MI GOLF JOURNAL
Editor’sLetter
June is the most active month in Michigan for tournaments. We have the:
Meijer LPGA Classic
LPGA Dow Championship
PGA Tour Rocket Classic
Michigan Open
Michigan Women’s Open
Michigan Amateur
3 EPSON Tour events in Battle Creek, at Boyne Highlands, and at Island Resort and Casino
And that’s just for starters…This month we also share:
a story written by college golfer Gabrialla Tapp about high school coaches who battled cancer and kept on coaching the top 100 golf courses in Michigan per the opinion of Michigan Golf Architecture Society
a new Mike DeVries design coming to Southeast Michigan the best scoring golfer in Michigan Wolverine history, Hunter Thomson Michigan News and Notes that include the fire that totally destroyed the clubhouse at Lakewood Shores Resort as well as some tournament results
…and so much more !
Thank you as always for joining us on our golfing adventures.
TomLang EditorandPublisher
What's Inside:
Pg. 10 Pg. 4
TOP 100 COURSES IN MICHIGAN
Michigan’s Top 100 Golf Courses: Michigan’s Top 100 Golf Courses:
ByDanKollros ByDanKollros
When I think about what I want in a golf course, I think I’m not alone when I say that most of us are just looking for new places to play fun, compelling, and (hopefully) affordable golf.
As golf course rankings have turned into an industry of their own, sometimes it feels like this point gets forgotten. If you look at National or State level lists, there is a general consensus as to which courses qualify at the top. These courses tend to check most of the boxes for everyone.
In Michigan, you can nitpick as to which order these courses fall, but the vast majority of the people who play Oakland Hills, Kingsley or Crystal Downs think very highly of them. As you move down the list, differences start to appear based on what the panel prioritizes.
The trend that we noticed is that heavily marketed, top-conditioned high-end resort courses or well-known private clubs seem to be disproportionately represented higher over more architecturally compelling courses. Whether this is due to exposure or preference, it is unclear.
Increatingourrankings,thegoalwasto producealistbasedsolelyonthearchitectural meritsofthecourse.
While we did not specify what criteria our panelists should use in rating these courses, we established a panel with exposure to a wide swath of Michigan’s courses, who have a basic understanding and appreciation for architectural principles. While there is no consensus on a specific set of principles for what makes for good golf architecture, some of the criteria I find most important are playability, variety, strategy, and routing.
Playability is an attribute that seemed to have been forgotten at one point but has made a comeback in the last 20 years. Courses that are overly penal quickly lose their appeal for the vast majority of golfers. Courses that have adequate playing corridors and where wayward shots have appropriate recovery options provide a much more interesting and enjoyable golf experience.
Variety is another feature that keeps courses interesting and enjoyable. Is the course testing different parts of your game or asking the same question repeatedly? By incorporating variety in a course, it provides the golfer a few chances at extremely challenging or heroic shots without beating them up past the point of enjoyment.
My favorite example of this comes from golfing
with my wife while playing at Kapalua in Hawaii. The course is very playable, without any true forced carries except for the par 3 8th hole which traverses an unplayable ravine. Being an occasional golfer, she put two balls into the ravine (insisting she could get it over) before finally accomplishing it on the third shot. This put a big smile on her face and was one of her favorite shots of the round. If she had faced that type of shot repeatedly throughout the round, she would have quickly disliked it – yet that one heroic shot provided a challenging and exciting contrast to the rest of the course.
Strategy is another way to make a golf course compelling. Does a hole provide multiple options off the tee, allowing you different ways to play the hole effectively? A long narrow hole only provides one option for play and would soon become repetitive. Short par 4’s which provide
GreywallsHole6
the option to push up close to or onto the green versus lay back for a full shot are an obvious example of this. However, more refined methods like using diagonal hazards to provide different driving targets or kicker slopes that allow different ways to attack the green are more subtle ways that still provide these strategic options.
TOP 100 COURSES IN MICHIGAN
Everyone will have their own lists of important criteria. A cohesive walkable route is one that I think is very important, but others might not prioritize as highly. In combining the rankings of each of our panelists, the most important principles to the majority of our panelists should be inherent in the rankings. That was our goal.
However, golf course rankings
to always provide a healthy amount of
Even as one of the panelists, I have some large disagreements with various course positions on our list. Lists by committee will only get you so far. At a minimum, we hope this list identifies a course or two in Michigan you hadn’t considered playing, or maybe even sparks your own personal exploration into all the fantastic golf this state has to offer.
Note: The Michigan Golf Architecture Society is a group of golf enthusiasts who are committed to exploring and appreciating the best golf that the state of Michigan has to offer.
8
Cedar River 50 Kaufmann 51 Detroit GC (S) 52 Champion Hills
53 Flint GC
T54 Eagle Eye T54 Lochenheath
56 Boyne (Hills)
57 Spring Lake
TOP 100 COURSES IN MICHIGAN
58 Marquette (Heritage) 59 Washtenaw 60 Pinecroft
Western
Red Hawk 63 Oakland Univ. (Sharf)
Hawk's Eye 65 Bahle Farms
T66 CC of Lansing
T66 Harbour Pointe 68 Gull Lake CC
T69 Boyne (Ross)
T69 Hidden River
T72 St. Ives
T72 The Orchards
T74 Hawk Hollow
T74 Oakland Univ. (Katke)
76 Boyne (Alpine)
T77 Buck's Run
T77 Warwick Hills
T79 The Cardinal
T79 Grand Traverse (Bear)
T79 Stonehedge South 82 TreeTops (Jones) 83 Hemlock
84 Egypt Valley (Ridge)
T85 Treetops (Smith)
T85 TreeTops (Fazio)
87 TPC Michigan
88 Harbor Shores
89 Walnut Creek
90 Petoskey Bay View
T91 Egypt Valley (Valley)
T91 Tam O’ Shanter
93 Thousand Oaks
94 The Fortress
T95 Thornapple Pointe
T95 Dunmaglas
T95 Lakelands
98 Shepard's Hollow
99 Dearborn CC
100 Crystal Mtn (Mtn)
MEIJER LPGA CLASSIC
Meijer LPGA Classic Headlines June Meijer LPGA Classic Headlines June Pro Tournaments in Michigan Pro Tournaments in Michigan
LPGA event, the Dow Championship; plus the Ally Challenge on the senior circuit; and there also was the PGA Senor Championship every other year in Benton Harbor. All the great activity for pro golf tours in Michigan can be traced back to that decision by Meijer.
