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Congratulations Bernie Friedrich & Ian Ziska!
Congratulations to Michigan PGA Members Bernie Friedrich, PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year award recipient and Ian Ziska, PGA of America
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Michigan PGA 100-year Centennial Celebration!
On Monday, October 24, the Michigan PGA held its Annual Fall Meeting. With 130 Members in attendance, President Dean Kolstad welcomed everyone to the
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MICHIGAN PGA CENTENNIAL (1922-2022)
PART 4: The fourth and final 25-year segment of the Michigan Section PGA (1997-2022) This is the final part of a four-part series produced in
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We are excited to announce that we have seven juniors representing the Michigan PGA Section at the 2022 Junior PGA Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, IL.
Representing the boys are Evan McDermott, Drew Miller, Caleb Bond, Lorenzo Pinilli, and Tyler Brody. Representing the girls are Megha Vallabhaneni and Sophie Stevens. Both boys and girls fields are full at 156 players.
Please continue rooting on our three juniors who have made it to the final two days of the tournament. Evan McDermott currently tied for 6th place, followed by Drew Miller currently tied for 33rd, and Sophie Stevens currently tied for 52nd.
Follow the action by clicking the link below for the live leaderboard! We are so proud of our Michigan Juniors!
juniorpgachampionship.com/
Ron Beurmann wins the Michigan Senior PGA Professional Championship
Brutus, MI - The top playing Michigan Senior PGA Professionals were back in Northern Michigan this week, as Hidden River Golf & Casting Club in Brutus ,MI played host to the Michigan Senior PGA Championship. 62 Michigan PGA Professionals teed it up on Monday and Tuesday to compete for the Michigan Senior PGA Championship Title as well as 9 qualifying spots for the 33rd Senior PGA Professional National Championship on October 13-16 at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.
Heading into the final round of the tournament there were fourteen players within four shots of the lead, all chasing the first-round leader Scott Hebert from Traverse City Golf & Country Club. Scott shot a first round (-2) under par 70 and was looking to repeat at Hidden River as he won this event in 2020 the last time they hosted.
That final pairing on Tuesday was won that you might expect as those players chasing Hebert ,the Michigan Golf Hall of Famer included another Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member in Jeff Roth from the BOYNE Golf Academy and Michigan PGA Hall of Fame member Ron Beurmann from the Country Club of Jackson. Collectively these three players have five Michigan Senior PGA titles between them.
Ron got off to a hot start on Tuesday birdieing the first two holes and going out in 33 on the front nine to take a one-shot lead at the turn. Ron continued his great play on the back to finish with a round of (-5) under par 67 and (-6) under for the tournament , good enough for a two shot victory and his 3rd Michigan Senior PGA title !
Finishing second, just two shots back was Scott Hebert with rounds of (-2) 70 both days. Scott his exempt for the Senior PGA National Championship this October after winning this event in 2019.
Joining Ron Beurmann and Scott Hebert and representing the Michigan Section at the Senior PGA Professional National Championship will be Jim Deiters from Midland Country Club, Jeff Roth from the BOYNE Golf Academy, Kevin Muir from The Wyndgate, Frank McAuliffe from Meadowbrook Country Club, John Nowasatka from Saginaw Country Club ,Gary Lewandowski from Tullymore Golf Club, Brian Carins from Fox Hills Learning Center and Lee Houtteman from Leland Country Club.
In the super senior 70 and older division, it was PGA Life Member and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Randy Erskine that took home top honors with rounds of 67 on Monday and 74 on Tuesday.
We would really like to thank our host site this year Hidden River Golf & Casting Club. The golf course was in really good condition and is a beautiful Northern Michigan setting.
We would also like to thank Doug Dingwall for his generous support of this event and the Michigan PGA Senior organization. Thank you to our national sponsors Cadillac, the PGA Tour, and the Golf Channel.
For complete results click below:
mipga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mipga22/event/mipga2232/contest/9/leaderboard.htm
Congrats Ron! Even more impressive that you didn't even practice all weekend! Keep doing what you do!
Awesome!! Great job Ron!!
Congratulations Ron!
Congratulations Ron!!!
Congratulations, Ron!
Nice going Ron, ring one up for the short guys. Lol
Congratulations Ron 😀⛳️
Congrats Ron!!
