Good morning. This is your Happy Valley Golf Team weekly newsletter. Let’s get it!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Spring golf trip in Michigan

• Terrible weather at Pebble beach worked out for Clark

• It’s Waste Management week!

Golf Trip

With the snow melting a little bit from where I’m writing this from, its got me in the mood for spring golf trips. So this week we are looking at an area a little more north than usual. We are talking about the courses at The Highlands resort in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Day 1 - Donald Ross Memorial

The Donald Ross Memorial course at The Highlands is like the ultimate golf mixtape—18 of Ross's chart-toppers without having to jet-set across the country! Think of it as your golden ticket to tee off on some of the most iconic holes this side of golf heaven, all snuggled up in Harbor Springs' picturesque landscape.

This place isn't just about walking down memory fairway; it's a full-blown golfing challenge that'll have you strategizing every shot like a chess master. With nods to legendary layouts from Seminole to Pinehurst, every hole's a story, and buddy, you're the hero with a driver. Plus, the setting? Straight out of a postcard, with all the Northern Michigan charm you could ask for.

So, whether you're a die-hard Ross disciple or just in it for the love of the game, the Donald Ross Memorial course is where your golf dreams come to play. And hey, with The Highlands serving up more top-notch courses and cozy digs, why not make a vacay out of it? Just remember to tip your cap to Mr. Ross at each tee box. It's his genius that turned these fairways into golfer's paradise.

Day 2 - Arthur Hills

Next up we are swinging by the Arthur Hills course, where the fairways are as stunning as a Michigan sunset and the challenges as thrilling as a roller coaster ride. This beauty stretches over 7,312 yards of pure golfing bliss, par 73, with every hole crafted by Arthur Hills to test your skills, patience, and strategy.

Imagine teeing off atop a ski slope (yeah, you heard that right!) on the 13th, with a view that'll make you wanna snap a selfie before smashing that drive downhill. It's all about strategic bunkers, sneaky undulations, and greens that'll have you reading breaks like a psychic.

Open from when the snow melts in May until the leaves drop in October, this course is a canvas of bentgrass painted with the strokes of golf genius. Whether you're aiming to conquer those narrow fairways or just soak in the Northern Michigan vibe, Arthur Hills at The Highlands is your ticket to golfing nirvana. So, lace up, tee up, and let's see what you've got.

Day 3 - The Heather

Crafted by the golf wizard Robert Trent Jones Sr. This isn't just a round of golf; it's a voyage through 7,143 yards of pure genius, wrapped in a 72-par challenge that's as engaging as it is demanding, with a rating of 75.4 and a slope of 147 that'll test your skills to the max.

Crowned as the 2018 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and then going on to snag the 2019 National Golf Course of the Year title, The Heather is like the golfing world's rockstar, hitting all the right notes and leaving golfers in aw.

But here's where it gets real – The Heather isn't just about its trophy cabinet. It's a journey through Northern Michigan's breathtaking landscapes, with each hole offering a new story, a new challenge, and a new chance to test your mettle. Picture this: bentgrass fairways that curve and dip with the land, undulating greens that demand your utmost attention, and a bevy of hazards that turn each shot into a thrilling gambl​e

So, if you're after a golfing experience that combines the thrill of a challenge with the beauty of Michigan's great outdoors, The Heather is calling.

PGA News

Let's dive into the 2024 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where the drama was as thick as the fog rolling off the Pacific. This past weekend in Pebble Beach, California, was nothing short of a screenplay written by Mother Nature herself.

Wyndham Clark emerged as the hero of our tale, clinching the title with a score of -17. But it wasn't your typical walk down the 18th fairway kind of win. The final round got the axe due to some gnarly weather, leaving Clark as the 54-hole leader and thus, the champ.His performance included a course-record 12-under 60 in the third round, which could've been even lower had a couple of putts not decided to play hard to get.

Hot on his heels was the Swedish rookie Ludvig Åberg, finishing just a stroke back at -16. This guy's got game and is quickly proving he's one to watch. Matthieu Pavon, last week's winner at Torrey Pines, nabbed the solo third spot at -15, showcasing that consistency is key. Rounding out the top 5, we had a tie between Mark Hubbard and Thomas Detry at -14.

The tournament was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Besides the unexpected finale, the event was a showcase of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck with the weather gods. Notables like Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler tied for 6th, proving that the leaderboard was stacked with talent. However, some big names found themselves further down the list, reminding us all that golf is anything but predictable.

Up Next

This week is one of the wildest weeks on the PGA schedule. The tour stops off in Scottsdale, AZ for the Waste Management Open. If you have been living under a rock and haven't seen any of the WM Open in the past I urge you to check it out this week!

💰 Purse: $8.8 million. With $1.58 million going to first place.

👑 Past Winner: Scottie Scheffler

💪 Strength of Field: We were suppose to get 28 of the top 50 golfers in OWGR this week. But Victor Hovland had pulled out so we are down to 27.

Meme of the Week

Until next time, keep swinging and may your drives be long and your putts be short!

Cody.

PS - Should we add more photos of the courses? Reply to this email and let us know!