111 1 annualeventtofeaturegolfers annualeventtofeaturegolfers Thompson, Thompson,
tth h Lewis,Hendersonandmore Lewis,Hendersonandmore
ByTomLang ByTomLang
I give a lot of credit to Meijer for bringing pro tour golf back to Michigan over a decade ago.
This June 10-15 will be the 11 annual event that draws as many fans as any other tournament on the entire LPGA Tour schedule. The spectator numbers equal the majors. th
Go back to 2009. When the Buick Open played its last stroke, pro tour golf ended in the state of Michigan – until Meijer took a big chance and announced a new pro tournament from scratch about six years later.
The void was over – and not long after along came the PGA Tour’s Rocket Classic; another
“Well, you know, number one Grand Rapids is our
hometown, but it really goes back to community,” said Cathy Cooper, who has been with the tournament since its inception, initially as a former Vice President at Meijer and now as the Executive Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic, about why they launched the event in Grand Rapids.
“We looked at what West Michigan likes. It's golf. And you think about the clubs here and the amount of golf that goes on just from a family and personal level, so we knew there was a love of that.
“We also knew that this community embraces helping families and giving and supporting what pwoplw do. So, the two (perspectives)
came together for us very logically. It just all seemed very natural right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Blythefield Country Club is a wonderful host. They have a beautiful course, and the players love it. So, it's just all very natural as it comes together.”
Simply Give:
The number one factor of community giving for this tournament is that the proceeds go to the Simply Give program – a charitable offering by Meijer that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. Purchasing credits also allow the pantries to shop for and keep fresh food (meat, proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, etc.) on hand for those in need, instead of only stocking non-perishables.
The Meijer LPGA Classic has generated over $12 million for Simply Give in the first 10 years, and in mid-May Meijer kicked things off for 2025 on Media Day by contributing $250,000 to the program. Regular everyday shoppers can also help support Simply Give,
food on shelves of food pantries,” Cooper said. “So yeah, it's big. And you think about what's going on in the world, the economy with families right now, and it's not been easy for them. The numbers are increasing and we want to help.”
The Pros are Coming:
Despite her announcement last year to retire form LPGA Tour competition, superstar Lexi Thompson is retuning to Grand Rapids to play.
“She's a fan favorite here and we are a favorite of hers,” Cooper said of Thompson. “She's won this tournament, which is really neat. Brooke Henderson (a two-time winner), will be back, Stacy Lewis will be here, and Lilia Vu who won our tournament last year. We've got a really, really strong field again and we ' re pretty pleased with what we ' re seeing.”
The field also includes 2022 winner Jennifer Kupcho, and two-time major champ Brittany Lincicome, who told me the attraction to Grand Continuesonnextpage>> with matching funds coming from Meijer at various times of the year.
“Since the program's inception in 2008, over $100 million has been raised to support food pantries and families in need and putting
MEIJER LPGA CLASSIC
Rapids from her LPGA counterparts, “is the whole package.
“Meijer does a great job running this event,” Lincicome added. “The golf course is beautiful. The town is so welcoming. We feel so loved here. I think it’s everything put together in a nutshell and the top players want to come play this event and it’s why they get such a good field.” Lincicome added her thoughts on the state of the LPGA Tour: “I would love to be a rookie again playing for all this money. The Tour is doing so great, obviously with so meany young, great players coming up, and it’s obviously building the game and the Tour is doing fantastic. We’re playing for record-breaking money and it’s just in a great place. I’ve always wanted to leave the game better than it was when I started, and I can very easily say it’s in a way better place than when I started.”
Things to Do – and Eat:
Other high-level yet reasonably-cost options include:
If you are a ‘foodie’ then the Meijer LPGA Classic is the place for you. Each year they add to the list of community restaurants and chefs preparing all sorts of cuisine you’d never expect at the golf tournament – and all come at great prices, and in some cases all you can eat. This is not your father’s hot dog and a beer golf environment.
For the budget minded, the Grand Taste Concessions are located throughout the course and sell various food and beverage items, all for $4 or less.
th th
The Kraft Heinz Pavilion is an all-inclusive food and beverage experience featuring food and beverage items and an exclusive viewing area, new this year between the 17 green and 18 tee. The Kraft Heinz Pavilion will be open Thursday through Sunday. Daily tickets cost $40 each for adults and $10 each for children, ages 5 and under. Each youth ticket must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Guests can expect: Allinclusive food and beverage items Tiered and lounge seating for optimal viewing of the oncourse action.
A lively, golf-centric atmosphere located between 17th tee and 18th green with upscale seating areas and televisions playing live updates from the course.
MEIJER LPGA CLASSIC
The award-winning J. Brewer's and Frederik's hospitality areas will once again offer food fans a premium all-you can-eat culinary experience curated by Meijer chefs and local restaurants right off the fourth fairway. The venue is named in honor of Blythefield Country Club's founder, Joseph Brewer, and Frederik Meijer, co-founder. J. Brewer's | Frederik's is open Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15. Daily tickets cost $85 each for adults and $10 each for children, ages 5 and under and offer access to Frederik's by Meijer food experience, offering different menu items every day. All-you-can-eat access to exceptionally crafted food and beverage items, featuring local restaurants and breweries.
“We've added a huge three-sided screen inside of Jay Brewers this year and will allow
for better golf viewing if you ' re inside the hospitality area,” Cooper explained. “Then Discovery Land, that's our great place for kids. We've got Mattel coming on board with Barbie and Jurassic Park properties … plus a Broadway Theater Guild that's going to be focused on Lion King, but lots of daily giveaways and food for kids. That's a hot spot for the tournament, especially Father's Day weekend, so we ' ve got a lot going on.”
Fathers are a Focus:
Since the final round is played on Father’s Day, in celebration June 15, fathers will be granted free general admission to the course, a tradition that’s been extended for several past years. Military personnel (active, retired, reserve, veteran) and a plus one will also be granted free general admission all four days of tournament play with proper identification.