Congratulations, Ron!
Congrats Ron!
That’s terrific!!
Did you play Harry??
👏👏👏
👏👏👏👍
Representing Jackson, great job Ron!
superb stuff Ron .... the cream rises!
big heart too
Michigan PGA Professionals - Don't miss out on the 2022 Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Prestwick Village Golf Club as the entry deadline is today, Wednesday, August 3 at 5:00pm !
The event will take place on August 15-17. This is the second year in a row that Prestwick has hosted this event and the golf course is always in tremendous tournament condition making for a great championship !
The low 9 golfers will earn spots in the 2023 PGA Professional National Championship.The low 20 finishers from that national event move on to play with the best players in the world at the 105th PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York in May of 2023.
To register click below :
mipga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mipga22/event/mipga2234/index.htm?
WIRE-TO-WIRE: BRETT WHITE OF GRAND RAPIDS WINS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
BOYNE FALLS – Caledonia’s Brett White said it was a perfect storm that he came home to Michigan and won the Tournament of Champions.
“There was a scheduled week off from the Korn Ferry Tour, I’m getting married Sunday in Grand Rapids and I could have played in a Rocket Mortgage qualifier (PGA Tour in Detroit) but that might have been cutting it close to the ceremony if I got in and made the cut,” he said and laughed after going wire-to-wire to win the 30th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort Wednesday.
The 29-year-old touring pro shot a closing even-par 72 on the Alpine course for 12-under 204 to win by four shots and take home the $9,000 first-place check from the $65,000 purse. He was also awarded the traditional green dinner jacket and became a BOYNE Golf member for winning the unique tournament that brings together Michigan championship-winning men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors playing for the same title from different tee positions.
“I’m really glad I got the chance to play in this,” he said. “That was one of the big perks of winning the Michigan Open (2020), getting to play in this with a lot of the golfers who helped me and taught me how to conduct myself when I was a junior, a lot of my friends, college buddies and then some of the women who have competed with my sister (reigning Michigan PGA Women’s Open champion Sarah White), too.
“It’s really special to play in this and win this. I love coming to Boyne and Northern Michigan. I didn’t know I would be a member by winning this, too. I definitely hope to take advantage of that.”
Beau Breault of Howell, a mini-tour player who was a teammate of White on the Eastern Michigan University golf team, shot 73 for 208 and tied for second with Frank McAuliffe, a senior and a PGA teaching professional at Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville who closed with a 3-under 69.
Bradley Smithson, a Michigan State University golfer from Grand Rapids and the 2021 Michigan Open winner, was fourth after a 73 for 209.
The long-hitting White, playing with Breault and Smithson who are also long hitters, started the final round with a three-shot lead on Breault and maintained at least three shots on all pursuers through the day. He made a three-putt bogey on the par 4 No. 4 hole but followed it with an eagle 3 on the par 5 No. 5 hole.
“I hit a 9-iron (second shot) from the rough from 173 (yards) to about a foot and had that for eagle, which was huge,” he said. “I got it to 3-under through 10 holes, then the wind kicked up and there was the threat of the thunderstorm and I hit a few sloppy shots. Fortunately I had the lead and we were able to get it in the house.”
Breault, who was a freshman at EMU when White was a senior and team captain, said he and Smithson started out slow and didn’t put any pressure on White.
“He was hitting it so good, playing so well, we had to go catch him and we didn’t,” he said.
Breault is also invited to the wedding Sunday. White is getting married to Natalie Gervais of Winnipeg, Canada, who he also met when he was a golfer and student at Eastern Michigan.
“It’s a big week for me, for us,” White said and smiled.
McAuliffe ended up the low senior professional, Smithson the low amateur, Mike Anderson of Northville, who shot 72 and tied for fifth was the low senior amateur, and Anci Dy of Traverse City, the Michigan Women’s Amateur champion from earlier this summer who shot a closing 72 and tied for 35th, was the best among the women in the championship.
ABOUT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Boyne Mountain has been a favorite Midwest destination since 1948. The family-owned, four-season resort has earned Certificates of Excellence from TripAdvisor, and has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler readers as being among the top 50 Best Places to Ski and Stay in North America. The waterpark is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. Boyne Mountain is home to The Alpine and The Monument golf courses, as well as 60 runs on 415 skiable acres. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Solace Spa, Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, Zipline Adventures, disc golf facilities, lift-serviced mountain biking, beach activities, kids programs, lodging, meeting, and wedding facilities as well as real-estate are offered at the resort.
