Happy New Golf Year! In addition to the excellent stories inside this issue, which range from health advice to great wines to enjoy after your round, the following three topics are timely for Indiana golfers. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: The French Lick Resort and PGA Tour professional and Indiana native Adam Schenk are joining forces in 2024. According to Dave Harner, the Director of Golf at the French Lick Resort, when Schenk plays on the PGA Tour this year, you’ll be able to spot the French Lick Resort logo on his apparel. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: On January 2, in Indianapolis on WISHTV’s Life.Style.Live! Zionsville-based Clemson collegiate golfer, Annabelle Pancake and her mother Libby were guests to talk about Annabelle’s successful summer. She finished runner-up at the Women’s British Amateur last June. Annabelle’s father is Tony Pancake, the Director of Golf at Carmel’s Crooked Stick GC. Annabelle was also featured on the cover of the December IndianaGolfJournal.com. Click HERE to view the episode and watch Annabelle’s golf tip about using a six-iron for ‘bump & run’ shots near most greens. PREFERRED PODCAST: If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the Straight Down the Middle podcast (on Apple podcasts) co-hosted by longtime Golf Channel personality Brian Hammons and Legends Golf Club General Manager Ted Bishop, please set aside time to listen to them in 2024. In 2023, Brian and Ted taped 28 episodes. The guests are exceptional and the topics are timely. Click HERE to listen to their final episode of 2023 when CBS announcer/former LPGA Tour superstar Dottie Pepper was a guest. Have a golf-filled 2024! 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
32 10 20 26 38 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 FIND INSIDE Let It Snow…..It’s Golf Show Season! Indiana Golf News Inside The Ropes on The LPGA Tour 06 10 14 Hoosier Adam Schenk is Making His Mark on PGA Tour BOYNE Set to Open 11th Course: Doon Brae 16 20 Our Contributors 2024 PGA Golf Show Continues to Bounce Back Men’s Professional Golf Doesn’t Deserve Our Respect Enjoy A Relaxed Atmosphere on Jekyll Island Beginner Italian Wines: Tuscany Chianti Back Pain Relief Without Surgery Our Favorite Golf Videos 42 23 26 32 36 38 43 Indiana Golf Journal
Even though it’s winter, visions of warm summer days and lush green fairways dance in every golfer’s mind. This is the season that golfers yearn for straight drives and long curling putts that find the center of the fairway and the hole every time. It’s Golf Show Season and golfers are ready to get a head start on 2024 with new clubs, balls and apparel, plus a new golf swing to start the new year. Indiana’s favorite golf show, The Indy Golf Exposition has returned for 2024 and has great offers for Hoosier golfers. equipment, apparel and travel. The Chicago show is one of the biggest in the Midwest. Indy Golf Expo The Indy Golf Exposition is back and better than ever! It is scheduled for January 19-21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Here are a few excellent reasons to attend. Attendees will receive some valuable swag. The first 1,500 golfers through the doors each day will receive 50% off golf at Lucas Oil Golf Club. Receive one hour of free golf at Back 9 Let It Snow….. It’s Golf Show Season! Adjoining states, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio host shows as well. Michigan has the West Michigan Golf Show in Grand Rapids and the Michigan Golf Show in Novi. The Toledo Golf Show never fails to provide great deals on Indiana Golf Journal
West Michigan Golf Show After rumors the West Michigan Golf Show was not going to be held in 2024, it is back and bigger than ever. For over 35 years, the West Michigan Golf Show has started the golf season. With the area’s top equipment dealers, courses and resorts, you can plan your entire golf season and even book your first tee-time of the year. Attendees won’t want to miss, the $100 HoleOut Challenge, Closest to the Pin Contest, plus the Long Putt Contest worth $10,000. Golf, with the purchase of one hour. Swing Kings Indoor Golf is offering all attendees a $20 discount from their hourly rate and all attendees will receive a one-day pass to the Korn Ferry Championship at French Lick. Show Dates, Times & Ticket Information Adult tickets are $15.00. Seniors (60 & Up), Active Military and First Responders are $13.00. Children under the age of 13 are free. All tickets are good for all three days of the show. The show floor will be open: Friday, January 19 Saturday, January 20 Sunday, January 21 11:00 AM-5:00 PM 10:00 AM-5:00 PM 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Show dates and times are: Friday, February 9 Saturday, February 10 Sunday, February 11 2:00-8:00 PM 9:00 AM-6:00 PM 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Toledo Golf Show The 16th annual Toledo Golf Show is scheduled for February 23-25 at the Tam-O-Shater Sports and Exhibition center in Sylvania. Chicago Golf Show The Chicago Golf Show will be held February 23-25 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Admission for Adults is $8.00 at the door, or $7.00 in advance, while children 12 & under are free. Show dates and times: Friday, February 23, 2024 Saturday, February 24, 2024 Sunday, February 25, 2024 3 PM to 8 PM 9 AM to 6 PM 10 AM to 4 PM To save $1.00 per ticket, plus skip the line at the door, purchase tickets at one of the following locations: Flicks in Lambertville, Forestview Lanes in Temperance, Fore Golfers Indoor Golf, Components Plus, Pro Golf Fairways, Reset, Rossford, Fallen Timbers Fairways and BlueSkies Forever in Point Place There is always a lot of free giveaways, fun activities, as well as the best deals on clubs and equipment, plus tips from pros, at the Toledo Golf Show. Don’t forget to book your next golf getaway, at discounted pricing, from one of the many resorts that will be at the show. Entrance fee is $12.00 for adults and children under the age of 14 can enter for free. The Western Michigan Golf Show will once again be held at the Devos Center, in Grand Rapids and features used, as well as new clubs, with low pricing on apparel, equipment and everything a golfer needs to play his best. Indiana Golf Journal
