Time For Golf Season in Indiana As the calendar transitions into April, golf is now, for the most part, officially underway in Indiana for 2024. Top Indiana Courses. In this issue of the Indiana Golf Journal, there’s a story about my top-ten public-access golf courses in central and southern Indiana. I could easily identify another 10 courses in that area that are just as deserving. Augusta National Report. By the time you read this column, Zionsville’s Annabelle Pancake will have played in this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur prior to the Masters. She is the only Hoosier in the field and we will have a recap on her experience in our May issue. On-Course Conduct. Take a few moments after each fairway shot, to fill your divot, plus one more. You will leave the course in better shape than when you arrived. Plus, fix at least one ball mark on every green. The maintenance staff and your fellow golfers will appreciate it. Head-Hunting Help. If you need a comfortable, fashionable, and functional hat for golf, I suggest the Carkella by Wallaroo (www.carkella. com). In addition to providing sun protection (UPF 50+), you can customize your hat with a wide range of interchangeable emblems, thanks to the magnet built into the trim of each hat. Masters Trivia. Q: Do you know the names of Augusta National’s back nine holes? A: Camellia, White Dogwood, Golden Bell, Azalea, Chinese Fir, Firethorn, Redbud, Nandina, and Holly. Enjoy your spring, summer, and fall rounds of golf here in Indiana. MIKE MAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SUBSCRIBE Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Michigan Golf Journal American Golf Journal Back 9 Report Indiana Golf Journal
22 06 10 20 38 FIND INSIDE Gaylord Golf Mecca Is the PERFECT Golf Destination Part 2: Michigan Golf Odyssey Golf History: 1924 PGA at French Lick Is Jay Monahan Really The Bad Guy? Teenage Golfer Gets NIL Deal Pinehurst Names New Course Sandmines Central & Southern Indiana’s Top Public Courses 06 10 20 16 30 38 22 Indiana Golf Reorganizes & Adds Staff Golf Equipment Reviews 26 34 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors 41 40 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 Indiana Golf Journal
Gaylord Golf Mecca is annually ranked as one of the finest golf destinations in the country. Gaylord Golf Mecca has been providing the finest golf, accommodations and dining for travelers for nearly 40 years. Today the Gaylord Golf Mecca is comprised of 17 golf courses, dining opportunities, as well as other entertainment options make it the perfect after-round destination. 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, both the East and West Courses at Garland, the Gaylord Golf Club, Michaywe Pines, the Classic at the Otsego Club and Wilderness Valley. Twenty years later, this premier Michigan golf destination now offers 17 courses and 21 hotel properties all within a 45-minute drive.” at eight locations and includes 21 partner hotel properties that provide accommodations to fit every need. Gaylord is a quaint city with a Swiss Alps theme running through the local architecture. It has a calming and captivating atmosphere, plus the many small shops, wide variety of By Phyllis C. Barone (Queen on The Green) Gaylord Golf Mecca Is the PERFECT Golf Destination Indiana Golf Journal
The properties have changed over the years as more courses were added. Older favorites have undergone renovation, plus more lodging choices provide suitable accommodations for any size group. Garland Resort 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! changes and lush greens. The Signature, designed by Rick Smith features slick bentgrass greens and visually majestic landscapes. The Premier, the only Tom Fazio designed course in the state of Michigan, is player-friendly with wide open fairways and challenging greens. Three and four putts are always lurking. The par 3, Threetops is another Rick Smith design and is frequently ranked as one of the top Par 3 courses in America. It is also famous for the ‘Shot Heard Around the World.’ In 2001, Lee Trevino pocketed a $1 million prize for his hole-in-one on the 7th hole during a made-for-television exhibition. A plaque inserted on the tee box commemorates the historic event. For dessert, the strawberry brownie sundae is a decadent choice, while 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. Treetops Resort Treetops boasts courses designed by some of the best architects in the world. The Jones Masterpiece, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., has scenic views with dramatic elevation
