The Ideal Viewing Recipe

The season's final major has come at an unfortunate time, coinciding with the arrival of summer in the Upper Peninsula. After several weeks of abnormally cold and wet conditions up north, the 90s have arrived and being outside is the ideal scenario for enjoying God's country.

One problem - the PGA Championship is taking place and a golf nut like me wants to see the final round. Having no DVR in the north, and finding out late in the game the the digital converter boxes don't work in the hinterlands, I was forced to scramble and search for a remedy to the dilemma.

To the rescue comes the PGA of America and that imaginary innovator/inventor Al Gore. As I write this, I'm sitting on the deck overlooking the lake, watching the final round in HD streaming video on my laptop.

Tiger and YE Yang (who?) are on the 3rd hole and I still can't quite shake the fact that my 11-year old son has never lived without the internet. I can still recall being on vacation on this very lake and trying to position the tinfoil just right on the rabbit ears so I could see a fuzzy black and white game between the Tigers and Yankees. Now I'm sitting here watching Tiger chase history.

So, thank you Lord for the beauty of Piatt Lake...and thank you Al Gore for pretending to invent the internet!

The Sad End is Here

The Buick Open is officially gone. Done. History. Another kick in the teeth for the Michigan economy. Another example of what happens when Americans ask the government to do their thinking and decision-making for them. Big Brother doesn't like golf, so we have no more Buick Open. How sad.

For the complete story, please click here.

Simply Stunning

I've been spoiled, no doubt about it. The doors that have been opened with MGL Radio & TV often lead me onto the first tee of some of the world's most breathtaking courses. In the past 48 hours, the very best that America has to offer was on display in northern Michigan.

On Sunday, we shot an update to the popular Arcadia Bluffs MGL-TV program. With chopper overhead, the crew on the ground capturing the stunning scenery, and perfect weather, we made our way around the #10 Public Course in the US (Golf Digest). I can't even begin to describe how beautiful the entire scene was but can't wait to show it to you on TV in the days to come.

Monday morning's schedule was filled with a promotional shoot at Crystal Mountain Resort, in preparation for a special event we're hosting there Labor Day weekend. Rarely have I anticipated the conclusion of a shoot with such excitement because our next stop is listed in the Top 20 Courses In The World - Crystal Downs.

Another stunning day. Another stunning course. Another reminder of the blessings of life and the wonder of summer in Michigan.


I want to hear from you - what is the most scenic, stunning course you've played?

When Golf Matters

For every club you've thrown, profanity uttered, or head-scratching moment you've experienced in golf, please remember that even the dumbest of triple bogeys (from 80 yards out in the middle of the fairway) pale in comparison to the heroic sacrifices being made on a daily basis by our Armed Forces.

I don't intend this post to be one of those "when I was a kid, we knew what pain was!" rants. Instead, I want to point out what a powerful role the wonderful game of golf can play in helping the families of those soldiers who have given their all so we could play golf free from the fear of being bombed (middle East), beaten (Iran), etc.

This Saturday, we're broadcasting MGL Radio from Grand Haven Golf Club. This beautiful course is not only an ideal setting for golf, it's also the birthplace of Major Dan Rooney's brainchild, Patriot Golf Day.


Now a national campaign involving hundreds of courses, Patriot Golf Day got its start in a very moving way. Major Rooney was on a plane and witnessed the homecoming of a flag-draped coffin and the family of the soldier there to meet it. It broke his heart and spurred him to action.

Last year, millions of dollars were raised from the generous donations of golfers across the nation. Families were helped with their expenses and reminded that the sacrifice of their loved ones was not made without the gratitude of a grateful country.

This July 4th weekend, my hope is that you will have a wonderful time celebrating this nation, our freedoms (which seem to be shrinking daily, but that's for another time), and the men and women who fought on our behalf.

I hope you'll listen to our interview with Major Rooney...true American hero.