MiCHiGAN Golf Show The MiCHiGAN Golf Show will be held once again at the Suburban Collection Showplace on Grand River Avenue in Novi. Hundreds of exhibitors will be promoting Michigan courses, new and used golf equipment, plus everything a golfer needs to hit the links this year. Tickets for Junior Golfers ages 12-15 are $4.00 for every session and Children under the age of 12 are free. If you have a favorite foursome, the VALUE PACK is available and provides four tickets for either Saturday or Sunday admission for $36.00, but must be purchased online. Show hours and entry fees are: Friday, February 23 Saturday, February 24 Sunday, February 25 Admission, $7.00 Admission, $12.00 Admission, $12.00 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Show dates and times: Friday, March 8 Saturday, March 9 Sunday, March 10 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM The entry fee is $12.00 each for adults, while children under the age of 12 are allowed to enter for free. Attendees can test their skills and one lucky golfer will win $10,000 in the Putting and the Par 3 contests sponsored by Garland Lodge and Golf Resort. Of course, there will a food, plus cold beer available on the show floor. Area Golf Shows are always well attended with golfers strolling the aisles to find the best pricing on travel, equipment and every necessity to hit the links this spring. Round up your favorite foursome, we hope we see you at a golf show near you this winter. The 2024 MiCHiGAN Golf Show hours are as follows:
Pancake Receives PGA’s Top Honor Tony Pancake, the Director of Golf at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, has been named the 2024 PGA Professional of the Year. Pancake was selected for this honor out of the 29,000 golf professionals in the U.S. This is the highest annual award given to a PGA of America Professional. Pancake was notified about winning this award in November. “I was attending a collegiate basketball game in Columbus, Ohio with my wife and daughter. Annabelle’s boyfriend plays for Ohio Dominican University,” recalled Pancake. “I received a call from John Lindert, President of the PGA of America. John is a friend whom I’ve known for many years, so it was extra special coming from him.” Pancake had never won the honor, but it was the third time that he was a finalist for this prestigious award. “I was a finalist in 2009 and 2019,” said Pancake. “This is a once in a lifetime recognition.” Pancake is a 1981 graduate of Seymour High School and a 1985 graduate of the University of Alabama. Crooked Stick Renovation Project As Crooked Stick Golf Club prepares to host the 2028 U.S. Senior Open, the golf course will be enhanced, and updated this year. According to Tony Pancake, the Director of Golf at Crooked Indiana Golf News Stick, Tom Doak will be the consulting architect on the project and the renovations will be accomplished in threephases. Phase one will require replacing the tie wall around the lake on the 18th hole, plus expanding it to include the 10th and 17th holes, as well. Phase two is scheduled to begin in June and will include rebuilding all 18 greens, as well as the two practice greens along with re-grassing the fairways, plus minor tweaks to the bunkers. The greens will remain the same except for expanding a few greens to create more hole locations. Phase two will require the course to be closed for approximately one year. Indiana Golf Journal
Boiler Up This past fall, the Purdue University men’s golf team competed in five tournaments. They won twice and finished 3rd, 8th and 11th In Phase three the creek on holes 13 and 14 will be widened and the banks rebuilt to reduce erosion. Phase three is scheduled to be completed by this fall. The 2028 U.S. Senior Open will be Crooked Stick’s seventh USGA championship, but the first in almost 20 years. in the other three events. The two wins came in the Windon Memorial Classic at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, Illinois and in the Purdue Fall Classic at the Ackerman-Allen Golf Club in West Lafayette. Purdue’s next tournament will be the Puerto Rico Classic in February. Purdue’s top player in the Purdue Fall Classic was its 2023 All-American Herman Sekne, a senior from Oslo, Norway, who placed third with a 7-under par 206. Strong Solo Finish. In December, Purdue junior golfer Kent Hsiao finished in third place at the St. Augustine Amateur at the St. John’s Golf Club. He fired three rounds of 68-66-71. Hsiao finished just three shots behind the winner, Brody Stevenson from Florida Gulf Coast University. 2024 Junior Golf The opening tournament on Indiana Golf’s Junior schedule will be the Legends Girls – Spring Series on April 20-21 at the Legends GC in Franklin. For the complete schedule and to register click HERE.
