brian Weis posts news and information about golf travel at: https://golftrips.com/.
Team Scotland narrowly edged out Team USA in the inaugural Team USA versus Team Scotland Amateur Golf Championship held at the Charleton Estates Golf Club in Fife, Scotland. Team USA had built a one-point lead after the first round, but was not able to hang on as the Scottish team made a torrid comeback on day two. At the award ceremony and dinner held at the Charleton Castle, the winning team received their trophies from event organizer Randy Tantlinger. “I want to thank everyone that participated in the first ever Team USA vs Team Scotland Amateur Championship. This was a great success as every player involved has made new friends through the game of golf, as well as created memories that will last a lifetime.” This event should be on every amateur golfer’s radar. Visit the website, http://www.usascotlandgolf. com/#/, to find a local qualifier near you and start Team Scotland Defeats Team USA The two teams were comprised of five players each from five separate handicap divisions competing in match play. Each member of Team USA qualified for the event at the National Finals held at Latrobe, Pennsylvania last summer. Team members, their opponents and their handicap flights are as follows: Flight Old Tom Morris Flight 1-5 Jim Lawler, Connecticut Rory Sullivan VS VS VS VS VS Palmer Flight 6-10 Chris Gerard, Biloxi, MS Robert Chadwick Nicklaus Flight 11-15 Tom Connelly, Connecticut James Marshall Prestwick Flight 16-20 Jeff Yoder, Pittsburgh, PA Andy Patterson St. Andrews Flight 21+ Patrick Snow, Texas Jim Lindsey Team USA Team Scotland your journey to the National Finals held this year in Gettysburg and on to Scotland in 2024. To learn more watch this video: https://youtu. be/7kNN8TkUAO0.
As we look forward to the 2023 U.S. Open that will be held at the Los Angeles Country Club, June 15-18, we want to look back at 1953, one of the greatest seasons in major championship history. It was 70 years ago that Ben Hogan won three of golf’s four major championships. That year, Hogan captured the Masters, U.S. Open, at Oakmont, and the Open Championship, at Carnoustie. It’s unfortunate that Hogan did not have an opportunity to win the fourth major that year, the PGA Championship, due to an overlap in the scheduling taht did not allow him sufficient time to return from Scotland for the PGA. It was the only time Hogan ventured across the pond to compete in the OPEN. No other golfer won three majors in one calendar year until Tiger Woods in 2000. While the vast majority of people who have read about Hogan or even saw him play never actually Did Ben Hogan Really Win Five U.S. Opens? By Mike May had the chance to meet the legend. Chuck Ludwig, a Royal Palm Beach, Florida resident, currently the sales & service representative in southeast Florida for Nexbelt, did meet Hogan on several occasions at the annual Hogan Company sales conference, for which Ludwig was then a sales representative. When asked if Hogan would ever talk fondly of his competitive days on the PGA Tour, he, unfortunately, did not say too much. “His role during our national sales meetings for the Ben Hogan Company was to introduce the new equipment line and pump us up to go out and sell to the PGA golf professional customers,” said Ludwig. When asked if Hogan ever said much about his peers such as Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Jimmy Demaret, he would say very little, but he was quick to identify South African Bobby Locke
as the best at match play. Hogan also added that Bobby Jones was probably the most gifted and talented player in golf. “Hogan did say that Bobby Locke was the best player he played one on one. He added if you want to know how good Booby Jones was, try hitting golf clubs with wooden shafts.” Hogan was very involved with the design of the clubs bearing his name, “He was 100% involved with the company’s final product decisions,” according to Ludwig. Another interesting fact about Hogan’s career centers around his U.S. Open victories. Officially, he has four U.S. Open wins, 1948, 1950, 1951, and 1953. During WWII, in 1942, the USGA did not officially host the U.S. Open, but Hogan won the Hale America National Open Golf Tournament, that was held in its stead. The USGA felt it was inappropriate to stage the U.S. Open in 1942. In cooperation with the PGA of America and the Chicago District Golf Association, they hosted a war-time substitute for the U.S. Open, the Hale America Open. It was held at the Ridgemoor Country Club near Chicago. For his win, Hogan received a USGA gold medal and $1,200 in war bonds. The inscription on that 1942 gold medal was the same as it appears on his four official U.S. Open wins, but on the flip side of his 1942 medal, it had different wording, “The Hale American National U.S. Open Championship.” “At some of our national sales meetings, Mr. Hogan would show the sales reps a small box which included five U.S. Open winner medals,” said Ludwig. “They were all the same, except for the one from 1942. He felt that he won five U.S. Open Championships.” Indiana Golf Journal
There are some golf historians and supporters of Hogan who feel that Hogan should be given credit for five U.S. Open wins, since it was conducted just like other U.S. Opens with more than 1,500 entries, local qualifying at 69 sites and sectional qualifying at most major cities. In addition, all of the big names in golf, who were not fighting in WWII, were in the field. To boost local fan interest in the last round, Hogan, who was tied for the lead after three rounds, was paired with the legendary Bobby Jones, who played in the event and was not in contention. Ludwig also remembers Hogan always played with a U.S. Open-mindset. “He told us he felt like every golf tournament he played in was the U.S. Open,” said Ludwig. As talented a golfer as he was, one of Hogan’s finest traits was his ability to respect and honor others, especially PGA teaching pros. “What a gentleman he was and the respect he had for the PGA golf professional,” concluded Ludwig.
