Let’s Head To Warmer Climes Welcome to the fourth and final American Golf Journal for 2024. It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the year and golf seasons are rapidly wrapping up in the northern states. That only means that golfers are making plans to visit Pinehurst, Florida, Arizona and even Mexico. Pinehurst makes the perfect golf destination. They just finished hosting the U.S. Open won by Bryson DeChambeau. With 10 courses, plus several other great courses in the area, Pinehurst is ready to host your next golf extravaganza. In this issue Steve Pike writes about one of our favorite golf destinations, Quivira in Los Cabos, Mexico. It is a first-class resort with a wonderful golf course and every amenity for the perfect winter getaway. Finally, we want to thank all of our advertisers and our readers. We hope you enjoy our content and look forward to seeing you on the Back 9 in 2025. FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Michigan Golf Journal Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report American Golf Journal
24 06 16 18 36 Pinehurst Basks In U.S. Open Glow PGA HOPE Improves Veteran’s Lives You Can Have Fun & Play Golf At The Same Time Erika Larkin Unlocks Your True Swing All BOYNE Locations Getting Special Treatment GEO Foundation Seeks To Improve Golf’s Sustainability Golf News SQAIRZ Improves Performance Review PXG’s New Allen Putter 06 12 18 20 24 16 36 22 30 Quivira Los Cabos Adds Luxurious Accommodations Fitness Tips For Aging Athletes 32 38 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors 43 42 American Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with American Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles FIND INSIDE American Golf Journal
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A rare bright spot during the eye of the pandemic came in early September 2020, when the United States Golf Association named Pinehurst Resort and Country Club’s legendary No. 2 course as its first “anchor site” for U.S. Open Championships. Due in large part to the success of the four previous U.S. Opens at No. 2, including the Women’s U.S. Open in 2014, the Donald Ross masterpiece in the North Pinehurst Area Basking in U.S. Open Glow By Brad King enjoy on and away from the golf course. In the time since the big announcement, the USGA has transported much of its Liberty Corner, New Jersey operations to its new, second headquarters in Pinehurst — the six-acre “Golf House Pinehurst” complex near Carolina Sandhills was tapped to host the organization’s preeminent championships in 2024, 2029 — for a second men’s and women’s back-toback — 2035, 2041 and 2047. The USGA’s landmark announcement only fueled the continuation of growth around the “Home of American Golf.” Even if you’ve recently visited to the Sandhills region, you’ll quickly discover that Pinehurst ‘24 is a decidedly different destination, with a host of creations and attractions to
the Pinehurst Country Club clubhouse — under a multi-million incentive package approved by state and local leaders. “We go to the game’s greatest venues for the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, all of our championships — the cathedrals of the game. Pinehurst is one of those,” says John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s Chief Championships Officer. As part of the USGA’s Pinehurst campus, The World Golf Hall of Fame — which opened 50 years ago in Pinehurst before relocating to north Florida — is back with an exciting new, trimmeddown appearance. The state-of-the-art museum showcases extensive player memorabilia and collections honoring the game’s greats. The USGA campus and World Golf Hall of Fame at Pinehurst Resort tee up a must-see experience during any golfer’s visit to the Sandhills. The other dominant golf headline around the Sandhills in 2024 is the arrival of Pinehurst No. 10. Tom Doak’s new design on land that once housed The Pit debuted in April 2024 and is the first start-from-scratch course at the resort and club since the Tom Fazio-designed No. 8 opened in 1996. “We’ve got a really cool piece of land,” Doak says. “This ground has more variety and a different feeling to it than any of the other courses at the resort. There is a lot going on on this land. It keeps building up and getting more dramatic.” No. 10 is a walking course, where golfers enjoy the option of carrying their bag, pulling a trolley or hiring a caddie. Doak was green lighted to find the best 18 holes without returning the ninth hole to the clubhouse, giving the new design an oldschool feel. American Golf Journal
Other recent additions at Pinehurst Resort include the immensely enjoyable par-3 Cradle course, a restaurant with outdoor seating behind the 18th green at No. 2, and a micropub in the Village. Of late, Southern Pines Golf Club unveiled the 18-hole Overhills Putting Course, designed by Kyle Franz. In addition, Kris Spence “resurrected” Woodlake Country Club in Vass, while Mike Strantz’s Tot Hill Farm in nearby Asheboro received a refurbishing under new ownership. Tot Hill Farm opened in 2000 on a rocky site with an ever-present creek running through the course, featuring an 1800s farmhouse converted into a clubhouse and golf shop. Strantz, who worked a decade with legendary architect Tom Fazio before setting off on his own from his base outside Charleston, South Carolina, designed eight courses, working them one at a time and setting up camp for a year or more at each site. He was a rising star in the industry before his life was cut short by cancer in 2005 at the young age of 50 years old. The Sandhills area is gifted with two original Strantz designs. In addition to Tot Hill Farm, Tobacco Road opened in 1998 and is just over 20 miles to the northeast of Pinehurst and draws golf groups traveling from the north through Raleigh and Durham, wowing them with the craggy edges, blind shots and dramatic