‘Inside the Ropes’ On The LPGA Tour By Mike May During the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship, contested at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, two volunteers were from Evansville, the father-daughter duo of Brent and Kate Edwards. During the last two rounds of the tournament, Brent and Kate worked together – inside the ropes. Brent was a walking scorer and Kate used her muscles as a standard bearer. Using a handheld scoring device supplied by R2 Innovative Technologies, the official scoring provider of the LPGA Tour, Brent’s job was to track and report each shot by the players in their group. Kate’s job was to carry the walking scoreboard which displayed the current scores for the players in the group. Brent answered a few questions for Indiana Golf Journal to explain what it’s like to be ‘inside the ropes’ at a professional golf tournament. Question: During your two rounds at Tiburon, which players did you walk around with? Answer: “On Saturday, we scored for Grace Kim and Jasmine Suwannapura. During Sunday’s final round, we scored for Ally Ewing, Ariya Jutanugarn and Hye-Jin Choi.” Question: As a golfer, what were the big takeaways from your experience at the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship? Indiana Golf Journal
Answer: “For many years, I have exposed our kids -- Kate (12) and Eli (14) -- to a very high level of play. My theory is they can’t but help learn and absorb good things by being very close to the players and caddies. I often focus on routine, strategy and attitude. There are always so many opportunities to watch and listen to what the players are doing. These skills, in my opinion, are the difference between playing at the highest level on the LPGA Tour vs. being just a really good player. I do have a few key take-aways. If you watch the player and ignore where the ball went, you can rarely tell if the shot was good or bad, such a great sign of controlling emotion. Every shot has an intended target and line. Decisions are made quickly and confidently. In addition, the players are genuinely grateful and kind. Being inside the ropes, you see a lot of little things that the cameras don’t pick up. Kate often comments on short-game shots, such as a missed green within 10 yards of the hole or the ability for the players to hit these shots is so good.” Question: Did you ever need to interact with a caddie to confirm a score during your two rounds? Answer: “There was only one instance where I needed to confirm something a player did with a caddie. The situation appeared to be taking an ‘unplayable,’ under Rule 19, however, it wasn’t 100% clear, so I confirmed it with the caddie.” Question: Do you plan to return to Naples in 2024 for the CME Group Tour Championship? Answer: “Absolutely. Kate and I love the event, and this has become something we both look forward to each year.” Question: Did you get a chance to watch some golf outside of your own groups? Answer: “Yes, we did spend some time with the other players. We spent time on the range, as well as watching from the grandstands.” Question: Who are Kate’s favorite LPGA golfers? Answer: “Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, and Patty Tavatanakit.”
Indiana Golf Journal
Indiana boasts a remarkable lineage of golfers who have made significant strides on the national level. Many of these golfers recognize the pivotal role played by Indiana Golf’s Junior programs, and note that the developmental initiative played a hand in their professional success. Indiana Golf’s Junior initiative have been instrumental in identifying and nurturing young talent, offering a platform for aspiring golfers to put their skills to the test, and fostering a lifelong passion for the game. The program’s commitment to creating a prosperous environment for growth has produced a multitude of success stories including, Bo Van Pelt, Tyler Duncan, Patrick Rodgers, Danah (Ford) Bortner, and Adam Schenk. Schenk expressed his gratitude for the pivotal From the Hoosier Heartland: Adam Schenk’s Remarkable Year on Tour By Santana Shipley role that Indiana Junior Golf programs played in his competitive and social development. “I want to thank the Indiana Junior Golf program as they played a huge part in regards to me growing up around the game. Indiana has a great representation of players on Tour,” said Schenk. “With it being a northern state, it’s harder to make it out compared to a southern state where there are so many more months with playable golf. I am very proud to be from Indiana. The Indiana Golf program does an extremely good job. The program gave me a platform to play with so many competitive golfers and get better at the game.” Schenk grew up in Vincennes and his journey in golf began to flourish during his collegiate career at Purdue University. He won two titles as a freshman and achieved a win at the 2013 Indiana State Amateur. Schenk further etched his name on the state level by earning the 2013 Indiana Golf Association John K. David Player of the Year Award before turning professional in 2015. In 2023, at the Valspar Championship, Schenk held a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, ultimately finishing solo second to claim his first runner-up on the PGA Tour. At the Charles Schwab Challenge, Schenk held a share of the lead entering the final round, but