BOYNE Golf is a collection of ten courses at three resorts The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor located within 15 miles of Petoskey, MI. Beyond the world-class golf, Boyne Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information on BOYNE Golf, visit www.BOYNEgolf.com.
That’s awesome
Atta boy Brett!!
Whoop! Whoop! Congratulations Brett on your first place finish!
ENJOY some photos from the final round of the Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.
We will have more later today once a champion has been crowned.
Follow the scoring at michiganpga.com
FINAL ROUND action is underway at the 30th TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS at BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT!
The leaders, Brett White, Beau Breault and Bradley Smithson tee off at 9:40 a.m. It's going to be a shootout on the Alpine course.
Come on out if your up north or follow scoring at michiganpga.com Just click up top on the Leaderboard.
Things are underway at the TofC... looking forward to a great finish!
WORKING WELL: Brett White Builds Lead at Tournament of Champions
BOYNE FALLS – Brett White reasoned when you are 12-under through 36 holes pretty much everything is working well.
The 29-year-old Korn Ferry Tour player from Caledonia shot a 5-under 67 on the Monument course at Boyne Mount Resort Tuesday and at 12-under 132 was the leader through two rounds of the 30th Tournament of Champions.
Beau Breault, a mini-tour professional from Howell, was three shots back and the closest pursuer after also shooting a 67 for 9-under 135.
Barrett Kelpin, a PGA Tour Latinoamérica professional from Kalamazoo, who shot the low round of the day, an 8-under 64, and Bradley Smithson, a Michigan State University golfer from Grand Rapids, who shot 70, were four shots off the lead at 136.
White will lead the way in Wednesday’s final round on the Alpine course in the tournament that brings together Michigan championship-winning men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors playing for the same title from different tee positions.
The 2020 Michigan Open champion started his second round on the back nine and shot a 6-under 30, and then played 1-over 37 on the front side for his 67.
“I knew how tricky the front nine is, so I wanted to try and score right away (on the back nine),” White said. “You know when there’s not much wind and the ball is going where you are looking, it’s nice. I hit it close, took advantage of the par fives and I was able to make a couple of putts as well.”
White, who is getting married on Sunday and is headed back to the Korn Ferry Tour on Monday, said he knows that several Tournament of Champions winners have made big comebacks in the final round and he remembers Alex Scott rallying from eight shots behind with a final round 11-under 61 on the Alpine to win the 2018 TOC.
“I’m preparing to keep it in play, put it in the fairway, hit a lot of greens and see if we can get the putter hot,” he said. “I know good scores are out there and I know everybody will be gunning for me. I’ve learned on the Korn Ferry Tour that you have to keep the pedal down, eliminate bogeys and make some birdies.”
Breault, the 2018 Michigan Amateur champion, played in the afternoon while White was playing and building a lead.
“I saw Brett was taking it deep so I knew good scores were out there and I wanted to stay in it,” he said. “The goal was to get in the last group and I’m there. I’m sure it will take more solid play and birdies.”
Breault had two early bogeys but made an eagle on the par 5 No. 5 hole with a chip-in from off the green.
“I got a good break when my tee shot hit a tree but bounced to where I still had an angle,” he said. “Then I made birdie after that, too, and played good solid golf the rest of the way.”
The 33-year-old Kelpin, who has full status on PGA Tour Latinoamérica and plans to go to Korn Ferry Qualifying this winter, said he made a couple of momentum-saving par saves early in the round and played well all day.
“I wedged it well, got most of them to 15 feet or inside and made a good amount of putts,” said the 2012 Michigan Open champion. “It was definitely nice to get myself back in position to have a chance if I play a good round on the Alpine tomorrow. The Alpine is a great course. I love it and I’m looking forward to giving it a go.”
Smithson, the 2021 Michigan Open champion as an amateur, said he has been putting well and plans to keep on doing the same stuff he has been doing over the first two rounds in the finale.
“Except the finishes,” he said after making a double-bogey 6 on No. 18 on the Monument to finish his 70 and suffering his only bogey on the last hole in Monday’s first-round, too.