ups and downs whittled from the site of an old sand quarry. “‘Sensory overload’ is a phrase you hear often where Strantz courses are concerned,” said Greg Wood, the operations manager at Tot Hill Farm. “(Strantz) was at the height of his career when he was here, just coming off the accolades for Tobacco Road.” Free and open to the public, the Tufts Archives display an impressive collection of Donald Ross course maps and over 125,000 photographs of historic Pinehurst Village. The Archives are located in the Given Memorial Library and open Monday through Saturday. Hours of operation vary seasonally, so check before you go. The No. 1 grip on Tour is headquartered in Pinehurst just a short drive from downtown. At Golf Pride’s Global Innovation Center and Retail Lab, golf fans and equipment enthusiasts get an up-close look at the latest grip technology and history. Visitors can also test exclusive grips and get grip fit from an official Tour technician. Retired Army veterans Brad and Jessica Halling have opened the BHAWK distillery headquarters in Southern Pines, where they are raising the American spirit and expressing gratitude for extraordinary service through two premium brands, Sergeant’s Valor and Madam Colonel. Only six months after opening, Brad received Gold medals for both Sergeant’s Valor Select Bourbon and Sergeant’s Valor Select Rye at the USA Spirits Ratings and Sergeant’s Valor was named Rye Whiskey of the Year. In addition, Southern Pines Brewing Company transformed the old Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory, located in downtown Carthage, into a two-story brewery and restaurant featuring more than 50 taps, a downstairs speakeasy, a worldclass cocktail program and pizza flights. North Carolina’s Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area boasts a storied legacy of golf unlike any other place in the country, and it keeps getting better. The latest developments in a place as steeped in history as the “Home of American Golf” only accentuate all this region has to offer. Plan your visit to the Sandhills by visiting HomeofGolf.com. American Golf Journal
“Because of PGA HOPE, life is good when it wasn’t not that long ago.” PGA HOPE has been helping veterans find purpose for several years and there are thousands of stories about the positive effects this worthwhile program has generated for our military heroes. Jayme Turner is a retired Army Combat Medic that has his own significant story to tell. family moved to a small Alaskan Eskimo village. His parents divorced when he was nine and his mother, who was in the Army National Guard, raised five children on her own. Her military involvement means that the family moved around a lot, but finally landed in Utah where he lived through his teenage years. After high school, he got married and joined the Navy. He and his pregnant wife moved to Bremerton, Washington, where he was stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson as an Aviation Ordnanceman, building bombs for jets. “I had a young marriage, the deployment was really difficult on it and we didn’t end up staying together. We just didn’t know how to be in a mature relationship where you’re developed emotionally and know all the things you need to know. It’s tough.” PGA HOPE Improves Veteran’s Lives From PGA.com “If me being straight up and brutally honest telling the world what I’ve been through, if it helps people understand that they’re not in uncommon situations. If I can go through that and still have hope in my life, it can work for other people. It’s important for people to know the truth.” Turner is a PGA HOPE Ambassador from the Utah PGA Section. He was born in Durham, North Carolina, but his American Golf Journal
After his three-year obligation was over, he moved back to Utah and attended the Utah College of Massage Therapy. He was in class on September 11, 2001, a day he could not forget. A few months later Turner was part of a team that gave sports massages to Olympic athletes in the Olympic Village during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but the events of 9-11 weighed on his mind. “I felt called to go back. I wanted to help save lives. I wanted to be a medic.” Turner was deployed to Iraq, in 2004, with the 4th Infantry Division. It was a difficult assignment, he treated more soldiers than he could count, was on a rooftop when a rocketcomplex post-traumatic stress disorder just as he left for his third deployment, which came in 2011. He earned the Capt. John R. Teal Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership skills, but his PTSD was becoming propelled grenade flew over his head and was in a Humvee when a mortar landed on the hood, but thankfully did not explode. Most of the second deployment was spent training Iraqi soldiers and was diagnosed with
an issue. Even though he could function during the day, every night he drank himself to sleep. By the time he returned from that deployment, he was suicidal. Seeking help, he was faced with a choice between staying in the military or leaving to work on his mental health. He retired. “Recovery from everything took quite a few years. I couldn’t go to a store. I couldn’t drive in traffic. I had to change times when I went to certain locations, and there were certain locations that I just couldn’t go to. I stayed in my house a lot. I was isolated. It took a long time for me to be close to functional.” Then Turner found golf when a friend sold him a set of clubs. “I picked my clubs back up again. After I went through it, it was the first time in a decade that I felt alive. I didn’t have any hobbies. I didn’t want to be social. I was isolated for pretty much a decade. PGA HOPE totally changed my life.” Turner was at the Veterans Affairs clinic in St. George, Utah, where he works as an Intermediate Care Technician, and saw a flier about the PGA HOPE program at a nearby golf course. He was asked to recruit Veterans to attend, but didn’t feel right about asking Veterans to do something that he hadn’t done himself. He said of his first PGA HOPE experience, “I picked up my clubs again. It was the first time in a decade that I felt alive. I didn’t have American Golf Journal
any hobbies. I didn’t want to be social. I was isolated for pretty much a decade. PGA HOPE totally changed my life.” 13 handicap. He is now in a secure marriage. His son, Justis lives in North Carolina and is an engine mechanic in the Air Force. His daughter, Jordan lives in Georgia. “Through the PGA HOPE program and the pilot program I found a new mission and I still ride in line with who I am as a person in continuing to care for our nation’s Veterans. The value of that bond, that is deeper than deep.” Because of PGA HOPE, “Life is good when it wasn’t not all that long ago.” To learn more about how PGA HOPE helps veterans visit their website: https://www.pgareach. org/services/military. Two years later he has become deeply involved with PGA HOPE. He represented the Utah PGA Section as one of 20 Ambassadors last fall at National Golf and Wellness Week in Washington, D.C. He shares his experience with other Veterans and truly cares about them, on and off the golf course. He even started a new program called SCOUTS, supporting community outpatient urgent care telehealth services. He assists Veterans, age 65 and older, through telehealth visits with their physicians, physical assessments and anything that needs to be done following a surgery, or hospital visit. Turner does play golf in his spare time and is down to a
The GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation is based in North Berwick, Scotland, but is active in more than 75 countries. It is dedicated to helping accelerate worldwide sustainability and climate action through golf. GEO has recognized six Scottish tournament venues, European Tour and PGA TOUR, plus partnered with government and other stakeholders to support their sustainability strategy. Jonathan Smith, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation said, “Collaboration is essential to the approach. The handsFoundation Seeks To Improve Golf’s Sustainability By Hal Phllips, From Spike On Golf & Travel The Old Course at St. Andrews, Dundonald Links, The Renaissance Club, Royal Troon, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns for their leadership in sustainable golf practices. GEO has worked closely with the tournament officials of all six events, the DP World Tour, The R&A, LPGA Tour, Ladies American Golf Journal
on experience and diverse input from a range of key stakeholders. The goal in sharing findings — in exploring future challenges and opportunities — is to help elevate the understanding and ambitions of golf and wider event organizers in Scotland and around the golfing world. While golf is the lens, we hope the learnings can help accelerate collaboration, innovations and positive impacts across the broader events sector.” Founded more than 18 years ago as a pioneer in the environmental sustainability of golf, GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation is dedicated to helping both amateur and professional golf, by providing strategy, solutions, and a certification label. The Foundation is dedicated to a comprehensive, innovative events to grow. Such as raising widespread fan awareness, influencing behavior-change on the community level, fundraising for important social and environmental causes, identifying catalysts for green infrastructure investments.” GEO, working with their partners have created a detailed framework for leadership and collaboration going forward. Golf is played in a natural setting, in communities. And this has been true for centuries. These are organic advantages that golf can use to be a leader in sustainable events and sports. Click HERE to lean more about The GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation. We’ll do the hard work if you don’t want to. Custom or DIY Golf Simulator Sales & Installation. www.aceindoorgolf.com l 855-926-3283 approach to sustainability, via platforms available to golf facilities and associations, new developments and renovations, tours and competitions, even professional players as individuals. VisitScotland and the national government are leaders in the way they guide tourism and events towards these environmental responsibilities. Smith continued, “One of the biggest sustainability challenges for any event is carbon emissions, stemming primarily from spectator, organizer and player travel to and from the venue. There are so many positive impacts that can help
I have always held to the mantra, “You can’t play golf and have fun at the same time.” Making a double bogey on the first couple of holes always seems to ruin a good round before it gets started. Losing a brand-new Titleist in a pond, deep woods, or tall fescue has the same affect and quickly brings one’s temperature up several degrees. I guess that is why most guys drink on the golf course. It helps drown the sorrows of golf balls forever lost, drowned in the depts of despair. However there have been on occasion a round that clings to your memory like a dead fly on sticky paper. Last August, I had one of the more memorable rounds in my 55 years of playing this stupid game. If you are not a professional golfer trying to fill your bank account, or trust fund with millions of dollars, golf is about spending a few hours on a verdant course losing expensive ProV1’s and having a few laughs. My good friend Len Ziehm, a Hall of Fame golf writer originally from Chicago and now residing in Florida, accepted an invitation to be my partner in the Cadillac Country Club Member/Guest. You Can Have FUN And Play Golf At The Same Time By Fred Altvater American Golf Journal
We were not too concerned about winning anything. Our plan was to enjoy three days of camaraderie and golf. Plus, Len and his wife, Joy were just glad to be out of Florida’s extreme August heat. The first day’s competition consisted of the typical country club game, Four-Ball with handicap, and we ended up last in our group. We did, however, enjoy ourselves and did not let our poor play affect a delicious dinner. The second day, playing Alternate Shot, was one for the memory banks. On the short par-three 16th, Len holed his tee shot for his second lifetime hole-in-one. We could see it was tracking in the air, but from our vantage point, we did not see it actually go into the hole. Even though you are trying to do your best and beat the other players, you are happy for them when a competitor does something extraordinary. We had a blast and the entire experience was a success. Turns out you can have FUN and PLAY Golf at the same time. Maybe LIV and the PGA Tour should take a lesson. Let’s get back together enjoy competing against each other and bring a better product to golf fans. To learn more about Len’s Holein-One check out his account of the special occasion in eSouthernGolf.com. The group playing behind us, on the 15th green, had a better angle and did see it fall into the hole. Of course, they began hollering loud enough to alert the whole golf course and most of the neighborhood. His maiden hole out came at the tender age of 15 and this one was recorded 65 years later. I have yet to experience an elusive hole-in-one, but have witnessed several. I have to admit that it was a thrill to see the joy on my partner’s face, as well as the other contestants that left their fairways to come over and congratulate this rare feat. Everyone was so upbeat, it brought an element of excitement to the entire event. I have always said that you meet the best people on a golf course.
