Garage Golf Net

Home course favorite?

ESCANABA - Cheryl Mitchell may have somewhat of a home field advantage when she plays in the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass even though she has never been on the course.

Mitchell is among the 150-player field for the LPGA Futures event that officially begins Monday with practice. There is also a practice round Tuesday and pro-ams Wednesday and Thursday, with the tourney running June 24-26 at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris.

The special attachment Mitchell has over the field is she is Potawatomi, the same Nation that runs the tournament and Island Resort & Casino.

"I think it will be a wonderful experience to meet some of the Potawatomis and it will be nice to have some followers," Mitchell said in a telephone interview from Beloeil, Quebec, where she was competing in a Canadian Tour women's tournament.

Mitchell believes she is a role model for tribal members. "A few years back I probably would have said I was not sure, but now I realize the other side. That comes with having children and being older."

Mitchell, 31, has done motivational speeches on reservations. "They see my big golf bag and ask if they can touch the clubs," she said. "I explain how I got to where I am. It is something for them to follow if they want to."

She has two children, a son, 7, and daughter, 3. A Kent State graduate with a masters degree from Oakland University, she is a native of Walpole Island First Nation in Ontario but now lives in Strongsville, Oh. She won the Ontario Women's Amateur in 2003 and was a two-time MAC all-star.

Mitchell received the second exemption for the Island Resort Championship. The amateur exemption went to Carley Saint-Onge of Marquette, who will be a freshman and play golf at Michigan State University.

"Cheryl not only represents the eight bands of the Potawatomi Nation, she's representing all Native Americans," said tourney co-chairman Tony Mancilla and a member of the Potawatomi. "It was only fitting that she play a part in our inaugural year."

Mitchell began playing golf at age 7, taught by her father to play right-handed even though she batted and played hockey as a southpaw. She turned pro in 2004, just as she found out she was pregnant. "I haven't been able to commit to a full-time schedule," she said. "Now they're out of diapers and everything and I can get out and practice and play as much as I need to."

She has also dealt with injuries this year, likely caused when she adjusted her swing and suffered rotator cuff problems. She also adjusted her grip, going to a stronger grip.

2010 VW Golf family launch with The Garage - ONEIGHTURBO

Here in The Garage we have a long history with the VW Golf, dating back to the early Eighties. The first car I ever piloted around an autocross course was an 82 Rabbit GTI. The car was light, nimble, responsive and made the spectators giggle when the inside rear wheel lifted off the ground. The GTI responded well to fairly simple modifications that made the experience all the more fun. When the event planners at Franczak Enterprises asked if I would like to attend the launch of the all new 2010 VW Golf Family in Quebec I was more than happy to say yes.

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