West Michigan Golf Show: Plenty of Crowd Pleasers

By Kiel Christianson, Senior Writer

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The West Michigan Golf Show moved into its new venue this year - The Grand Center - to rave reviews. More space, more parking, more attendees, and more exhibitionists…um, make that "exhibitors." Above all, there were lots of crowd pleasers: Longest drive, closest to the pin, and honest-to-goodness indoor golf holes, where an ace would get you a free two-year lease on a new Lexus.

More importantly, the show served as balm for the itch that Michigan golfers begin to feel this time of year. After an extended season, thanks to the mild fall, most golfers here were actually happy to see a little snow. But now that the PGA Tour coverage has begun and new equipment is coming out, we're starting to get a little twitchy.

Michigan golfers, spoiled as it is by our enormous selection of quality courses in every price range, actually have a lot to look forward to in 2002. Resort owners and pros tell me that after a somewhat soft 2001, package deals at favorite Northern Michigan resorts will be priced very competitively. And with many larger events - outings, conventions, etc. - booking less far in advance due to the uncertain economy, more and more courses and resorts will be courting individual players and families to boost sales.

The Otsego Club in Gaylord (www.otsegoclub.com) is particularly excited about the upcoming season. Mark Hogan, PGA Professional at Otsego Club, tells me that the resort's third course, The Tribute, has not only garnered lots of local praise, but has been named to a number of national "Best New" lists. Look for the resort to shift some things around this season, including the pro shop, to focus more on their new addition.

Doug Bell, Director of Golf at Manistee National Golf Club and Resort (www.manisteenational.com) reports that one of the new features at the 36-hole complex is another set of tees on each hole. These new tees will be on average 150 yards from each green, and will serve as teeing grounds for juniors, seniors, or beginners who might otherwise be intimidated about playing a full-length, championship course. The best part, however will be the price: On weekdays, kids will be able to play with their parents for free, and on weekends and evenings, those wishing to play from the shorter tees will only have to pay $5.

Manistee's new feature is a welcomed attempt to draw new players to the game and promote golf as a family activity. According to Joe Libby, Director of Golf at Thunder Bay Golf Resort (at right) in Hillman, Mich., golf is in dire need of folks who work as hard to promote the game as they do to make a buck. "Nine out of ten people to take up golf quit because it's too hard," laments Joe. "We need to help people have fun and improve." To this end, Joe offers a number of free clinics throughout the season. And his staff at Thunder Bay Resort will do everything they can to make golfers feel right at home, too.

And finally, all true devotees of golf and fine living will want to be sure to book ahead for a room at the Inn at St. Ives. According to Kevin O'Brien, Director of Golf at St. Ives and Tullymore Golf Club (below) in Stanwood, the first-class accommodations should be open in May. "The addition of the Inn will make [St. Ives and Tullymore] a true golf vacation destination," O'Brien predicts. Watch MichiganGolf.com in June for a report on the Inn's grand opening

A few equipment makers stood out at the West Michigan Golf Show as well. Bettinardi Golf's (www.bettinardi.com) honeycomb milling makes its putters some of the sharpest looking in the business, and some of the more popular putters on tour. Their new line for this year features several center-shafted models.

Nirvana Golf Technologies (www.nirvanagolf.com) builds some distinctive-looking clubs, whose most unique attribute is the hosel. According to President and CEO Tyrone Wallace, the hosel on all Nirvana's clubs is made from a proprietary alloy that is malleable enough to be bent to 5-degrees+ in either direction. This allows the lie angle on all Nirvana clubs to be custom-fit to suit any player's natural stance and grip. Another feature is the green clubheads on the woods. My guess is that the clubs are camouflaged, so the ball doesn't know you're getting ready to hit it.

Last but not least, J.B. Codde, a clubmaker from Kauai, Hawaii, is about ready to begin mass producing his line of Tall Stix (www.jbcodde.com). Codde's extensive R&D into the mechanics and bio-physics of golf led him to custom-build clubs especially created for taller players. All his irons are hand-ground, and every club is center-weighted and matched perfectly for shaft frequency and swing weight. This is no mean feat if you're building a set of clubs for a 7-footer, which Codde has done.

Codde is looking into establishing a manufacturing and distribution center somewhere in Michigan, perhaps Grand Rapids. And with all the golfers and golf courses in this state, his impressive technology should find a receptive market. No equipment can help one's game like custom-fitted, swing-weight matched clubs.

The West Michigan Golf Show has soothed my itch…a bit. If only I had aced that par-3 and driven off in the Lexus, I could have forgotten about golf all together. At least until the next golf show.

January 19, 2002