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Published On 3/26/2024
Golf Course Architect Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA, was hired for the project in 2022 by club-owner and tech entrepreneur David Cummings, a Tallahassee native who is responsible for the multi-million-dollar club revitalization to restore the landmark’s golf and social experience.
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Published On 3/26/2024
Michael Rabe, PSM graduate student (Thomas Nikolai) and Farm Assistant Manager at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center participated in the 2024 Congressional Visits Day (CVD) in February 2023. Michael and 18 graduate students from across the country, certified crop advisers, people from private sectors, and officials from the tri-societies (ASA-CSSA-SSSA). As part of “Team Mid-West,” Michael was grouped with Luther Smith, (Tri-societies) Dr. Karina Morales (University of Wisconsin), and Chase Krug, PhD student, University of Minnesota.
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Published On 3/25/2024
In 2024, the Rogers lab will continue their research for FIFA World Cup 2026 and the development of a shallow-profile turfgrass playing system. The research team will also begin assessment of creeping bentgrass as a viable option for sod on plastic production.
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Published On 3/25/2024
Since the summer of 1998 leachate samples have been collected from the monolith lysimeters at the HTRC and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. July 2023 marked 25 years of consecutive leachate collection and 33 years since turfgrass was established on the lysimeters.
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Published On 3/25/2024
Greetings from the Land of Green and White. I hope and trust all is well. We had a short winter, a wonderful IAT graduation this past Sunday, and have sent 29 students out on internship.
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Published On 3/25/2024
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced Friday nine recipients of more than $6.1 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion 2023 Grant Program awards that will provide Michiganders with access to life-changing career opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships.
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Published On 3/22/2024
In March, I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Chapter Leaders/Executive Symposium at GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas.
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Published On 3/21/2024
As the first high school drum major in his hometown’s history, Ron McCall displayed leadership skills. In time, his survival skills proved indispensable. His march toward even more take-charge examples includes time spent as commander of an American Legion Post, chaplain and, most recently, as equipment manager for The Highlands at Harbor Springs, part of Boyne Resorts’ all-season destination in Highland Springs, Mich.
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Published On 3/15/2024
Florida has had a specialty license plate (a source of funding for FL junior golf programs) that identifies NGF’s home state as the “Golf Capital of the World.”
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Published On 3/14/2024
The first launch of apparel through is a partnership with our friends at North Coast Golf Company for their premium golf gloves. As a show of support for all you do for golf, they are passing through 100% of the profits from these gloves directly to the MiGCSA. This is a limited time pre-order that will end on March 21st.
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Published On 3/12/2024
The goal of this program is to assist GCSAA members' children in funding their education at either an accredited college or trade school. It is available to the children of GCSAA members who have been an active member for five or more consecutive years. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior and be accepted at an institution of higher learning for the upcoming year.
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Published On 3/12/2024
Whoever said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb forgot to mention that the month is just as often a schizophrenic beast, swinging wildly between warm and frosty weather.
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Published On 3/12/2024
Michigan Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Doug Brody, Golf Executive of the Year, Chris Whitten, and Teacher & Coach of the Year, Kyle Martin headline the Michigan PGA’s Special Awards for 2024. The 13 winners were unveiled during the 2024 Michigan PGA Spring Meeting yesterday at Eagle Eye Golf Course.
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Published On 3/4/2024
Each month the MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 3/4/2024
Golf course closures last year came in at their lowest figure in almost two decades.
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Published On 2/29/2024
The award is available to dependents of current members of the MiGCSA in good standing pursuing a degree at a post-secondary educational institution as a full-time student.
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Published On 2/29/2024
Bob Buckley of Port Austin, a Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Governor and Junior Golf Committee member, loved the game for all the right reasons, said David Devendorf of Port Huron, his friend in life and golf.
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Published On 2/27/2024
Jesse Shaver, class A member and Golf Course Superintendent at Gull Lake Country Club in Richland has been elected as the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA) Chapter President for 2024.
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Published On 2/23/2024
The WinterTurf Grant project is a joint initiative of the University of Minnesota, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Massachusetts, Iowa State, Oregon State, the USDA Ag Research Service and the Norway Institute of Bioeconomy Research. It is focused on collecting data next fall and winter from golf courses in multiple countries to help gain a better understanding of winter stresses of turfgrass leading to more effective solutions for superintendents in cold weather climates.
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Published On 2/22/2024
Joy, 53, a professional at Belvedere since 1999 and the head golf professional since 2008, has been named the 2024 Golf Association of Michigan Club Services Representative of the Year. The GAM annually presents the honor to a club representative who demonstrates outstanding service to golf in Michigan.
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Published On 2/22/2024
The Northeast has experienced the ups and downs of temperatures and precipitation that we’ve come to expect during winter. Many areas recently warmed up enough to not only thaw frozen turf but open for play with golf carts. Meanwhile, other locations just got a fresh covering of snow. If your course has thawed turf, it’s a great opportunity to assess root system health and potentially take some steps to promote root growth.
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Published On 2/22/2024
The employee-owners of PBI-Gordon Corporation announced today that Shawn Golz has joined the company as a sales representative for golf course, sports turf, lawn care, and landscape maintenance customers in Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.
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Published On 2/22/2024
The golfers of the Michigan Section PGA with the help of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA) raised $65,000 for armed service veterans in the second Michigan PGA vs. Red Wings Alumni Game last Sunday at Michigan State University’s Munn Ice Arena.
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Published On 2/21/2024
Steven J. Hammon, golf course superintendent at Traverse City (Mich.) Country Club, will continue to serve on the board of directors for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) it was announced at the association's annual meeting Feb. 1, which was held in conjunction with the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix.
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Published On 2/12/2024
The mild winter weather has resulted in the possibility of new snow mold outbreaks and the need for golf course superintendents to reapply fungicides.
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Published On 2/7/2024
The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show returned to Phoenix for the first time since 1987 and was well received. Attendance rivaled that of Orlando 2023 with nearly 11,000 attendees and over 6,600 seminar seats filled, representing the highest total since 2008.
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Published On 2/7/2024
Winter Weather & Turf Conditions, Evans Scholars Announced, Remembering Carl Rose, Jr. and more...
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Published On 2/6/2024
Throughout the peak season in 2023 and beyond, the number of rounds of golf played nationwide trended slightly ahead of last year’s pace. They also kept pace with 2021’s record levels… at least until the final month of the year.
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Published On 2/6/2024
Although your course might be under snow, the golf season is quickly approaching. There is still time to evaluate your cultivation practices for the upcoming season and think about how you balance cultivation with variable weather, staff size and availability, and golfer expectations.
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Published On 2/6/2024
We are excited to announce that GCSAA Class A superintendent Adam Garr (@CourseCares) is joining the TurfNet content team as a blogger, producer and video host.
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Published On 2/2/2024
The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would like to thank everyone, including the attendees, presenters, vendors and sponsors, that helped make the 2024 Michigan Turfgrass Conference such a great success. The Conference had over 500 attendees this year making it one of our highest attended to date. The Conference will be back at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort again in 2025, save the dates January 7-9, 2025!
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Published On 2/2/2024
The information gathered from this survey will be used to update the existing MSU Turfgrass alumni database and may be used to develop the 'MSU Turfgrass Alumni Network Map'. This public interactive online map was created to showcase the global impact of MSU Turfgrass alumni and facilitate connections among current students, alumni and the general public. Many thanks to Jackie Guevara and Dr. Becky Bowling, University of Tennessee, for her guidance and help on this.
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Published On 1/25/2024
Oakland Hills Country Club is excited to extend this invitation to our network of colleagues to volunteer at the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur which is set to take place July 19-28, 2024.
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Published On 1/23/2024
The Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association is pleased to again offer the Heritage Scholarship. The award is available to dependents of current members of the MiGCSA in good standing pursuing a degree at a post-secondary educational institution as a full-time student. The total scholarship pool is $10,000 and individual awards will be decided by the committee.
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Published On 1/19/2024
Perhaps the most pressing question facing the golf industry over the past several years is whether the “pandemic dividend” would last. There were further encouraging signs in 2023, with increases in participation and play, a healthier balance between the number of golfers and courses, and an evolution of a traditional game that’s positively affecting golf demand. And golf’s brand.
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Published On 1/18/2024
Mississauga, ON - The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association (OGSA) are pleased to announce an agreement in principle to host a joint golf course management conference in February 25-27, 2025 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
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Published On 1/18/2024
The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is excited to announce that our board has recently welcomed new members who are bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. Chris Wilcznski and Brian Schweihofer have joined us and we are thrilled to have them on board.
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Published On 1/17/2024
For nearly 40 years, Paul Holmes, CGCS, was caretaker at Michigan’s Gaylord Country Club. Now his son Ryan has taken the reins.
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Published On 1/8/2024
Each month the MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 1/5/2024
In December of 2023 the MiGCSA Board approved and open nomination for the position of Assistant Superintendent Liaison to the Board of Directors. A very diverse and exciting pool of candidates were generated for this position and to serve on the Assistant Superintendent Committee. Allen Saville, Assistant Superintendent at Red Run G.C. has been selected to fill the position and to chair the committee along with Vice Chairman Nick Young from Birmingham C.C. The Board of Directors was extremely impressed with the candidates and are happy to announce that the Assistants Committee now has 11 members across the state.
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Published On 1/3/2024
Paulsboro, New Jersey, January 3, 2024 – Aquatrols® and the turf division of Precision Laboratories™, two of the leading brands in turf management, have merged to form The Aquatrols Company. This merger brings together the most comprehensive portfolio of soil surfactant and adjuvant products in the industry.
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Published On 1/3/2024
The Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association student scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the 2 or 4 year Turfgrass Program and are a current MiGCSA member. Awards will be presented at the Michigan Turfgrass Conference.
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Published On 1/3/2024
Making golf more accessible is the mission of the GAM Foundation and one of the ways we support that mission is through Youth on Course. This program provides junior golfers with the opportunity to play golf courses around the state for $5 or less, making golf affordable. Thanks to the generous support from you, our members and donors, Youth on Course Michigan achieved many milestones and your dollars went even further this year.
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Published On 12/29/2023
One of the byproducts of golf’s pandemic-fueled resurgence has been an uptick in course construction. It’s important to note, however, that the U.S. isn’t in the early stages of another building boom.
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Published On 12/28/2023
Employee-owned Harrell’s LLC, announced the appointment of current Harrell’s Chief Operating Officer, Jack Harrell III, as their new President and COO. Jack will succeed current Harrell’s President of nearly 20 years, Dave Schermerhorn, who will be shifting roles to Vice Chairman of the Board at Harrell’s, LLC. The news comes from the company’s annual National Sales Meeting where Harrell’s CEO and Chairman of the Board, Jack Harrell Jr., was joined onstage by both Jack and Dave to make the historic announcement.
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Published On 12/18/2023
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s a fitting time to look back, look ahead, and examine the growing appetite for green-grass golf.