Otsego 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. 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 and package options. But Wait There’s MORE! Lakes of the North, The Pines at Michaywe, Gaylord Golf Club, Indian River and Black Lake 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.’ All offer a different golf experience and are a joy to play. 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. Rick Smith also designed the Tradition, which underwent a successful restoration in 2022 to bring the course back to an American links-style walkable course, as Smith originally envisioned. The Tradition is a real treat and is rapidly becoming one of the favorites at Treetops. Insert Doug Hoeh thumbnail here Click HERE to watch a Back 9 Report TV interview with Treetops’ Director of Recreation, Doug Hoeh as he talks about the recent renovation to the Tradition Course. New chalets, that were built to accommodate groups and families elevate your golfing experience to yet another level. Each contains two bedrooms with two full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and televisions in every room. They provide a comfy, convenient stay when visiting this acclaimed Resort. Barry Owens, Treetops General Manager, told Back 9 Report TV about the recent upgrades and new additions to the resort. To view the full interview click HERE. Insert Barry Owens Thumbnail here Indiana Golf Journal
A Rising Tide Raises All Ships This was the mantra Paul Beachnau used when the Gaylord Golf Mecca was first conceived back in the 80’s. These individual golf course owners and resorts realized that banding together to market the area as a whole would help all concerned and it worked. “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 a variety of accommodations ranging from shiny new hotel rooms to rustic cabins. The Gaylord Golf Mecca partners can package and arrange the right rooms paired with tee times to provide a fresh and memorable golf getaway any golf group. Apres’ Golf In addition to the spectacular golf, Gaylord’s Alpine Village, Getting There With non-stop flights from 17 domestic airports into Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, getting to the Gaylord Golf Mecca has never been easier. If you are driving, I-75 makes it easy to get to Gaylord. Book NOW! The Gaylord Golf Mecca also gets five stars for its ability to offer golf courses that appeal to any golfer’s palette. It is a player’s paradise and doesn’t get any better! Golfers have known for years that the Gaylord Golf Mecca offers the best facilities, courses and pricing in the country. Word to the wise, tee times and accommodations fill up fast. Don’t wait, book your next golf adventure, or to learn more about the Gaylord Golf Mecca at: https://gaylordgolfmecca. com/ enjoys a long standing tradition of independently owned shops, restaurants and 90 inland lakes to experience and appreciate, when visiting the area. There are several top-flight dining options in Gaylord. Bennethum’s Northern Inn is a local favorite that offers quality cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Big Buck Brewery, the Alpine Tavern and the Alpine Chocolate Haus are not to be missed.
Barry Cronin’s Michigan Golf Odyssey By Barry Cronin Part 2: Indiana Golf Journal
By Barry Cronin, Editor Chicago District Golfer The first part of Barry Cronin’s Michigan Golf Odyssey can be found in March issue of Michigan Golf Journal and featured Gull Lake View Resort, Tullymore Golf Club, St. Ives and Forest Dunes. Forest Dunes was my last stop in Part 1. Heading about 90 miles farther north through Michigan’s tall pines and forgotten small towns sits the granddaddy of all the great Michigan golf resorts, BOYNE. It’s welcoming halo extends across the state with 10 Magnificent Courses and is the biggest resort in the state. BOYNE was originally a haven for skiers, but over the last halfcentury it has evolved. Today, in addition to being a premier winter destination, it now owns 10 golf courses, known collectively as Boyne Golf, that serve golfers of all levels from the single digit handicapper to beginners and “infrequents” who pick up their clubs strictly while on vacation. In 1966, BOYNE founder Everett Kircher hired Robert the views at Bay Harbor are breathtaking, magnificent and awe-inspiring, but all would be an understatement. Something new for 2024, a nine-hole short course, Doon Brae, plus a Himalayasstyle putting green are under construction near the Main Lodge at The Highlands location and will open for play later this summer. BOYNE has the resort thing down and can easily handle family vacations, couple’s escapes, buddy’s trips and girl’s getaways. Rooms feature uber-comfortable beds made especially for the resort by a manufacturer near Detroit. The 15-year veteran omelet cook in the restaurant at the Main Lodge worked