By House
The parking lot is always active at Miles of Golf located on the second busiest road in Washtenaw County. I went in to meet with Doug Davis, one of the owners at the Ypsilanti based business. Everyone from the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area knows about the golf range. I wanted to know about the Players Club. Davis describes the Players Club as an area that offer amenities to the average golfer who needs to improve their game. The Players Club was designed by Doug and Chris Mile for players to work on their short game as well as offer private tees and a putting green to go along with the three short game areas, which give you examples of what you would see on the golf course.
The first area has a pot bunker with a kidney-shaped green to practice long pitch shots. The second area gives you a flat approach with a greenside bunker to a slightly elevated green. It also has numerous spots to practice hitting out of the rough with uphill and downhill lies. The third area has two small shallow bunkers with a flat firm green. The backside area of the green allows you to work on uphill pitch and run shots.
Miles of Golf opened September 30, 1995, and two years later they offered the Players Club membership as a separate area from the large range. Through growing membership, the concept stuck and is now currently at 350 golfers. The private driving range can accommodate roughly 8 to 10 golfers, the putting green 3 to 5, and the chipping greens 2 to 4 per area. But Davis says crowdedness is never an issue because the Players Club seems to never exceed 15 to 18 golfers at one time.
Members come from the east (Dearborn), west (Jackson), north (Brighton), and south (Toledo) to enjoy this fine facility. Once you join, you seem to stay for years. In fact, in the 15 years since Miles of Golf has opened its doors, there has never been a day without a bucket being hit. With some of the winter days we have had, that is saying something.
Davis, a warm and personable man who has had incredible success in the amateur ranks, runs the practice facility. The former University of Michigan captain of the golf team in the mid-1970s (whose daughters have followed in his footsteps playing for the University) has been involved in golf his entire adulthood. You might think with someone who has played golf at such a high level for so long wouldn’t be able to relate to the beginning golfer. But nothing could be further from the truth as he stopped for a moment while giving me the tour to admire a group of junior golfers. It must go back to his father’s advice to him as he began to pick up the game, which I think applies to all golfers—“It’s a stick and ball. Go out and have fun with it.”
After discussing the facility with Davis, I bought a bucket and went back to the Players’ Club area to test out all that it had to offer. The first thing I noticed is that even though it is located on Carpenter Rd. and close to a major strip mall and apartment complex it is surprisingly quiet. Next, I found the short game areas really did seem to address the practical shots you have in a round. Finally, I really liked the fact that most of the other golfers around me took the game seriously. There weren’t guys talking about outdriving each other as they hit endless shanks or golfers giving each other bad golf advice right next to me.
Some of the other amenities that are provided in the Players’ Club:
$50 Debit card for range balls—not enough for the whole season, but it will get you started. The members then get an opportunity to add to the card at a discounted rate.
(8) 2 for 1 at local golf courses—Beginners will enjoy Georgetown and Huron Hills (we joked around about how challenging the back nine can be to everyone) and the more experienced players will love Moose Ridge and Calderone. Others include Pierce Lake, Leslie Park, Lake Forest, and Reddeman Farms.
(4) Instructional clinics given by the Kendall Academy—each session usually lasts an hour. Clinics are held on consecutive weeks in May, so make sure to buy your Players Club membership early.
Free pass to the Cluboratory for a driver evaluation—this is fun to do even if you aren’t in the market to buy a new driver.
$25 off Maxx bag fitting—the staff will check out every club in your bag (minus your putter)!
(2) Gift certificates from local restaurants.
All this for the low membership rate of $150! If you are looking for a nice facility to practice and want to get the most value for your money, look into the Players Club at Miles of Golf. It is the next best thing to being on the course.
Exclusive Interview with Robb Grainger, Tournament Director, Buick Open
July 27 to August 2, 2009, Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan
When is the field locked in?
The deadline to commit to the tournament is 5pm the Friday before the tournament. The field does not become final though until Monday. The tournament results the weekend before can have an effect and the monday qualifier, of which 4 golfers earn spots, is held on that Monday.
How much do you stress about which big name golfer might not show up?
We hope for the best field possible as we want to give our fans the best golf played by the best golfers. That being said, there is only so much control you have over who decides to play. We have a great golf course, that is in our favor, and we try and run a smooth and enjoyable tournament. After that, it is up to the golfer's schedules, how they play at your course, and other factors that we dont control.
Do you have any ability to encourage them to play (other than the chance to win large amounts of money)?
I try and develop working relationships with professionals by travelling to other tournaments and talking with them about the Buick Open. Tournaments can also provide special events for the players or their families to try and offer them an eventful week, but for the most part you just have to wait and see who decides to play.
The Buick Open is always such a well-run tournament. How many months does it take to prepare for it and how many individuals work to make it so successful?
While it may seem surprising, it takes all year. Once the putt drops in the final round, we begin thinking about the next year. A PGA TOUR event is a large undertaking. From the physical set-up of a small city to the promotional and advertising of the tournament, there are many aspects that need to be planned and executed. In order to do this well, and have a smooth event that is a week long with over 100,000 specatators, it takes all year.
What are your feelings on the 17th hole? Is it getting excessive or still good clean fun?
I am a big fan of the 17th hole. It is a unique aspect of our tournament and the source of many, many smiles over the course of tournament week. Excessive may not be the right word, but at times it can become quite boisterous and have an impact on the play at other holes around it. However, there is something very special about that hole and the interaction of the fans and the players that gives it a life of its own. I travel to a lot of other golf tournaments, and am proud to have the 17th hole part of the Buick Open because it is unique.
I see John Daly received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Buick Open. He is always a crowd favorite. Are you excited to see how the new, more aerodynamic Daly will play at this event?
John has been a great partner for the Buick Open and we are very excited to have him back this year. Our fans, like all golf fans, seem to appreciate his style of play and unique persona. People come out to see John play and when he is in a tournament he adds some excitement to the event. We would love to see him play well at Warwick because it sure would make for an exciting weekend.
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