Following a trend that’s emerged in the post-pandemic era, this year is poised to finish about 3% ahead of last year and as one of the strongest for rounds played in U.S. history.
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Published On 12/18/2023
MiGCSA Equipment Manager Board Liaison Mitch Hunt and the Equipment Managers Committee hosted the first 24-hour equipment managers conference, at Grand Traverse Resort in traverse city Michigan.
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Published On 12/18/2023
The golfers of the Michigan Section PGA and the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA) are once again dropping the puck and helping veterans.

For the second consecutive year they will demonstrate golfers can play hockey and in the process contribute funding to charity groups that serve veterans of the armed forces.
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Published On 12/11/2023
John Morgan of Novi was the Golf Association of Michigan Player of the Decade for the 1980s, but his busy schedule as global director of sales for automotive parts manufacturer Yazaki with primary responsibilities in working with General Motors made him a weekend-only golfer for 20 years.

“It was impossible to practice or play in tournaments with all the travel I was doing and the responsibilities I had,” he said. “I had not competed for close to 20 years in GAM events. Then I retired, started practicing and got the bug again.”
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Published On 12/11/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you all Michigan-focused news and feature stories exploring the many unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 12/11/2023
Fracturing the soil below traditional putting green aeration depths promotes water infiltration, gas exchange and deep rooting. The benefits of deep-tine aeration will be seen this winter and beyond.
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Published On 12/11/2023
If divot recovery is an issue on your tees, converting them to low-mow bluegrass could be the solution. Its belowground rhizomes mean faster healing than other cool-season options.
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Published On 12/11/2023
Despite the volatility surrounding the state of the American consumer these days, those who track these things broadly have projected another strong holiday buying season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasted spending to swell between 3% and 4% over 2022, which so far appears accurate, if not underestimated, based on reports of e-commerce jumping 8% during the critical five-day run from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.
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Published On 12/7/2023
LANSING – Michael Flatt and Russell Smascz, who in the last year took part in a landmark golf course maintenance Registered Apprenticeship program at The Highlands at Harbor Springs Resort, have been honored with recognition of completion certificates by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).
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Published On 11/21/2023
As you decide on your end of year spending, we hope you will consider lending your support to the GAM Foundation on National Day of Giving, Tuesday November 29th. The GAM Foundation supports access to affordable golf for youth through the Youth on Course Michigan initiative.
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Published On 11/21/2023
Long Range Master Planning are a club’s road map into the future and are especially helpful to the golf course superintendent. They can be implemented quickly or phased over a number of years. In the Master Planning Process, the collaboration between the golf course superintendent and the golf course architect is crucial to best ensure the project’s overall success.
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Published On 11/20/2023
While traditional golf participation has continued to climb in recent years, engagement has been even more pronounced away from the course – and that includes screen golf with simulated versions of bucket list destinations like Pebble Beach Golf Links.
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Published On 11/20/2023
From robot mowers to education and leadership, Dan Meersman is a pioneer in the golf course maintenance industry. In our latest episode, we caught up with the third-generation superintendent to discuss how his role has evolved at The Philadelphia Cricket Club and the fleet of robots he has helping him maintain three golf courses and various other turf areas around the facility. He’s been very happy with his robot mowers so far and sees even more promise on the horizon.
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Published On 11/20/2023
Just about every golf course that has ever had a frost delay has probably had to deal with comments from golfers about there being no frost at their house. The explanation is pretty simple, weather conditions that affect one location might not have the same impact in another location nearby. Beyond that basic fact, there are some specific reasons why golf courses may be more vulnerable to frost than your front yard.
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Published On 11/20/2023
Hiring employees to perform daily maintenance tasks continues to be one of the greatest challenges for golf course superintendents. Unfortunately, it does not look like this issue will go away any time soon. The labor shortage throughout the country is part of the problem, but the wages in golf course maintenance are a major hurdle as well.
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Published On 11/16/2023
Steve Fiorillo, CGCS is the Director of Grounds at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath Michigan.
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Published On 11/15/2023
The first GCSAA chapter to reach the 100-year landmark celebrated their milestone during a weekend gala at Westwood Country Club.
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Published On 11/9/2023
LANSING – Jeff Hoag, owner and general manager at Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center in Comstock Park, and Carey Mitchelson, the director of operations at College Fields Golf Club in Okemos and executive director of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), headline the 2023 Award Winners announced today by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).
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Published On 11/9/2023
Aspen Outdoors, which covers seven states across the Midwest, will be the first channel partner for the robotic mower manufacturer.
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Published On 11/7/2023
Fall foliage is stunning but once the leaves start falling there’s a big impact on playability and maintenance. Mulching or removing leaves is necessary and it comes with substantial costs.
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Published On 11/7/2023
The shoulder seasons and offseason are excellent times for improvement projects, but at what point does it make sense to hire a golf course construction company to do the work?
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Published On 11/6/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you all Michigan-focused news and feature stories exploring the many unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 11/6/2023
Did you know wearing a white lab coat has been scientifically proven to increase focus? That dressing elegantly enhances abstract thinking, which is essential to creativity and problem-solving?
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Published On 11/6/2023
MiGCSA President (2023) Dough Hoeh, Director of Recreation at Treetops Resort in Gaylord is featured.
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Published On 11/2/2023
Rounds of golf played in September 2023 remained relatively stable compared to a year ago, with a 1.6% national gain driven primarily by year-over-year play increases out west (the Pacific and Mountain regions) as well as in the most golf-rich U.S. state, Florida.
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Published On 10/30/2023
The late Gerald “Jerry” Faubel, superintendent at Saginaw Country Club for over 35 years and a national turfgrass leader, Doug LaBelle II of Mount Pleasant, twice a PGA Tour player in 16 years on professional golf tours around the world, and Jean Murray of Mount Pleasant, a standout player, Golf Association of Michigan volunteer and high school golf coach, have been inducted and are part of 137 members of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).
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Published On 10/30/2023
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL: Kolter Homes, a Builder Magazine “Top 100 Builder” has unveiled their new signature 18-hole golf course at Astor Creek Golf & Country Club, designed by Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA, owner of C.W. Golf Architecture. The Grand Opening Celebration took place the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, and the course is now open for play.
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Published On 10/24/2023
The Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association student scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the 2 or 4 year Turfgrass Program and are a current MiGCSA member. Interviews will be December 13th, awards will be presented at the Michigan Turfgrass Conference. The deadline for submission is Sunday, December 4th.
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Published On 10/24/2023
The Michigan Section PGA honored its 2023 Special Award Winners at the President's Dinner, sponsored by Mercer Advisors and E-Z-GO, held Sunday, October 22 at the Country Club of Lansing. The President's Dinner celebrated PGA Members who have excelled in their profession as well as those who have volunteered and given of themselves to serve the Section.
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Published On 10/24/2023
The Michigan Section PGA elected new officers for a two year term and an honorary member at the Association’s Annual Meeting attended by over 140 Michigan PGA Members. The meeting was held October 23, 2023 at Eagle Eye Golf Club in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Published On 10/20/2023
The game was a vehicle to raise almost $4.6 billion for a wide range of causes last year, according to our research for the latest industry report on the economics of golf. This impact, which extends from the local to the national level, was up about
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Published On 10/19/2023
The Sundance Course at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort has been selected as the 2023 Michigan Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).