eventually lost in a playoff with Emiliano Grillo. Schenk’s dedication and consistent performance were further highlighted by a strong T4 finish at the John Deere Classic, ultimately securing his third career top-10 performance. “It has been a bit of a confidence boost. This has been my best season, by far, but I do not feel like I have done anything that different from my prior seasons. I have just played a little better and gotten smarter. There are going to be highs and lows when you play and it’s important to not let those fluctuations affect you,” said Schenk. His consistency throughout 2023 earned him a spot in the Tour Championship at East Lake Country Club. “East Lake (site of the Tour Championship) has been my greatest achievement on Tour, so far,” said Schenk. “That was a goal of mine to start the year (2023), just like anyone else. I didn’t win but I got close a couple times. Just to make it to East Lake, you have to play consistently for the better part of the year and that’s what we did. Obviously, I hope I win, but if you make it to East Lake, you have played a complete year of golf in my opinion.” In the midst of playing well on tour, the Schenk’s recently experienced the birth of their son, Adam Schenk, Jr. “It has been great. Honestly, it has been harder with travel and just having less time,” said Schenk. “I don’t know what I did with all that time before. I’m sure I wasted a lot more time. I have traveled with him to the British Open, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open in California, so he has a lot of miles on his passport. There were a couple of times when we had delays and missed connections, one of those ended up in a seven-hour layover at the airport. But, overall, it has been awesome.” Schenk finds relief in the brief time that he gets to spend back in Indiana. “Most of the time when I am not golfing, I am back home in Indiana. But, last year, I played 33 times and was only in Indy for a few weeks in total,” said Schenk. “With the changes this fall, it’s really nice to spend time there during the off-season.” Schenk approaches golf with a unique mindset and does not place extreme pressure on any unmanageable goals. He places his emphasis on incremental performance goals and smaller achievements, trusting that they will contribute to larger aspirations. “I don’t get too in-depth with goals, to be completely honest. I just try to improve every week. Ultimately, I want to win and I want to make it to East Lake every year,” said Schenk. “I make weekly and monthly goals as I go rather than the ‘big picture.’ I am a big believer in just making a plan of how I am going to get better, what I need to work on, what I am doing well, and how I am going to continue that. It’s more in the moment. I could make a long-term goal, but long-term goals don’t mean anything. It’s the short steps you take towards that.” Schenk remains deeply connected to his Indiana roots. His success serves as an inspiration to other young aspiring golfers in the state and reinforces the fact that Indiana Golf continues to improve the talents of our junior golfers. Indiana Golf Journal
BOYNE Set To Open 11th Course: Doon Brae Doon Brae will be the 11th course at BOYNE when it opens is 2024. The new short course was designed by Ray Hearn and sits at the base of the ski hill behind The Highlands Lodge. “As far as I know, this is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development at Boyne Resorts. “What excites me most is how beautiful and different it is. There are three or four stacked wall bunkers. Indiana Golf Journal
Instead of using tee boxes, we’ll have just one marker on each hole and let guests play wherever they want. And the greens are inspired by some of the great ones around the world. They’re not copies of any specific greens, but they look different and are big. We also sodded all of the fairways, which will be well-maintained and surrounded by some tall fescue for that whisper look and feel. It’s going to be quite stunning. There’s a lot of excitement about short courses. We want to keep people excited about golf and wanting to play. If playing 18 or 36 holes is not enough on any day, this gives golfers another option.” In Scottish, Doon Brae translates to, Doon, going downhill into a valley, while Brae refers to a hillside. Sitting at the base of the Highlands ski hill, that is exactly what this 9-hole short course is. The course maxes out at 993 yards with the forward tees being 678 yards. Holes will vary in length from the shortest 57 yards to the longest at 134 yards. Due to the elevation and slope of the hillside, uphill, downhill, as well as side-hill lies will add to the challenge. Golf designer Ray Hearn, who has been working closely with BOYNE to renovate several of the resort’s courses, was chosen to build this new course. “Working with Stephen Kircher and Bernie Friedrich on this project has been really exciting,” said Hearn, who was inspired by his many overseas trips to Scotland and Ireland and in particular, Royal County Down. “Stephen came over to Ireland on one of the first architecture seminars overseas while teaching at MSU and we both fell in love with Royal County Down and it inspired us during the design of Doon Brae.” Hearn drew inspiration from the iconic links greens in Scotland and Ireland. Golfers will find Hearn’s tribute to the Eden green, Punch Bowl, Redan, Reverse Redan, Volcano, Steep Slope, Postage Stamp, and even a Biarritz green. Doon Brae will also be lit for night play and a quick round will be the perfect end to a day on the links. The short course is also the ideal family activity.