Some of the most accomplished and decorated golfers in LPGA history will be returning to Indiana this year as the sixth edition of Senior LPGA Championship will be played at the Sultan’s Run Golf Club in Jasper, Indiana this summer. In 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, this tournament was played on The Pete Dye Course in French Lick. Last year it was staged at the Salina (Kansas) Country Club. JASPER’S SULTAN’S RUN GC TO HOST LPGA LEGENDS IN JUNE This year’s Senior LPGA Championship will take place from Thursday, June 29 to Saturday, July 1. Players will compete for a $400,000 purse during this 54-hole tournament which will not have a cut. The Sultan’s Run Golf Club, which opened in 1992, went through a redesign by Tim Liddy, a Pete Dye disciple, in 1996. This will be the most By Mike May Indiana Golf Journal
prestigious sports event ever to be held in Dubois County. “We are very excited to have Sultan’s Run Golf Club host the Senior LPGA Championship,” said Whitney Lubbers, executive director, Dubois County Visitors Center. “It is the biggest golf event to be held in Dubois County!” The ownership of Sultan’s Run is also very delighted to be hosting this event. “Sultan’s Run is thrilled to be counted among 250 of more than 15,000 golf courses nationwide who have the distinction of 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.” The tournament field for this year has not been finalized. Last year, Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam headlined the list of competitors, but fellow LPGA Hall of Famer Karrie Webb won the tournament. Webb has strong memories of her 2022 triumph. “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.” Past winners of this tournament include Trish Johnson (2017 and 2021), Laura Davies (2018), and Helen Afredsson (2019). The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to COVID. The Sultan’s Run GC 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 for the 18th hole which is named after the legend himself. The finishing hole at Sultan’s Run features a waterfall on a natural stone outcropping and is widely known as the “most dramatic signature hole in Indiana.” Learn more about the Senior LPGA Championship at: https://www.lpga.com/news/senior-lpgachampionship.
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PRO GOLF UPDATE: Congratulations to Dave Harner, the director of golf at the French Lick Resort, and his associates at The Pete Dye Course for securing the rights to stage the Korn Ferry Tour Championship (presented by United Leasing and Finance) in the fall of 2024 and will stay there through 2028. This tournament will also be the venue for the post-tournament PGA Tour Card Ceremony. This year’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship will also be held in Indiana from October 5-8 at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana. Victoria National has hosted a Korn Ferry Tour event every year since 2012. AMATEURTOURNAMENT PLAY. This year’s edition of the Indianapolis Amateur PlayersTour started its 10-tournament schedule with a tournament on April 22 at The Trophy Club in Lebanon. The season finale is a 36-hole event at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Indianapolis on September 9-10. This year’s schedule features one event in April, three in May, two in June, two in July, three in August, and one in September. For more details, access www. amateurplayerstour.com BOILER UP IN SUNSHINE STATE. Purdue University Men’s Golf Team enjoyed a few practice rounds at the newly remodeled Bonita Bay Club in Naples, Florida in late January. (L-R) Herman Sekne (Oslo, Norway); Kent Hsiao (Tapei, Taiwan); Luke Prall (Carmel, Indiana); Nels Surtani (Noblesville, Indiana); Nick Dentino (Carmel, Indiana); Peyton Snoeberger (Williamsport, Indiana); and Andrew Farraye (St. Augustine, Florida) Indiana Golf News Indiana Golf Journal