In addition to the general admission tickets at $10
per day, tournamentlong tickets (valid Thursday through Sunday) cost $25 per person. Tickets to the Meijer LPGA Classic are only available through the official website at www.meijerlp gaclassic.com
Explor Explorining Grand Rapids Beyond g Grand Rapids Beyond the LPGA Tournament the LPGA Tournament
What’s likely an easier question to answer is ‘what does Grand Rapids not offer for fun, food and entertainment for people of all ages?’
There are so many offerings from a wide variety of options, we can’t cover it all here.
Yet if you are attending the Meijer LPGA Classic tournament and wish to venture outside the border of the Blythefield course, or you might come back to the region another time in the future, we have some ideas: Grand Rapids was named one of America’s Top 20 Summer Travel Destinations by WalletHub. You can spend your days on the trail, the water, the beach or the golf course, and your nightsonthetown experiencing delicious farm-to-table restaurants,livemusicvenues, craftbeveragetaprooms,danceclubs and more.
West Michigan summer days are long and temperatures are moderated by the cooling
breezes of Lake Michigan, making Grand Rapids a great choice for a warm-weather escape.
Even the LPGA Tour players like to venture out and see the sights of Grand Rapids on their limited down time. Players like two-time major winner Brittany Lincicome, who said she is bringing her husband this year to be her caddy, and they also have a five-year-old child.
“There’s a little farm with a
horse down the road from the house we are welcomed to every year, so my 5-year-old is already looking forward to riding horses when we are here,” she said. “It’s just that (the Meijer tournament) is such a nice community event and it’s great to bring the kids out and let them experience it all.
“We did go downtown by the river last year, but even just around the golf course area there’s so much to do.”
SummerThingstoDo
More than 2,000 animals come out to frolic at JohnBallZoo, which offers more animalcontact opportunities than any other zoo in Michigan. Downtownmuseums offer a caravan of fascinating exhibits just steps away from hotels and restaurants, including the world’s largest collection of Detroit Tigers autographed baseballs at the GrandRapidsPublicMuseum… but don’t forget the GrandRapidsArtMuseum or the GrandRapidsChildren’sMuseum.
Speaking of the Tigers, its farm team, the West Michigan Whitecaps, play in a fully renovated stadium less than 5 miles from the LPGA tournament site. There is also NASCAR sanctioned racing at Berlin Speedway.
Be sure to bring your appetite with you – there are more than 1,000 restaurants around town, offering an array of cuisine, price and amenity options, including outdoor dining. Downtown GR is home to nearly 200 restaurants within a 10-minute walk (or free bus ride) of hotels, shops and entertainment venues.
such features as swimming pools, splash pads, playgrounds, lakes and boat launches.
A main calling card to Grand Rapids is the adopted name Beer City. Be sure to download the BeerCityBrewsader® app and sign up for the FlightsofFlavor digital pass before you visit – you can earn free and fun perks when you use them to check in to participating breweries, restaurants, bars, coffeehouses and sweets shops.
OutdoorSummerActivities
Long summer days come in handy to get the most out of the grand outdoors. There’s Golf at 30+ courses within 30 minutes of the metro area (www.experiencegr.com/Golf). Hike, bike, paddle and canoe on hundreds of miles of trails and waterways.
Enjoy a picnic in the park – easy because Grand Rapids is home to 125+parks offering
MillenniumPark, five minutes from downtown, has a six-acre sandy beach and boat rental facility, and 20+LakeMichiganbeaches are as close as 30 minutes away, so pack plenty of sunscreen (same goes for attending the golf tournament).
This has been a small sampling of options so far –with even more coming as Grand Rapids is adding a new soccer stadium and music amphitheater.
“The community is growing, and I think it has a lot to do with public-private partnerships and that we see that we’re all in this together,” said Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. “So, when you see the new soccer stadium or the amphitheater coming in, or the LPGA Classic that’s growing each and every year, you just get a sense of vibrancy in this community that’s hard not to be excited about.”
For exploring all the options, go to: https://www.experiencegr.com/
Rocket Classic in Detroit Rocket Classic in Detroit
Four former champions - Cameron Davis, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler and Nate Lashley –have committed to return for the 7th-annual playing of Detroit’s PGA TOUR tournament scheduled for June 25-29 at Detroit Golf Club. They will be joined by World No. 4 and twotime major championship winner Collin Morikawa.
Davis became the only two-time winner of the Rocket Classic last year, following a 5-hole playoff he won in 2021. Lashley was the tournament’s inaugural winner in 2019. Fowler hoisted the trophy in 2023, while Finau coasted to a 5-stroke victory in 2022, setting the tournament record at 26-under par.
Bill Emerson, President of Rocket Companies and the Rocket Giving Fund, said, “Each of these players has left their mark on this tournament, and it’s a privilege to see them return to Detroit.”
MichiganStatestarAshtonMcColloughhas beengivenasponsor’sexemption. It will be his second PGA Tour event because he played his way into last year’s Canadian Open after winning the Canadian Amateur the year prior. He will return to MSU for one more season after being out with an injury the past several months.
“We’re proud to stand behind the Spartans … and welcome Ashton to the Rocket Classic,” said Mark Hollis, Chief Operating Officer of Rock Entertainment Group. “Ashton earned his spot among the Big Ten’s best, and we can’t wait to see him make a potential run up the leaderboard at this summer’s tournament.”
The second round of tournament week will be Folds of Honor Friday, and on Saturday, all fans are encouraged to wear their favorite school colors, showcasing their allegiances to their alma maters or favorite teams as the tournament celebrates Collegiate Day – where students get almost one-third off the cost of their ticket purchased with a valid .edu email address.
Daily grounds and shared hospitality venue tickets are available for purchase at RocketClassic.com. Grounds tickets start at $65 per day, and up to four children age 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. LendingTree Lounge and Club Ace shared hospitality passes start at $120 and $230, respectively.
Complimentary tickets are also available to military members and first responders in partnership with Folds of Honor and Irreverent Warriors Detroit.
RickieFowler
NEW MIKE DEVRIES COURSE COMING
Dunham Hills Upgrades Underway Dunham Hills Upgrades Underway
ByTomLang ByTomLang
Michiganders are lucky that one of the top golf courses designers in the world is one of us, Michigan native and Traverse City resident Mike DeVries.
His designs hit early and often in the Grand Rapids area, then eventually he expanded worldwide with rave reviews and awards all along the way. Probably the most well-known Michigan courses he designed are nationallyranked Kingsley Club and Greywalls, for starters.