2024 PGA Show Continues Bounce Back By Ed Travis efficient way to potential purchasers, plus several hundred members of the media from around the world. Thirdly and perhaps the most attractive is that the Show provides the opportunity to connect, person to person, with friends and business acquaintances, to fuel more business growth. Prior to the opening of the exhibit floor on Wednesday, January, 24, Demo Day will be held at Orange County National Golf Center’s driving range, on Tuesday. Not only are the latest in clubs and technology available for hands on investigation, but the PGA also holds workshops on club fitting and coaching. PGA of America President John Lindert, Director of Golf at The Country Club of Lansing, in Lansing, Michigan said in a press release concerning the Show’s objectives, “The PGA Show attracts the largest annual gathering of PGA of America Golf Professionals and is the most significant The 71st PGA Show will be held this month in Orlando and will be larger than the 2023 show. The return to prepandemic numbers of attendees and exhibitors should continue. The “Major of the Golf Business,” held annually and hosted by the PGA of America, is the largest annual meeting of the industry. The 2023 Show drew about 30,000 PGA Professionals and industry executives roughly double that of 2022, while the 2021 Show was held virtually due to the covid pandemic. This year over 35,000 golf industry professionals are expected to attend. In 2023, just over 800 exhibitors attended, twice as many as 2022. Early registrations for the 2023 PGA Show exceeded 840 and the final number of exhibitors is expected to reach 900. The Show is not open to the public and performs three important functions for the golf industry. Education sessions are held for PGA Professionals to further their knowledge of teaching, marketing and business, while earning continuing education credits. Secondly it provides golf companies with an ideal way to expose their products and services in a constructive,
business event for the global golf community each year. From discovering the latest game innovations, networking with some of the Association’s finest Professionals, to attending widespread educational and business programs, our PGA of America Members return from the PGA Show better equipped to improve the the world,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “Education, business, career and peer networking programs, plus opportunities to unwind together in the evenings, are also important aspects of a packed PGA Show Week that help to recharge our professional growth and build up the business of golf.” everyday golfer’s journey at all levels and influence the growth of the sport.” “The expansive mix of market leaders, veteran manufacturers and inventive start-ups at the annual PGA Show creates an unparalleled marketplace for thousands of golf industry professionals from around Indiana Golf Journal
Men’s Professional Golf Doesn’t Deserve Our Respect or Attention “I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” Jon Rahm There it is yet again. ‘Grow the game,’ a nauseatingly trite phrase routinely deployed to justify any questionable decision, or action in the golf industry. Jon Rahm has shown himself to be just the latest golfing mercenary for whom words are cheap in the pursuit of gargantuan signing bonuses and rich tournament purses. From Kieran Clark, GolfShake.com Indiana Golf Journal
How can one criticize him for seemingly turning his back on everything he once believed? He is just trying to admirably ‘grow the game.’ Gratefully, this game of golf that is apparently in need of constant growth will happily continue to exist and thrive. It doesn’t even require the input of Rahm, or any other professional on LIV and the PGA Tour who are often united in possessing an overinflated sense of worth. Regular four-balls will still take place at your local club on a Saturday. Families and friends will be outside enjoying the physical and mental health benefits offered by golf. Keen players will be working tirelessly at the range in that constant search of improvement. The busting communities of golf societies are busy planning their buddy’s trips and girl’s golf getaways for next season. None of this has anything to do with profiteering, or ‘growing the game.’ The game of golf is not what you see on TV. Professional golf was always nothing more than a window into the game, but the view it offers is not one that deserves our respect or attention anymore. Many people have contributed to this regrettable reality, while enriching themselves along the way. The PGA Tour created a monopoly by launching its year-round FedEx Cup schedule, effectively keeping the best players in America, which made
the environment untenable for events played outside the United States, weakening historic tournaments in Europe and the national opens of South Africa and Australia. Was that part of ‘growing the game’ too? This provided the opportunity for the LIV to emerge to readdress that balance, backed by Saudi Arabia’s seemingly limitless Public Investment Fund and the indulgence of its golf fanatic governor Yasir AlRumayyan. What the suits at the PGA Tour never considered was that one day another organization would have the means to buy the weak loyalty of its top players. Breaking Jon Rahm’s professed “fealty” to the established circuit was more household names. Chris Stroud, who earned over $13m in his career, recently declared, “The tour has never tried to give back to the players and that the leadership didn’t care about those ranked outside the top 30.” Everyone (even the LIV defectors) are entitled t o seek a better deal for themselves, but where is the perspective to any of this? Mr. Stroud could walk into any golf club and signing the guestbook would be the only autograph he would be asked for. But PGA Tour players do have legitimate reasons to question what is going on since the Framework Agreement was expensive than others, but the outcome was exactly the same. Where it leaves us now is a curious, absurd position where the product that is men’s professional golf has been diluted and weakened beyond recognition, but the players themselves have never been more rewarded financially. The PGA Tour has thrown money at the FedEx Cup and its Signature Events to the extent that it’s now begging tournament sponsors for more support, while its ‘Player Impact Program’ this year handed a bonus of $100 million divided between 20 players just for sticking around. Modern tour golf is a recipe for entitlement and not just for the Indiana Golf Journal
