Manuel De La Torre was one of the all time greats at teaching the game of golf. A “pro’s pro” as they say. Born in Spain, to that country’s first teaching professional, de la Torre was a standout college golfer at Northwestern before joining his father as an assistant at Lake Shore Country Club near Chicago. He began teaching at Milwaukee Country Club in 1948 and never left. He would go on to mentor thousands of players –amateur and professional – along with hundreds of teachers. He died at age 94 on April 24.

I personally never got the opportunity to meet Mr. de la Torre, but have studied his philosophies in great detail. He came to Chequamegon Bay Golf Club to give a clinic when the golf course expanded to 18 holes. I was told from folks who attended that it was a cold Ashland day, yet de la Torre put on a great clinic. For my column this week, I’d like to remember one of the all time great golf instructors by including some of his greatest quotes. They are filled with simple ideas and simple concepts that still resonate today. Enjoy:

“Swing the entire club (not just the clubhead) with the arms from the end of the backswing to the finish of the swing.”

“If I asked you to draw an apple, you’d keep an image of an apple in your head until you finished drawing. In golf, you have to visualize the club going directly toward the target while you’re actually doing it. That’s far more important than visualizing the ball going to the target. If you visualize what the club must do, the mind takes care of the mechanics that get the ball there.”

“Your only concern in holding the golf club is to do just that: Hold it with a constant attitude and allow the natural reactions of the swing to take place without interference on your part.”

“My teaching is based on what I learned from Ernest Jones. It’s simply learning to use the tool – the club – correctly. If you allow the swing to happen, it will happen correctly. The hips don’t hit the ball. The shoulders don’t hit the ball. The hands don’t hit it. The club does. Ernest Jones was teaching this in 1920, and it’s just as true now.”

“The golf swing is such a simple movement and we humans complicate it to such an extent the it does not work. Our movement in the golf swing is essentially the same as many other everyday motions – the only difference is that in golf we do it with an implement called a golf club.”

“Do you shop? Do you make a list of all the things you don’t want to buy? Of course not, but that’s the way people play golf. They stand over a shot thinking about all the things they don’t want to do, instead of focusing on what they want to do.”

-Matthew Lindberg, PGA

Growing up, and wanting to absorb everything golf; I read a book called “The Golfers Code.” Jack Whitaker, writing the forward for the book said “Golf is a game, but it is a game that goes beyond the boundaries of simple recreation and carries us to the dark places of our own character. Into those dark places it shines a bright light so that we can see if we are honest, quick-tempered, mean spirited, generous, courteous, and other qualities that tell us who we are.” Whitaker saw a reason why. It is because golf, “as played by most of us, has no umpire, no referee, no linesman. We are the officials, and we call the penalties on ourselves.” He cited this trait for lifting golf above other games, wherein “duplicity is often a valuable stratagem.”

The articles and opinions found in this column are written for all golfers and anyone who is interested in the game of golf. Being a PGA Professional, I often write them from a golf instructor’s perspective. These days I am beginning to see the coach or teacher in a pivotal position in regards to the culture and values of the game. Teaching is teaching – people come to me to learn one thing, and I do my best to teach them that plus more. The way I see it, as a golf instructor, we need to take on the responsibility of modeling exemplary behavior and stress its value. Whitaker, introducing “The Golfers Code” said that “self-policing and etiquette made golf a world of its own” in the sports world. He went on to say many new golfers “have taken up golf without being taught the rules or etiquette of the sport.”

I wonder what Jack would think today? While I’m not a big fan of formality, I found myself sitting on my couch watching Jordan Spieth collapse at the Masters, after pulling away to a tremendous win last season. Spieth, who calls his biggest inspiration his sister who suffers from autism, was classy in both victory and in heartbreaking defeat.

In contrast, the following day, I witnessed two men yell and curse in front of a young high school golfer all because of their bad tee shots. It was an unpleasant sight, and made me wonder: Has our game lost its inherent civility and decorum? Is the new generation of golfers simply not interested in common courtesies? It often seems they were never taught “The Golfers Code.”

I learned the game at The Gogebic Country Club in Ironwood where I remember clearly being taught etiquette lessons virtually every time I attended junior golf school. I recall members at the club pointing out things we juniors should be doing if they saw us forgetting our manners in any way. The same was said to any “new” golfer whether young or old. So my query is this: Who is responsible for teaching the “golfers code?” I don’t feel it rests on any one source as it takes many foursomes to raise a new golfer. As a Golf Professional I feel like I can do more to instill civility back into the game. I challenge myself and other Pro’s alike to make a conscious effort to include lessons of etiquette, pace of play, and common courtesy into programs for new golfers and juniors. I also challenge all golfers to teach and mentor new golfers about etiquette. It is okay to say something because that is how we learn.

I realize we won’t turn everyone into Bobby Jones when it comes to class or decorum, but don’t you think our collective efforts could do a better job of showing new golfers why golf – when played in the proper spirit – is one of the greatest life lessons ever created? Bravo Jordan! For the first time in awhile we may be able to move the needle on golfing etiquette. You’ve made Bobby Jones and generations of golfers proud.

