Treetops Par 3 Shootout Gaylord Michigan 2003 results and comments

Treetops Resort - Par 3 Shootout 2003

Threetops Par 3 Shootout - July 2003
Much More Than Great Golf

Standing out overlooking Threetops, Treetops Sylvan Resort’s Par 3 super course, at sunset, one could not help being captivated by its silent tranquility. Laying in wait with anticipation of the day to come, the course’s awesome presence commanded full attention to its raw beauty. Only the steady hiss of sprinklers could be heard as the course was put to rest.
My thoughts turned to the day ahead when spectators and players alike would be caught in the momentum of the tournament and would likely take this view for granted. For that moment and the scenic drive back to the main road at dusk, I knew a true appreciation for the eloquence of this course and the entire resort.
Carved out of the high elevations of some of Northern Michigan’s most breathtaking terrain, Treetops Resort is one of the finest golf resorts in the world having found its home in Gaylord, Michigan. The Resort hosts five spectacular courses, all designed by legendary course designers Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith. The Signature, The Masterpiece, The Tradition, The Premier and Threetops are all in immaculate condition and are tucked into a vast and wooded landscape. Each course has its own special allure, and will keep you challenged while awakening your senses to the awesome beauty of Northern Michigan. Threetops, the course hosting the 3 Par Shootout, is hailed as the “#1 Par 3 Course in America” by Travel and Leisure Golf. The fantastic resort and accompanying facilities cannot be overlooked, having all the desired amenities to satisfy the tastes and interests of every guest. The staff and professionals on hand will attend guests with first-rate service, and as a guest at Treetops, you can play to your heart’s content and unwind in unassuming elegance.
Monday morning, the first morning of the event, proved surprisingly quiet save for the professionals, a few distinguished amateur players and some members of the media. As the professionals warmed up before the ProAm, it was apparent from their relaxed demeanors and easy conversations that an exciting but lighthearted day would unfold.
Being in attendance at the Threetops Par 3 Shootout could turn even the staunchest golf cynic into an enthusiast. Watching 4 of the world’s top professionals, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples, Fuzzy Zoeller and Phil Mickelson in such an intimate setting, spectators became acquainted with the players’ personalities. In the context of this laid-back tournament, the professionals became entertainers as well as players. With only approximately 2000 people in attendance, each spectator was given the unique opportunity of having a front row seat to hear and see every move made by The Greats. Hanging on their every word and gesture, spectators became enthralled with the players and their apparent enjoyment. With Lee and Fuzzy’s constant cajoling, no one wanted to be out of earshot. At times the enthusiasm of the crowd reached almost manic proportions as spectators raced for prime positions on each of the 9 holes that were played each day. This proved quite a feat, as steep hillsides were breathlessly traversed in every direction to get to the next hole.
The players like the spectators, also seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves in this unconventional tournament. After teeing off on the first hole, Mickelson overshot the green into the crowd. Upon arrival at the green, he identified the lady hit by the errant ball and she was given a consultation hug by Mickelson. This set the tone for the entire tournament, as the players conversed with one another and completely engaged the audience in their jokes and conversation. Phil Mickelson commented that he didn’t have to say a lot, but enjoyed listening. Fred Couples made mention that he was being taught to play with distractions (meaning the comedic banter of Lee and Fuzzy). The “lighthearted” atmosphere, as described by Mickelson, at one point found Fuzzy in deep conversation with his putter. The threat of relinquishing it as a “charitable item” was enough to scare it into putting for birdie on the hole. The tournament’s environment made the Par 3 Shootout a once in a lifetime and truly unique event.
From the breathtaking panoramic views, the fantastic facilities of the resort, the elegant lodging and surroundings, and accommodating staff to the meticulously sculpted courses, Treetops Sylvan Resort earns its reputation as one of the finest golf facilities in the world. Whether you are attending the Threetops Par 3 Shootout to be thrilled by the top professionals, or just coming for a relaxing and exciting vacation, Treetops will entertain you in style.
Article by Kristin McGregor-Bilbey 2003

Weekly Featured Course - Treetops Resort in Gaylord, MI.

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Treetops Resort Courses Profile

Treetops Resort Golf Course Profiles

The Premier by Tom Fazio	The Masterpiece by Jones
The Signature by Smith	The Tradition by Smith
Threetops

The Premier Tom Fazio	The Masterpiece Robert Trent Jones

Treetops Resort/
The Masterpiece
Gaylord, Robert Trent Jones Sr., 144, 75.5
(Michigan Golf 2002)

Designed by the late, great Robert Trent Jones Sr., this is one of the courses that put Gaylord on the map as a golf destination.

The Masterpiece, like many of the Gaylord vistas, is built on ridges over heavily wooded and hilly terrain. The combination of rolling fairways, strategic bunkering and the surrounding hardwoods put a premium on accuracy off the tee. The tricky green complexes test even those who are most adept with the flat stick.

The golf course is not overly demanding off the tee, except from the tips, but it is a difficult task to try to save par if a green is missed.