PURDUE MAKES NCAAs, AGAIN. For the eighth time in the last nine tournaments, the Purdue men’s golf team has been selected for the NCAA Regional Championships. The Boilermakers earned the No. 7 seed in the Clemson Regional and will play at the Cliffs at Keowee Falls, played May 15-17. “We’re obviously thrilled to be selected for NCAA Regionals and we’re excited to get to Clemson and see how we stack up,” said Purdue head coach Rob Bradley. “We’ve had a solid spring and have really been playing better in the last month, so to get down there and compete against the best teams in the country is exciting for us. This is a great field with a lot of very good teams, so we will have to play very well to advance, but I’m excited to see what this team can do. We will be ready.” HOOSIER MEN’S GOLF BOUND FOR NCAAs. The Indiana University men’s golf team has earned a bid to the 2023 NCAA Auburn Regional to be played at the Auburn University Club from May 15-17. Indiana has now made three-straight regional appearances as a team for the first time since making six-consecutive NCAA events from 2008-13. In total, the Hoosiers have made it to 12 NCAA Regionals under head coach Mike Mayer. “We are thrilled to be back in the NCAA Regional for a third-straight season,” said Mayer. “We feel really good about where we are as a team right now. We are getting closer to peaking, and this is the right time of year to feel that way.” SPECIAL HONOR. The PGA of America has announced that Gabe Beronja, PGA, Director of Golf at Knollwood Country Club in Granger, Indiana, has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation a PGA Member can obtain. Beronja, a member of the Indiana PGA Section, joins a special group of 434 PGA Members who have earned PGA Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Golf Operations.
PGA Tournament of Champions: Drahman Wins Two-Hole Playoff + O’Toole Claims Senior Title By Santana Shipley There was a tussle for the title at the Indiana PGA Section Tournament of Champions on April 10-11 at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick. During the final round of this 36-hole event, there was a two-way battle at the top between Vince Drahman of the Old Oakland Golf Club in Indianapolis and Dave Pugh of Mystic Hills Golf Course in Culver. “Sixteen was just a bad swing at the wrong time. I think it is a very difficult hole and I have been struggling with wind off the left all year,” said Drahman. “Dave (Pugh) and I both made a couple mistakes going down the stretch, but going into the playoff, I just felt like I had a second life, honestly.” The Pete Dye Course at French Lick is unique setting to stage a championship golf tournament In the end, Drahman needed ‘overtime’ to win, as he defeated Pugh in a two-hole playoff to earn his first individual section win as a professional. Drahman’s first-place check was $2,500, while Pugh earned $2,000 for his runner-up finish. During round one, Drahman shot a two-under-par round of 70 which gave him a onestroke lead over Craig Isabel of the Stonehenge Golf Course in Winona Lake and a two-shot lead over Pugh and Franklin Crist of the Fort Wayne Country Club. Draham struggled during the last few holes of the second (and final) round where he recorded a two-over par round of 74, which gave him a twoday total of 144. Pugh also had a two-day total of 144 after his second-round 73. Indiana Golf Journal
as its incredible views and majestic design are complemented by its difficult elevation changes. “I was just excited to have a chance and with playing that golf course, any bad swing can get you in trouble,” added Drahman. “I was trying not to take anything too personal and I know it wasn’t really a reflection of my game. Going into the playoff, I was just excited to have another chance at it.” This was a particularly satisfying victory for Drahman, since he lost three playoffs back in December, while playing in the National PGA Tournament Series held at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In the Senior Division, Noblesville’s Mike O’Toole, the 2023 Indiana PGA Senior Player of the Year, recorded rounds of 73-73 to finish at 146 (+2), four strokes ahead of runner-up Gary Robison of Carmel’s Crooked Stick Golf Club. O’Toole remained steady throughout the tournament by finishing with four birdies and 27 pars during the 36-hole competition. O’Toole’s first-place check was $2,200 while Robison earned $1,700 for finishing second. “Over the two days, I made at least three clutch par putts, which was huge not only for me, but to keep the round going and keep those par streaks intact,” said O’Toole. After the first round of the Senior Division, O’Toole and Robison were tied at the top with 73, but in the final round, Robison had six bogeys, which negatively impacted his chances of catching O’Toole.