Sundance, a Jerry Matthews design that opened in 2005, is one of two courses at the main campus of A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort and sits atop glacier-carved bluffs between Torch Lake and Grand Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan.
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Published On 10/16/2023
MiStory episode #10 features Ian Daniels, CGCS and his bunker renovation project with C.W. Golf Architecture at Country Club of Jackson.
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Published On 10/12/2023
MiGCSA Board Member Craig McKinley hosted the 16th annual State Championship, the MiGCSA Major, on October 11th at Bucks Run G.C. in Mt. Pleasant. This event is not just for those competing for the trophy there is also a 1 of 4 net team event so everyone can get in the game. The golf course had rave reviews, especially since aerification happened just two weeks prior.
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Published On 10/10/2023
October 9th was the final hike of the season for Michigan as we hosted hikers at four different courses throughout the state. This was the second year of our "unofficial" hike at the Little Hawk Putting Course which proved to be a popular spot for GAM staff. With the efforts combined for the 100 Hole Hike sites and the Hike at the Hawk, our estimated total of donations raised is almost $35,000!
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Published On 10/9/2023
This past September in Charlevoix, Michigan, Belvedere Golf Club was proud to host The Hickory Grail Cup. This prestigious competition is a three-day Ryder Cup style event matching the most passionate and skilled hickory players from the United States against those from Great Britian/ Europe. While the match structure is the same as the Ryder Cup, there are a few key differences between the two. Players compete with pre-1935 equipment and dress in traditional knickers, tie, and jacket.
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Published On 10/9/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you all Michigan-focused news and feature stories exploring the many unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 10/9/2023
Has your club made minor changes to the golf course which may affect score posting for your golfers? Even small changes like changing tee colors can make it confusing for players at your course(s) to post their scores accurately. Any changes to the regular course setup should be reported to GAM.
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Published On 10/5/2023
Peak golf season is in the rearview mirror. There are fewer daylight hours, temperatures are dipping, leaves are falling, and, in some parts of the country, golf facilities are beginning the process of shutting down until next year.
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Published On 10/4/2023
The MSU Turf School, Dec. 11-14, 2023, is a four-day short course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass.
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Published On 10/4/2023
A GCM columnist looks at the state of volunteer maintenance support at pro golf events.
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Published On 10/4/2023
EAST LANSING, Mich., Sept. 2023 – The Michigan State University Libraries’ Turfgrass Information Center is making the Turfgrass Information File database publicly available. This database, which is a cooperative project of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Turfgrass Information Center, can be openly accessed at https://tic.msu.edu/tgif.
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Published On 10/4/2023
Aeration has many benefits for turf health and playability, but it is disruptive to the playing surface. For this reason, aeration is one of the most controversial maintenance practices conducted on golf courses. Following the pandemic, golf has seen a surge in participation that has led some courses to either stop aerating or reduce the amount of aeration that is typically performed. While this may work without any visible consequences for a year or two, eventually the deferred maintenance will catch up and wreak havoc on turf health and playing conditions. Here are four signs that aeration intensity likely needs to be increased at your facility.
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Published On 10/3/2023
The 54th annual Big Event was hosted on October 2nd by Golf Course Superintendent Dave Makulski & Assistant Superintendents, TC Decker and Alex Wilson at Plum Hollow C.C. Another great weather day for this early fall event with highs in the 80’s and spectacular conditions and service by the staff at Plum Hollow. This event is the last of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. The proceeds from these events help fund scholarships, donations, and philanthropic turf related interests like the Wee One Foundation, Turf Research and the MSU Turf Club.
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Published On 9/28/2023
The annual icebreaker event is an opportunity for students to come together and form connections with one another. This is especially important for four year students who may not have classes with two year students. By forming a brotherhood between students, they have the chance to network and build relationships that can be beneficial throughout their careers.
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Published On 9/21/2023
The dog days of summer have come to a close, the kids are back in school and are getting in some rounds of golf either on the weekends or after school. Youth on Course Michigan has seen an incredible increase in participation this year over last and has even surpassed our banner year of 2020.
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Published On 9/21/2023
A picture-perfect fall day in Western Michigan was in store for the 144 MiGCSA Members and friends took part in the Western Golf Day Fundraiser at American Dunes Golf Club on Monday September 18th. This event is the second of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. All of the proceeds from these events go to fund the future of our industry by the way of scholarships, philanthropic causes related to turf and funding turf research.
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Published On 9/13/2023
Course architect and owner of the firm, Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA, described the project as the “next phase” of his 2017 master plan which includes a complete bunker overhaul on the back nine “The Woods” this fall, and on the front nine “The Pines” in the fall of 2024. Wilczynski is overseeing the work executed by golf course construction company TDI Golf, and course superintendent Ian Daniels, CGCS.
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Published On 9/13/2023
We are pleased to announce the 2023 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame honorees. This year’s class of recipients will be formally inducted on Sunday, October 29. The Induction Ceremony will be at the Ken Janke Sr Golf Learning Center - home of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame located next to the Katke Clubhouse at 1003 Perry Ave., Big Rapids.
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Published On 9/12/2023
Registration is now open for the 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix. Secure your spot as an Early Bird registrant by Oct. 8.
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Published On 9/11/2023
There’s an impression not much development is happening in golf. It’s clearly not the case. Course designers are busy with hundreds of renovations and course resurrections (where a previously closed course is brought back to life) along with a smattering of new courses. Add to that the growth of non-traditional golf entertainment facilities and you’ll recognize overall golf supply is not standing still.
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Published On 9/11/2023
Each month the MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 9/11/2023
It’s the time of year when days are getting shorter, temperatures moderate and we shift from playing defense to improving turf health. Late summer and fall are traditional aeration times for many golf courses in the Northeast. The benefits of this practice are well known, but a common negative side effect of aeration and topdressing is collar dams. During the process of sweeping and blowing sand topdressing into aeration holes, it tends to accumulate along the putting green edges and collars. As sand builds up over time, the collars elevate.
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Published On 9/11/2023
Controlling weeds in fine fescue naturalized areas, especially undesirable grasses, is an ongoing battle at many golf courses. Fluazifop (Fusilade II) and sethoxydim (Segment) are often used, but these herbicides do not offer control of every grassy weed. Fortunately, the recently enhanced pinoxaden (Manuscript) label now includes use on select cool-season species. This may be the addition you’ve been looking for to manage grassy weeds in fine fescue areas.
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Published On 8/25/2023
Tanglewood Golf Club in South Lyon, Michigan, recently picked KemperSports to manage the club. KemperSports aims for an enhanced golfer and guest experience through customer service, elevated food and beverage offerings, innovative player development programming, and social events.
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Published On 8/25/2023
Golf’s benefits were accentuated by the pandemic – physical, mental, and social – with many Americans discovering and rediscovering an interest in the game.
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Published On 8/25/2023
A powerful line of storms moved through Michigan last night, Aug. 24, 2023, bringing winds of over 60 mph and spawning several apparent tornadoes. The high winds and heavy rains led to widespread tree damage and power outages.
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Published On 8/25/2023
Golf at Oakland Hills South, Crystal Downs, Belvedere, American Dunes Among Prizes