Now, a new group of owners who want to bring an old-model golf course operation style from Britain and Scotland to the U.S. have tapped DeVries to build in Southeast Michigan for only his second time – near Hartland to be more precise.
Led by amateur golf enthusiast Ben Cowan, who founded the rating group called Michigan Golf Course Architecture Society (see their top 100 courses list in this edition), a group of investors purchased Dunham Hills Golf Course, east of U.S. 23 and north of M-59.
“We’re trying to really reshape the way people think about golf in America,” said Dunham Hills business partner Doug Zachary. “We have identified with what we see as a gap, and hopefully we’re right.”
He indicated that people involved in reshaping Dunham Hills believe that even ‘high end’ public golf doesn’t deliver.
Zachary said the handful of public courses that many would identify as the better ones in metro Detroit, “ none of them are architecturally significant in any way, shape or form. They’re
all five-hour plus rounds, they’re all well over $100. We want to build a place where we have a large number of patrons (members) who can join with an annual membership but wouldn’t be subsequent to the really high initiation fee that the private clubs see.”
They will also have public tee items available, “ so that we have a true UK model; where the public will be able to come and patronize,” Zachary said, adding that they believe the UK model of mostly members playing the course will take better care of it on a day-to-day basis, but still wish to allow public play.
Bringing in someone like DeVries, a big gun in the golf design business who doesn’t have a big ego, Zachary said he’s made several great courses in west Michigan and across the globe and DeVries is ready to stop bouncing around in Buenos Aires and Tasmania and other countries – and wants to put his stamp in SE Michigan.
In the short term, for the 2025 season at least, upgrades to Dunham Hills have taken shape in the form of doubling the staff for better service, updating improved food offerings, removing way overgrown trees, and even moving the second tee (turning that par 5 into a 4) to place it in a safer location away from stray balls coming into the 6 green. Depending on th
funding, the 2026 season might be when the new DeVries course gets built – with a new name.
DeVries is planning to change the course to a par 70 with some significant routing changes.
“We want to do what the land gives it, and what the land presents to make the best golf course possible,” Zachary said. “We won’t worry about those kind of faux paus we look at in the U.S. for building golf courses and forcing that par 72 at over 7,000 yards. We really trust his vision and really look forward to building that project in the next couple years.”
What’sAheadforDunhamHills:
I asked DeVries what attracted him to the project. He said both the land, and the vision of a European style of operation.
“Actually, it’s a cool piece of ground,” he said. “There’s lots of undulation. It’s in metro Detroit, Continuesonnextpage>>
but still kind of isolated out in the country –yet is really accessible. Not that far off U.S. 23 and M-59.
“I’m always attracted to areas that are public accessible, maybe with a membership element. So I think that’s all really positive.”
DeVries earned his graduate degree at U-M, and his wife is from the northern Detroit metro area, so in some ways it’s a homecoming. He is tasked to build some new holes but also improve the current routing and make a par 70 layout.
“I like the vision of a high-quality layout that isn’t going to break your bank, is accessible for the members and patrons with certain playing rights and times,” he added. “Its plan is a more UK or Australian, Scottish, Irish kind of mentality, as far as accessibility (for the public) from a club standpoint. I don’t
think Americans really understand that (model), so I think that brings a lot of potential.”
Like all designers, it’s important to not try simply recreating holes they have done before.
“There are guys who say there are only so many greens you can build, but to me that’s an erroneous thought,” DeVries said. “Really, when you start to look at a piece of property, I respond to what’s inherently there. Asking, how do we build good, fun golf that’s engaging for every level of player for that property, and not just try to drop a template in there, or this idea or that idea, and try to reproduce it.
“For me, it’s sculpture with a 20,000-pound piece of equipment. To me, that’s all part of the creative process and figuring out the right puzzle and how we solve that.”
The future looks good in SE Michigan for puzzle solvers.
Traverse City Region has Traverse
City Region has Tons of Options for Golfers Tons of Options for Golfers
The Traverse City region has wonderful golf options, but also a slew of unique non-golf options for spending your free time off the course.
In a new event, to run August 20-24, guest chefs, cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings, and intimate dining experiences will highlight the first Traverse City Food & Wine, where events will take place at more than 20 locations throughout the region.
Tyler Florence, a 29-year veteran of Food Network, will headline the event. Florence has authored numerous books and owns highly acclaimed restaurants in San Francisco. Florence also worked briefly at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in his early career before joining the Food Network.
Several other notable chefs will travel to town to participate in the event. The chefs include Mei Lin a Top Chef winner, Food Network and Dearborn native who is currently serving as chef for Pure Michigan. Others in the talent lineup include Traverse City newcomers from Detroit, Ann Arbor and Kansas City.
Six world-class teams will compete this year at the annual International Fireworks Championship in September. The two-day event scheduled for Sept. 5-6, features award-winning pyrotechnic teams from
China, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Canada, and the USA. The teams will be judged by both the audience and a panel of pyrotechnic experts. A finale on Friday will be presented by last year’s winner from the UK. Saturday’s finale is designed by the panel of judges. Ticket sales are available at the Traverse City Tourism website.
The region also features one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, about 35 minutes west of downtown Traverse City on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Golf is of course also very popular in the Traverse City region – headed by the trio of Grand Traverse Resort, A-Ga-Ming and Crystal Mountain. Sundance was voted 2023 Michigan Golf Course of the Year, and Crystal’s Mountain Ridge has hosted the Michigan PGA Women’s Open for 22 years. The Bear at GTR was also home to the Michigan Open for more than 35 years. These courses are a must try if you want to play where the state pros play.
Crystal Mou Crystal Mountntain to ain to Host Michigan PGA Host Michigan PGA
Women’s Open Women’s Open
ByGregJohnson ByGregJohnson
Crystal Mountain is once again preparing a celebration of women’s golf in the state, by welcoming the top players in the game for the 23 consecutive year. More than 70 percent of all Michigan Women’s Opens played since the tournament’s inception 32 years ago have rd been hosted by Crystal Mountain.
The Michigan PGA Women’s Open Championship presented by Coca-Cola, June 23-25, is the centerpiece of the celebration, but a special reception for tournament players on June 23 will feature LPGA Hall of Fame golfers Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel as speakers.
