I wanted to share some exciting news regarding a unique event taking place at Deerpath Golf Course on September 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The course will be hosting a qualifying event for the PopStroke National Putting Championship, taking place later this year in Sarasota, Florida. 

PopStroke is a high-end mini-golf destination designed and backed by Tiger Woods (who Tweeted about the National Championship today). The company has recently opened locations in Fort Myers, Sarasota, Port Saint Lucie, and Orlando, with plans for future locations across the country.  

Players will compete in a nine-hole putting competition on The Lawn, Deerpath’s recently completed 30,000 sq. foot putting and chipping green. Each round will cost 10 dollars, with golfers welcome to brave the course as many times as they like. 

The first and second-place finishers at Deerpath will be automatically granted access to the PopStroke National Championship in October, where they will compete in a Stroke Play Individual competition and a two-person Team Championship for a shot at over $100,000 in total prize money. 

Attendees are able to register in advance and learn more about the event on the Deerpath website. I’ve also attached a press release with more information above.

BALLENISLES COUNTRY CLUB COMMEMORATES 1971 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WITH JACK AND BARBARA NICKLAUS

MARCH 2, 2021

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – BallenIsles Country Club commemorated the 50th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ victory at the 1971 PGA Championship held at BallenIsles (then known as PGA National) on Sunday, February 28th. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus were in attendance at a ceremony held near the 18th green of BallenIsles’ East Course (site of Nicklaus’ victory). Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America spoke about the anniversary, while BallenIsles’ General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Walls and Club President Michael Muntner awarded Nicklaus with a commemorative plaque. In addition, the club presented Barbara with a birthday cake on her birthday, kids from the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospital wished her a happy birthday via a pre-produced video, and members of The First Tee of the Palm Beaches sang to her (in-person) at the celebration.

“You come back and say ‘wow, I’ve had a lot of fond memories here’,” said Nicklaus. “Thank you very, very much for honoring me. It’s always a pleasure to come back to a place that you’ve enjoyed and had success at.”

“One of the most unique things that happened on February 28th, 1971, I called it a unique double,” added Nicklaus. “Not only did I win the major championship, but it was my wife’s birthday, just like today is.”

In February 1971, and in a rare departure from its typical late-summer spot on golf’s major championship calendar, the PGA Championship was played at BallenIsles Country Club (then named PGA National). Jack Nicklaus was crowned the champion with a dominating wire-to-wire win. The victory was the ninth of his record 18 professional major championships and an important piece of history for the Club and Palm Beach County. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus have called the Palm Beaches home for more than 55 years.

“We remember this important date in history, 50 years to the day that Mr. Nicklaus parred out on 18 to win the 71 PGA Championship,” said Walls. “We couldn’t be more proud to have him with us today. On behalf of the BallenIsles membership we thank Jack and Barbara for being champions of our community.”

During the ceremony, Walls and Nicklaus also announced a multi-year plan for Nicklaus Design to renovate BallenIsles Country Club’s East Course. More information will be announced at a later date regarding the project.

In addition to the commemorative ceremony and plaque presentation, a number of historical pieces were on display for attendees to see, including the PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy; the 53rd PGA Championship Roster with Starting Times; a 53rd PGA Championship Program; a 53rd PGA Championship Tournament Ticket; a Jack Nicklaus Sports Illustrated Cover; and a 1971 Jim Beam Decanter & Rocks Glasses.

ABOUT BALLENISLES COUNTRY CLUB

In 1963 legendary Florida developer John D. MacArthur and the PGA of America teamed up with golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee to design a championship-caliber golf facility. Over the next ten years, BallenIsles, then called PGA National Golf Club, hosted numerous major tournaments like the PGA Championship and PGA Seniors Championship and was home for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Club was also the host site for the original PGA TOUR Qualifying School and held the inaugural PGA Merchandise Show. When the MacArthur/PGA of America agreement expired in 1973, the Club was renamed the JDM Country Club for John D. MacArthur. For the next 15 years, the prestigious local country club hosted many celebrities and professional golfers and staged many events on the three golf courses on the property. In 1988, the three golf courses and surrounding property were sold by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and renamed BallenIsles Country Club. A multi-year and multimillion dollar plan to develop a private country club community was unveiled. Since the early 2000’s, BallenIsles Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Clubs in America.

A $35 million clubhouse renovation was completed in November 2018, featuring 115,000 square feet of luxurious space; three championship courses with 54 holes of golf; a world-class 23-court tennis complex including an exhibition tennis court and pickleball courts; and a state-of-the-art Sports Complex with a full service Cosmo & Company salon and spa, fitness center, Pilates & spin studios and resort-style swimming pool. For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org

Photo courtesy “Potawatomi Hotel & Casino”

Topgolf “Suite”ens the Pot

These days there are so many other ways to enjoy our one of a kind sport other than just playing at the course. If you’re reading this than I am sure you are familiar with the phenomenon known as Topgolf. Their “driving range on steroids” concept has been making in roads (with golfers, and many others that have not picked up a club before) here in the United States for over ten years now. The super-cool entertainment multi-level driving range concept of hitting computerized infused golf balls into inverted targets has taken off to levels that few imagined. Now Topgolf is going indoors to broaden their horizons even more with Swing Suites at a variety of different venues across the country. One of their newest locations is inside Potawatomie Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee where it’s conveniently located right next to the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill.