It’s 25 chances to win free golf for $20 in the 2023 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Raffle.

Purchasing a $20 ticket, one of just 750 being sold, gives golfers a chance to win one of 25 golf foursomes or threesomes with a member at 25 of Michigan’s finest golf course properties.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online by going to mghof.org. All proceeds fund the MGHOF via the Michigan Golf Foundation.
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Published On 8/25/2023
Chris Wilczynski is overseeing work at Forest Lake Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for the club’s ‘Top of the Hill’ project to enhance the area around the entrance and clubhouse.
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Published On 8/24/2023
It took a second consecutive win in the Michigan PGA Professional Championship but Kyle Martin finally and humbly admitted he is somebody to be reckoned with in Michigan golf.

“To get one was the first goal, now to have two, even better,” he said after shooting a final 7-under 65 and pulling away to win the 102nd Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Flint Golf Club Wednesday.

The 39-year-old head golf professional at Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods finished with a 14-under 202 total, four shots ahead of five-time champion Jeff Roth of BOYNE Golf Academy, who shot a closing 69 for 206.
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Published On 8/24/2023
Golf course architect Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA, of C.W. Golf Architecture has returned to Forest Lake Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI for the club’s first significant golf course renovation in recent years. Wilczynski has been consulting for the club since 2012.
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Published On 8/24/2023
This long-time northern event is named after C.E. Tuck Tate, founding member of the Northern Michigan Turfgrass Managers Association (NMTMA) which was one of the four original Michigan Chapters. During the first two years of the NMTMA, Tuck coordinated communication to the members with a monthly newsletter. He continued editing, publishing, and mailing the monthly newsletter of the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association for eighteen years, until the format was changed in 1990. Tate continued to support the newsletter as an assistant editor from that time.
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Published On 8/18/2023
Congratulations to Tom Schall, CGSC Head Golf Course Superintendent at the Oakland University Golf & Learning Center for receiving the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award. Tom was nominated by SSgt. Matthew L. Young of the Army National Guard.
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Published On 8/18/2023
In our new podcast episode, Dr. Ben Wherley from Texas A&M sheds some light on the issue of shade and its impact on turf. We cover how light is measured, how much light different grasses need to grow well, tips for dealing with shade, new research on this topic and more!
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Published On 8/16/2023
On September 15, 2023, Beacon Hill Golf Club in Commerce Township, MI will host the first ever GolfATAXIA Scramble in honor of Lilah and Scarlett Lempicki from Lake Orion, MI. Lilah and Scarlett both live with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) - a rare and progressive neuromuscular disease that impacts an estimated 4,000 people in the United States. Since Lilah and Scarlett were diagnosed at the age of seven, they have gradually been losing abilities including their fine motor skills and ability to walk.
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Published On 8/14/2023
Katie Chipman of Canton came to Spring Lake Country Club to play in the 107th Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland with a plan to try and make it through stroke play into match play and then see what might happen.
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Published On 8/8/2023
The new liquid herbicide offers post-emergent control of sedges, kyllingas, and other broadleaf weeds.
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Published On 8/7/2023
Each month the MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 8/7/2023
Benefitting the Wee One Foundation
SAVE THE DATE—Monday, October 9th, 2023
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Published On 8/7/2023
Adjusting maintenance practices to reduce turf stress during hot, humid weather will help get your course through the rest of summer.
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Published On 8/7/2023
Greener turf in old aeration holes is often visible during the summer, but our data shows that ball roll is not impacted by this visual pattern.
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Published On 7/31/2023
That’s now three straight months of meaningful year-over-year gains in rounds played at U.S. golf courses (April +7.8%, May +10%, June +5.5%), as demand for our core product continues to hold strong in an apparently slowing economy.

Still too early to declare a “new normal?” You be the judge...
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Published On 7/31/2023
The GCSAA Edwin Budding Award is given annually to an individual in the turf equipment industry whose actions have gone above and beyond the norm to help shape the turf equipment management industry into what it is today. Edwin Budding was one of those individuals who helped define golf, not as a player, but as an engineer. He designed the first reel mower, which has shaped golf as we know it today.
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Published On 7/19/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the great game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 7/18/2023
The MiGCSA Board of Directors is proud to announce a new appointment to the Equipment Manager Liaison to the Board Mitchell D. Hunt, Equipment Manager at Traverse City Country Club.
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Published On 7/14/2023
The U.S. is the best-supplied golf country in the world, by far, with more courses from Alaska to Florida than the next top 10 nations combined.