What’s OLD is NEW, TaylorMade BRNR Mini Is A Throwback By Ed Travis Described as a throwback to 30 years ago, the TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver takes its look from the Ti Bubble 2 from the 1990’s, but combines the latest technology with an update to the 2019 and 2021 Mini Drivers. TaylorMade is the only manufacturer that has had a small headed driver on the market and if you have never hit a mini driver, you are in for a revealing experience. Off the tee it’s longer than a three-wood but doesn’t travel as far as your regular driver. TaylorMade research revealed that better golfers like the idea of a shorter shaft for added control from the tee combined with a lower loft than the normal fairway wood to bring that long par-5 into range. The 304 cc BRNR Mini clubhead is larger than a normal three-wood, but smaller than a driver. The Indiana Golf Journal
Fast Facts TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Better-player category 304 cc head Changeable sole weights — stock 13g back, 15g front Speed Pocket Carbon fiber crown K-Sole design Twist Face Adjustable hosel +/- 4° Lofts” 11.5°, 13.5° Stock shaft: UST Mamiya ProForce 65 Retro Burner Edition 65 Stock grip: SuperStroke S-Tech MSRP cost: $449.99 43 ¾ inch shaft is shorter than a standard driver, but slightly longer than a 3 wood. The K-Sole, found on TaylorMade’s BRNR Mini Driver allows the head to glide over, rather than dig into the turf, for those wanting a driver that can also be hit from the short grass. “The BRNR Mini Driver is a modern interpretation of a classic driver, showcasing our long-standing heritage in the sport,” Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director of Product Creation, Metalwoods & Carbonwood. “While it has retro aesthetics, it’s no showpiece to hang in your office. It has the horsepower to attack golf courses and can be a major asset in the hands of the right golfer. We aimed to balance throwback elements with modern looks, technology and performance.” The BRNR Mini offers golfers a return to a smaller head, shorter shaft and more control like the drivers from a past era. Long off the tee isn’t always the answer. As everyone knows the woods are full of wayward drives. If you want to add a little control to your long game, check out the new/old BRNR Mini from TaylorMade.
travel as far as golf balls that are available today. The proposed change will have no affect on the everyday player, who is trying to get every extra yard he can squeeze out of his ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction.’ Protecting Par “We have attempted to protect par,” is one of the catch phrases heard from USGA officials at every U.S. Open golf course that is set up nearly impossible to negotiate, even for the best players in the world. A better question is, “Should they really need to worry about protecting par?” Isn’t par just a number? With golfers today being much more athletic, technology creating Opinion USGA Proposes to Limit Golf Ball By Fred Altvater In addition to hosting the United States Open, the Women’s U.S. Open, Men’s and Women’s U.S. Amateurs, plus 10 other national golf championships, the United State Golf Association (USGA) oversees and occasionally fine tunes the rules of golf. The USGA, along with The R&A have served notice, that in their vigil to shorten the golf ball for elite players, they plan to amend the Rules of Golf to do just that. USGA Championships would require elite amateurs and professionals to play a ball that does not Indiana Golf Journal
better equipment and courses manicured to perfection, shouldn’t we expect scores to be lower? We have seen several 59’s posted in tournament competition over the past several years and even one 58. Did the world come to an end? Did casual golfers stop playing because they know they could never achieve such perfection? Ben Hogan spent his golfing life chasing the perfect round of 18 birdies and never came close. What could he have done with today’s better equipment, is something to be discussed at length in the 19th hole. Does any golf fan watch a golf tournament on their big screen to see bogies and doubles? I think not. Birdies and eagles are what sells the PGA Tour. Avid golfers rush to their favorite golf shop to buy the exact same set of clubs and balls that the pros use on television before heading to their favorite track to hopefully shoot lower scores. Back 9 Report discussed the pros and cons of the proposed USGA’s Rollback of the golf ball https://youtu.be/rUK7Bw32K_E. Equipment and golf ball manufacturers know this and for that reason pay the big names millions of dollars to use their brand and hoist trophies. In the 1980’s the USGA tried unsuccessfully to ban PING’s square groove irons developed by Karsten Solheim and force PING to stop selling them. After a long and expensive court battle, the USGA agreed to settle out of court with PING ultimately allowed to continue manufacturing and selling square grooved clubs. We will probably see the same gaggle of lawsuits and legal maneuvering over the USGA’s Rollback Proposal. I think it is inevitable that these issues will help increase hundreds of attorney’s bank accounts. The USGA contends that the golf ball for elite players needs to be rolled back to protect aging golf courses and the demands of higher maintenance expenses for a course that is forced to expand to accommodate longer golf balls. Maybe it would be better for everyone if the USGA got away from their flawed perception of par being the rationalization for changing the golf ball and accept the fact that the world moves on. Let the birdies come in bunches and the game more exciting.
