Michigan Golf Hall of Fame seeks new home

Hall of Fames are a tough sell these days.

Those young pesky kids – the ones who can’t lift their eyes and thumbs from their handheld video games – just can’t relate to history. Connecting to the past is almost a thing of the past these days.

This young generation doesn’t need to go to a hall of fame if – and that’s a big if – they want to learn about history. They just google it. No need to make a field trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., or Canton, Ohio, or the World Golf Village in Florida. To most children, these old displays aren’t treasures. They’re boring.

The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame has never really been able to find a true golf home, and it’s still searching after losing its latest address.

Since 2008, the memorabilia of its members and a few treasured keepsakes – like Meg Mallon’s autographed team bag from a triumphant American Solheim Cup victory – sat mostly forgotten in an office in Troy. The office was a generous gift given by Osprey Recreational Properties. Unfortunately, with Osprey’s de-emphasis on golf – it’s still trying to sell the Otsego Club & Resort in Gaylord – housing the hall of fame no longer sits high on a priority list.

The Michigan Golf Foundation is hoping a more permanent home – preferably something near golfers or a golf course – can eventually be found.

The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame’s first class of Walter Hagen, Chuck Kocsis and Al Watrous in 1982 is pretty impressive. The 2012 class was headlined by Rick Smith, the managing partner for Treetops Resort in Gaylord best known as Phil Mickelson’s former swing coach. The foundation continues to elect new members every year and raise money through a golf outing.

If you can help, visit the Web site here. Golf has a rich history in Michigan, one that deserves celebration, not isolation in a storage unit somewhere.