with the Trent Jones, Sr. to design the resort’s first course, The Heather, to provide a summer activity for guests and to keep his work force busy, once the ski season ended. The Heather turned out so well, it was recognized by Golf Digest and Golf magazines for its excellence. In 2019, the Heather was recognized as the ‘Course of the Year’ by the National Golf Course Owner’s Association. Over the years, Kircher and his successors continued to build and acquire more courses. In addition to The Heather, golf aficionados will appreciate The Hills, the Donald Ross Memorial and the ridiculously spectacular 27 holes at the Bay Harbor Club, which plays along Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay. You can say
speed, efficiency and quality of Tom Brady diagnosing an opposing defense. Plus, there is plenty to do beyond golf at BOYNE. Do we really need to play 36 a day? Forget about your three-putts with a walk on the new Skybridge Michigan, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge overlooking Boyne Mountain and environs. BOYNE also has multiple spas at Boyne Mountain and Bay Harbor, as well as The Highlands. There is also a Zipline Adventure, chairlift rides and fishing, as well as hiking and biking. Indiana Golf Journal
After spending time at BOYNE Resort I didn’t think my trip could get any better, but there is so much wonderful golf in Michigan to completely sate an golfing appetite. A short 40 -minute drive from Boyne to Charlevoix brings you to the historic Belvedere Golf Club. Designed in 1923 by storied architect William Watson, Belvedere is the If you enjoy five-star accommodations, book a room at Chalet Edelweiss; you’ll think you’re at the Four Seasons. Want to hit the local community? A 10-minute drive takes you to the sparkling waterfront resort village of Harbor Springs, where art galleries, restaurants, fudge shops and clothing retailers conspire to make you wonder why you don’t stay all year.
course that has definitely survived the test of time and a who’s who among golf’s great champions have played. A young Tom Watson honed his skills at Belvedere while on summer family vacations. Watson and his father played their final round together here. I was told that Tom Watson had come to play the course by himself, just three weeks before my visit and he still has a locker in the members’ clubhouse. Belvedere’s signature hole is № 16 and the assistant pro told me an interesting story. When Ken Venturi was playing a Senior PGA Tour event in Traverse City in the early 1990’s , he came into the tiny white clapboard pro shop and announced that a friend had told him he just had to see the 16th hole, a classic short par 4. “Who’s your friend?” the head pro asked. “Gene Sarazen,” Venturi replied. He was promptly taken to № 16. Indiana Golf Journal
Belvedere is a private club, but non-members are allowed to play. Contact head pro Marty Joy, who helped oversee Bruce Hepner’s 2017 course renovation afte William Watson’s long lost original plans were discovered in a building in Charlevoix prior to its demolition. He also maintains the small shop that is more like a museum of the Hall of Fame golfers that have played at Belvedere. Watch for Part 3 of Barry Cronin’s Most Excellent Michigan Golf Odyssey in our May issue. Reprinted by permission from Barry Cronin and Chicago District Golfer.
Is Jay Monahan Really the Bad Guy Here? Opinion By Fred Altvater Indiana Golf Journal
PGA Commissioner, Jay Monahan seems to be the guy that everyone points to as incompetent during the recent LIV/PGA Tour impasse. But is he really? The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by Yasir Al-Rumayyan wanted to become financially involved with the PGA Tour to help offset negative publicity and world perception surrounding human rights issues, seemingly condoned by the Saudi government. Funded by quarterly profits of $40 billion, from the government-owned Aramco Oil, the PIF has invested in sporting events around the world to improve its image. When they wanted to put money into the PGA Tour, some control over how that money was spent. With visions of the falling twin towers and 9-11 still on everyone’s mind, PGA Tour officials did not see a partnership with the Saudi’s to be popular with golf fans. It could lead to negative press in this country and undermine the charitable efforts of the PGA Tour. The Saudi’s decided to start their own professional golf Commissioner Jay Monahan and the tour leadership told them, “Thanks, but no thanks.” When the Saudi’s originally met with PGA Tour, most of the questions asked by the tour were about Saudi human rights violations and their answers were not satisfactory to the PGA Tour brass and attorneys. The PIF wished to be supporting sponsor, not really take over, but be involved from a financial perspective. For anyone this would be a very scary business arrangement. You know the old saying, “He who has the gold rules.” In this case if the PIF put billions of dollars into the PGA Tour, you know they most certainly would want
