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Val Brennan, LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, and Sue Ertl after the Solheim Cup opening ceremonies

Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer after the 2009 Solheim Cup opening ceremonies

We had the chance to attend the opening ceremonies and the first day and a half of the 2009 Solheim Cup matches between the US LPGA players vs. the European Professionals at Rich Harvest Farms CC in Sugar Grove, IL. We sure saw tremendous golf on such a pristine venue – Jerry Rich’s private estate hosting 24 pros and team captains + 100,000 spectators! I hope you all enjoyed the singles matches on TV as we did also as the US won the Cup 16-12 matches.

It is a true reunion of old friends, and I did see Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon, Kelly Robbins, Karrie Webb, Pat Bradley, Joanne Carner, Kathy Whitworth, Val Skinner, and even chatted with Juli Inkster as she crossed the fairway in front of us in the middle of competing in her alternate shot event with Paula Creamer!

It  is a celebration of excellence in women’s golf in 2009 and it is true, Michelle Wie was a star! In singles on day 3, she was 4-under par after 3 holes, and hung on to win over a relentless Helen Alfredsson. Cristie Kerr holed out for eagle on #12 the first day, and Juli Inkster finished her last day of Solheim Cup competition with 3 straight birdies to get back in the match! And who could forget Paula Creamer’s and Brittany Lincicome’s LONG BOMB putts going in – these ladies sure ‘roll the rock’!

Thanks to the Rich family for hosting this prestigious event on your exclusive property, and also to the entire Solheim family for your support of golf and especially this week, women’s golf. It was a great show; grand appreciation to both teams for your total effort and great inspirational entertainment!

Sue and Carol Ertl with Bart Lower at Shadow Ridge CC, Ionia MI

Mom, Val and I went to Ionia to play the course I grew up on – The Ionia CC – now called Shadow Ridge CC. The Donald Ross designed 9-hole course is a treat to play, narrow in spots on the rolling terrain, and in great shape – I hope all in the area will get the chance to play this little jewel. I scored par of 35, and my birdies on #3 and # 5 were negated by the double on 8. It was a surprise to meet Bart Lower, the pro and general manager who many of you may know as one of the stars of The Golf Channel’s BIG BREAK II and IV. Like myself, Bart grew up in Ionia on this course, and after assisting the MSU Men’s Golf Team for a year, returns to Shadow Ridge with his wife Niki to put Shadow Ridge and its banquet facilities back on the map. Thanks Bart and Niki and good luck in the years to come. I truly went back in time with memories of my brother Jay and me playing hundreds of rounds on this course. It was great “Coming Home to Ionia”.

Connie Tuley, Sue, Val, and Dick Tuley at Walnut Hills Country Club, East Lansing, MI

Wednesday we commuted from Grand Rapids to East Lansing as guests of Dick and Connie Tuley, University Park CC members. I had worked at Walnut Hills for Bill Mory, who is the current Club Manager, and with whom we had a nice reunion. Bill’s son Chris is on MSU’s Men’s golf team.

Walnut Hills was in beautiful shape, and I had not played it since the bunkers had all been revamped  – deeper, long grassy edges, a true challenge for all. The greens have many undulations and it is important to be below the hole as usual. What a pleasure to make the drive, see the Tuleys, and Connie says we brought her good luck! She played great! Val’s highlight was consecutive birdies, I played very steadily, and Dick got up and down from tough spots on both #5 and #17.

They are on their way to Mackinaw Island with their grandchildren for the weekend – should be a fun trip! Thanks again for the good golf, lunch, on the most beautiful summer day in Michigan!

Brian & Carrie Glick, Sue, Rhonda & Randy Glick.

Photo Credit: Rick Sharp, Digital Dimensions

I got the chance to play with the Alro Steel team of  Randy & Rhonda Glick and Brian & Carrie Glick. Although we did not win the top prize, I would say we all had highlights! All 4 of my teammates had some bomber drives, putting us in some extremely favorable spots! If only we could putt as well as we could drive it, oh well, it was a great time together, I hope we get the chance to be partners again – I had a fun day with the Glicks!

