It is very rare that you will find BOYNE's Director of Instruction, Brian O'Neill, at a loss for words about the golf swing.  Unless of course he is learning more about it.  Such was the case on the final morning before the start of Jack Nicklaus' prestigious tournament, The Memorial at Murifield Village.  You see, Brian was hand picked by long time BOYNE resident and Golf Digest top 10 instructor, Jim Flick, to join he and Mike Malaska (Golf Digest top 50) as a team of instructors for Mr. Nicklaus' sponsors and guests of honor.

The privilege came with the demand of 5:00 am wake up calls, hours worth of clinics, lessons in the hot sun and trying to keep pace with Flick as he marched around inside the ropes with star pupil, Tom Lehman, in the afternoons.  A small price to pay for the opportunity to participate in such a high profile event with your long time mentor and colleague.  Still, after 6 straight days of the go-go-go... It is understandable that anyone might be a little drained and weary.  Which takes us back to breakfast that Sunday morning.  

There was Mr. Flick, eyes bright and showing no signs of fatigue.  He struck up an impromptu seminar over bacon and toast with O'Neill, Malaska and others, who were enjoying listening and learning from Flick's 53 years of teaching history.  He spoke not only of golf theories and fundamentals, but how to best communicate such actions and positions to students.  The excitement in his voice was inspiring to O'Neill, who commented that, "His passion is stronger than ever... at 80 years old!"  Out came archived issues of Golf Digest from the 1970's as he compared swing positions and ball-striking consistencies from Bruce Crampton, Lee Trevino and Sam Snead, to the best players in modern golf.  The guys were huddled around the magazines trying to absorb all of the theories and observations that were being shared.   Slowly, the others would chime in questions, confirmations and supporting dialogue as a full fledged round table ensued.  Oh, to be a fly on that wall!  With a renewed vigor that Flick's enthusiasm had infused in the team, they set out for their final tasks of the week.  The breakfast had lasted 45 minutes, the memories will last forever.

 -Jeff 

**Pictured from left to right - Mike Malaska, Jim Flick, Brian O'Neill

Towards the end of the 2009 golf season, long time Country Club of BOYNE member Paul Yoder, age 89, decided to turn the autumn of the season into the spring of his career.  He met with Director of Instruction at BOYNE, Brian O'Neill, to discuss his ambitions of improving his game to the level that he might achieve one of golf's most coveted accomplishments... Shooting his age for 18 holes. 

The goal was simple.  The target was clear.  18 holes in 89 shots or less.  Utilizing BOYNE Golf Academy's indoor training facility, Paul and Brian met each week throughout the winter to talk shop.  During their sessions, they would use a golf simulator for full swings and artificial putting greens for the short game work that was needed.  Practices would be followed by workouts to boost strength, endurance and overall well-being.  Soon enough, BOYNE's blanket of Alpine fun had melted into the fairways that lie below... and as they say, it was ON!

With a fresh approach and the confidence instilled in him throughout his training sessions with Brian, Paul began to see the potential in his hard work and truly believed his goal was attainable.  He didnt have to wait long from there.  On a gorgeous late May afternoon, he took on the Arhtur Hills course at Boyne Highlands and drove, chipped and putted his way around 18 holes in just 88 strokes!  He Did It!  All of the hours of drills and conditioning had been worth it!  It truly goes to show the progress that anyone - at any age can make by committing to a proven system and giving it their all.

In a conversation shortly after the feat, Paul noted that if it hadn't been for a couple of double-bogies and 1 triple-bogie, his 88 could have been even better.  I wonder what his next goal will be?  Breaking 80? 

CONGRATULATIONS PAUL!!

-jeff 

Time flies... and with it goes the opportunities to see our dreams come to life - like climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting the Eifel Tower, having an Old Style in the Wrigley Field bleachers and of course playing some of golf's spectacular courses.   As I outlined some of the places that I would love to have on my list, I realized that I could only claim to have played one (Pinehurst #2), and that was over 10 years ago!  Luckily for me, the Donald Ross Memorial at BOYNE is here to help. 

The Donald Ross Memorial is a compilation course of many of Donald Ross' best holes, recreated at Boyne Highlands.  The tour starts with Seminole Golf Club's 6th hole and makes a virtual lap around the country... including a trip to Scotland to start your back nine!  (Although Royal Dornoch wasn't designed by Ross, it was included for being Ross' home track as a youngster).  The holes chosen represent over 14 US Opens, 11 PGA Championships, 8 US Amateurs and 3 Ryder Cups! 