The entry deadline for the championship is June 11, and the resort is presenting a pro-am on the weekend prior to the championship. Enter at michiganpga.com and learn more about the proam at crystalmountain.com.
For the second year, this special championship will include a Senior Championship division and competition for players over the age of 50. The Michigan Section PGA also holds its Michigan Women’s PGA Professional Championship for section professionals in conjunction with the Open.
“It has turned into a celebration of women’s golf in Michigan and having Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel speaking is a really special thing for the players this year,” said Justin Phillips, the tournament director of the Michigan Section PGA, which administers the championship. “Crystal Mountain continues to serve families and golfers of all abilities, and for a long time has made it a special championship for top women golfers.”
The Women’s Open field will once again include touring professionals from across the country as well as some international players, and top amateur golfers from our state and elsewhere. The championship is played on the signature course at the resort, Mountain Ridge, and the professionals play for a $40,000 purse.
Crystal Mountain and the Michigan Section PGA welcomes spectators free of charge.
Jessica Welch of Thomasville, Ga., is the defending champion and Suzy GreenRoebuck of Ann Arbor, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member and former LPGA Tour player, is the defending Senior Division champion. Top collegiate players are also expected to enter, and former LPGA standout Elaine Crosby of Jackson has already entered the Senior Division competition as well.
tth h
108 108 Michi Michigan Open at Shanty Creek gan Open at Shanty Creek
One of Michigan’s most storied and historic golf tournaments will be played June 9-12 in the great ‘Up North’ once again.
After the last two years competing in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan PGA Section needed a new home for 2025, and the folks at Shanty Creek raised their hand.
“It’s precisely what we were hoping for,” said Steve Scheuermann, PGA Director of Golf Operations at Shanty Creek. “We feel we have tremendous championship golf at Shanty Creek and that lately it wasn’t being talked about as much as some of the other golf courses in Michigan.”
Last June, Eric Lilleboe of Okemos kept the lead through the final three rounds and won the 107th Open. It was the second time the 36year-old PGA Tour Americas player won the coveted state title and had his name added to the James D. Standish Trophy. He also won in 2019.
First played in 1916, the Michigan Open annually attracts the top professional and amateur golfers in the state and its list of winners includes golf legends Walter Hagen, Al Watrous, Chuck Kocsis, Horton Smith and Dave Hill, and more recent Michigan Golf Hall of Fame inductees Randy Erskine, Buddy Whitten, Lynn Janson, Jeff Roth, Tom Gillis and Scott Hebert. Current PGA Tour member Ryan Brehm (Mt. Pleasant and Traverse City) is a three-time winner of the historic James D. Standish Jr. trophy.
“For me, Cedar River is one of the best golf courses in Michigan,” Scheuermann said. “Tom Weiskopf was a brilliant architect, and the way that he used the contours and the rolling terrain and the strategic landing zones for your tee shots. It has very fair greens, they are not as hilly as the Arnold Plamer Legend Course. But there’s some challenging pin placements, that’s no doubt. It feels good, I like the layout and I think the players will love it.”
For younger players who like to ‘bomb and gouge’, Scheuermann said there are some holes where there’s room to do so.
“However, if you miss the fairway, or miss the green especially, you’re going to pay for it,” he said. “The Open tournament director has asked us to make the rough a lot thicker and longer than it usually is. So, if you miss the green because you went for it on a par 5, and your ball doesn’t stay on the green, you’re not getting up and down.
“I think the first five holes are going to make or break the tournament for some of the golfers,” he added. “No. 1 is very difficult, especially if the pin is in the back right corner of the
green, depending on where your tee shot is on what will probably be an uneven lie. Very challenging. Then No. 5 is a very difficult par 4 hole, where you don’t want to overdrive the ball too far.”
DOW Championship: DOW Championship:
The Only LPGA Tour The Only LPGA Tour
Team Event Team Event
The Dow Championship purse ranks among the top five non-major LPGA events, at $3.3 million while featuring 72 two-woman teams competing in a 72-hole stroke play format. The competition alternates between foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best ball) rounds, all played at fan-friendly Midland Country Club. Beyond the competition, the event offers interactive experiences for all ages – plus pretournament events in downtown Midland.
Eagle’s Nest Hospitality Suite on Hole 17 Presented by Saginaw Spirit & Sandtrap Social on Hole 12 ($60) –Elevated tournament experience including unlimited food and beverage, exclusive views of the tournament, and unique fan engagement.
Military Personnel & Veterans (Free) –Complimentary weekly tickets for military personnel and veterans, including access to the Veterans Hospitality Suite with free food and beverages, plus a free guest ticket. A valid military ID is required at the main admissions gate.
Players from the LPGA Tour who have participated in the past include names like: Lydia Ko, Brittany Lang, Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lincicome, the Jutanugarn sisters, Brooke Henderson, Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kupcho.
There is more than just golf, with entertainment for the entire family, including interactive youth experiences, premium hospitality suites, and community-focused activities, like a STEM Center and Autograph Alley – and Yoga on the Green – a 45-minute yoga class ($5) on the green at Midland Country Club on Saturday, June 28.
TicketandEventOptions:
All ticket options include tournament access, public concessions, and children’s activities. Kids 17 and under receive free admission with a ticketed adult.
Daily ($10) or Weekly Tickets ($25) – Choose between single-day or full-week access.
HereiswhatanyVeteraninattendance canexpect:
Pancake breakfast on Thursday Chicken dinner Friday night (but there’s always hamburgers and hots dogs and refreshments at all times)
Saturday, Happy Hour
Sunday, ice cream sundaes
AdditionalTournamentWeekEvents:
Rock the Block Presented by Dow Credit Union (Free) – Celebrate the beginning of tournament week in Downtown Midland on Monday, June 23, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. The event will feature line dancing, adoptable animals from the Midland Humane Society, and more.
First Tee Junior Clinic Presented by Wilson (Free) – Children ages 3-18 can sign up for the Junior Clinic at Currie Golf Course on Tuesday, June 24. Children ages 2-6 must be accompanied by a parent. Register at https://dowchampionship.com/spectatorinformation.
M Michiichigan House Speaker gan House Speaker
Matt Hall Talks Golf Matt Hall Talks Golf
ByGregJohnson ByGregJohnson
Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) made time in his busy schedule to talk golf, specifically about the industry during the 17th Michigan Legislative Golf Day at the Capitol in mid-May.