Erika Larkin Unlocks Your True Swing By Jim Grosjean in America for 2024-2025. Her parents weren’t golfers. Her father was a Russian immigrant from Venezuela who became a corporate chef and instilled a focus and passion in his daughter to follow her dreams. Her mother grew up in Connecticut and delighted in giving Erika all the opportunities that her parents never had. After being exposed to sports, music, and New York culture, golf somehow became Erika’s main love. She did have natural athletic talent and through hard work, developed into a very good player. She was lucky to meet PGA member Frank Darby, who became her first mentor and recommended that Erika read “Swing the Clubhead” by Ernest Jones, a book that became very influential to the development of Erika’s teaching philosophy. Erika was a good amateur golfer, but professional golf was out of reach. Early on she discovered a passion for teaching and she had an insatiable desire to learn everything about the golf swing. Her interest in simplifying the swing led to many opportunities to teach privately, run golf schools, and climb the ladder of recognition by her peers. That includes being named the Number 1 Teacher in Virginia and 50 Best in America. One might well wonder how a young girl from Queens, New York, who had very little access to any green grass golf courses, grew up to become one of Golf Digest’s 50 Best Teachers American Golf Journal
Erika also found time to write a book entitled “A True Swing.” It could be described as the golf swing in simple terms and pictures, but it’s actually a very comprehensive look at a freeflowing swing that’s hiding in all of us. Never one to get stuck in the past, she is now writing a new book that will update some of her ideas from the original book, published in 2017. Erika has made countless training videos on her own, as well as with other like-minded golf professionals. Together with Andrew Rice, and Adam Bazalgette they formed GolfFanatics. com which displayed their instructional videos and golf schools. Golf Fanatics was eventually sold to Performance Golf, one of the leaders in instructional videos, plus golf schools with renowned teachers. One of those videos entitled, “Hands- Free Swing” caught my attention and led me to discover Erika’s ‘True Swing’ philosophy. Once a steady golfer with a single digit handicap, I had recently lost distance and consistent accuracy combined with mishits, shanks, and chili-dips. I tried to go back to basics by watching videos, reading articles, and even resorted to taking lessons, but nothing seemed to work, until I came across the “hands-free” video. Much of what I was doing wrong had to do with manipulating my hands, the opposite of a handsfree swing. I was on the road to recovery, but I was still too mechanical to see great results. After some frustrating weeks went by, I came across another Larkin video about the Pendulum Swing. Taking this lesson to heart helped rid me of 99% of the 37 swing thoughts that plagued me and suddenly, I regained distance that I had not seen in years. It seemed miraculous! Needless to say, I am now an Erika Larkin devotee and recommend that you look at Erika’s YouTube page, https://www.youtube. com/@larkingolf, for swing tips. For even more comprehensive learning visit, erikalarkin.com for information about her two and three-day retreats, online lessons, or private lessons at Creighton Farms Club in Aldie, Virginia.