In all, you would have to travel 10,433 miles in order to play the holes in order, spend a couple thousand dollars on greens fees (if you can even get on some of the private courses) and of course... make the flight from Chicago to Scotland at the turn.  Or, plug '600 Highlands Drive, Harbor Springs, MI 49740' into your GPS - call 800.462.6963 to book your stay (Room and a Round from $81!)- then once your here, get your pen out and start crossing off your list.  It shouldn't take more than about 4 hours.

 Jeff  

 Check out the Course Tour to explore the history of all 18 holes!!  

It seems that The Alpine at Boyne Mountain is establishing itself among the best courses in the state... once again!  The Oakland Press has just released its 2010 Golf Preview with the Top 25 places to play in Michigan and wouldn't you know, The Alpine made the list at #25!  Home of the Tournament of Champions, The Alpine has long enjoyed recognition for the brilliant track that it is, but has recently had to endure some sibling rivalry in its vie for attention as BOYNE's golf course family has grown with some heavy star power. 

I speak of course about the other FOUR courses that also landed on the Oakland Press' Top 25 list.  They are Bay Harbor Golf Club at #4, The Heather at #8, The Arthur Hills at #12 and The Donald Ross Memorial at #18.  Not making the top 25, but well rounding out the BOYNE portfolio are The Moor (Annual host of AJGA Coca-Cola Championship/ favorite of long time BOYNE resident Jim Flick), Crooked Tree Golf Club (favorite of many Gr8 Escape participants and famous for its undulating greens and spectacular views) and The Monument - Golf's Playable Hall of Fame (Golf-Digest's runner-up for Best New Resort Course of 1987).

The hardest part is figuring out what courses to play and we certainly all have our own personal favorite... but for now, let's let The Alpine enjoy its well deserved moment in the sun!  The first chance to play it this season is on May 7th.  I'll be leading the charge up to the top of Boyne Mountain on the winding (1.5 mile) cart path to the first tee.  Care to join? 

Jeff

OK, so maybe that's not as catchy as our usual greeting to golf season - 'Hooray, hooray, it's the first of May' - but with the warm spring we are enjoying... the courses will be opening a week early this year!  After chatting with several of our Superintendants and Golf Professionals, I understand that there is huge optimism that the brilliant course conditions we enjoyed last year will return once again.  This has been mainly thanks to the warm weather this spring and last fall which has allowed our gurus of agronomy to work their magic.  Although we very well could have entertained golfers since the beginning of the month, this extra preparation and hard work from the grounds crew has enabled us to accomplish many projects during this time so that your spring experience will be as enjoyable as possible.  To all of our crews who sometimes go un-noticed and under recognized, here is a big fist pump from all of us!  Thanks!

J.Eccleston 

Try this next time you have a chance to work on your putting.  Close your eye closest to the target and hit some putts.  This will be your left eye if you are a right handed golfer.  Think of  yourself as a 'Sharp Shooter' - looking down the barrel of a rifle.  By doing so, you will force your right eye to become 100% dominate and because it is behind the ball, it will be looking more down the line of your putt.  As you look at the hole, your line of sight will naturally stay on the proper line as your chin tilts slightly to the left.  (Reverse the process for lefties)  This will help you aim more efficiently and - in turn - hole more putts. 

Also, don't forget to pay attention to your grip pressure.  Putting well does not require much strength, so instead, focus on generating a smooth controlled delivery with soft hands and forearms leading the way. 

J.Eccleston

We often hear golfers use other famous destinations as examples when they describe what we have to offer in northern Michigan.  Some will call us the ‘Pinehurst of the North’ when comparing our eight courses to theirs.  Others will call us the ‘Myrtle Beach of Michigan’ when referring to the exceptional value of our golf packages.  My favorite is the claim that Bay Harbor Golf Club is the ‘Pebble Beach of the Midwest’, but without those tricky seaside poa greens.   

The truth is, we don’t care what you call us… as long as you do call (800.GO.BOYNE) and answer our one simple question.  What are you up for?

-Jeff Eccleston

Here in the BOYNE Web office we do a lot of traveling, but not in the usual sense. We travel pretty far and wide on the Web researching new trends, seeing what our neighboring resorts are up to and sometimes we stumble upon things too good not to share. The video below is one such example- hot on the heels of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Some of you may have seen the picture to the right before. It's Stein Eriksen, Wayne Wong long-time friend of BOYNE doing one of his famous flips at Boyne Mountain. 

-Dan

(source)