Hall met with presidents, executive directors and owners from the Michigan Golf Alliance member organizations in his office, asked questions seeking input from the industry leaders and answered questions, too.
“Speaker Hall listened to our message, talked about specific legislation that pertains to our industry and made it clear he believes in what we do and understands the impact golf has on the state,” Jada Paisley, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Association, said. “I can’t overstate the importance of this day in delivering the message to our government leaders.”
The Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), Greater Michigan Club Management Association
(GMCMA), Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA), Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), Michigan Section PGA and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) form the Michigan Golf Alliance. Representatives from each Alliance group dispersed and delivered information to the offices of each legislator.
Among the messages being delivered:
• The Michigan golf industry contributes $6.1 billion to the state’s economy, supports 61,000 jobs with $1.795 billion of wage and benefits income and more than $821 million in state and local taxes, and has a charitable impact of $104.3 million annually.
• Michigan has 859 golf courses that are part of 709 facilities, almost all of which are classified as small businesses. Our state is 10th in the U.S. in size and 11th in population but ranks third in the total number of golf courses and fourth in volume of annual rounds played (16.42 million in 2023).
• Michigan’s golf provides 92,200 professionally managed acres of green space in Michigan serving as wildlife sanctuaries, and the facilities practice several environmental impact programs.
• More than 1.85 million golfers travel to Michigan for golf and spend more than $1 billion annually with non-residents playing about three of every 10 rounds in the state each year.
“The Michigan Golf Alliance was able to convey to the legislators that golf is a seasonal, weather dependent industry. It’s important to let our legislators know who their constituents are,” Paisley said. Visit michigangolfalliance.com
U-M Top Record Holder U-M Top Record Holder
Hunter Thomson Turning Hunter Thomson
Turning Pro at Canadian Open Pro at Canadian Open
ByTomLang ByTomLang
Michigan Wolverine recent grad Hunter Thomson did it last year, then did it again this season – topping his own record.
Thomson, a Calgary, Alberta native, broke the U-M single season scoring average last year, then did it again this season by earning a blistering 69.89 average. No other Wolverine in history has dipped below a 70-stroke-per-round season mark. He told me it was his most rewarding individual accomplishment.
“I set the scoring average last year, and then this year broke it. So, I think being able to do that in back-to-back years, breaking my own record, is extremely special,” he told me, fresh off winning the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional on May 14 (3-day total 10-under par), becoming only the third U-M player to ever win a Regional. This season, Thomson had 23 sub-par
scores in 38 rounds – and four times the last two college seasons was medalist.
“It’s the biggest event that I’ve ever won,” he said of the NCAA Regional title. “So, my game’s been trending in a good direction. All my coaches would agree it’s been a work in progress for many years.
“I’m proud of how I have developed as a player and a person. Being able to manage my emotions really well in high pressure situations, and everything just kind of comes together like a puzzle.”
Thomson opened the fall season in September winning the Canadian Collegiate, which earned his exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, June 3-5 in Tornoto. For most Canadian golfers, there is no finer opportunity than the Canadian Open, and Thomson is no exception.
“Being a Canadian and still a pretty young kid (age 21), it’s a dream come true,” he said. “If you told me a few years ago that I’d play in that, I’d be ecstatic.”
MSU’s Ashton McCoullough played in the Canadian Open last year; Thomson said they know each other and, while not close buddies, are friendly on the golf course or at events.
He said he had heard Ashton was going to Michigan State when they were still in high school.
“And with me going to Michigan, I thought that was kind of funny, when we’re the top 2 ranked Canadian golfers for our class and we both happen to go to the same state,” Thomson said. “All really a coincidence. But honestly, being from the north, being from Canada, the winter just doesn’t bother us much.
“For me, coming to Michigan, this winter is only about half as bad as Calgary. It’s really an upgrade,” he said with a chuckle, but added that becoming a Wolverine “ was the best decision of my life. So, I’m thankful for that. It’s been a great fit for me.”
Thomson is a two-time All-Big Ten first teamer, two-time Academic All-Big Ten and earned eight Big Ten Golfer of the Week awards. Thomson shot college season-low rounds of 66 three times; twice at the Canadian Collegiate, and in the second round at the Boilermaker Invitational at Purdue, which he also won, just prior to the recent Big Ten Championship. There, he didn’t fair as well, finishing 32 – but of course bounced back to next win the NCAA Regional. Thomson said that he has not had his best results following a big win. nd
“Golf is just super interesting … it’s funny in that you can play 100 rounds, and play pretty similar in all of them. But one round you’re going to play 3-
to-4 shots better than all the others, and one you’ll score 3-to-4 shots worse. I just think that’s how it goes and makes golf a super funny game,” Thomson said.
“But the biggest thing is not letting it bother you; not letting it get to you. I just know I have a really strong mind and that I’ll figure it out. I even showed up at Regionals and I didn’t feel too amazing about my game (after Big Tens), but I honestly think that helped. It helped me be a little sharper and I knew I had to go out there and work for it. It was an awesome week though; life changing.”
The biggest life change so far, however, for Thomson will come at the first tee of his country’s national championship.
“My first PGA Tour event, the Canadian Open, (and playing) as a professional, is just so special.”
Michigan Amateur to be Played at Belvedere
for the 41st Time
ByGregJohnson ByGregJohnson
Cue in the 114th Michigan Amateur in June, which will be the 41st time the state’s top amateur championship will have been played on the classic golf course designed by Scotsman William Watson 100 years ago.
The second most frequent host sites of the state championship are tied as distant seven-time hosts; the Saginaw Country Club and the Country Club of Jackson.
“Belvedere certainly wanted to host this year they made it clear in 2014 when we were there and when a club like that wants you, and there’s all that history, it’s not a tough decision,” says Ken Hartmann, senior director of competitions and USGA services for the Golf Association of Michigan. “The older players will love it, and the younger guys will get what makes Belvedere special once they have played it.”
Membership of the golf club (220) remains today what it was a century ago: primarily summer visitors from other states. Just six members are from Michigan.
“That was the way it was in 1925, a golf club for people who spent most of the summer in Charlevoix, and the families and members through the years have kept it that way,” said Dennis “Marty” Joy, the head golf professional. “It’s also part of the reason the Amateur works so well here. It’s played in June before July and August, when most of the members get here.”