Gulf Shores, Alabama: More Than Beautiful Beaches By Len Ziehm Let’s make this perfectly clear, Gulf ShoresOrange Beach, sandwiched between Pensacola and Mobile offers much more than beautiful white sandy beaches and great golf. Gulf Shores is a unique spot for golfers. Not only are its courses good, but they’re not far from each other with a total of 15 courses in the area. “We’ve got an island that is 32 miles long in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach,’’ said Easton Colvin, public relations coordinator for Gulf ShoresOrange Beach Tourism. “There’s 32 miles of pretty, white sand beaches and 20 miles of golf, if you add the yardages of the courses there together. All the courses are public and you can schedule a tee time on your own at every one of them.’’ Three courses on the island, Kiva Dunes, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club and Gulf Shores Country Club make a tasty trio. Kiva Dunes Over the years Kiva Dunes has earned the most accolades. This links-style layout was designed by Jerry Pate and Jim Edgemon.
In its early years Kiva hosted the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School three times and was named the No. 1 public course in Alabama in 2017. Located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, the facility has condominiums and beach houses to rent, plus four swimming pools, two on-site restaurants and over a mile of waterfront. doglegs and numerous water hazards, the course make for a challenging test. Craft Farms Across the intercoastal from Gulf Shores, Craft Farms has a total of 45 holes with two Arnold Palmer Signature designed championship courses, Cotton Creek and Cypress, plus a nine-hole par-3 short course. Cotton Creek and Cypress courses are the only Arnold Palmer designs in Alabama. Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club opened in 1995. Earl Stone designed the 27 holes on 800 acres. Peninsula features three nine-hole layouts, the Lakes, the Cypress and the Marsh, plus it has an 8,000 square foot fitness center, eight tennis courts, plus indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Gulf Shores Country Club Gulf Shores Golf Club was the first course to open in the area. It was built by the father-son team of Jay and Carter Moorish in the early 1960’s. They also completed a renovation of the course, in 2005. With its sharp Palmer was just beginning to dabble in course design when he developed a close friendship with Robert Craft Sr and his son Robert Craft Jr. They worked together for the 1987 opening of Cotton Creek and the 1993 debut of the Cypress course. “Gulf Shores in November is as good a place to play golf as you’ll find anywhere,’’ said Dan Indiana Golf Journal
Dorrough, now the head superintendent at Gulf Shores Golf Club after stints as an assistant at Kiva Dunes and Craft Farms. Fun for the Whole Family New attractions are constantly being added to the fun at Gulf Shores. The Gulf Shores State Park has 6,150 acres creating a haven for hikers, cyclists and Segway tours. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail spans all of the park’s 28 miles and connects both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There’s also a nature center, over two miles of uninterrupted pristine beachfront and a lodge, the 350-room Hilton hotel that was rebuilt in 2018, featuring the Perch Restaurant. Our favorite dinner spot was Big Fish, a great place featuring seafood and a sushi bar but steak, pasta and sandwiches are also available. Lucy Buffett, Jimmy Buffet’s sister and piano player, owns LuLu’s restaurant featuring great food along with live music, a fun arcade, three-story climbing ropes course and children’s activities. Sassy Bass Cookout Tiki Bar has a somewhat hidden location between Kiva Dunes and Peninsula but the food, served in hot iron skillets, was delicious in addition to having a unique presentation. And then there’s the sprawling FloraBama Yacht Club with its world-famous FloraBama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar, as well as open-air waterfront dining. This legendary entertainment center near Orange Beach appeals to all ages with music, interesting decor and numerous bars. The Flora-Bama remains a must visit no matter the duration of your stay in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area. On rainy days there is miniature indoor golf, at the glow-in-the-dark Jurassic dinosaur adventure. It has a unique 5,000 square foot prehistoric setting and was a nice diversion for even the most serious golfers in our group. We really enjoyed the relaxing two-hour sunset cruise on Sail Wild Hearts’ 53-foot open-ocean catamaran. To plan your family vacation to Gulf Shores visit: gulfshores.com.