By Ed Travis patented square-toe design giving the wearer’s toes room to lie more naturally and comfortably, while creating a wider footprint. The wider shoe base and heel stabilizer construction provide improved balance and stability which are important keys in hitting better golf shots. Robert Winskowicz, SQAIRZ Founder and CEO, talked about the significance of the changes their technology has brought to the market. “SQAIRZ’s unique design broke the mold of traditional shoes to provide better balance and ground reaction force, resulting in increased swing speed and more consistent accuracy. SQAIRZ Golf Shoes square-toe construction was first introduced at the 2020 PGA Show. Now just four years later the company has been one of the biggest success stories in the golf industry and are offering three new models for the 2024 golf season. They have even branched out into baseball shoes, worn by MLB players, plus a new Pickleball shoe, that will soon be finding their way onto pickleball courts near you. The idea for SQAIRZ golf shoes came from observing someone wearing square toed dress shoes at a driving range and was followed by extensive research in foot movement biomechanics and ground force reaction throughout the golf swing. The result is a SQAIRZ Golf Shoes Improves Your Performance American Golf Journal
Tour pros are winning while wearing SQAIRZ on tour, plus thousands of satisfied customers are playing the best rounds of their lives.” The new models are designed for 18-hole comfort, plus they are 100% waterproof. The outsole traction pattern was created using sophisticated artificial intelligence software programming with the nubs of varying heights located in a rotational pattern with Softspikes PIVIX cleats. The company says this creates remarkable traction having 290 points of contact with the ground and helping to create “optimal ground force production.” Wearers will also like the Sta-Put laces which have tiny nubs of silicone on each Velo also have a removable compression foam footbed and side gussets around the tongue for complete protection from moisture or debris entering. If you are a serious golfer trying to gain any advantage on the course, try SQAIRZ performance-based golf shoes to create better balance and stability throughout your golf swing, then watch your handicap decrease. lace to assure a snug fit and do not come undone during your round. Each of the new models also has a breathable textured tongue and an external foot stabilizer running from the heel to the arch. In keeping with the goal of making golf shoes with the extra features golfers appreciate the new ProS2, Speed2 and
All Three Locations At BOYNE Golf Are Getting Special Treatment Having three top golf resorts is somewhat like having three children. How do you decide which one gets taken care of first? That’s the dilemma at Boyne Mountain, The Highlands and Bay Harbor, three resorts with a combined ten golf courses, plus other amenities and attractions. By Len Ziehm with Pictures by Joy Sarver American Golf Journal
Michigan architect Ray Hearn did the design work as part of a series of projects he’s undertaken at the resorts. Each of the nine greens at Doon Brae has a different template, each reflecting a style of green — Ridan, Punch Bowl, Volcano, Postage — played in Scotland. Just as intriguing is the course’s location. “It’ll be the only course that we know of where golf is played in the summer and skiing is done in the winter,’’ said Griffin. Doon Brae will be a walking course near the base of the ski hill. The longest hole is 136 yards and only two holes require uphill walks. Though pushcarts and carry bags will be available, Griffin expects many players will simply carry a few clubs to play the short course. Despite the weather problems, affecting Doon Brae, upgrades are continuing full speed at all three resorts. Boyne Mountain built the very impressive Skybridge Michigan that opened in 2023 and has become a major tourist attraction, plus extensive work has begun on the lodge at The Highlands. BOYNE has also taken on a new tournament beginning next year. The Epson Tour will So, how does the Boyne management make those difficult decisions? It’s all about the tenyear plan that was drawn up in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. “We have a 10-year plan for every hole on every course at all the resorts,’’ said Ken Griffin, the Director of Golf Sales and Marketing for the resorts. “There are very specific plans for continual upgrades.’’ And it’s been working – though not without an occasional hiccup. The biggest was at The Highlands, where the new par-3 course, Doon Brae was being built. They were almost finished last year when a super storm hit. “We only had two holes to go,’’ said Griffin. “Then we got seven inches of rain in a single storm, which caused flooding over the course. Two completed greens had to be rebuilt this spring, setting us back several months.’’ Work resumed in the spring but neither the course, dubbed Doon Brae (Scottish for “short walk downhill’’), nor the 27-hole putting course have opened to the public yet. The Grand Opening for both has been pushed back to 2025.
conduct an event for the next three years on The Heather course at The Highlands. The resorts’ courses haven’t been lacking for players, but pro tour events are another matter. “We’ve never done a tournament like that,’’ said Griffin. “Pre-Covid we were close to getting a Champions Tour event, but negotiations fell apart.’’ Rain problems and tournaments aside, the beat goes on with new projects at the resorts. “We’re re-investing at a higher level than I’ve ever seen,’’ said Griffin, who has worked for the resorts for 16 years. Here’s what’s been happening at each Boyne resort: Boyne Mountain is the oldest and celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. The Mountain location opened the very impressive SkyBridge Michigan in 2023, plus Hearn supervised major upgrades on their two courses, the Alpine and the Monument. The Mountain currently has two courses, but that could change. Legendary architect Pete Dye designed a course for that resort about 20 years ago. Center lines were cut, then work ended abruptly, because Boyne Mountain management saw the declining trend in golf, at the time and instead built a water park. It opened in 2004 and is now the largest indoor water park in Michigan. Consideration is being given to either finishing the Dye course, or developing a fifth course at The Highlands. Only time will tell. “There’s no further design plans for a course, but we know that we have the space for one,’’ said Griffin. There are four courses at The Highlands and renovations to the Donald Ross Memorial course American Golf Journal
are ongoing. Every hole but one is a replica of memorable holes Ross designed around the world. Revisions have been completed to holes 1, 2, 13, 15 and 16. The work is being completed one hole at a time to minimize a reduction in play. Currently No. 10 is being completely renovated, meaning the Ross is temporarily a 17hole course. No. 10, a replica of the 14th hole at Scotland’s Royal Dornoch, is the only one of the 18 holes that wasn’t designed by Ross himself. “But it’s the course where he grew up, where he learned golf,’’ said Griffin. It’s also the course where Ross worked as a golf professional for the first time.