tour, the LIV, led by Greg Norman and become direct competitors of the PGA Tour, in a fight to the death for control of professional golf. Greg Norman was the perfect person to lead the new start up. He was still stinging from a rebuke, by the PGA Tour, when he tried to start a new World Tour back in the 1980’s. Norman took to his new role like a duck to water and with no financial limits began luring the top talent on the PGA Tour with millions of dollars in guarantees. Phil Mickelson also became a pawn of the Saudi’s and helped Norman bring in more big names to the rival PIF. Other top names, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau joined Mickelson and jumped at the guaranteed money, leaving the PGA Tour. When a problem arises in large corporations, someone has to be the fall guy. Jay Monahan inherited a major problem, when the LIV came calling. If you were the leader of one of the most successful businesses in the world and someone with substantial past human rights violations wanted to jump in bed with you, How would you react? The PGA Tour had been on an endless string of successes dating back to 1968, when Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer led the split from the PGA of America and formed the PGA Tour. Deep-pocket Fortune 500 corporations were more than willing to sponsor tour events. Total purses for the tour continually grew annually, professionals had a full slate of tournaments in which to play and made millions. Why fix something that isn’t broken? Unless someone with unlimited funds decides to make you a deal you can’t refuse. Former PGA Tour Commissioners, Deane Beman and Tim Finchem successfully grew the PGA Tour, during their tenures. Monahan has been forced to deal first with the COVID pandemic and then with an invasion of not just another business takeover, but a foreign government’s deep pockets that is trying to destroy the PGA Tour. He may not be doing things the way golf fans, media, or even some of the PGA Tour membership want, but Jay Monahan should be commended for the fact that there is still a PGA Tour. Plus, he appears to have created a plan that will assure a place for professional golfers to earn a living for the foreseeable future. Indiana Golf Journal
Golf History: 1924 PGA Championship at French Lick I caused the cancellation of both the 1917 and 1918 PGA Championships. In 1924, the PGA Championship was played in French Lick on the Donald Ross-designed French Lick Springs Golf Club (now called the Donald Ross Course), which opened in 1917. Even though the Ross Course at French Lick has seen numerous renovations over the years it remains just as it was 100 years ago and is always in tournament shape. By Mike May As the calendar gets closer to the 2024 PGA Championship, I would like to revisit the 7th PGA Championship held 100 years ago, in French Lick. The 1924 PGA Championship featured two of golf’s most talented players: American Walter Hagen and England’s Jim Barnes. Hagen had already won the 1921 PGA, defeating Barnes in the final, 3 & 2. Barnes, himself, had won two previous PGA Championships (1916 and 1919). World War Indiana Golf Journal
In the beginning the PGA Championship was a match play event. The top 32 players, for the match play portion, were determined via 36-holes of stroke-play, plus every match– five in all – were contested over 36 holes. Both Barnes and Hagen made into the top 32 after stroke play and moved up through the brackets defeating lesser players along the way setting up the final 36-hole match between Barnes and Hagen. Both players had world-class talent, but the comparisons ended there. They could not have been any different. Hagen was outgoing and flamboyant. Barnes was the exact opposite, tall and quiet, often playing Barnes appear on both sides of the picture. The cameras, in 1924 lacked wide-angle capabilities and pictures of large groups required the camera to be swiveled during the shot. As soon as the camera took the picture of Hagen and Barnes on the left side of the group, they both ran around the back of the camera to position themselves on the right side of the group picture so their images would appear on both sides. A smiling Walter Hagen can be seen standing, alongside Barnes, on both sides of the photograph. Walter Hagen and Jim Barnes were major stars in professional golf in the 20’s and both are enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame. with a sprig of grass clutched between his teeth. He said very little and let his golf swing do the ‘talking.’ Both gentlemen played well in the final match, but Hagen was just a little sharper and prevailed, 2 up. This was the first of four successive PGA Championship titles for Hagen, who won five PGA Championships in his career. Jack Nicklaus later tied Hagen’s five PGA Championships titles. The restaurant inside the clubhouse at The Donald Ross Course in French Lick is called Hagen’s, to honor his historic 1924 victory. If you look closely at the picture of the field for the 1924 PGA Championship, Hagen and