announced with the Public Investment Fund in June. This came one year after, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan weaponized the grief of 9/11 families in a PR move against the Saudis, only to disgracefully betray the trust of those people he used and declare a deal that remains unratified. Sports Illustrated has now reported that Patrick Cantlay is somehow in a position in that he is driving talks with the Saudis and other potential investors. The American is someone permanently determined to accrue more dollars, presumably to compensate for his complete absence of personality. No wonder Rory McIlroy resigned from the Policy Board. of millions spent, it has failed to gain any traction beyond a tiny niche within the already small niche that is the golf audience. Like other contracted mouthpieces before him, Rahm was quick to point to the ‘innovation’ and ‘team’ appeals of LIV. Naturally, these came a joint-close second to growing the game in his ranking of motivations and way ahead of the reported £450m he could earn. These revolutionary innovations appear to be that instead of having 72-holes of stroke play, 54 holes and a shotgun start are sufficient. What a groundbreaking innovation! There is also a separate The future is even murkier than it was before. Rahm may believe that his crossing of the divide could help to push unity, at least when it comes to LIV players representing Europe in the Ryder Cup, but does anyone really care? When a sport and its participants reek of dishonesty, it ceases to have credibility. When it’s just about the money, it becomes crass beyond measure. Combined those two failings make much of what you see on television meaningless. Setting aside the moral and sportswashing concerns that instantly turned many people against LIV, for all its hundreds
leaderboard charting the progress of teams that sound like they’re part of a Christmas pub quiz. The Majesticks, The RangeGoats, The Cleeks, The Toilet Seats, I just made up that last one. There really is a team called the Rippers. You’ve got to love the Rippers! Rahm ludicrously compared this contrived and artificial setup to his childhood football team, Athletic Bilbao, eight-time winners of La Liga who proudly represent the Basque Country by famously only selecting players native to that region. That is team with meaning. the late David Warner decides to pursue the doomed lovers Rose and Jack to get his hands on a priceless diamond in spite of the fact that he is likely facing certain death as the dining room floods around him. Cameron removed this sequence from the film because the audience wouldn’t believe anyone would actually do that. But it feels somewhat apt for the corporate melodrama that is men’s professional golf. The ship has struck the iceberg, it’s sinking, it cannot be saved, but the characters are getting their hands on what gold they can on the way down to the bottom of the ocean. DP World Tour star Eddie Pepperrell summed it up best when he recently tweeted, “Pro golf is on a one-way street to nowhere. Lost its mind, and I’ve lost my respect and love for it.” He is not alone. But thankfully - despite the noise - showbiz golf really isn’t the game. We can simply ignore it and get on with what truly matters. The friendship, companionship, challenge and rewards that golf enduringly provides. I look forward to seeing you on the first tee. That’s not to say that we don’t require change in the everyday diet of televised events. But it’s a moot point with everything being so irretrievably fractured and in danger of sliding into further public irrelevance. Whatever happens during the coming years, few will be satisfied, apart from the bank managers and agents of players for whom greed is dressed up in that celebrated virtue of ‘growing the game.’ There is a deleted scene from the 1997 epic blockbuster Titanic in which a villainous henchman called Spicer Lovejoy played by Indiana Golf Journal
Enjoy A Quiet Relaxed Atmosphere On Georgia’s Jekyll Island By Mike May If you are seeking a restful and relaxed destination in the Southeast that has everything that you could possibly want, look no further than Jekyll Island, Georgia, in the extreme southeastern corner of the Peach State. With ten miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, kayaking, biking, bird watching, tennis, paddle boarding, horseback riding, fishing, boating, canoeing, croquet, as well as 63 holes of golf, Jekyll Island has it all. Indiana Golf Journal
With easy access off I-95 and located not far from airports in Jacksonville and Savannah, Jekyll Island is easy to get to. “Jekyll Island is one of the best places in the country where you can go to unwind and relax while enjoying golf, fresh seafood, long walks along the beach, poolside siestas, and time off the grid,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, the Georgia Golf Trail. “For golfers, the Jekyll Island Golf Club is one of the most popular getaways on the Georgia Golf Trail, plus the island is ideal for golfers and their families.” The Jekyll Island Club Resort combines luxury and history. In 1910, a meeting of financial and business leaders was held on the Island and led to the creation the Federal Reserve System, The Jekyll Island Club’s late-19th Century charm, historical accommodations, diverse dining venues, on-site activities, and direct access to the National Landmark Jekyll Island Historic District make it a wonderful place to stay. This resort also has a sun-soaked swimming pool with a fire pit nearby. For beach lovers, there’s a complimentary shuttle which will take you to and from the nearby seashore. The finely manicured croquet courts are also popular with hotel guests. In the late 1800’s, the Jekyll Island Club Resort provided overnight accommodations for wealthy families of the time, such as the Rockefeller’s, Morgan’s, Vanderbilt’s, and Pulitzer’s, all of whom made regular annual trips to Jekyll Island.