But the game of golf also has remarkable geographic spread, with at least one course in 83% of countries and territories recognized by the ISO (International Standard Organization). That’s 207 of 249, in total.
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Published On 7/13/2023
MiStory episode #9 features Mike Morris, CGCS at Crystal Downs C.C. One of the early founders of the MiGCSA and so many other impactful initiatives in the golf course industry.
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Published On 6/27/2023
August Meekhof, a Michigan State University golfer from Eastmanville near Grand Rapids, lost in the semifinals in 2020 and last year, and came back this year wanting another chance.
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Published On 6/27/2023
Many parts of mid-Michigan continue to dodge raindrops and the effects of our dry conditions are becoming evident on lawns throughout the region. While the effects of drought on browning turf are obvious to most homeowners, the effect of drought on landscape trees and shrubs may be more subtle. Michigan State University Extension recommends homeowners and landscape professionals watch for common signs of drought stress on landscape plants, including:
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Published On 6/27/2023
It was a beautiful day for the annual LaFontaine Golf Outing. Thank you to everyone who came out in support of the The Gordon LaFontaine Endowment for Turfgrass Research. Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors, the event would not be the success it is without you!
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Published On 6/27/2023
Every year, we talk about how consistently inconsistent spring can be in our region. This year seems to be even more extreme. Many courses have been challenged with a lack of rainfall, causing stress on plants and people earlier than usual, with the historically difficult stretch of the season still ahead. Though conditions thus far have not produced high disease pressure, humidity and dew points are on the rise and disease is just around the corner.
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Published On 6/20/2023
Every professional golf tournament takes an army of volunteers to produce the conditions you see every weekend on TV. These are professional educated experts in turf management coming to assist their fellow MiGCSA Members.
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Published On 6/19/2023
The 36-year-old journeyman shot a closing 2-under 69 and finished two shots clear of the field at 12-under to win the Hall Financial Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn, Brighton Ford and Coppercraft Distillery Thursday at the Katke-Cousins Course at Oakland University Golf & Learning Center.
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Published On 6/12/2023
Drought conditions are always troubling, but MSU Extension resources are available to help producers and landowners make the best management decisions for them.
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Published On 6/9/2023
The Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA), the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), the Michigan Section PGA, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MGF), the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) and the Greater Michigan Club Management Association, which form the Michigan Golf Alliance, convened with legislators and staff members for lunch on the lawn of the state Capitol, and also visited the offices of each legislator.
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Published On 6/9/2023
More than 100 5th graders came out to Lyon Oaks from Heritage Elementary School hosted by MiGCSA Members Mike Mausolf and Shayne Skolnik.
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Published On 6/9/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 6/9/2023
The 312 acres of The Los Angeles Country Club might be the most valuable real estate in the entire world of golf as it sits tucked into one of the most famous neighborhoods in L.A. The club is also home to some of the most compelling ground for the game, with the gnarly barrancas and cranky terrain that challenges golfers on the famed North Course, host site of the 123rd U.S. Open. Outside the gates there is all that concrete, glass and steel; but here, behind the ivied walls along Wilshire Boulevard, is a museum piece of Golden Age golf architecture at its best.
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Published On 6/9/2023
One of the most notable aspects of the pandemic-driven rise in participation over the past three years: the influx of women and girls.
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Published On 6/9/2023
You may have heard that golf is now a $102 billion industry in the U.S. – 20% larger than it was in 2016, the last time there was a proper quantitative review of the game’s economic contributions.
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Published On 6/7/2023
Thank you to our host Director of Agronomy Jim Bluck, CGCS along with Matt Morley, Will Strauch, Greg Rau, Andrew Beldo, Alex Roth & Zach Redman.
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Published On 6/1/2023
The late Gerald “Jerry” Faubel, superintendent at Saginaw Country Club for over 35 years and a national turfgrass leader, Doug LaBelle of Mount Pleasant, twice a PGA Tour player in 16 years on professional golf tours around the world, and Jean Murray of Mount Pleasant, a standout player, Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Honorary Governor and high school golf coach, have been elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).
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Published On 5/30/2023
Not all weedy grasses are crabgrass. Tall fescue is one of the top grassy weed complaints received by MSU Extension and MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics each year.
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Published On 5/25/2023
SAGINAW – The familiar manicured holes of classic Saginaw Country Club will host the 25th GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship presented by Stifel Investment Services Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Published On 5/25/2023
FLINT – The classic Willie Park Jr.-designed course at Flint Golf Club has hosted legends and championships for over a century, as well as many Golf Association of Michigan tournaments and qualifiers.
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Published On 5/23/2023
A little help for those "100 days" ahead
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Published On 5/23/2023
I've been in working in the golf industry for 37 great years. I was fortunate to have had several great mentors that have passed on great advice. Listening to good superintendents and being mentored helped me to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety that I experienced in the 21 years I spent working in private country clubs.
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Published On 5/23/2023
The Meijer LPGA Classic is returning to Blythefield Country Club! This event’s success owes a great deal to the many volunteers that have helped us every year. Please consider sharing your expertise with us again this year as we truly cannot be successful without your help.
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Published On 5/18/2023
You may have heard that golf is now a $102 billion industry in the U.S. – 20% larger than it was in 2016, the last time there was a proper quantitative review of the game’s economic contributions.
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Published On 5/8/2023
Mr. Aldridge was well known throughout the community as the owner of Indianwood Golf & Country Club and Lakewood Shores Resort (Oscoda, MI). He was also the founder and creator of Canterbury Village. Mr. Aldridge was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 for his support and involvement in the Michigan Section of the PGA. He was well known for his participation in many civic and charitable organizations.
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Published On 5/8/2023
The MI Golf Journal brings you Michigan-focused feature stories and news exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 5/8/2023
Dr. Thom Nikolai introduces Mike Morris at the GAM Annual Meeting.
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Published On 5/8/2023
During my travels over the past few weeks, the theme remains the same: “What happened to our head start on the 2023 season?” After brutal cold in December, the remainder of winter blessed the region with mild temperatures. While there was an early spring greenup, the weather has been unpredictable lately, with large temperature swings coupled with stretches of dry and wet weather.
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Published On 5/8/2023
The type of ball mark generated when a golf ball strikes a putting green provides valuable insight into surface performance and how well the agronomic program is working. Obviously, saturated conditions will increase ball mark severity and greens with excessive organic matter are also more vulnerable to ripping, tearing and exploding ball marks. But what about greens that feel firm and measure firm, but still have severe ball marks?
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Published On 5/4/2023
The Golf Association of Michigan hosted its Annual Meeting at Polo Fields Golf & Country Club on Wednesday May 3rd, sharing highlights from 2022 and reviewing plans for 2023.
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Published On 4/24/2023
5/1 - 8:00 AM Kalamazoo CC
5/1 - 1:00 PM Cascade Hills CC
5/2 - 8:00 AM The Fortress Frankenmuth
5/3 - 8:00 AM Farmington Hills GC
5/3 - 1:00 PM Barton Hills CC Ann Arbor
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Published On 4/21/2023
Only twice in the history of golf in the United States has there been a sustained contraction in golf course supply. One period coincided with The Great Depression and the other (today’s) began with the implosion of the real estate market and was supercharged by The Great Recession.
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Published On 4/20/2023
Recent rainfall events caused flooding on golf courses, lawns and other turf areas. Depending on how long the turf was submerged and whether soil deposition occurred will determine whether turf survives.
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Published On 4/19/2023
The most common issue we have heard from our members is the struggle to find employees to work for them on the golf course. In response to this the national golf bodies have launched Make Golf Your Thing. This is a collaborative effort across the golf industry committed to making the sport more diverse, equitable and inclusive. This multi-faceted, multi-year movement is actively seeking individuals, organizations and businesses from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities, to pick up the game, pursue a career in golf or promote their business within the industry.
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Published On 4/18/2023
Lynx Golf Course in Otsego was the first course in the state to participate in a new turf maintenance apprenticeship program. Courtesy photo.
An apprenticeship program aims to help West Michigan golf courses lure in new recruits to work in the turf maintenance side of the business.
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Published On 4/17/2023
Country Club of Lansing caddie Owen Brewer of the University of Michigan and Andrew Hendren of Michigan State University, a caddie at Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, are the 2023 winners of the James D. Standish Award.
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Published On 4/16/2023
The MTF once again is seeking the support of our golf industry to participate in the TeeTimes4Turf Online Auction. The Auction will be held April 30 - May 14.
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Published On 4/7/2023
Sara Wold qualified for the now defunct U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship in 1984 and remembers a conversation that she credits as the launching of her many years of service to golf.
“I had qualified and played in stroke play for the first two days at Meadowbrook in South Dakota and didn’t play very well,” she said. “I remember sitting and talking with Dee Klockow, a good Michigan golfer, and telling her instead of playing poorly and feeling bad about it I should do something useful with golf. So that’s where it started. I became a rules official.”
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Published On 4/7/2023
Considering it is early April, most golfers are probably not thinking about the weather pattern that was experienced in the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, the impact of subzero temperatures and high winds on exposed turf may be on display this spring as play resumes.
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Published On 4/7/2023
PJ Maybank III of Cheboygan sets new scoring record at historic tournament, the Top 50 Junior Tour celebrates 20 years, High School Coaches Hall of Fame inductees, Mich PGA Awards, Michigan News and Notes and much more.
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Published On 4/7/2023
Detroit Golf Club is looking for industry partners to volunteer for the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Dates for the tournament are Sunday June 25th
- Sunday July 2nd . Volunteers will assist the staff at Detroit Golf Club to prepare the golf course daily for the PGA. This is a great opportunity to see how things are done inside the ropes!
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Published On 3/28/2023
It makes sense that California and Florida lead the nation in golf supply.

California, after all, is the most populous state, by a long shot. Florida, meanwhile, is the East Coast’s sunshine escape for vacationers, retirees and second-home owners, with the most miles of coastline in the continental U.S. And both have (mostly) year-round golf weather.

But which state is home to more public golf than any other?