Central & Southern Indiana’s By Mike May Top 10 Public Golf Destinations Indiana Golf Journal
While Indiana is strongly affiliated with the sport of basketball, Hoosiers have another sporting love affair with golf. It’s worth noting that interest in golf by residents of Indiana is not a temporary fad as people living in Indiana have been playing golf for more than a century. After all, once the snow melts and the sun shines, it’s time to go combat Old Man Par before Old Man Winter officially returns in December. To that end, not only do Hoosiers love to play golf, they have some great places to ‘pepper the pins’ in pursuit of eagles, birdies, and pars. Ten of the best courses to play golf in Indiana are in the central and southern section of the Hoosier state. While Michigan in the summer, Florida in the winter, and the Carolinas in the spring and the fall are popular golfing hot-spots in the U.S., central and southern Indiana provides golfers
with everything they want and need in the spring, summer and fall…..and the occasional warm day in the winter! In my booklet, The Top 10 of Hoosier Golf: Ten of Central & Southern Indiana’s Top Public Golf Destinations, I provide a detailed description of those ten designs which lie between Indianapolis and the Ohio River, which marks the state’s southern border. The booklet is posted on IndianaGolf. com: https://indianagolf.com/ golfsouthernindiana.pdf Those ten layouts -- not in any specific order – are Covered Bridge Golf Club (in Sellersburg), Champions Pointe Golf Club (Henryville), Chariot Run Golf Club (Laconia), Otter well-known figures in golf have either designed or redesigned these ten layouts. For instance, legendary golf course architect Donald Ross designed The Donald Ross Course in French Lick. The course opened in 1917 and hosted the 1924 PGA Championship and two LPGA Championships (1959 and 1960). The late, great Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed the original 18 holes at Otter Creek Golf Course (Columbus), Legends Golf Club (Franklin), The Donald Ross Course (French Lick), The Pete Dye Course (French Lick), Sultan’s Run Golf Club (Jasper), The Fort Golf Resort (Indianapolis), and Brickyard Crossing (Indianapolis). There is a strong element of ‘star power’ affiliated with each of those ten courses as a few Indiana Golf Journal
Creek, which opened in 1964, while his son Rees Jones designed Otter Creek’s nine-hole East Course which opened in 1995. Longtime Indiana resident and Hall of Fame golf course architect Pete Dye supervised the re-design of the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club and the Fort Golf Club -- both in Indianapolis. And, Dye designed the now internationally acclaimed Pete Dye Course in French Lick, which hosted the 2015 Senior PGA Championship. Dye’s protégé Tim Liddy designed the Sultan’s Run Golf Club in Jasper, which hosted the 2023 Senior LPGA Championship. Accomplished golf course architect Jim Fazio was the mastermind behind the design of the 27-hole Legends Golf Club. Indiana golf icon Fuzzy Zoeller, winner of the 1979 Masters and 1984 U.S. Open, co-designed both Covered Bridge and Champions Pointe with Clyde Johnston. Chariot Run Golf Club was designed by Bill Bergin. These ten layouts are built on a variety of landscapes ranging from the gently rolling plains at the foot of southern Indiana’s famous Floyd Knobs where Covered Bridge appears to the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where you’ll find four holes of the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club to the Hoosier National Forest in French Lick which is the backdrop of The Pete Dye Course. In addition to the information about each of the ten golf courses, the publication contains a ‘bonus’ story about one of Indiana’s most popular restaurants for golfers – The Schnitzelbank in Jasper. During my fact-finding editorial rounds of golf in Indiana, my keys to editorial success were he golf gloves from Bionic Glove, golf shoes from New Balance Athletic Shoe, golf balls from Bridgestone, golf apparel from Antigua, and the JPX 850 irons from Mizuno.