“That leaves a sour taste in my mouth,” he said of the finish at 18. “Gave away some shots there. I was trying to squeeze (the tee shot) up there and it went in the water. I was too aggressive.”
Four golfers were tied at 5-under behind the top four and included recent Michigan Amateur champion Nick Krueger of Spring Lake, who made a big move with a 65 in the second round, Steven Cuzzort, a professional from Grosse Ile now living in Naples, Fla., who did the same with a 66, teaching professional Frank McAuliffe of Meadowbrook Country Club, who shot 70 and is the low senior golfer on the board and amateur Mike Anderson of Northville, who shot a second-round 68.
The 36-hole cut to the low 60 scorers and ties fell at 9-over 153 with 64 golfers advancing to the final round. The administering Michigan Section PGA plans to use both 1 and 10 tees with the remaining players. The final group will tee off at 9:40 a.m. off No. 1.
White said he didn’t want to get too far ahead of himself, but that the first-place check of $9,000 would help his golf travels and he joked it would help cover the bar bill at his wedding this weekend. He is getting married to Natalie Gervais of Winnipeg, Canada., who he met during college at Eastern Michigan University.
“Really, winning would be great for my confidence and help me for the last few weeks of the regular season on the Korn Ferry Tour,” he said. “I need a good finish to the season out there, too.”
ABOUT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Boyne Mountain has been a favorite Midwest destination since 1948. The family-owned, four-season resort has earned Certificates of Excellence from TripAdvisor, and has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler readers as being among the top 50 Best Places to Ski and Stay in North America. The waterpark is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. Boyne Mountain is home to The Alpine and The Monument golf courses, as well as 60 runs on 415 skiable acres. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Solace Spa, Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, Zipline Adventures, disc golf facilities, lift-serviced mountain biking, beach activities, kids programs, lodging, meeting, and wedding facilities as well as real-estate are offered at the resort.
BOYNE Golf is a collection of ten courses at three resorts The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor located within 15 miles of Petoskey, MI. Beyond the world-class golf, Boyne Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information on BOYNE Golf, visit www.BOYNEgolf.com.
Finish it Brett White ⛳️👍❗️
EYE ON THE PRIZE
Brett White and Bradley Smithson tee off this morning in the second round of the 54-hole $65,000 Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.
White shot 65 and Smithson 66 in the first round. Today's play is on the Monument course. A 36-hole cut and Wednesday's final round in on the Alpine course.
Follow live scoring at michiganpga.com
I was wondering same thing. I thought rule was once you played 7 tour events your not eligible.
Pretty sure most of the field is a bit unhappy about playing against a regular on the KFT. Also what is a KFT player doing playing in the TOC in the middle of his season?
BRETT WHITE, BRADLEY SMITHSON TOP TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS LEADERBOARD
BOYNE FALLS – Long-ball lefties from the Grand Rapids area, Brett White and Bradley Smithson, charged to the front in the 30th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort Monday.
White, home from the Korn Ferry Tour for a few days, shot a 7-under 65, and Smithson, a Michigan State University golfer, followed with a 66 on the Alpine course.
The $65,000 54-hole championship that brings together Michigan championship-winning male, female, senior and junior golfers playing from different tee positions for the same title continues through Wednesday. Tuesday’s play moves to the Monument course after which a 36-hole cut will be made to the low 60 scorers and ties. The final round Wednesday is back on the Alpine.
White, 29, playing in the Tournament of Champions for the first time and playing the Alpine for the first time, said he enjoyed the course and always loves playing golf in his home state.
“Breathing that good Michigan air up here, I guess,” said the 2020 Michigan Open champion after a round that started strong with an eagle-3 on the par 5 No. 5 hole.
“I had a great drive and then hit a 4-iron to like four feet. That was one of my best shots of the day for sure and it settled me down. Last night we grabbed a cart and GPS and busted around to kind of map out a plan. You don’t get the elevation changes until you’re out there though. I feel really good about the way I handled it. Good start. Right where I want to be.”
Smithson, the 2021 Michigan Open champion who played in the afternoon like White, had an early eagle help him, too. He played the back nine first, teeing off with half the field on that nine and made his eagle-3 on No. 12. He also had two other early birdies and was 5-under after 5 holes and ended up shooting a 6-under 30. He brought it in on the front nine with seven pars, a birdie on the par 5 No. 8 hole and then a bogey to finish at No. 9.
