NWO Golf Links July 2016

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Toledo Native Rick Smith to
Establish NewTeaching Academy
at Forest Dunes.
Rick Smith was
born and raised in
Toledo. He began
his career as a
golf professional
working for the
legendary Don
Kotnik at Toledo
Country Club.
After a stint in
Texas, he became acquainted
with Harry Melling, who
wanted to build a golf resort in
Northern Michigan, to attract
summer guests to his ski resort.
Smith worked for Melling at
Treetops Resort for many years and
was instrumental in the design of
the world-famous Threetops, par-
3 course, the Smith Signature and
Tradition courses atTreetops.
Throughout his career, Smith
taught many leading tour
professionals, Phil Mickelson,
Rocco Mediate, Lee Janzen,
Greg Norman and even Jack
Nicklaus can be counted among
his students. He is now bringing
this vast knowledge and
unique teaching style to Forest
Dunes located just outside of
Roscommon, Michigan.
Forest Dunes opened their Tom
Weiskopf designed, 18-hole
championship golf course in
2002 to rave reviews. They
have since added a spectacular
clubhouse and Lake Au Sable
Lodge for overnight guests.
In June, they opened the Tom
Doak designed, “Loop,” the only
reversible 18-hole golf course in
northAmerica.The unique design
plays to a par-70 on both the Red
and the Black courses, but golfers
will experience a completely
different routing each day.
Smith said of his recent
association with Forest Dunes,
“I could not be more pleased
to establish a Rick Smith Golf
Academy at Forest Dunes. I have
been all over the world as an
instructor and course designer
experiencing many of the top
golf destinations. I believe Forest
Dunes, with its three unique
world-class courses and practice
facility, will be the most talked
about golf destination in the
country over the next 5-10 years.
This is a tremendous opportunity
for me and the academy staff.”
Owners, Lew Thompson and
Sam Mathias purchased Forest
Dunes in 2012, and have
invested millions to improve
the facility. They have a vision
of creating one of the leading
golf destinations in the country.
Thompson said,
“Adding the Rick Smith Golf
Academy, with its award
winning instruction, is a perfect
fit and continues to help Forest
Dunes achieve its vision.”
Forest Dunes originalWeiskopf
design, plus the reversible,
“Loop” will be the talk of
golfers worldwide and a must-
see for every Golfaholic.
For more information about
the Rick Smith Golf Academy
at Forest Dunes visit: http://
You can also follow Rick on
Twitter at
To arrange a tee time or book a
stay at Forest Dunes beautiful
lodge visit: http://www.
NWO Golf Links