"It is not a course where the average golfer will score his best, but the scenery and the beauty of the course is what keeps people coming back to play it," White said.

The Signature Rick Smith	The Tradition Rick Smith	Threetops

Nearly two decades ago it began with a dream, an idea from the mind of a man many call a visionary. That man, Harry S. Melling, is now gone, but his vision is stronger than ever before.

Harry had a vision to turn the ski resort that ha had purchased back in 1983 into one of the finest golf resorts in the country. When he bought the 179-acre Sylvan Knob ski area, he was looking for a new business challenge, and saw the limitless possibility the ski resort offered. Through the early years, the ski area was very successful. However, it didn't take long for Harry to realize that the resort would have to remain open year-round if it was ever going to reach its' full potential. That's when he decided to get in the golf business. But he realized that just building a golf course wasn't good enough, it had to be great. So he began by hiring the renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to design the first golf course at Treetops Resort.

The debut of the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Masterpiece in 1987 was more than just the opening of Treetop's first golf course. The event marked the pinnacle of a legend's career. The Masterpiece was one of the last courses that Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was intimately involved with. The creation of this course resulted in what Robert Trent Jones, Sr. himself referred to as his "masterpiece". It also gave birth to what has been called the finest collection of golf anywhere.

Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was involved in the day-to-day construction of the course, and he and Harry Melling often surveyed the course's progress together. They could see even then that the course was special, and would surely turn Sylvan Knob into the four-season destination Harry had hoped for. But Harry needed a new, encompassing nam for his new creation, something that signified the fertile land they walked. As they both stood on the sixth tee one morning, their view stretched for 20 miles over the Pigeon River Valley. RTJ, inspired by the amazing vistas, then turned to Harry and suggested the name "Treetops". Thus, a new era in Michigan golf history had begun.

The Jones Club	The North Club

With construction of the course entering its final phase, Harry knew he'd need a world-class golf professional to match his world-class course, and hired Rick Smith as the golf pro for the resort. Smith realized how fortunate he was to work with one of the game's greatest designers, and quickly became involved in the day-to-day activity of completing the course.

"I had a unique opportunity to spend time with him (RTJ) on site, and we became friends," Smith recalls. "It actually created a beginning for me in design."

The site of Rick and RTJ together on the course became commonplace. There were many days when the sun rose to find them inspecting the previous day's work, or examining a particular hole for playability. "He had me go around the golf course with him prior to grow-in and hit a variety of shots," recalled Smith. "As a result of that, we lowered the green on number 11 by over 10 feet."

Over the course of a career that spanned several decades, and gave birth to more than 450 courses, RTJ employed one simple philosophy. Smith put it this way, "Jones cared about shot value, about integrity of par. His philosophy was founded on the hard par, easy bogey. The scratch player has to work to shoot par, but the golf course will allow the high handicapper to make bogey."

Over the course of 15 years, Treetops has become known world wide for dramatic elevation changes, pristine forest and stunning vistas. These were the things that inspired Treetops' late founder to build a golf course here. They were also the things that attracted RTJ, and became the muse for the creation of this Masterpiece.

"Jones liked the flexibility that the land provided," Smith explained. "The bold features and the spectacular views...he didn't want to cut and soften ridges, bold was in at the time. He said that the topography was reminiscent to Ballybunion."

The Masterpiece set the stage for Treetops to become one of the most balanced golf facilities in the world. Nowhere else will you find a collection that features designs by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith; five varied courses by three renowned designers.

"Whereas the Jones is spectacular, and the topography more crowned, we transgressed to the Fazio, a course which is more contained, classic and natural. A perfect compliment to the Masterpiece, which set a great trend in what we ultimately became known for," Smith explained. This collection is the reason Treetops has been named one of the nation's finest golf facilities, behind only Pebble Beach and Pinehurst.

Following the creation of the Masterpiece, Rick Smith went on to design and construct three courses at the resort. In looking back on his time spent with RTJ, and the creation of his own award-winning courses at Treetops, it is clear that the Masterpiece provided the building blocks for Smith to become one of the game's best modern-day designers.

"For me, there was a great learning curve", recalls Smith. "For the first six or seven years, I spent a lot of time asking people what they liked about the golf course. The response was overwhelming...people liked the dramatic views. The Jones is bold and gorgeous. That became a key aspect of what I incorporated into my own designs at Treetops."

The Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Masterpiece opened to rave reviews in 1987. GolfDigest ranked it as the "2nd Best New Resort Course," and today it remains as one of the magazine's "Places to Play" with 4 out of 5 stars. It is the cornerstone of a collection of golf that has garnered five consecutive Silver Medal Resort Awards for GOLF Magazine.

In celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Masterpiece, a course that is the culmination of a legendary career, here are a few words that were spoken by the man himself as he embraced his creation, "...bold but fair. One rarely starts with such a naturally accommodating piece of land. The contours and rolling terrain provide a beautiful setting for 18 fascinating golf holes. Treetops is truly a masterpiece, and will be among the top courses in the world."

Visit www.treetops.com for more information on the wonderful resort.

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