As detailed in NGF’s latest one-page state golf reports — that would be Michigan, which ranks third to the aforementioned leaders in total supply.
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Published On 3/28/2023
Trees can be a highly controversial topic on a golf course and their impact on turf health and playability are significant. Managing and removing trees are often two of the most contentious topics at many facilities. To help guide tree management decisions and create consensus amongst decision-makers, it is valuable to seek input from outside experts, such as golf course architects and USGA agronomists.
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Published On 3/28/2023
Annual bluegrass is an amazing plant. Its presence on all seven continents tells you all you need to know about its ability to adapt. One characteristic that makes it such a ubiquitous grass is its prolific seed production, with a single plant capable of producing over 2,000 seeds (Mitich, 1998). Unfortunately, those seeds can be a big headache for superintendents with annual bluegrass in their putting greens.
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Published On 3/28/2023
The successful Youth on Course program was established in 2017 in Michigan through the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Foundation and some of the young golfers who took advantage of $5 golf rounds on participating courses also discovered a career path.
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Published On 3/22/2023
Michigan Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year Doug Bell, Golf Executive of the Year Dean Kolstad, and Teacher & Coach of the Year Scott Wilson headline the Michigan PGA’s Special Awards for 2023. The 13 winners were unveiled during the 2023 Michigan PGA Spring Meeting yesterday at Eagle Eye Golf Course.
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Published On 3/22/2023
Terri Anthony-Ryan has taught a countless number of golfers while working for 33 years as a teaching professional at the Southfield’s Evergreen Hills and Beech Woods golf facilities, and she is in year 39 as a PGA member.
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Published On 3/10/2023
Michigan Golf Course Association Announces Bay Harbor Golf Club, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Lynx Golf Course, Raisin Valley Golf Club, Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center and The Emerald Golf Course to New Registered Apprenticeship Program
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Published On 3/8/2023
Long time MiGCSA Member and Board of Director Scott Pulaski takes us around Walloon Lake Country Club in beautiful Petoskey.
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Published On 3/7/2023
Morris, 63, has been named the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Superintendent Award of Merit winner for 2023. The award is bestowed upon a superintendent who has demonstrated leadership, professionalism, good character and high standards of conduct through pursuits associated with golf course grounds maintenance and care.
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Published On 3/7/2023
The March edition of MI Golf Journal is packed full of Michigan-focused feature stories and news for you to enjoy exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 3/2/2023
The Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association is pleased to again offer the Heritage Scholarship. The award is available to dependents of current members of the MiGCSA in good standing pursuing a degree at a post-secondary educational institution as a full-time student during the next academic year. The total scholarship pool is $10,000 and individual awards will be decided by the committee.
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Published On 3/1/2023
This event is a critical part of our fundraising efforts for the MSU Turf Program and we encourage all courses to offer a Tee Time for the purpose of Research. We encourage all turf supporters to take a moment to review our form and help support the MSU Turf Program.
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Published On 3/1/2023
Winter is always a challenging time for landscape trees in Michigan. One of the most significant and lasting impacts of winter on trees is ice and snow damage. Last week’s ice storm in southern lower Michigan coated trees with up to half an inch of ice. This amount of ice can weigh down tree branches and cause significant breakage. Often the weight of ice results in high crown breakage, though trees can also split or lose major limbs.
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Published On 2/28/2023
The MiGCSA held its 16th annual meeting and election on Tuesday, February 27th at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids.
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Published On 2/20/2023
When you think of the USGA Green Section, new product development may not be the first thing that comes to mind. The Green Section has been supporting golf courses through research, course consulting and education for over 100 years, but has developed only a limited number of physical tools or products – most notably the TruFirm and Stimpmeter.
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Published On 2/20/2023
The Northeast region is once again experiencing an unseasonably mild winter. In fact, several locations are on the cusp of setting a record for the latest date without measurable snow. However, the freeze/thaw cycle and winter rain have created sloppy conditions that are not conducive to traversing the course with machines or golf carts.
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Published On 2/20/2023
The golfers of the Michigan Section PGA with the help of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA) raised $60,000 for armed service veterans in the Michigan PGA Red Wings Alumni Game on Sunday at the Belfor Training Center at Little Caesars Arena.
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Published On 2/17/2023
Some of Raymond Hearn’s latest work has been recognized in the January 2023 edition of Golf Digest magazine. The article cited his improvements at Midlothian Country Club in Midlothian, Ill., and Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, NJ.
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Published On 2/16/2023
The Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship presented by Brighton Ford and Make The Turn will be played at the Oakland University Golf & Learning Center’s Katke-Cousins Golf Course, the Michigan Section PGA announced today.
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Published On 2/16/2023
The February edition of MI Golf Journal is packed full of Michigan-focused feature stories and news for you to enjoy exploring all the unique places and people we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 2/16/2023
After taking a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golf Course Hockey Challenge was back for the 27th time in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This annual tradition pits professionals from the turfgrass industry against each other in hockey for the right to hoist the “McCormick Cup” (named after Peter McCormick, one of the founders of TurfNet and a long-time manager/coach for the TurfNet team in Niagara.)
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Published On 2/16/2023
With December’s data now in, we know that rounds played in 2022 finished 3.7% below the record setting prior year. Yet the overall volume of rounds continues to outpace pre-Covid levels, with 2022 running 15% above the average of the 2017-2019 period.
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Published On 2/3/2023
How to find high school agriculture programs/FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters your superintendents can tap for seasonal labor on the course.
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Published On 2/3/2023
GreenSight Inc. is excited to announce a collaboration with Harrell’s and the addition of a new application planning feature inside TurfCloud. Users can demo the application planner at the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Tradeshow, formerly known as the Golf Industry Show (GIS), starting on February 4th.
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Published On 2/1/2023
Andy takes us for a ride around Cascade Hills C.C. in Grand Rapids to talk about his first year being in charge after a few years as the Assistant under Al Bathum, CGCS.
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Published On 1/31/2023
In the spring of 2021, I was invited by a good friend of mine to watch a lawnmower race that one of his acquaintance’s hosts. This really spiked my interest so the following weekend I decided to see what it was all about. I pulled up to the address and was greeted by a 4x8 sheet of plywood that read, “RACE”. The driveway was a rutted up rocky farm trail, that after several hundred yards, opened up to a grassy field that had been turned into a makeshift parking lot. There were several people already there just mingling with one another. The starting line was packed with mowers and the races were about to begin. The festivities lasted until well after dark and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable events that I had ever attended.
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Published On 1/31/2023
The MTF was pleased to present its 92nd Annual Turfgrass Conference at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for the second consecutive year. Returning to the site proved to be the appropriate selection as attendance exceeded over 500 Turfgrass professionals and industry partners. In addition, seminars, classes, events, and gatherings surpassed all expectations making it the most successful event in recent history.
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Published On 1/30/2023
I am excited to inform you that the 2023 BMW Championship will be hosted at
OFCC on the famed North Course. This is the penultimate event in the PGA TOUR's
FedEx Cup Playoffs and will feature the top PGA TOUR professionals from around
the world. Follow us at @ofccgrounds on twitter for future information.
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Published On 1/20/2023
Follow Equipment Manager Ben Beard around American Dunes for a day in the life of the very valuable equipment manager!
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Published On 1/17/2023
The Heritage Scholarships are now open for submissions, the deadline is February 10th.
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Published On 1/17/2023
GAM Junior Players of the Year; Mother-Daughter Make Golf's Dynamic Duo; Golf Business in Michigan; Washtenaw Golf Club Stepping Back in Time, and much more.
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Published On 1/13/2023
This year's event in Orlando will be ‘Unlike any our members have experienced before.’
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Published On 1/9/2023
It’s been said that search engine data are “the most important [data] ever collected on the human psyche.”[i]