While a private club, public play is allowed at times as well.
Hartmann says there is never a negative word from the golfers when they realize they get to play the legendary course. As for competing, he said while the course will play shorter than some recent venues for the Michigan Amateur, it’s never an easy golf course because of the undulations of the greens and the demand put on a golfer’s short game.
“You can bomb it off the tee if you choose in some places, but if you don’t hit the greens, and you are going to roll off some, then you have interesting up and downs that you have to execute,” he says.
The defending champ, who won in 2024 at The Highlands at Boyne, is McCoy Biagioli, a golfer at Ferris State University.
Note:ThisstorywasadaptedfromtheGAM’s LINKSMagazine.
MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES
Fire Destroys Lakewood Fire Destroys Lakewood Shores Clubhouse Shores Clubhouse
The Oscoda Township Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at about 4:00 a.m. on May 7 at Lakewood Shores Resort along Lake Huron, and found much of the building was filled with smoke. Eventually destroyed were both the basement and main level of the resort’s clubhouse. According to property owner Kevin Aldridge and first responders, there were no injuries, nor were any other structures impacted.
“It’s a tough day for all of us who care about Lakewood Shores,” Aldridge said in a printed statement. “But we’re thankful that everyone is safe, and that gives us strength to move forward. We remain fully committed to restoring and improving the resort.”
According to a story by Jenny Haglund of the Iosco County News-Herald, although heavy smoke was reported by police who arrived on the scene first, the Oscoda Township Fire Dept. initially reported no flames were found when they arrived. But the fire appeared to be escalating as the teams moved north into the
building… and soon the building began to self-ventilate and the fire became very aggressive. It appeared that coming up the stairs from the basement, there were natural gas flames. It was at this point when all entry teams were called out of the building, and outside suppression methods were established.
Approximately 750,000 gallons of water and some foam was used to bring the fire under control. Flames damaged at least 75 percent or more of the building.
Here is part of the resort’s statement posted online the following day:
“We’re saddened to share the unfortunate news that the clubhouse at Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda was completely destroyed in a fire overnight. While fire crews responded quickly and worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, the building is a total loss.
We are deeply thankful for the swift and courageous efforts of the local fire departments and first responders who arrived on the scene and acted with professionalism and care.
The clubhouse has long been the heart of the Lakewood Shores experience – a gathering place where friendships were made, stories shared, and the spirit of the game celebrated. This loss is deeply felt, but it will not define us.”
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Cancer Won’t Stop the Cancer Won’t Stop the Mission
of These Mission of These Coaches Coaches
ByGabriellaTapp ByGabriellaTapp
The workload for a high school golf coach can be draining.
Now imagine taking on this challenge while fighting a disease which is the second leading cause of death in the United States
cancer. Both Tom Johnson of Gaylord and Phil Kerr of Montague have done exactly that.
I have also witnessed it up close.
The job of being a high school golf head coach includes scheduling and running practices, attending coaching clinics, putting together a tournament schedule, and traveling with the players to those tournaments. It can easily become beyond time-consuming for what people call a part time job.
Around the beginning of winter in late 2023, Gaylord boy’s golf coach Tom Johnson learned the shocking news that he had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He retired from teaching in 2007 but has since continued his passion for coaching high school golf, which he has done for the past 43 years.
Shortly after his diagnosis, he found himself sitting in his chair at home, wondering what he
was going to do. His doctors had warned him that people with his diagnosis don’t usually live very long. In that moment, he realized he only had one option he was going to get up out of his chair and live every day to its fullest, continuing to do what he loves most.
“At my age, I don’t need to be doing this, but I’m doing it because I love it,” Johnson said.
For the last nine months, Johnson has been treatment free, meaning he is no longer undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. He has CT scans every three months to see how his cancer is progressing.
“I’ll coach as long as my health allows me to,” said Johnson, who spends every opportunity he can practicing with the Gaylord boys’ golf team. Although they have faced some tough weather in northern Michigan this spring, the team has competed in multiple events for the 2025 season and was scheduled to compete in
GaylordCoachTomJohnson
the Regional tournament hosted by Petoskey on May 27.
To Johnson, however, coaching high school golf is about a lot more than just helping his players shoot low scores.
“I enjoy working with kids, and if I can make these young boys into young men, teaching them not just about the game of golf but also the game of life, then I’ve done my job.”
Reciprocating the same passion and energy back to their coach, Johnson says his players have been his biggest supporters throughout this journey. He believes his decision to stay active during this difficult time was the best choice he could have made for himself and his family. Rather than throwing in the towel and giving up coaching, he took the adversity head on, and it couldn’t be a more rewarding experience. Coaching a high school golf team does have its challenges, but for Johnson, the feeling of knowing that he is making an impact on his players’ lives greatly outweighs the difficulties. school golf team does have its challenges, but for Johnson, the feeling of knowing that he is making an impact on his players’ lives greatly outweighs the difficulties.
“That’s the way I look at it. I’m not just a golf coach, but I’m kind of like a life coach too. I love what I do, and I do what I love.”
PhilKerr, the current Montague girls’ golf coach and former boys’ golf coach,
shares a similar passion. He began coaching the boys’ golf team in 2014 and started the girls’ golf team at the school in 2016.
In 2020, Kerr led the girls to a Division 4 State Championship. When he found out the following August that he had a malignant tumor in his shoulder, he was determined to continue coaching and help his team defend their title. With many of the state championship players returning for their final season, he knew right away what he had to do.
“Even though I knew it was going to be crazy, we had been in a long journey together and knew that we could accomplish something pretty special,” Kerr said. “I knew that I was going to still be involved with the team and coaching as much as I could.”
Fortunately, Kerr received unwavering support from former player Megan Brown, Continuesonnextpg.>>
PhilKerr,photocreditScottDeCamp
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
SouthLyonRegionalChamps2021
who had played on the state championship team and received First Team All-State honors her senior year. She stepped in as an assistant coach, taking over for Kerr whenever he had to miss practice or a tournament for treatment.
Throughout the 2021 season, he would undergo a week of chemotherapy, followed by two weeks off which he would spend coaching. The ability to keep coaching helped him remain motivated, giving him a reason to continue battling. It was his escape in a time of great uncertainty.