Big Bertha, the model that launched Callaway to success in the early 1990’s has returned in its latest incarnation as an “innovative super game-improvement’’ family. Plus, the Big Bertha REVA is “precisely engineered’’ for women of all skill levels. The company says Big Bertha is designed with an ultra-low center of gravity for players who want to reduce their slice for a straighter trajectory, more distance and easy launch. The fairway woods are built with forgiving Big Bertha shaping, easy launch, fast ball speeds, and more accuracy. Hybrids were developed with an enhanced offset to limit slices and the irons, are constructed using Artificial Intelligence technology and premium performance materials, such as Precision Tungsten Weighting, to deliver distance, even for off-center hits. Callaway, which also owns Topgolf, Ogio, Travis Mathew and Jack Wolfsking apparel brands, says the REVA drivers are built for maximum forgiveness and distance in an easy to launch package. The fairway woods feature an easyto-launch shape, more loft, and a shallow face. Hybrids launch extremely high from precisely positioned tungsten weightings. More loft makes the hybrids easy to get into the air with models available all the way up to a 9-hybrid. The irons incorporate bespoke lofts, swing weights, shafts, and even tungsten. The new Big Bertha is now available in golf shops with suggested MSRP: Drivers – $499.99, Fairway Woods – $299.99 each, Hybrids – $259.99 each, Steel Irons – $999.99/standard 6-Piece Graphite Irons- $1099.99/standard 6-Piece Graphite Set The Big Bertha REVA pricing: Drivers – $499.99, Fairway Woods – $299.99 each, Hybrids – $259.99 each, Irons with steel shaft – $999.99/standard 6-Piece, Irons with Graphite shaft- $1099,99/standard 6-Piece Callaway’s Big Bertha Is BACK! By Steve Pike Indiana Golf Journal
By Fred Altvater Pine Needles, Mid-Pines & Southern Pines In March, 2020, just as federal and state governments were shutting down golf courses across the country due to the COVID pandemic, Kelly Miller the CEO of Pine Needles and Mid-Pines Golf Clubs completed the purchase of Southern Pines Golf Club. It was a very scary time, but for Miller, but this was the realization of something that he had been working on for several years. Once the sale was completed, Kyle Franz, who had previously Pines and along with Mid-Pines and Pine Needles, these three courses make the perfect triple play for a golfing sabbatical to the Pinehurst area. During our stay in Pinehurst we chatted with Miller about the expansion and future plans for the three courses. Watch the full interview here, https://youtu. be/zGkcogNghoQ renovated both Pine Needles and Mid-Pines went to work to restore the oldest of the three Donald Ross courses to its prior glory. I had played Southern Pines several years ago before the recent renovation and you could see the natural beauty of the property. Although it was overgrown and lacking proper maintenance it was a wonderful Ross design following the natural contours of the rolling sand hills of North Carolina. Franz has done a masterful job with the work on Southern News From the ‘Home of American Golf’ Pinehurst Indiana Golf Journal
Phil Werz, Executive Director of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Convention and Vistor’s Bureau has seen this area of North Carolina continue to grow and golf courses filled with golfers. The news that the World Golf Hall of Fame would once again return to Pinehurst gives avid golfers one more reason to visit the ‘Home of American Golf.’ The Pinehurst Area Continues to Grow By Fred Altvater retail areas of Southern Pines and Aberdeen, the area has something for everyone. The USGA has recognized the importance of Pinehurst by committing to hold four additional U.S. Opens on Pinehurst #2. The U.S. Open will be held on #2 next year and will return in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. This is a huge commitment to the Pinehurst area and guarantees that Pinehurst will be a golfing mecca for many years to come. We had the chance to talk with Phil Werz about the growth and future of the Pinehurst area. Watch the full interview here, https://youtu.be/jH0k5dp0J7Y. The Pinehurst Resort is adding a tenth course and the village is preparing for the 2024 U.S. Open that will once again be contested on famed Pinehurst #2. New breweries, distilleries and other retail are constantly opening in either the Village of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, or Aberdeen. From the quaint shops in the Village to the restaurants and