Unlike other forms of consumer information gathering, where ‘social desirability bias’ can lead people to exaggerate, underreport or even lie about certain realities, the search box is a safe and impersonal place for us to freely explore and discover.
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Published On 1/4/2023
A.J. Rings will serve as Western Michigan Turf Equipment Manager & Joe Ettawageshik joins as Western & Northern territory manager.
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Published On 1/3/2023
To understand the current state of our industry, we need to start at the beginning and consider how manufacturers were conducting business before March 2020. At that time, many industries were conducting business as usual, with a focus on working capital and following a “just in time” process - building to what their customers needed, dealing with single-source suppliers, and managing inventories.
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Published On 12/30/2022
Acme Township trustees have unanimously approved plans to revive the former High Pointe golf course in Williamsburg, with famed course architect Tom Doak – who is consulting on the project – telling board members that work could begin on the property as soon as April.
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Published On 12/27/2022
Updates from the MSU Turf Program
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Published On 12/15/2022
With mild weather in northern Michigan, the December 8, 2022 equipment manager seminar at Traverse City Country Club was a big success. Mitch Hunt equipment manager, Steve Hammon superintendent were happy to host this year’s event, with a turnout of over 35 attendees, including sponsors, equipment managers, and superintendents. Covering cities all over Michigan including, Spring Lake, Lansing, Clarkston, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, Detroit & Portage.
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Published On 12/15/2022
Ask just about any superintendent what they plan to do this winter and the number one answer is likely, take some much-needed rest – the second answer is probably tree removal. Thankfully, superintendents aren’t as unprepared or indecisive as Clark Griswold when it comes to cutting down a tree during the holidays either. Winter is the perfect time for tree removal because grass doesn’t grow much, meaning that employees are liberated from their mowing duties and their efforts can be redirected to tree removal or cleanup.
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Published On 12/15/2022
The quest for continuous improvement is a fascinating aspect of turfgrass management. There is not a part of the industry that has not been improved over the last 100 years. With that said, not every innovation has stuck. Over time, the helpful ones have been adopted and the others were tossed aside. This brings us to the current era of data, sensors and analytics. Superintendents have the ability to collect mountains of information, but they must discern which information is most valuable to their turf management program.
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Published On 12/10/2022
The DECEMBER edition of MI Golf Journal is packed full of Michigan-focused feature stories and news.

Please enjoy exploring the unique things we have in the game of golf in our Great Lakes State.
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Published On 11/28/2022
Episode #5 takes us to Atlas Valley in Grand Blanc.
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Published On 11/10/2022
Michigan Golf course of the year, Miss golf 2022, Meet Mr. (PGA) President John Lindert and more...
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Published On 11/7/2022
Gilda Johnson, the owner at Lake Forest Golf Club in Ann Arbor, Jim and Chris MacInnes, owners of Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, and The Dul Family of Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center in Plymouth were announced today as 2022 Award Winners by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).
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Published On 11/2/2022
30+ year member and leader John Nowakowski, CGCS is retiring from Port Huron Golf Club this year. He shares his tips, tricks and his 12 lessons for being successful in our industry.
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Published On 10/31/2022
Frequently asked questions about when and where pesticide applicators can earn education credits or take the certification exam.
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Published On 10/31/2022
The traditional game of golf has been undergoing an evolution that began long before the pandemic, even as the past two years have been a historic stretch marked by increased golf participation, rounds and engagement, more favorable perceptions of the game, and a generally healthier outlook.
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Published On 10/31/2022
Two new members have been inducted into the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame. John Molenda and Roger Van Dyke were announced as members of the 2022 Induction Class. Both were recognized at the Michigan PGA President’s Dinner, Sunday, October 23 at Western Golf & Country Club as well as the Section’s Fall Meeting Monday, October 24 at Detroit Golf Club.
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Published On 10/27/2022
The teeing up of career opportunities in the golf industry, including a unique golf course maintenance technician registered apprenticeship program, are a new and featured part of this year’s Michigan Golf Business Annual Conference & Vendor Fair. Mark the calendar for the Nov. 28-30 gathering of Michigan golf course owners, operators and suppliers presented by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) at Soaring Eagle Resort in Mount Pleasant.
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Published On 10/26/2022
Employee-owned Harrell's, LLC is pleased to announce that Dr. Aaron Palmateer has joined the Harrell's family as a new Director of Agronomy, specializing in horticulture.
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Published On 10/25/2022
We are pleased to announce that US Golf Cars and Ladd’s Golf & Turf have formed a strategic partnership. The two companies will be working together to create one of the largest golf car and turf equipment distribution companies in the Country. With this partnership, US Golf Cars has acquired the distribution rights to Jacobsen and allied lines for the State of Michigan from Baker Vehicles Systems effective October 20, 2022.
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Published On 10/24/2022
Trees are important features on most golf courses, but they can also be a source of frustration for both superintendents and golfers. Turfgrass problems caused by shade, limited air movement and root competition are just a few of the reasons why tree pruning and sometimes removal are critically important for many golf courses and form the foundation of successful tree management plans.
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Published On 10/21/2022
PART 4: The fourth and final 25-year segment of the Michigan Section PGA (1997-2022)

This is the final part of a four-part series produced in celebration of the centennial year of the Michigan Section PGA. The series has been published at michiganpga.com and released to the media over the 2022 golf season.
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Published On 10/21/2022
BIG RAPIDS – Jennifer Kangas-Brody, a former LPGA Tour player originally from the Upper Peninsula, Art McCafferty, a multi-media golf publisher and producer, and the late John Molenda, a longtime Knollwood Country Club professional who won the Michigan Open and the Michigan PGA Professional championships, were inducted by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF) Sunday.
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Published On 10/21/2022
It’s been 10 years since the epic winterkill event ravaged golf courses throughout Michigan. Anyone that experienced it at their course likely will never forget it. Some courses had all 18 greens affected and greens didn’t truly return to normal conditions until the following year. Since then, there have sporadic kill events almost every year somewhere in Michigan, but we’ve luckily dodged a massive killing winter.
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Published On 10/14/2022
The 53rd annual Big Event was hosted by MiGCSA Past President Rob Steger, CGCS at Red Run Golf Club on Monday October 3rd. The golf course, the staff and the food were incredible! This event is the last of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year.
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Published On 10/14/2022
The Emerald Golf Course in St. Johns has been selected as the 2022 Michigan Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).

The popular mid-Michigan public venue opened in 1996 after the late Michigan Golf Hall of Fame architect Jerry Matthews designed a new 18 holes on the property that included the site of a previous nine-hole private facility, and it has been ranked and regarded among the state’s top courses for public play since.
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Published On 10/12/2022
Multiple Michigan tournament stories from GAM and the Mich PGA, recapping three Michiganders in the USGA Women's Mid-Am, reviews of three 100-year-old courses in Michigan, growing the game for kids at Washtenaw, Boyne and beyond, Mich Women's Golf Hall of Fame, updates at Pinehurst and much more.
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Published On 10/6/2022
WinField United Professional is pleased to announce it's joining the Heritage family as Heritage Professional Products Group (Heritage PPG) November 4th, 2022. This acquisition allows us to join forces with a company that aligns with our values of customer service and growth.
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Published On 10/6/2022
ROYAL OAK – The Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) team topped the Michigan Section PGA team for the fifth consecutive time in the 50th Fuller Cup Matches Tuesday at Red Run Golf Club.