SkyBridge Michigan has become a popular tourist attraction at the Boyne Mountain Resort. It stretches 1,200 feet in length and hangs 120 feet above the valley below. SkyBridge Michigan can be accessed via the historic Hemlock Scenic Chairlift, the first chairlift built in the United States and installed at Sun Valley, Idaho, in 1938. It was later transferred to Michigan and rebuilt at BOYNE, in 1948. The bridge offers spectacular panoramic views, plus the glass floor in the middle of the bridge enhances the views of the Valley floor. The number of guests that visit year-round has exceeded all expectations. The views of the surrounding Northern Michigan landscape in September and October, when the fall colors are at their peak, provide the best times to visit Michigan SkyBridge. “It’s so much about how the valley looks then,’’ said Griffin, “He added the bridge’s popularity has exceeded even our lofty expectations.” The Ross course is not a project to be taken lightly. The BOYNE hierarchy takes these renovations very seriously and wants each hole to be as accurate as possible. A fact that is reflected by the work that has been finished on the 15th hole – a replica of No. 11 at Aronimink in Pennysylvania. The original version at The Highlands had five bunkers. Now, after renovation, it has 22. “We thought what we had was the original, but it wasn’t,’’ said Griffin, “so we moved it up the line and redid it.’’ The Bay Harbor Golf Club offers three nine-hole layouts, The Links, Quarry and Preserve. The Links/Quarry combination, designed by the late Arthur Hills, may be the best of BOYNE’s 10 courses, but Crooked Tree may be a bigger success story. Harry Bowers was the original architect, and Boyne purchased the course from the family that had built it. “It’s the only of one of our 10 courses that we didn’t build.’’ said Griffin. “The last three holes (16, 17 and 18) were not good holes. Ten years ago, Crooked Tree recorded the lowest number of rounds compared to the other BOYNE courses, however, after a redesign by Arthur Hills it has become one of the top three courses guests want to play, along with the Heather and the Hills Courses.’’ BOYNE Resort is in a class by itself in the Mitten State and management’s commitment to consistent improvements will keep it so a long time in the future. American Golf Journal
By Ed Travis you need to try the PXG Allan Putter,” said PXG Founder & CEO Bob Parsons. “It is so fun and easy to hit; it feels like magic. In fact, I am so impressed with how well the technology works that I named the putter for my little brother Allan. He was a hell of a golfer, and I know he would have loved it.” Review: The Allen Putter From PXG PXG has an extensive line of putters but the new Allen model, named for PXG founder Bob Parson’s brother, is a zero-torque design in order to maintain the face square to the line throughout the entire stroke. Weighting is key, but upon first seeing the Allen golfers will remark on the S-shaped hosel which keeps the axis of the shaft above the putter’s center of gravity in a toe-up balance. Stability is improved and face twisting in relation to the stroke path is eliminated. The Allen Putter’s loft is more than 2° above the norm and allows for a FAST FACTS: PXG Allen Putter –– 303 Stainless steel polymer filled body –– 6061 aluminum sole –– S-shaped hosel –– Thin face 0.055 inches –– Pyramid face grooves –– Weight 375g –– Stock loft: 5° –– Stock grip: 52g PXG Pistol I –– MSRP: $449 natural press, due to the shaft orientation. This putter from PXG is designed to reduce torque in the putting stroke keeping the face square throughout using an S-shaft and a hollow body filled with polymer plus there’s a unique ball pick up construction on the sole. PXG also found the body shape and rear frame made a handy ball pickup pocket which is useful for mature players, who find it difficult to bend over to pick the ball out of the hole. “If you are tired of dropping a few bucks after a round of missed putts, American Golf Journal
Quivira Los Cabos Adds Luxurious Accommodations By Steve Pike, SpikeonGolfandTravel.com Rosewood and St. Regis, a pair of hospitality heavyweights, each have planted a flag within Quivira Los Cabos, an 1,850-acre masterplanned resort and residential community fronting the Pacific at the tip of the Baja peninsula. Quivira has a successful track record in Los Cabos, Latin America’s leading luxury destination. The Rosewood and St. Regis developments will add prestige and value to the company’s residential projects. Quivira’s newest luxury community is Alvar, an exclusive private community consists of seven buildings with three- and four-bedroom units, plus a luxury penthouse in each. All 68 units offer splendid views of the ocean and the emerald-green fairways of Quivira Golf Club, a world-class, Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. Copala, the first real estate development at Quivira Los Cabos, is a full-ownership home and condominium community fanned out along desert bluffs in the heart of the development. Copala’s hacienda-style homes are available in multiple layouts and six different floor plans. Coronado, a 30-acre ocean-view site terraced below Copala, is an exclusive residential enclave with 64 haciendaAmerican Golf Journal