We had a great time at the CC of Jackson, and missed seeing Randy’s Dad Al Glick there to cheer us on. Al, founder of Alro Steel, was in Ann Arbor attending the first day of official practice for the University of Michigan Wolverine football team. In fact, the Michigan’s brand new indoor practice football facility is named the AL GLICK FIELD HOUSE – Al and the entire Glick family have been longtime supporters of Michigan Athletics and in July, the Board of Regents made this designation to recognize a lifetime of dedication to the Maize and Blue! Read about this beautiful state of the art facility.

I shot 74 and tied for 11th in the Wendy’s Charity Challenge. I was paired with Val Skinner who was leading after 16 holes at -5, but had the unfortunate double-double finish to tie for 3rd. Here are Sunday’s results.

Jackson fan club: Karen and Sean Wing, Miff Griffin, Sue, Ben Ertl, Carol Ertl, UPCC members Beth and Jerry Mumaw, Val (not pictured: UPCC members Janice and Mike Jowett)

Thanks to my family and University Park Members for coming to Jackson and watching my 74 – T-11 finish in the Wendy’s Charity Challenge. Tomorrow is the pro-am, I will play with the two Glick families – Sponsored by Alro Steel. The pro-am dinner and silent/live auction had the theme “Northern Exposure”, so as you can see in the photo, some of us dressed the part!

Michelle Estill, Denise Lindman, Sue, Gail Graham, Val in our "Northern Exposure" get-up. Do we look like we are ready to HUNT???

Today was certainly better, even after being 2 over after 3 holes. I made two bombs: 45 feet and 39 feet, and some fine saving par putts too. Played with Univ. of Denver player Katie Kempter, who had the low round of the day 68 including five straight birdies. I had the 4th lowest score of the day, and I moved up in the 3 days from 41st to 26th ending in a tie for 15th.

We are staying one more night, and had time to ride the chairlift and view the Crystal Mountain property from a skiers point of view.

And before they teed off, I had a photo taken on the first tee with Byron Center’s Jacqueline DeBoer (GR South Christian HS) and Legends Tour Champion Cindy Rarick. (I played 1 hour later).

Sue, Jacqueline DeBoer, Cindy Rarick

Finally, had dinner with Nebraska native Jenny Hansen, in Michigan for the first time, and we enjoyed catching up on her summer pro events.

Sue, Jenny Hansen, Val Brennan outside of Kinlochen

I played better despite bogeying the 16th and 17th holes. My group included my former MSU teammate Joan Garety and Lisa LaFollette (Continental 757 and 767 Airline pilot!). We had a pleasant day, beautiful northern Michigan 75 degrees and clear skies! In attendance was my devoted fan club including Carol Ertl, my sister Miff Griffin, and our Ionia friends Ken and Cindy McKee and their son Travis – as seen in the photos. Tomorrow concludes the Michigan Women’s Open, and scores are great, I need my best day to come!

Miff Griffin, Sue, Cindy-Travis-Ken McKee, Carol Ertl at the Crystal Coaster.

Waiting our turn to start the coaster

Cindy, Ken and Miff got skinned arms and knees this year, BOO, OUCH!!!

Sue rides the Crystal Coaster!

Coincidentally, at the base of the Coaster, Sue ran into former Spartan Carrie Wheeler and her daughter Juliana! Small world!

Hard to believe I could ever love this score, but I have to say scoring only +5 when I played with a golfer who scored 123. Really more of a mental effort, but I’m hoping to improve by a few. I will play with my former MSU teammate Joan Garety and a player I have not met, Lisa LaFollette. Tomorrow my sister Miff will arrive with friends Ken, Cindy and Travis McKee to join Mom for the 6 mile walk.

Best wishes to my sister Cath as she gets the word on her painful knees – we miss you here. And thinking of the Lee family this week.

Results for the Michigan Women’s Open at Crystal Mountain Resort.