“That was a sloppy bogey on 9, hit it right then tried to go over the trees, hit the trees and made a mess of it, but that was really the only hole I played that way,” he said. “I was solid and after the first nine I thought I would get the two par 5s (for birdies) and maybe a couple more. I didn’t, just didn’t hit the same quality of shots, but I’m right there and feeling good about it.”
Beau Breault, a mini-tour player from Howell and a past Michigan Amateur champion, topped the morning wave with a 68 and was third after the first round.
Scott Hebert, director of golf at Traverse City Golf & Country Club, the 2009 TOC champion and one of seven Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members in the field, was one of three golfers who opened with rounds of 69.
The others: Mike Raymond, a 66-year-old amateur from Jackson who recently won the GAM Super Senior Championship for golfers over age 65, and veteran teaching professional Frank McAuliffe of Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville.
Two more senior pros, Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Brian Cairns of Fox Hills Golf & Learning Center, and Ron English, a PGA Life Member from Charlotte, were next with opening 70s.
Nine golfers shot 71 and 17 players were under par for the first round.
White said the Korn Ferry Tour has been tough.
“I’ve been making some cuts, but I could use a couple of 65s out there for sure,” he said. “I just haven’t had top-10 finishes that you kind of need out there. It’s a learning experience for sure. I’m hitting the ball solid. Sometimes the putts don’t drop. Today, a few dropped for me.”
Smithson, who is playing in the TOC for the fifth time, said it was his best round in the tournament.
“I’m in a good spot, playing to win and looking forward to the next two days,” he said.
ABOUT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Boyne Mountain has been a favorite Midwest destination since 1948. The family-owned, four-season resort has earned Certificates of Excellence from TripAdvisor, and has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler readers as being among the top 50 Best Places to Ski and Stay in North America. The waterpark is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. Boyne Mountain is home to The Alpine and The Monument golf courses, as well as 60 runs on 415 skiable acres. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Solace Spa, Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, Zipline Adventures, disc golf facilities, lift-serviced mountain biking, beach activities, kids programs, lodging, meeting, and wedding facilities as well as real-estate are offered at the resort.
BOYNE Golf is a collection of ten courses at three resorts The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor located within 15 miles of Petoskey, MI. Beyond the world-class golf, Boyne Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information on BOYNE Golf, visit www.BOYNEgolf.com.
*Brett White who is home from the Korn Ferry Tour to get married on Sunday in his home town of Grand Rapids.
The 30th Tournament of Champions is underway at Boyne Mountain Resort. The Alpine course is the challenge today.
The champions, men, women, juniors, seniors, are all competing for one title.
Follow live scoring at:
mipga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mipga22/event/mipga2231/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
Congratulations to Michigan PGA Members Bernie Friedrich, PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year award recipient and Ian Ziska, PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year-Public award recipient!
Click on the link in the bio to read the entire press release
The 2022 National Car Rental Assistants Professional Championship begins Thursday at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. The four-day, 72-hole event will be contested at PGA Golf Club for a 26th consecutive year since it debuted on Florida’s Treasure Coast in 1996.
We would like to wish the following Michigan PGA Members the best of luck as they tee it up this week:
Josh Fryer : Franklin Hills Country Club
Kyle Dobbs: Oak Pointe Country Club
See the link in the bio to view the leaderboard.
TODAY is the last day to donate to Michigan's PGA National Day of HOPE Campaign! Through your support, we have surpassed our $5,000 goal, but we're not done! All funds raised will go towards supplemental funding for our future PGA HOPE Michigan programs, so every dollar is truly impacting the lives of our Michigan Veterans.
On this Veterans Day, we hope you consider sponsoring a local Veteran through the life-changing PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere) program, which introduces Veterans with disabilities to golf to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Together, with your support, we can impact the lives of our nations’ heroes. We hope you consider giving with a purpose to the PGA National Day of HOPE campaign in honor of our Veterans.
BE THE DIFFERENCE - by donating to the link in our bio.
We appreciate your support!
Congratulations to Ron Beurmann from the Country Club of Jackson on winning the 2022 Michigan PGA Section Senior Player of the Year!