In addition to rooms at the Resort, guests have two other accommodation options – the Jekyll Ocean Club, which is built along the beach, or one of three on-site historic cottages, Crane, Cherokee, and Sans Souci. Built in 1917, the Crane Cottage features Victorian era architecture with a fabulous garden. The Cherokee Cottage is an Italian Renaissance structure, built in 1904. The Victorian-style Sans Souci was once owned by the late J.P. Morgan. At the Resort, there are six on-site dining destinations: The Wharf, Grand Dining Room, Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar, The Pantry, The Pool House and The Bar & Alexander Lounge. The Jekyll Island Golf Club features three 18-hole championship courses. plus a ninehole layout. The three 18-holers, Indian Mound, Oleander, and Pine Lakes, are joined by the original nine-hole course, Great Dunes. Indian Mound, constructed in 1975 by golf course designer Joe Lee, is the shortest of the three 18-hole courses. Designed by golf course architect Dick Wilson, Oleander is known as the most ‘distinct’ of the three championship courses and measures 6,500 yards from the back tees. Pine Lakes, designed by Clyde Johnson, was first opened for play in 1968 and renovated in 2002. The golf course meanders through ocean forests and natural marsh hammocks. Great Dunes was the first golf course on Jekyll Island. The architect of this coastal jewel was Walter “Old Man” Travis and he was tasked with designing the best golf course money could buy in 1928. After golf, enjoy a post-round drink or snack at McCormick’s Grill. Indiana Golf Journal
To book your visit to Jekyll Island visit JekyllIsland.com, or GeorgiaGolfandTravel. com. With miles of Atlantic Coastal Beaches, 63 holes of golf, delicious seafood dishes and a laid-back atmosphere, Jekyll Island makes the perfect golf, or vacation destination.
Beginner Italian Wines: Tuscany Chianti By Kurt Wieneke The most daunting task for any wine connoisseur is to gain a complete understanding of Italian wines. After all, Italy has over 500 different grape varieties in circulation, just within the country alone! There are two prominent wine regions in Italy: Tuscany and Piedmont, plus other notable wine regions such as Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Umbria. The following is an overview of the two most prominent and celebrated wines of Tuscany: Chianti – The Chianti region is very large and generally lies around and between the cities of Florence to the north and Siena to the Indiana Golf Journal
south. The main grape used in Chianti is always Sangiovese, with lesser amounts of Colorino or Canaiolo. The depth and breadth of subregions within Chianti is amazing – there are many subzones, each with different names such as Chianti Rufina or Chianti Colli Senesi. But, the most distinguished subzone is called Chianti Classico, which is located right in the heart of the region. Chianti is a savory red wine with pronounced acidity and coarse tannin, making it a perfect wine to pair with rich Italian dishes. The taste profile is red berries with hints of forest floor, herbs, chestnut, and leather. Brunello and Vino Nobile – To the south of Siena lie two small and picturesque village towns, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Famous wines are produced here, and, by law, they are all made with 100% Sangiovese. The flagship wine of the town of Montalcino is known as Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most sought-after and expensive Tuscan wines. One of my favorite Italian wines is called Rosso di Montalcino, which is from the same area but much less expensive. The other twin town is Montepulciano, where the flagship wine is called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (translated as “noble wine from Montepulciano”). Next time you are in a wine store, be on the lookout for wines from Montalcino and Montepulciano. A good “rosso” from either town won’t break the bank and they are supple, delicious, and world-class versions of Sangiovese!