-Matthew Lindberg, PGA

 

As a coach and teacher, no matter the sport, you are a role model whether you like it or not. Each day of work I try to embrace that challenge, and do my best to set a great example. Which brings me to Michigan State’s Basketball Coach, Tom Izzo. One of the most enjoyable days I ever had was during an event at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2008. We did an after-dinner fireside chat that year and the General Manager of the club asked the legendary basketball coach, if he would join us to talk about coaching and tell a few stories. We had packed the dining room at the clubhouse with over 300 members in attendance. I was interested, not because I’m a Michigan State fan, (Go Blue) but because coach Izzo is a Yooper. He grew up in Iron Mt., MI, attended Northern Michigan University, and got his start in coaching at Ishpeming High School.

One recollection that stands out from that evening is the fact that Coach Izzo was so kind to everyone he spoke with. He was gracious with his time, meeting with the entire golf staff all the way down to the caddies at the course. I remember seeing our GM shake hands with coach Izzo, who in an upbeat voice said “Thanks for inviting me, what would you like me to do?” It was one of those moments when we just knew instantly we were going to have a very good night. As it turned out it was better than that. Coach Izzo turned our planned 45-minute “chat” into about an hour and a half and after that he stayed for another hour signing autographs and taking pictures with just about every single person in the room. To be honest, I couldn’t tell you exactly what he talked about that night when it came to his coaching secrets or his basketball stories, but I remember vividly the way he was revered by everyone in the room and the way he made everyone feel like they were his long lost cousins. Nobody left the room that night without being truly inspired at what one coach with the best intentions could accomplish.

After he spoke that night I was so intrigued by his presence that I did some research. What I found was a man of uncommon integrity and decency who does whatever he can to elevate those around him. He is deeply involved each day in making his players better people. It is not just teaching basketball, but grooming college boys to become gentlemen. Every day coaches can have a similar influence on their students, especially juniors. As a role model, golf coaches benefit by associating with a game that thrives on integrity, discipline and focus. Upon recently watching the Final Four games, and remembering listening to coach Izzo, I was reminded of the bond people feel for the truly great coaches in their lives. I hope every coach will embrace this responsibility, as it is what separates coaching from just giving golf lessons in my industry. I strive to do more than just give lessons.

-Matthew Lindberg

The golf course is now open. All 18 holes are open with golf carts!!

CHEQUAMEGON BAY GOLF CLUB, INC. – 2016 Membership Form

*2016 membership includes reciprocal discount greens/cart fee of $35.00 at Apostle Highlands Golf Course, Hayward Golf Club, & Lakewood’s Resort

Pass Holders also receive discounts at over 50 UPGA golf courses in MI, WI, and Canada.

 

Name: ___________________________ Email: _________________________ Phone: ______________________      

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    CATEGORY               

SEASON MEMBERSHIP                                                                                                                         SUMMARY                TOTAL DUE

Single                          Couple                       Family

$975.00                    $1,325.00                 $1,475.00                                   $_________

 

Discounts:

Elk Member               $75.00                       $75.00                       $75.00                                         ($_________)

 

 

SPECIAL SEASON MEMBERSHIP (no other discounts apply)

ONE (1) YEAR INTRODUCTORY SEASON PASS (no other discounts apply)

                                    Eligible for new pass holders or golfers that have not purchased a season pass since 2011

 

Single                          Couple                       Family

$700.00                    $1,100.00                 $1,250.                                        $__________

 

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT SPECIAL SEASON MEMBERSHIP (no other discounts apply)

                                                      18 years old & under – $99.00                                                                       $__________

19-21 years old – $300.00                                                                              $__________

Single 22-28 years old – $500.00                                                                  $__________

Couple/Family 22-28 years old – $750.00                                                   $__________

(age as of May 1 2016)

NET MEMBERSHIP TOTAL:                                                                                                                                                                       $_____________

 

CART LEASE              

Single                          Couple

$650.00                    $750.00                                                                          $ _________

Discounts:

Elk Member               $25.00                       $25.00                                                                             ($__________

NET SEASON CART LEASE TOTAL:                                                                                                                                                             $_____________

 

RANGE PASS             Single                          Couple                       Family

$200.00                    $290.00                    $330.00                                      $_________

 

NET SEASON RANGE PASS TOTAL:                                                                                                                                                         $ ____________

 

TOTAL ALL NET SEASON PASS FEES:                                                                                                                     $ ___________”A”

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS IF APPLICABLE

Less: Pay prior to 3/31/16 Discount                      (if applicable)                                               -$50.00

TOTAL ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS                                                                                                                                                             ($_____________)”B”

 

TOTAL ALL SEASON PASS FEES AFTER APPLICABLE DISCOUNTS (“A” MINUS “B”)                                                           $_____________

 

 

Extended Payment Options (#1 payment option still qualifies for the early bird discount) (#2 does not qualify)

1. Pay 50% of total by 2/28/16 and 50% by 3/31/16; OR
2. Make 4 equal installments of 1/4^rd of total cost by 3/31, 4/30, 5/31, and 6/30… We must keep your credit card on file for this option.