Ron's highlights this year included:
-Winning the 2022 Michigan Senior PGA Professional Championship at Hidden River Golf & Casting Club
-Finishing Runner Up in the Senior Match Play at the Country Club of Lansing
-Finishing 5th at the Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Prestwick Village Golf Club
-Finishing T12 at the Yamaha Golf Cars Plus Senior Open at Bedford Valley
To see the 2022 Michigan Section Senior Player of the Year Standings click on the link in our bio!
The Michigan PGA wishes to congratulate Aaron Waltz and all 20 members of the PGA Reach Team who participated in the TCS New York Marathon on November 6th. In total, the team raised over $80,000 for PGA REACH. Congratulations! We're so proud of you! #TCSNYCMarathon #PGA #PGAREACH
You can make a difference in the lives of our Veterans like Aaron by making a donation to the link in our bio.
It’s not too late to support the PGA National Day of HOPE campaign (October 11-November 11). Funds raised will sponsor a Veteran through the life-changing PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere) program.
Taught by local PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE is a free, adaptive program introducing Veterans with disabilities to golf to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Help us expand this transformational program so we can serve more Veterans. Together, with your support, we can impact the lives of our nations’ heroes.
For every $10 you donate, you will receive an entry into our raffle, featuring a Night Out in Detroit package and two sets of Michigan PGA 100-Year Celebration corn hole boards! So, help make a difference and give with a purpose to the PGA National Day of HOPE campaign. #pgahope
GIVE WITH A PURPOSE by donating to the link in our bio.
Congratulations to Michigan PGA Member John Lindert as he was elected the 43rd President of the PGA of America in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is third Michigan PGA Member to serve as Association President. We are so proud of you!
We can learn so much from our Nation’s fearless Veterans like Sgt. Jason Fuller, who participated in the PGA HOPE Battle Creek program. Lead instructor Bob Bales has nothing but great things to say about Sgt. Fuller. “He has been a great supporter of the program, including coming to multiple sessions to share his experience, representing PGA HOPE at a media event connected to the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, and as an ambassador for the Michigan Section. Despite his own challenges, such as his current battle with cancer, he continues to support his fellow Veterans and the PGA HOPE program. I am proud to know people like Jason and am happy to call him a friend.”
We need your help today! PGA HOPE National is matching dollar-for-dollar any donations we receive up to $5,000. Any donation you make will go towards Veterans in our section, and will have a positive impact on the lives of Veterans in Michigan. Together, we can impact the lives of our Nation’s heroes.
For every $10 you donate, you will receive an entry into our raffle, featuring a Night Out in Detroit package and two sets of Michigan PGA 100-Year Celebration corn hole boards! GIVE WITH A PURPOSE by donating to the link in our bio. #pgahope
Thank you to our Board of Directors, attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making the 2022 Fall Meeting and Centennial Celebration a successful event!
To read the article, click the link in the bio!
The Michigan Section PGA honored its 2022 Special Award Winners, 2022 outgoing Board of Directors and 2022 Michigan PGA Hall of Fame Inductees at the President's Dinner, sponsored by Mercer Advisors and EZGO, held Sunday, October 23 at Western Golf and Country Club.
Congratulations to our 2022 Special Award Winners!
Golf Professional of the Year
Jeff O’Malley
Golf Executive of the Year
Kevin McKinley
Teacher of the Year
Brian Cairns
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Lauren Strong
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Doug Kreis
Distinguished Service
Doug Dingwall
Player of the Year
Kosta Ramirez
Merchandiser of the Year-Private
Kyle Horton
Merchandise of the Year-Public
Ian Ziska
Merchandise of the Year-Resort
Gary Lewandowski
Patriot Award
Doug Bell
Player Development Award
Kelly Kuhlman
Professional Development Award
John Lindert
Youth Player Development Award
Rolla Frisinger
On average, it costs more than $200 to graduate a Veteran through PGA HOPE Michigan, which includes six weeks of life-changing golf instruction by a PGA Professional - our goal is to serve 200 veterans in 2023.
GIVE WITH A PURPOSE by donating to the link in our bio. #pgahope
PART 4: The fourth and final 25-year segment of the Michigan Section PGA (1997-2022)
This is the final part of a four-part series produced in celebration of the centennial year of the Michigan Section PGA. The series has been published at michiganpga.com and released to the media over the 2022 golf season.