management are also available to residents. As for Quivira’s new luxury brand leaders, Rosewood Residences Old Lighthouse Los Cabos, stretched across 550 clifftop acres at true Land’s End, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, will combine the beauty of Los Cabos with the unrivaled Rosewood experience. The first phase of sales is expected to start in late 2024. style, single-story homes that combine Spanish Colonial touches with clean modern lines and beautiful outdoor spaces. The three-, four- and five-bedroom residences feature panoramic ocean views that overlook the finishing holes at Quivira Golf Club. The perfect amenities for residents of these communities are The Beach Club, a lavish private refuge; and Q Life, an exclusive lifestyle program that offers a comprehensive approach to individual pursuits and group well-being. Each community offers personalized concierge service, controlled access, and 24/7 security. Additional ownership perks include discounts at Pueblo Bonito Resorts’ restaurants, ARMONIA Wellness Collection spa treatments, and Quivira Golf Club green fees. A vacation rental program, resident services, and property
In partnership with the Coppel family, creators of Pueblo Bonito Resorts, Old Lighthouse was born out of a shared vision for creating an unparalleled upscale community. At the heart of the development is El Faro Viejo, the oldest standing structure in Los Cabos (1905) and the landmark lighthouse from which the property derives its name. The development, Rosewood’s first fully branded stand-alone residential community, will comprise 144 residences and offer a diverse selection of homes ranging from 4,000 to over 10,000 square feet. The community will also include turnkey luxury villas as well as premium lots to be customized by their buyers. Amenities will include an on-site beach club, athletic center, clubhouse, and wellness facility. Residents will enjoy access to Quivira Golf Club. Just down the beach from Rosewood is St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira, which is scheduled to open in February 2025. Sheltered by a towering bluff at the far end of a pristine beach, the resort and residences at St. Regis occupy a 33-acre site with 1,200 linear feet set along the ocean. The St. Regis Residences are limited to 74 units, with the first phase release offering the choicest opportunities: nine oceanfront villas, one oceanfront Astor Villa, 13 ocean view condominiums and two penthouse ocean view condominiums. In addition to the Residences, the St. Regis resort hotel will feature 120 ocean-view guest rooms. Recreational facilities and amenities will include a St. Regis Spa, a fitness and wellness center, seven swimming pools, three dining venues, scenic walking and biking trails, and access to Quivira Golf Club. Quivira has more than three miles of pristine golden beaches, picturesque desert cliffs and panoramic ocean views. Access to Quivira Golf Club is exclusive for Pueblo Bonito Resort guests and owners of property at Quivira. Quivira Los Cabos is the ultimate destination for residents and guests to live, love and celebrate life. Click HERE for more information. American Golf Journal
Bandon Dunes Opens New Short Course The owner of Bandon Dunes, Mike Keiser seems to never be satisfied with the status quo and is always seeking ways to improve his golf destinations. Bandon Dunes, on the southwest coast of Oregon, already has five championship courses, plus the Punch Bowl putting green, world-class practice facility and the short par-3, Bandon Preserve and recently announced the opening of their newest short course, Shorty’s. This latest gem at Bandon Dunes is truly special. Shorty’s, the new 19-hole short course, designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland, and Keith Cutten, is located between the CooreCrenshaw designed Bandon Trails and the ocean to the west. The unique routing winds through rolling natural dunes and scattered shore pines. The course’s namesake, Shorty Dow, shared a close friendship with Mr. Keiser. He was the first caretaker, as well as selfappointed “governor, mayor, and sheriff” of Bandon Dunes. Shorty’s, along with Bandon Preserve, will be directly funding the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation’s charitable efforts on the Southern Oregon Coast. Keiser says of the property, “Words don’t really do the site justice, it has so much potential.” Given the high quality of other Keiser projects such as, Cabot Cliffs, SandValley and the Dunes Club, we are sure Shorty’s will be a must-play when you visit Bandon Dunes. American Golf Journal
Gamble Sands Hosts Charitable Event A two-day event at Gamble Sands will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on October 17-18. At Gamble Sands golfers can enjoy the feeling of pure golf with panoramic vistas of the beautiful Cascade Mountains and Columbia River than meanders through the course. There are no distractions from airplanes buzzing overhead, no traffic, or sirens in the background. It’s just you and your companions, “The way golf was meant to be.” The event consists of: –– Two rounds on the Sands Course –– One night’s lodging at the Inn –– One breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner in the Barn with open bar. David McLay Kidd will join participants for dinner and will give a tour of the new course on the morning of the 18th. The total cost of $1,500 per player also includes, carts, range balls and other gifts. Space is limited for more information, or to register contact Tony Dear at: tonydear71@comcast.net, or on Facebook.