Every golfer has several swing thoughts running through their heads when they hit the first tee. A multitude of swing tips seen in golf magazines and on television only tend to make the game even more complicated. Most golfers want to cut through the clutter and just need one, or two key thoughts on which to concentrate, while trying to connect with a golf ball. The issue being that golfers know they need a square club face at impact, but can’t consistently produce it. A new training aid, the Square Launcher Xccelerator helps reduce those unruly swing thoughts to create a repeatable swing that produces a square club face and makes the game easier. Square Launcher Xccelerator Makes Golf Simple Again The Square Launcher Xccelerator training aid helps alleviate the four consistency robbers: - Tension - Lack of Feel - Improper Rhythmn - Inconsistent Tempo By helping to imitate a natural underhand tossing motion the Square Launcher Xccelerator provides one easy repeatable motion to more consistently produce solid contact and better golf shots. It seems a simple fix, but it is effective and can help every golfer achieve more consistency and accuracy from their shots. The inventors of the Square Launcher Xccelerator tested over 60 different methods of golf improvement aids, but finally settled on this solution. Improve you practice and build muscle memory using the Square Launcher Xccelerator to create more consistency in your game. To learn more watch this short video, https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=zcUEks7HXE and visit their website: https:// squarelaunchergolf. com/. Indiana Golf Journal
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most easily damaged. Knee ligament injuries are common, especially sprained knees. While knee injuries often happen among athletes in any sport, a twist or unfortunate hit to the knee can injure a ligament, too. Franciscan Health Indianapolis orthopedic surgeon Sean Calloway, MD, talks about common causes of knee ligament injuries and how knee injuries are treated, often without the need for surgery. TREATING KNEE LIGAMENT INJURIES What Are Ligaments In The Knee? The ligaments in the knee help control motion by connecting bones and bracing joints against abnormal impact. “When we’re talking about ligaments of any part of the body, a ligament is what connects bones together,” said Dr. Calloway. “This is a little bit different than when we talk about tendons, because tendons connect muscle to bone.” By Robbie Schneider
What Are The Most Common Knee Ligament Injuries? The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), located in front of the knee, and the MCL (medial collateral ligament), which connects the tibia and femur bones inside the knee are common injury sites. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), located behind the knee, is not injured as often. “When we look at all four of those ligaments of the knee, the most commonly injured ligament is called the ACL, which you’ve probably heard about,” said Dr. Calloway. “It’s very common in athletes. These types of injuries are most caused by what in our field we call noncontact injuries. If you’re watching athletes running on the field, especially in football, you can see they plant their leg, their knee twists and they fall to the ground. So, a lot of times these types of non-contact injuries happen that way.” The second most injured knee ligament is the MCL, located on the inside of the knee. Injuries to the MCL can sometimes happen if someone or something hits the outside part of the knee. “The other two ligaments, the PCL and the lateral collateral ligament, are a little bit more rarely injured,” said Dr. Calloway. “Those can sometimes happen with things like motorcycle wrecks.” Indiana Golf Journal
What Should I Do For A Minor Knee Injury? For minor knee injuries, doctors often recommend following the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) for the first 24 to 72 hours after the injury. Try to take it easy immediately after you injure yourself. Ice your knee for 15 minutes every two hours to reduce inflammation and pain. Antiinflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can be very helpful, as well. Wrap the affected area with an elastic bandage to provide compression and reduce swelling. Elevate your leg. These steps also will help take down swelling. When Should You See An Orthopedic Specialist For Knee Pain? Feeling a pop or having swelling in the knee are signs that you should see a specialist for your knee injury. “I think the biggest factor in those, what we would consider tweener cases where it’s maybe not a severe injury, but also not just something you can walk off, is swelling of the knee,” said Dr. Calloway. “When you start seeing swelling and it’s not going down or it’s lessening your ability to walk, that’s when you go and see an orthopedic surgeon.” Surgery For Knee Ligament Injuries For some more serious knee ligament injuries, surgery may be needed to repair a tear or reconstruct the ligament. If you have lingering knee pain that doesn’t resolve with rest, reach out to Franciscan Health’s orthopedic specialists to help find a plan of care to get you back to enjoying the activities – such as golf -- that you love to play.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Steve Pike 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 Steve Pike is a multiple awardwinning journalist and author. He has written for Golfweek, Golf World, The New York Times Magazine Group, Golf Digest and as a golf business writer for PGA.com. You can find more from Steve at Spike’s Peeks: The Art of Travel, as well as, Links Magazine, Hotelinteractive.com, Coastal Star Newspaper, NewEngland.golf and Golf-Hound.com 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
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