To read the article, click the link in the bio!
Happy #MotivationMonday! Meet Army Sgt. Dustin Mansour). (He is a PGA HOPE participant who inspires us to serve beyond ourselves and never give up. “To me, golf brings so much to improve the Veteran community. The camaraderie is equivalent to the type of bond we had during our deployments together. Golf is a great way for Vets to get outside and clear their minds while battling PTSD. Golf is a weapon in the fight against PTSD that I’m forever thankful to have in my arsenal.” GIVE WITH A PURPOSE by donating to the link in our bio now to support other Veterans like Sgt. Mansour. #PGAHOPE
DID YOU KNOW that PGA HOPE will serve 7,500 Veterans in 2022 and 30,000 per year by 2026? Help us change the lives of Veterans across the U.S. through golf.
Our Michigan PGA President, Dean Kolstad, is eager to kick off the month-long campaign for PGA National Day of HOPE. In the video below, he explains the purpose of this campaign and our plans for PGA HOPE Michigan. For every $10 you donate, a raffle ticket with your name will be entered for a chance to win a “Night in the D” package, including 2 Red Wings tickets and a hotel stay at Motor City Casino, or one of two Michigan PGA 100-Year Celebration cornhole sets!
Help us reach our goal of $5,000 raised during the campaign. GIVE WITH A PURPOSE by donating to the link in our bio!
Week of DCP: Day Five ⛳️🤩
32 participants from Michigan’s Regional Pathway competed at Scioto Country Club (Upper Arlington, OH) on Saturday, September 10. All 96 players in the field hit their drives in front of the commemorative plaque honoring Jack Nicklaus and the location where he hit his first golf shot in 1950. Participants from the Michigan Section created quite the showing at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional, earning four Champion titles, with others from Michigan in very close reach. Over the week, we have showcased our four advancing National Finalists, and it is now time to recognize all of our Michigan participants.
At the Regional qualifier, only the Champion of the division advances to Augusta National. Out of the eight age/gender divisions, we not only secured half of the qualifying spots at Scioto, but we also had two Michigan kids that finished second, two that finished third, and a handful that finished just out of podium position in fourth. View the results from the Scioto Country Club Regional Qualifier HERE. This year, we hosted 18 local qualifiers across the state in the months of May, June, and July; through these qualifiers, we rounded out to a total of 1,357 participants, which is a more than 20% increase in participation from last year! We want to thank the parents for helping us in our journey to grow the game of golf in Michigan. Drive, Chip and Putt is an incredible initiative to introduce more kids into the game, and we can certainly say that we achieved that goal this summer. Plus, we had plenty of fun while doing it! Stay tuned in the spring to find out next year’s local qualifying schedule.
Last but certainly not least, please enjoy some of the photos and videos of our Regional participants and their journeys at Scioto! We can’t wait to see you all next summer!
❗️HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS❗️:️ The PGA of America Michigan Section and PGA Career Services presents: "Do What You Love - A Career In Golf" on Wednesday, September 28th! RSVP link is in the comments ⬇️
TREETOPS RESORT’S KOSTA RAMIREZ WINS MICHIGAN PGA MATCH PLAY TITLE!
Kosta Ramirez of Treetops Resort celebrated his first professional victory and his third wedding anniversary at the same time in winning the Michigan PGA Match Play Championship Wednesday at Country Club of Lansing.
The 31-year-old Dearborn native made use of a fast start and held off Kyle Dobbs of Oak Pointe Country Club 1-up in the championship match.
His wife Cara, who he met eight years ago while completing the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University, served as his caddie.
“This is pretty sweet, and to do it on me and my wife's anniversary makes it even more special,” he said after accepting the $3,200 first-place check.
“Go figure that you're going to spend your anniversary on a golf course, but she was a trooper and it was definitely special.”
Cara said it wasn’t her first time serving as caddie, but there’s a good chance it will be the most memorable.
“It's always an honor to walk alongside him and watch him do what he does best,” she said. “And what a what a great anniversary gift – to win this and get to do it together.”
View the full post on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michigansectionpga
Week of DCP: Day Four
AVA GILBART (Girls 10-11) ADVANCES TO AUGUSTA NATIONAL!