The GAM’s 12 ½ - 5 ½ victory in the Ryder Cup-like format pulled the state’s top amateur golfers closer in the all-time series that the PGA leads 34-14-2.
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Published On 9/29/2022
A picture-perfect fall day in Western Michigan was in store for the 115 MiGCSA Members and friends took part in the 2022 Western Golf Day Fundraiser at Egypt Valley Country Club on Tuesday September 27th. This event is the second of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. All of the proceeds from these events go to fund the future of our industry by the way of scholarships, philanthropic causes related to turf and funding turf research.
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Published On 9/26/2022
DAYTON, OH – Golf Course Architect, Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, has completed a comprehensive bunker renovation project and master plan for the Hills and Dales Courses at Community Golf Club in Dayton, OH.
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Published On 9/23/2022
The MSU Turf School, Dec. 12-15, 2022, is four-day short course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass.
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Published On 9/22/2022
The negative effects of trees on turf health is nothing new. Shade, restricted airflow and root competition are the three main culprits. While we can usually see and feel the effects of shade and restricted air movement, visualizing root competition can be more challenging. A general rule of thumb is that tree roots will extend as far out as the tree is tall. Imagine the tree falling onto its side and this is about where roots typically extend to. That said, the best time to see the effects that tree roots have on your turf is following droughty conditions.
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Published On 9/22/2022
Bunkers are an integral part of golf courses and are intended to be challenging. Every golfer knows that they are to be avoided if possible. However, there are many differing opinions on the importance of consistency, playability and overall difficulty of bunkers. Regardless of where you might stand on how penal bunkers should be, one thing we can all agree upon is nobody wants frequent fried-egg lies.
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Published On 9/22/2022
It’s a bittersweet thing – giving up my status among the highly-dynamic, ever-evolving, often-vilified 18- to 34-year-old cohort. For the first time in my 10-year career at NGF, I’m no longer the self-proclaimed spokesperson for the “young crowd.” That torch has been passed.
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Published On 9/20/2022
MiGCSA Class A Member Andy Dalton hosted the 15th annual State Championship, the MiGCSA Major, on September 15th at Atlas Valley G.C. in Grand Blanc. This event is not just for those competing for the trophy there is also a 1 of 4 net team event so everyone can get in the game. The course was really in remarkable condition thanks to the great work by Andy and his staff.
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Published On 9/19/2022
After nearly two decades as a golf course superintendent, Kevin P. Sunderman, CGCS, has been named chief operating officer (COO) for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
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Published On 9/14/2022
Reinders, Inc. is a 150-year-old golf and grounds focused company headquartered in Sussex, Wisconsin. The acquisition of Spartan Distributors, a 75-year-old company, will expand Reinders Toro coverage to include Spartan’s current territory of Michigan. This will add to Reinders’ existing Toro territory of Wisconsin, the Chicago area, and parts of Indiana and the UP of Michigan.
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Published On 9/13/2022
Kevin Peck is a 12-year veteran as the assistant superintendent at the Country Club of Detroit. He’s now the Golf Course Superintendent of The Inn at St. John’s. The previous 27 hole property has been torn down to the dirt and converted into a championship 18 hole course designed by Raymond Hearn with a bonus par three and putting course. The well-known mid-Michigan destination is soon to be renamed St. John's Resort.
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Published On 9/12/2022
The SEPTEMBER edition of MI Golf Journal is packed full of Michigan-focused feature stories and news -- and you'll love this one a ton if you enjoy College Golf and Football!
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Published On 9/12/2022
High Pointe Golf Club – the legendary former golf course in Williamsburg that was famed architect Tom Doak’s first project and one of Golf Magazine’s 100 greatest courses in the country – is poised to make a comeback. A development team has a purchase agreement for land south of MI Local Hops on M-72 – property containing part of the former course – and plans to rebuild High Pointe in consultation with Doak with the goal of opening the new 18-hole course in 2024.
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Published On 9/12/2022
The Tuck Tate Championship was originally played in 1985 at Frankfort Golf Course. This event continued as an individual low gross event until 2019 at True North Golf Club. Seeing the need to breathe some new life into this event the format was changed post COVID to a two-person team event. The Tuck Tate Shootout was launched this year on August 30th at Treetops Resort on the par 3 Threetops course.
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Published On 9/8/2022
Prime Source, a division of Albaugh, LLC, announces the registration
of new Triad T Select™ Herbicide. The newest member of the Triad herbicide family combines triclopyr
with the trusted performance of Triad Select™, containing 2,4-D, MCPA and dicamba.
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Published On 9/5/2022
The award supports outstanding non-traditional students pursuing a career in golf course and turf management.
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Published On 9/3/2022
Get to know our new Syngenta Territory Manager Eric Schutman.
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Published On 8/24/2022
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP) recognizes the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center for its efforts to ensure environmental stewardship and enhance wildlife habitats. MTESP is a voluntary program that helps Michigan’s turfgrass industry learn best management practices that reduce environmental risks.
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Published On 8/19/2022
The golf business has weathered eight recessions over the past 50 years. And, once again, we’re headed for another. That is, if we aren’t already in one. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the official arbiter of recession status, has yet to declare the current stretch as such, even though this year started with two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.
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Published On 8/19/2022
Ball marks are a part of golf, but there is an easy solution to ensure they don’t cause bumpy conditions, scalping and an unsightly appearance – fixing them properly. Unfortunately, unrepaired or improperly repaired ball marks have been a part of golf for centuries and it’s likely to always be an issue to some extent.
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Published On 8/18/2022
Kyle Martin, the head golf professional at Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods, had some good fortune but also withstood a long rain delay and made some critical shots under pressure in winning the 101st Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Prestwick Village Golf Club Wednesday.
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Published On 8/18/2022
ART 3: The third 25-year segment of the Michigan Section PGA (1972-1997)

This is the third of a four-part series produced in celebration of the centennial year of the Michigan Section PGA. The series is being published at michiganpga.com and released to the media over the 2022 golf season.
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Published On 8/17/2022
Celebrate golf course management professionals with support on social media using #ThankASuper
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Published On 8/15/2022
It’s 20 chances to win free golf for $20 in the 2022 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Raffle.
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Published On 8/15/2022
It took some late dramatics and three holes of sudden-death playoff golf before August Meekhof of Eastmanville emerged as the winner of the 101st GAM Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland at Plum Hollow Country Club Tuesday.
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Published On 8/15/2022
Are you a golf course superintendent?
Is it what you are?
Or is it who you are?
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Published On 8/6/2022
Michiganders heading to the men's and women's U.S. Amateur championships, a Detroiter sets a new scoring record of 44-under par in Youth on Course's 100-hole hike, multiple Mich tournament stories from GAM and the Mich PGA, STEM education in golf, and much more.
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Published On 8/5/2022
In the most recent National Rounds Played Report, Golf Datatech reported rounds played in June were up 2.7% over the same month last year. Nice to see, given four of the previous five months ‘comped’ down compared to 2021.
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Published On 8/5/2022
GAM Member & Western Michigan University Women’s Golf Coach Kim Moore had an incredible eight-stroke victory over Ryanne Jackson in the women’s overall competition at the Inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open last week at Pinehurst GC.
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Published On 8/5/2022
Don’t let organic matter levels reach a point where turf health and playing conditions are negatively impacted. If your turf isn’t passing the squeeze test, it’s time to take action.
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Published On 8/2/2022
Episode #2 of the MiStory series features an in depth look at preparation at Detroit Golf Club for the 2022 PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic
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Published On 8/2/2022
Register by Aug. 31 to secure your spot as an Early-Bird registrant for the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando. Early-Bird registrants will lock in the 2022 prices for all registration types with $100 down, have first access to hotel room blocks, receive early access to sign up for education seminars and more.
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Published On 7/28/2022
For 25 years, SiteOne Landscape Supply has been dedicated to the development of professional women in the green industry.
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Published On 7/28/2022
USGA Central Region Update
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Published On 7/28/2022
I’ve been in the business for 20+ years and have a tendency to get bored with the monotony of the daily grind of mowing, changing cups, mowing rough, etc. I look for new things to stimulate my brain and change the normal routine.
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Published On 7/28/2022
The Two Person Team Match Play event is an ongoing single-elimination tournament in which two teams play match play (best ball net, aka Four Ball Match Play), during each round. The winning team advances to the next round. All players must be active members of the MiGCSA.
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Published On 4/20/2022
Ron Dahlin retired at the end of December after spending the last 20 years as the superintendent at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, and he is still figuring out how retirement works.
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Published On 4/18/2022
Using covers can help you determine what is alive and well, versus what is damaged and slow to recover. As soil temperatures continue to warm, the extent of winter injury is becoming more apparent. The contrast in color between healthy g…
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Published On 4/18/2022
Depending on the severity of winter injury, it may be necessary to suspend applications of plant growth regulators for Poa annua seedhead suppression. As the dust settles on what has been a challenging winter for many nor…
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Published On 8/29/2021
Why is Michigan’s own Steve Hammon running for the GCSAA board? Pat Jones decided to find out.
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