Staff Restructuring Ushers in New Era for Indiana Golf Ali Beam Debbie Marshall Sloane Winders Renee Adam Brady Sharkey Indiana Golf Journal
Indiana Golf is undergoing a period of staff restructuring as it prepares for the upcoming season. These changes, implemented in early 2024, reflect the organization’s commitment to growth. Aligning with its focus on youth development programs, Indiana Golf has elevated Ali Beam, PGA, to the position of First Tee Indiana Senior Program Director. She previously served as the Northern Regional Director for First Tee Indiana. Debbie Marshall, who joined Indiana Golf in 2023, has transitioned from Director of Accounting to Director of Finance and Human Resources. In this new capacity she will focus on accurate financial management and efficient systems. Brady Sharkey has assumed the role of Membership Director at Indiana Golf. He joined the organization in 2021and previously served as Director of Handicapping. “The biggest change that was made was expanding my role to include PGA Member Services responsibilities,” Sharkey explained. “This change will allow me to continue growing my knowledge of the PGA side of our business.” The move strengthens his connection to Indiana Golf’s membership base and provides a deeper understanding of the PGA’s role within the organization. Sloane Winders, a dedicated member of the Indiana Golf team, recently assumed the role of PGA Program Director. She started as a Junior Tournament Coordinator intern in summer 2018 and progressed to a PGA Fellow in 2023. She will now be tasked with expanding new initiatives aimed at programs and engagement within the Indiana PGA “I’m truly excited to step into this role and contribute to the growth and development of the Indiana PGA,” Winders said. “I’m passionate about leveraging golf as a platform for positive change, and I’m committed to ensuring that our programming reflects the diverse needs and interests of our members and participants.” Indiana Golf is pleased to announce the addition of Renee Adam to its team as the new Communications and Marketing Manager. Adam has eight years of industry experience, and expertise in communication and digital marketing. She is eager to merge her education experience with her love for golf. “Golf has always been a passion of mine, for eight years I have worked in the industry in a variety of ways,” Adam said. “I am finally able to merge my passion with my educational background from Ball State University. This is an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and experience in the field of communication!” In her role, Adam will drive marketing initiatives, enhance brand visibility across various channels, and craft compelling narratives that engage audiences and drive engagement. Looking Ahead These strategic staff adjustments position Indiana Golf for continued success. With a dedicated and experienced team boasting diverse skill sets, the organization is well-equipped to serve its members effectively, promote the game of golf within the state, and empower future generations of players.
Financial Investment Firm Signs NIL Deal With 15-Year-Old Amateur Golfer Junior Golf Transcend Capital Advisors has signed a multi-year Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnership with 15-yearold amateur golfer Miles Russell, currently ranked youngest-ever winner of the AJGA’s Rolex Junior Player of the Year Award in 2023, surpassing the record previously held by Tiger Woods for 32 years. No. 1 in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Boys rankings. Russell, from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, was the By Steve Pike Indiana Golf Journal
Following an exemplary run on the Florida Junior Tour circuit, amassing 14 wins and 34 top-five finishes in 42 starts, Russell burst onto the national scene last year, when he won two AJGA Junior All-Star events – the TaylorMade TP5 Junior All-Star and Moon Golf Junior AllStar – by a combined 15 strokes. He was a member of Team USA at the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy, teaming up with fellow Team Transcend member Yana Wilson in foursome and fourball matches. become the youngest-ever champion in event history. Russell closed out his sensational year with a second-place finish at the South Beach International Amateur, including a course recordtying 10-under par round of 60 in his second round, finishing two shots behind fellow Team Transcend member, Ben James. The only amateur to advance to the final Monday qualifier for last week’s Puerto Rico Open, Russell fired a fiveunder par 67 and advanced to a playoff for the last qualifying spot, but fell just short in his effort to become one of the youngest players to qualify for a PGA TOUR event. Russell has emerged as one of the game’s most exciting young talents. At the beginning of August, he won the 2023 Junior PGA Championship, shooting 18-under par over four rounds, seven shots clear of his nearest competitor. A few weeks later, he followed up with a win at the Junior PLAYERS Championship to I am so excited to be a part of Team Transcend, said Russell. “Joining this team of exceptional amateur players is humbling and makes me want to work hard and get better every day. Thanks to Transcend’s support, I am able to pursue my golf dreams to the fullest and I couldn’t be more grateful for their belief in me.”