Ava Gilbart of Toronto earns a chance to compete at the National Finals for Drive, Chip and Putt next spring! “At first, I was shocked and really excited, and I still am. I’m looking forward to participating at Augusta. My school coach, Mr. Mason, said the grass is so perfect and that you have to touch it to believe its real. I can’t wait to get there.” Ava first started competing in golf when she was 8 but picked up the clubs a few years before that. Her first introduction to the sport was through her brother, Lucas Gilbart, who also competed at Scioto in the Boys 14-15 division. After asking Ava what her favorite memory in golf was, we learned she had two particular scenarios in mind. “My favorite golf memory was almost getting a Hole in One (just lipped out) at the Golf Ontario U13 Championship. My new favorite memory was at Scioto participating and winning Regionals to give me an opportunity to play at Augusta. I saw that I was in the lead mid-way through the competition, but the phone died as I waited so I did not know my result until Madison told me. I was surprised.”
Ava is most certainly looking forward to her experience at Augusta National. “I am most excited to compete with the other girls from all over the USA. I hope to make some new friends, and to see the professionals in action. I am excited to chip and putt on the Augusta greens. I want to try the Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich, as I hear they are amazing.” Ava will have fans from all over Michigan and Toronto, and we can’t wait to cheer her on while she competes at Augusta National on April 2nd, 2023. Congratulations, Ava!
View the full post on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michigansectionpga/posts/pfbid02dmTLSNaH2MaM1B7paiKTuG6vCuVBqWgsffiQHu2tmazm7ZFtvWQUL58zsJewKuicl
Week of DCP: Day Three
LYLA HAMPTON (Girls 14-15) ADVANCES TO AUGUSTA NATIONAL!
Lyla Hampton of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, received a chance to compete at the Regional as an alternate and truly made it worthwhile! After competing at the Subregional, hosted at the Orchards Golf Club on August 5th, Lyla came up just short of making it to the Scioto Country Club Regional in Ohio, coming in 3rd place. Only days before the Regional qualifier, Lyla got the call that there was a withdrawal from her division and she would be the first alternate to take the spot. Her second chance certainly paid off, as she was named Champion of her division after two holed putts and a made chip shot. “I feel accomplished and excited!” Lyla started her golf career when she was only 5 years old by being placed in a junior golf program with her sister at Detroit Golf Club. In her interview with the media team assigned to the Regional at Scioto, Lyla explained that she didn’t think she would be at the Regional, but she is very happy that she won and is very proud of herself.
Above all, Lyla is “most excited for having the opportunity to be in the same place as the Masters and being able to have the chance at winning Drive, Chip and Putt.” Lyla was one of two alternates to take advantage of the opportunity to continue the DCP journey, and we know she will be working very hard in the offseason to fine tune her skills even more and making sure she is ready for Augusta. We can’t wait to cheer Lyla on while she competes at Augusta National on April 2nd, 2023. Congratulations, Lyla!
View the full post on our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michigansectionpga/posts/pfbid02TJaDKgEUPjhuUiwYy15c2NKfQxvJnNuY7AsZHEcbqu77Twrqdx8n7u15wRRtLqUvl
Week of DCP: Day Two🥇
ROBERT MELENDEZ (Boys 10-11) ADVANCES TO AUGUSTA NATIONAL!
Robert Melendez of Ann Arbor, Michigan, scratches out the rest of the competition and becomes the Boys 10-11 Champion at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional! Robert won his division by only one point, earning him the opportunity to compete at the National Finals next spring. “I did not think I won the qualifier and was surprised when people started coming up and congratulating me. I was very excited when it sunk in!” Robert starting playing golf when he was only 2 years old. “My two older sisters are competitive golfers and I learned to golf by watching them practice and play. I am right-handed, but I learned to play golf by imitating my left-handed sister.”
“I am excited to play at the same course many great golfers have played. I also want to putt on the greens because I heard they are pretty fast.” Well, Robert, you have certainly earned the chance to putt on the 18th green at Augusta National! Michigan will certainly be rooting you on, come April 2nd, 2023. Congratulations, Robert!
Follow this link to view the full post on our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michigansectionpga/posts/pfbid02KDJEr3n12bTnDeLXYacF3mNMyTtWCMeWeEMtD7KDpypGYxiegumD3m2rhKg4Qduzl
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