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Get Back Pain Relief Without Surgery From Franciscan Health Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability. Doctors classify the two types of back pain based on how long they last: Acute Back Pain: It appears suddenly and may last a few days or weeks. The pain might be caused by lifting something too heavy or twisting or bending. Chronic Back Pain: It lasts 12 weeks or longer and may continue even after you treat the initial cause. Chronic back pain often results from wear and tear of spinal vertebrae (back bones) over time – such as arthritis. Choose The Right Provider “Seeing a doctor can help prevent an acute back injury from becoming chronic,” says John Kihlken, MD, pain management specialist with Franciscan Physician Network Neuroscience Specialists. “You should see a doctor if you have severe back pain, numbness and tingling, trouble urinating, weakness or weight loss. Look for a provider or organization with a
broad scope of back pain care, including physical therapy, minimally invasive approaches and surgery.” Physical Therapy Physical therapy can help relieve pain and swelling, improve range of motion, strength, and stamina – and even help prevent future back injuries. “I find most people benefit from using a multimodal approach to care,” says Kenneth Reynolds, DPT, a physical therapist with Franciscan Health. “These can include manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes.” What To Expect Your first physical therapy appointment helps set a baseline for treatment. It allows your therapist to understand your symptoms, assess your strength and mobility, and learn about your goals and expectations. “During the evaluation, we learn about your pain – the level, what makes it better or worse and how it fluctuates during the day,” says Reynolds. Treatments • Application of ice (best for acute back injuries) and heat • Aquatic therapy (low-impact, gentle resistance exercise in a pool) • Cupping (applies suction to the skin to increase blood flow and promote healing) • Dry needling (uses ultra-thin acupuncture needles to relieve pain and swelling) • Electrical stimulation (uses electrodes on the skin to stimulate underlying muscles and improve blood flow) Indiana Golf Journal
• Joint mobilization (gentle movement of joints to increase range of motion) • Soft-tissue manipulation (often with metal or plastic massage tools) to ease tightened muscles and improve circulation • Supervised exercise and assisted stretching How Important Is Exercise? Exercise is a key part of physical therapy – both during your PT session and at home. “For many people with back pain, walking is like ‘nature’s back balm,’” says Reynolds. “When you walk and swing your arms, a hydraulic pumping action takes place in your spine, low back and surrounding soft tissue that can be very therapeutic.” Walking is great for rehabilitation and prevention and can lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, which rise when you’re injured. Exercise for back pain should also include strengthening abdominal muscles to help protect the spine. You also can protect your back longterm by strength training three days a week. Spinal Injections For severe back pain or pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy or other conservative approaches, doctors can inject medicines directly into the spine to relieve back pain. It takes anywhere from a few days to a week for an injection to take effect. “Typically, we use injections for chronic back pain, such as pain caused by disc degeneration,” says Dr. Kihlken. “We use many types of injections – most commonly epidural steroid injections to relieve swelling and pain. Spinal injections can also treat symptoms like tingling, weakness or radiating pain. Steroid injections usually relieve symptoms for one to three months, and the injections must be given at least three months apart.” Other spinal injections include facet joint injections, which treat pain in the small joints between vertebrae. Trigger point injections relieve muscle pain and swelling, such as for fibromyalgia (fatigue and widespread muscle pain and tenderness) or myofascial pain syndrome (long-lasting muscle pain). “We also use radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat chronic back pain, such as arthritis in the facet joints in the back,” says Dr. Kihlken. “This procedure applies heat to the joint’s nerve tissue to block pain signals. RFA can relieve pain for six to 12 months.” If back pain is stopping you from enjoying golf and your best life, Franciscan Health can help as it offers a full range of nonsurgical back pain treatments to let you live without pain.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Kurt Wieneke Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. https://www.facebook.com/ed.travis.98 KurtWieneke, akaWineGuyKurt, a freelance wine writer who grew up in Seymour and is now based in Indianapolis. Kurt, an avid wine taster, enjoys sharing his 30 years of experience in collecting and tasting fine wines. Kieran Clark Kieran Clark is a native of Scotland and a Golf Historian. His insightful articles can be found in Golfshake.com and Golfbreaks.com. He can be heard as a Special Co Host for Back 9 Report or find him on Twitter: @KieranClarkGolf Indiana Golf Journal
VIDEOS Ray Hearn is responsible for renovating or designing over 150 golf courses worldwide. He recently completed work at St. John’s Resort near Detroit and has ongoing renovations at BOYNE Resort in Northern Michigan. His designs are perfect for the average golfer, plus he always strives to make golf courses sustainable and environmentally sound. 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! To register visit: https:// www.usairelandgolf.com/#/ Back 9 Report breaks down three of the biggest golf news stories from 2023. Tiger Returned, sort of. USGA to limit golf ball. PGA Tour/LIV drama continued. Golf Designer Ray Hearn Discusses Recent Work & Sustainability Preview Team USA vs Team Ireland in 2024 Amateur Golf Championship Top 2023 Golf Stories Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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