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) financial arrangements are all the rage in college sports. It has been rumored that a Division I college football program is required to offer $3 million in NIL guarantees to sign a topnotch quarterback out of the transfer portal. It appears that amateur golfers are becoming attractive partners for large businesses, as well. In the previous story Miles Russell, a top-ranked 15-yearold amateur golfer from Florida, has signed an NIL Agreement with Transcend Capital Partners. Transcend has similar deals with other amateur golfers, but Russell is the youngest golfer they currently have under contract. The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and the Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) has had programs to cover expenses for deserving young amateur golfers for years, but the NIL aspect for amateur golfers is totally new. In the past the United States Golf Association (USGA) has stripped golfers of their amateur status for accepting financial rewards, or even expensive gifts. The answer to the question, Should a teenage amateur Opinion Should Teenage Amateur Golfers Receive NIL Money? By Fred Altvater golfer receive NIL compensation, is simple. It is now legal to do so and if someone wants to shell out money to a talented teenager, it would be irresponsible for a parent not to accept it. Competing in big-time amateur golf tournaments around the country is an expensive proposition and can be a hardship for many families. One only hopes that the young men and women that are receiving the NIL funds have families, or trusted advisors to help allocate the monies wisely and provide for future financial security. Indiana Golf Journal
Golf Equipment Reviews Golf Pride Introduces Reverse Taper Grips Golf Pride has added three reverse taper putter grips to their lineup, a design to aid in keeping the hands less active and quieter during the stroke. If you struggle with distance control and starting your golf ball on the correct line when you putt, you may want to try By Ed Travis provide better consistency and distance control. Golf Pride is introducing three basic grip shapes with the smaller upper section gradually tapering to a larger lower section. The grips have a dimpled polyurethane surface, a soft feel and they are slightly out Golf Pride’s new line of reverse taper putter grips. Reverse taper grips help stabilize the hands, thus preventing the hands from slapping, or turning during a putting stroke. The grips should help with overall contact with the ball and Indiana Golf Journal
Miura IC-602 Irons Miura Golf new IC-602 irons are designed for improved distance coupled with forgiveness, plus that iconic Miura feel and look. By Ed Travis tacky. The distinctive color pattern of the grips aids in consistent placement of the hands. Golf Pride has done extensive testing with various putter grips and they think they finally have it right. “Within the putter grip category, we observed a trend in which manufacturers were actively trying to design products that removed the hands from the putting process, whereas our research indicates that by optimizing the connection between the hands and grip that players can improve their performance,” says James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. “Through hundreds of concept iterations, our innovation team created Reverse Taper, which has tested quite positively with players of all skill levels.” Fast Facts Golf Pride Reverse Taper Grips Three cross sections Lower portion of grip larger Pistol: 64 gram for left-hand low Round: 62 gram circular upper section enlarging to lower Flat: 62 gram oval upper section Polyurethane construction with a dimpled surface These new grips will not be available until April 15, 2024 and will retail for $29.99 each. Miura’s new IC-602 irons are yet another of imaginative designs manufactured with quality materials to precise performance standards.