Photo courtesy “TopGolf Swing Suite”.

Here you can play a few different golf games including Top Contender, which mirrors the outdoor version of Topgolf. There’s Top Challenge, a closest-to-the-pin game that transports players to a tee box on an imagined course. Top Pressure is another game tests your accuracy as you try close each of the nine sections in a designated target.

In addition, you can play simulator golf on some of the finest courses from all over the world. I can attest that the experience is very close to playing the real game of golf with wind and undulation that you have to take into effect. What’s really cool is that on all of the golf games you can see the flight of your ball just like you see on TV with the PGA Tour through Topgolf’s Toptracer technology.

If you are looking to play something besides golf there are plenty of other entertaining options. Test your skills on a variety of sports and games that you can play on these virtual reality screens.

*Baseball Pitching    *Carnival Classic *Hockey Shots    *Quarterback Challenge *Zombie Dodgeball (my personal favorite)

Photo courtesy “TopGolf Swing Suite”.

The spacious Swing Suite here feels like a 19th Hole at your favorite golf course or club featuring comfortable lounge seating with sofas, a multitude of HDTV’s, plus food and beverage service.

Later in the fall of 2020 you may want to look into staying at Potawatomie Hotel & Casino when the Ryder Cup comes up to the Land of Cheese and Whistling Straits. The Hotel makes for a good base to Pete Dye’s unbelievable track that’s just an hour away on the shores of Lake Michigan. The beautiful 19-story modern hotel features over 500 guest rooms and is just a stone’s throw from Miller Park (Brewers baseball and live concerts) and downtown Milwaukee. https://www.paysbig.com/swingsuite

WE’RE NOT BLUFFING WITH THE NEW SOUTH COURSE AT ARCADIA BLUFFS

Arcadia Bluffs…. it just sounds pleasant and intriguing. Ok so we all know what a bluff is, but arcadia on the other hand… The actual definition of the word arcadia is a poetic shaped space associated with bountiful natural splendor and harmony. Yes indeed when they came up with the name for this special place in the northwest part of Michigan they truly nailed it! This year marks the 20th anniversary of Arcadia Bluffs designed by renowned architect Rick Smith and architect Warren Henderson.

Now there is a new kid in town, which is literally just across the street and a mile down the road – the Arcadia Bluffs South Course. Boy is this track fun, different and a terrific counterpart to the original. The wind plays a significant role in your strategy too. It really makes one think, should I play for the fat of the green, or do I take on a line to the flag that could face consequences if miss hit. The design harkens back to the days of early American golf with an open, classic linksland track that plays firm and fast. When the ball runs like it can out here it helps the shorter hitter, plus there are not forced carries so you can play the game along the ground. Chicago Golf Club (Wheaton, IL) designed by C.B. MacDonald along with some handiwork by the great Seth Raynor was the inspiration for the South Course. Arcadia Bluffs owner Richard Postma want turn back the hands of time and pursue the idea of a throwback layout that was a straightforward and not tricked up. Veteran architect Dana Fry and his design team partner Jason Stracka took on the challenge creating this enjoyable track out of a relatively flat parcel of old farmland. When you approach this must-experience creative canvas you’ll encounter many holes which feature extremely large square greens (averaging 9,400 square feet each), unique rectangle bunkering and ever-growing golden fescue.

Complete with a huge full service clubhouse that serves up savory locally inspired food options in the restaurant along thirst quenching adult beverages (which includes many area craft beer selections) that are just perfect after a round on the links.

When Arcadia Bluffs debuted in 1999 it was at the tail end of the golf course boom up in The Mitten. Located high above overlooking the clean, blue Lake Michigan waters this is still a real head turner!  This eye-catching stunner continues to dare all of the players that come to play and to see her. Fairly generous of the tee things seem to narrow up as you get closer to the greens. There’s plenty of peril with deep sometimes-cavernous bunkers, run off areas and fast putting surfaces that have a number of different pin possibilities due to a number of greens that are designed in quadrants. The challenges of this layout are in every shot you play, but it’s a welcomed challenge. For years The Bluffs Course has been ranked #1 for courses that you can play in Michigan

Its nearest rival just across the lake is over there in Wisconsin at Whistling Straits. What’s nice about Arcadia is it is just as scenic and challenging with a price tag that is significantly less. Plus they have electric carts here whereas you have to hoof it at the Straits with a caddie. Unquestionably the wow factor and the sunsets are quite breathtaking at The Bluffs and will make you already ponder a return before the end of your game. Many of those colorful vistas can be quite mesmerizing which sometimes makes you even make you forget that you are playing golf!

You’ll want to soak more before you go so we recommend a visit to the clubhouse, which sits high above the entire property providing dramatic views of the course and Lake Michigan. It certainly evokes a New England style coastal feel. It’s a must-do for a casual lunch, upscale dinner or that perfect post-round libation. Par-tee!

It’s a getaway that’s not a far away (just about a 5-hour drive from Chicago, or you can fly into nearby Traverse City or Grand Rapids) for a wonderful dose of Pure Michigan. Make the visit and you can personally experience the definition of arcadia….  a poetic shaped space associated with bountiful natural splendor and harmony….

Visit ArcadiaBluffs.com for more stunning images and all of the info you need.

Huge thanks to editor extraordinaire Neal Kotlarek on his assistance with many of these stories for Golf Chicago Magazine.