GEN-X ATHLETES: STAY ACTIVE AND INJURY-FREE As we age, our approach to physical activity and sports needs to evolve. This reality is especially true for athletes in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Many aging athletes assume they should avoid vigorous exercise. Recent research shows that short bouts of moderate-to-high intensity exercise can increase muscle strength in older athletes, reducing their risk of injury. By Franciscan Health American Golf Journal
“A misconception with aging athletes is that aches and pains should be an accepted part of staying active,” said Jenna Walls, MD, with Franciscan Sports Medicine in Indianapolis. “Pain may actually suggest an injury, weakness or biomechanical disturbances, improper form or overtraining, and you shouldn’t consider it a ‘normal’ part of exercise.” Common Sports Injuries In Gen-X Athletes Common sports injuries that older athletes face include muscle strains, Achillies tendon overuse, and stress fractures. Aging And Risk Of Injury Physical changes can affect athletic performance and injury risk. These may include: • decreased bone density, raising the risk of fractures and injuries; • diminished coordination and balance, increasing the risk of a fall and related injuries; • lessened flexibility, leading to stiffness and reduced range of motion; • reduced muscle mass, impacting your strength and endurance. As we age, our heart and lung health can change, too, making it harder to do long, intense activities without straining these organs. “It’s important to adapt your exercise routine and activities to ensure you remain safe,” added Dr. Walls. “These adjustments are not just about maintaining performance, but about safeguarding your health and minimizing the risk of injury.” Which Sports Pose A Risk? Gen X athletes should reconsider sports and athletic endeavors such as football, tennis, high jumps and high-intensity interval training. Athletes can protect themselves by regularly assessing their physical condition and considering lower-impact alternatives. Exercises For Injury Prevention The American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine offer specific recommendations for aging athletes regarding aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, flexibility and balance training. Activities such as riding a stationary bike, swimming, walking, tai chi, yoga, and Pilates are great forms of exercise which will help avoid injury.
(stretching, jumping jacks, cycling, jogging or walking) will help prepare your body for exercise. Recover Slowly Recovery is important for athletes of any age, but our bodies may need extra attention as we age. To recover and recuperate from workouts, keep in mind nutrition, hydration, sleep, and active recovery. Strategies To Manage Previous Injuries Pay attention to any aches or pains during physical activity and modify your exercise routine to avoid increased pain. Adjustments may involve taking more rest days or focusing on lower-impact activities instead of ‘pushing through’ pain. “It is important to start slowly when returning to exercise and to consider cross-training to help avoid re-injury,” said Dr. Walls. “Gen-X athletes should also understand that mental adjustment is important to the return-to-sport process. Maintaining a positive outlook can help with recovery.” Seek medical advice for any severe pain, swelling or bruising. Maintaining a positive outlook and setting realistic goals will help athletes overcome fear and hesitation when returning from an injury. Talking with a therapist and relaxation techniques also can help athletes identify mental blocks to their recovery. Other Injury Prevention Tactics Injuries can set back a fitness enthusiast at any age. But, with the right approach, you can often prevent them. Follow Good Form Using the wrong technique, especially in weightlifting and strenuous exercise, can put added stress on your joints, ligaments and muscles. Having good form is not just about avoiding injury but about making every move count and ensuring your body works as one unit, which enhances overall fitness and health. Warm Up And Cool Down Research shows that cold muscles may be more prone to injury, so doing five to ten minutes of light aerobic activity American Golf Journal
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Steve Pike Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. https://www.facebook.com/ed.travis.98 Steve Pike is a multiple award-winning journalist and author. He has written for Golfweek, Golf World, The New York Times Magazine Group, Golf Digest and as a golf business writer for PGA.com. You can find more from Steve at Spike’s Peeks: The Art of Travel, as well as, Links Magazine, Hotelinteractive.com, Coastal Star Newspaper, NewEngland.golf and Golf-Hound.com Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http:// lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lenziehmongolf/ Jim Grosjean Jim Grosjean is a former Buckeye, an avid golfer, who plays to a 7 handicap, and now resides in Tucson. He retired from his day job, that spanned over 50 years, as a professional musician in Nashville. During that time, he performed with Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, Itzhak Perlman, Bruce Springsteen and hundreds more familiar names. You can find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/ jim.grosjean American Golf Journal
VIDEOS Director of Recreation & Maintenance, Tim Matty talks about renovations, the courses and activities at Treetops. BOYNE’s Magnificnet 10 Golf Courses are set among three incredible resorts is the ultimate golf vacation destination. Christy Walcott from The Gaylord Visitors Bureau talks about the Gaylord Golf Mecca’s variety of courses and the Gaylord area activities for the whole family. Tim Matty Talks About Current Updates At Treetops BOYNE GOLF: An Experience Like No Other Christy Walcott Breaks Down Gaylord Golf Mecca Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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