Miura’s club designer, the legendary Shinei Miura has created an iron for better players that is both forgiving and produces added distance, but retains the traditional Miura look at address. The center of gravity was relocated to give improved launch angles and proper spin for control. The face angle progression and loft were optimized for each iron to improve consistency. Players will also like the Miura Versatile Sole, stepped configuration where the leading part is higher than the trailing portion. This minimizes contact with the turf regardless of the attack angle. “The feedback we received from our customers regarding the creation of our new hollow body iron, was that they had no expectations about Miura being the longest one around, but rather would be loyal to the brand providing we deliver a sound and feel consistent with our forged models,” said Miura. “This epiphany allowed my design process on the IC-602 to become laser focused.” Miura Golf is part of 8AM Golf, a holding company owned by Howard Milstein, which also includes Golf Magazine, GOLF.com, the Nicklaus Companies, True Spec Golf and six other golf-related companies. Entertainer Justin Timberlake is also an investor in the company. Fast Facts Miura IC602 Irons Better player category Hollow body construction 8620 mild carbon steel Face: #3-#9 chrome molybdenum, PW GW S35C steel Toe weight Tungsten weight insert Polymer injected interior Miura Versatile Sole Stock lofts: 5-iron 25°, pitching wedge 45° Stock shafts: KBS Tour R, Project X Steel 5.5, True Temper Dynamic Gold Stock grip: Miura UTX Grey The clubs will not be in pro shops until April 16, 2024 with pricing beginning at $350 per club, or $2,450 for a 7-piece set Indiana Golf Journal
10th Course At Pinehurst Gets A Name Pinehurst Resort’s first original golf course in three decades now has more than just the number “10’’ as its moniker. Reflecting the features and history of the North Carolina sandhills, the Tom Doak-designed course will be named Pinehurst Sandmines. Located on more than 900 acres and just a few minutes from Pinehurst Resort proper, Sandmines will offer Pinehurst guests yet one more extraordinary golfing experience. Future developments for the property include; a second 18-hole golf course, a short course, clubhouse and guest cottages. Sandmines sits on the property once occupied by The Pit, a Dan Maples-designed course. Pinehurst Resort purchased the property more than a decade ago. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw created the first routing on the property, while they were renovating Pinehurst No. 2, but that never came to fruition. Tom Doak created a design running along the property’s northwest ridge that likely will be second only to the famed Pinehurst No. 2. By Steve Pike Indiana Golf Journal
An 11th course will probably use the Coore/ Crenshaw design, whenever it is built. “A year ago, we were excited to announce that Tom Doak would begin carving a new era of Pinehurst golf on this exceptional property,” says Bob Dedman Jr., CEO of Pinehurst Resort. “Today, we take another step forward into our continued evolution with a nod to what came before.” Beginning in the 1920s, the sandy soil in this location proved useful to multiple mining operations, specifically Pleasants Sand and Supply, which was founded after World War II. Over the next half century, sand mined in Aberdeen was shipped along the adjoining railroad for building projects all over the United States, notably including another North Carolina landmark – the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Following Pleasants’ closure in the mid-1970s, rugged dunes, mounds and berms forged from mining excavations were left behind to be reclaimed by nature. Now, decades later, that land and the untouched surrounding areas are being reimagined among the towering pines that restored it, the first fruit of which will be Doak’s newest original, No. 10, which uses about 250 acres of the total property. “There’s a lot of history at this place, and you just want to honor it,” said Angela Moser, Doak’s lead design associate on No. 10. “You want to have it be a part of what you’re building, so you’ll see reminders of it.” That is also reflected in the Pinehurst Sandmines’ logo. A rail car, dashed in railroad red color befitting the area’s industrial innovations, features subtle hints about the property’s past – and its future – within the car’s structure and design. The car carries a “matterhorn” shaped mound that resembles the 25-foot sand deposit framing No. 10’s dramatic 8th hole – a tangible, signature remnant of the commercial mine’s influence that Doak freshly incorporated into No. 10’s routing. “Pinehurst’s past, present and future is right here in the sand,” said Tom Pashley, Pinehurst Resort President. “We look forward to seeing what more can be mined in this area.” We’ll do the hard work if you don’t want to. Custom or DIY Golf Simulator Sales & Installation. www.aceindoorgolf.com l 855-926-3283
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 award-winning 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/ Phyllis Barone The Queen of the Green, Phyllis Barone is an experienced golf columnist and reporter. She also creates video interviews for Great Lakes Sports, Michigan Golfer and Golf360TV. Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook. com/phyllis.c.barone Indiana Golf Journal
VIDEOS Stacey Latona’s new golf apparel line for women offers a clean, stylish and comfortable look whether on the course, or off. Team USA is set to travel to Ireland in April of 2024 to compete on Irish links courses. The very best of Irish parkland golf and castles will play host during their trip! Amateur Golfers NO USGA GHIN Handicap required to play in Team USA Qualifiers! You could win a trip and play for Team USA in Ireland in 2025! Golf Architect, Jason Straka & Druids Glen Director of Golf, Marcus Doyle talk about the new Fry/Straka design Curracloe Links to open in 2026, located just a wee bit south of Dublin, Ireland. Latona: Stylish Golf Apparel for Women Team USA vs Team Ireland in 2024 Amateur Golf Championship Fry/Straka To Design Curracloe Links in Ireland Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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