Kerr’s hard work and dedication paid off, as the team did go on to become back-toback state champions that year. As for Kerr, his treatment ended in June of 2022, and he has been in full remission ever since. He credits his passion and love for coaching for getting him through this tough time. He could have deemed it too difficult to coach through his treatment,
but instead used it as encouragement to keep moving forward.
“I feel like it was really a gift to me, to be able to keep coaching, and to stay motivated to keep fighting.”
For me personally, these stories hit close to home as my own high school golf coach at South Lyon,
Dan Skatzka, faced a similar struggle with cancer. He was the most dedicated coach I have ever known. He gave every girl who tried out for the team a chance, and did everything he could to help his players improve.
Most of the girls on the team didn’t even play golf
until their freshman year, but many went on to play in the state championship or even play collegiate golf at the end of their four years –me included. This was only possible because Skatzka ran practices throughout the year. During the winter months, he would have the team hit golf balls in batting cages, working with a few girls at a time to improve their swings. As soon as it was warm out, he would have after school practices at the local course for anyone who was looking for some extra instruction. He would host two, week-long, allday camps throughout the summer.
This was his passion; it was what he truly loved to do.
“My goal was to press forward and help them get to be the best they can be as quickly as possible,” Skatzka said.
In 2021, however, he faced a new challenge. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, undergoing radiation treatments almost daily. Still, his commitment and enthusiasm never wavered. Like Kerr, his team was coming off a state title. This was during my junior year, and I can honestly say his drive to help the team be the greatest we could be had never been stronger. Now retired from coaching, his legacy with South Lyon girls’ golf lives on.
One thing all three of these coaches have in common is their dedication and passion for coaching the sport throughout the adversity and obstacles they faced battling one of the deadliest diseases known to mankind. However, they didn’t just continue coaching because they felt like they had to. They took this challenge head on because it helped them through the challenge of battling cancer. It was an escape, and it was what they truly loved to do most. It was motivation to keep battling each day.
Coaching golf is exactly what they needed in a time of personal hardship.
GabriellaTappUDMercy
MICHIGAN NEWS AND NOTES
Montcalm Community College Montcalm Community College Wins Regional
D2 Wins Regional D2
The new men’s golf program at Montcalm Community College (northeast of Greenville) won its second consecutive Region XII title in early May, however it was the first time they qualified for the national championship. That’s because as a first-year program last spring, Montcalm was not allowed at nationals.
Held at Gull Lake View Resort, Montcalm mounted a come from behind win in the 54-hole event. Grand Rapids Community College and Mott Community College also qualified nationally.
Grand Rapids sophomore Colin Beckett was medalist and was the only golfer in the field under par at 2-under for the event. Zach Johnson of Montcalm posted backto-back even-par rounds to finish 2nd overall at +6 for the tournament. Teammate Mason Blair checked in third one shot back of Johnson.
Tyler Toth of Schoolcraft College and Brady Betteley of Oakland Community College also punched their ticket to nationals. All five golfers made the AllRegional team.
MICHIGAN MEDAL PLAY
Michigan State golfer and former Detroit Catholic Central high school state champion Julian Menser captured the historic Michigan Medal Play title in commanding fashion, scoring a special final-round 62 to finish at 6-under par over four rounds and claim a three-stroke victory.
Menser, from South Lyon, qualified last year for the 2024 U.S. Amateur and earned a top-20 finish at Indiana's Boilermaker Invitational earlier this year, among other Big Ten and MSU highlights as a freshman.
Justin Sui of Lake Orion, who placed second at 3under, made waves during the competition by recording a hole-in-one on No. 14, with a 5-iron from around 200 yards.
Remy Stalcup secured third place with consistent rounds, finishing the tournament at 1-over par after recovering from an opening 75. Peter Stassinopoulos and Nick Gunthorpe tied for fourth at 3-over par.
The Michigan Medal Play has been contested for more than 60 years at Detroit Golf Club. While not publicized very much outside the tight competitive golfing community in the state, it’s prestige among golfers rates very high on the list of amateur tournaments in the Great Lakes. It used to be called the Horton Smith Invitational, in honor of the former
Detroit Golf Club pro who won both the first and the third playing of The Masters in the 1930s.
BOYNE Golf Welcomes Ryan BOYNE Golf Welcomes Ryan
BOYNE Golf as he continues his journey playing professionally on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours.
Brehm, a PGA Tour winner in 2022, said: “Growing up in Michigan, BOYNE was always synonymous with great golf, hosting some of the top amateur and professional tournaments in the state.”
He was the first Michigan State golfer and Michigan resident to win on the PGA Tour since Jackson’s Brian Stuard won the 2016
Brehm and Sarah White as Brehm and Sarah White as Brand Ambassadors Brand Ambassadors Ryan Brehm, the 39year-old Mount Pleasant native and Traverse City resident will represent Zurich Classic. He is also the second Mount Pleasant native joining Dan Pohl as a PGA Tour winner.
Sarah White is a standout on the Epson Tour and currently the longest driver in women’s professional golf. White, a West Michigan native (who won a high school state title) and WMU and Texas State alum, has been playing the Epson Tour since 2020 – the year she captured the Michigan Women’s Open joining her brother, Mike White, as the only siblings to win the Women’s and Men’s Michigan Opens.
“To have the opportunity to be an ambassador and promote the BOYNE Golf brand nationwide as I continue my journey as a professional golfer is very exciting,” said White, who is scheduled to play in the Epson Tour’s Great Lakes Championship June 11-16 at The Highlands of Harbor Springs.
Former Pro Eric Wohlfield Wins Former Pro Eric Wohlfield Wins Michigan Publinx Medal Play Michigan Publinx Medal Play Championship Championship
Eric Wohlfield of Grand Haven, a 45-year-old former pro golfer who was reinstated as an amateur last year, held off college player Jack Julian (Wayne State) and 15-year-old Nemo Tsai of Ann Arbor to win the Michigan Publinx Golf Association Medal Play Championship.
Wohlfield, who currently assembles custom putters, had a hot putter in shooting a 4-under 212 total for the 54-hole event played over two days at 27-hole Pheasant Run Golf Club. His 4under 32 on the North nine and 3-under 33 on the West keyed a 6-under final day.
Julian recorded a 213 total, one shot off Wohlfield’s lead and tied for second with Tsai, an Ann Arbor Skyline student and AJGA standout, who led the field after first-round play.
