The final day of the Tournament of Champions is here! With three players sharing the lead, it's anyone's title. 🏆

Follow along through the link below...should be an exciting finish!
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THREE GOLFERS LEAD TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SHOOTOUT

BOYNE FALLS – Matt Thompson of Jonesville, Eric Lilleboe of Lansing and Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor will make up the final group in the last round of the 34th Tournament of Champions on Wednesday.
They were tied for the lead through... Tuesday’s second round in the 54-hole, $75,000 championship being played on the Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Thompson, a 36-year-old golf instructor and former Hillsdale College golf coach, shot 5-under 67 to land at 9-under 135.
Lilleboe, a 38-year-old former mini-tour player transitioning back to amateur status and now working in commercial real-estate, shot 68 for 135.
And Copp, a 28-year-old mini-tour player heading back to tour qualifying in the fall, shot 67 for his 135.
That trio has little breathing room, however.
Two golfers – Wisconsin teaching pro and Manistique native Mike Nagy and first-year pro Bryce Wheeler of Augusta, MI – are at 136, one shot back, and four more golfers are at 135.
The 135 group includes James Piot of Canton, the former LIV Tour player and U.S. Amateur Champion, who shot 67, mini-tour player Alex Scott of Traverse City, who also shot 67, mini-tour player Grant Heafner of Bloomfield Hills who shot 70, and Jack Julian, a Wayne State University golfer who shot 69.
The 36-hole cut was made at 6-over 150 with 70 golfers earning a spot in the final round of the unique tournament that brings together men, women, amateurs, professionals, juniors and seniors – all past champions of significant Michigan tournaments – playing from different tees for the Walter Burkemo Trophy and Country Club of Boyne green blazer and membership. The champion, if a professional, will also earn $10,500 on Wednesday.
With groups starting on Nos. 1 and 10, the final group of leaders will tee off No. 1 at 9:50 a.m.
Copp, who saved a par from a hooked tee shot on No. 18 to stay tied for the lead, said there are a lot of guys with a chance.
“I mean, even if you are four groups back, you could have a day and still win,” he said. “You’ve got to keep making birdies. It’s a lot like a professional (tour) event. This is a really strong field, the strongest I’ve seen up here, so you can’t back off at all.”
Thompson said he spends most of his time working with junior golfers and with his family, so he came to Boyne Mountain this year with few expectations.
“I’m just kind of plodding along enjoying being out here,” he said. “I did nothing super out there today. I just hit the driver well, made some putts and made a few saves, too. I think it helps not having expectations. I’ll just continue to try to play smart and make some birdies.”
Lilleboe, who said with work he plays once a week, also cited a lack of expectations for the week.
“My putter, really my chipping and putting, are keeping me in it and I’ve taken advantage of the par 5s,” he said.
He said this is a tournament he has coveted so he’s excited to be in the final group.
“I’ve wanted this one for a long time,” he said. “It would mean a lot to me. I’ve worked up here. I’ve lived up here. I consider the Alpine a second home course. I have a chance. It’s not like when I was playing all the time, but I’m happy that this week I still have some game.”

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 water park is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities, and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. Boyne Mountain recently added Skybridge Michigan to their list of attractions, the world’s longest timber suspension bridge spanning over 1100 feet sitting 120 feet over the valley floor. 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 includes a collection of 11 courses at Michigan three resorts, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor, located within 15 miles of Petoskey. 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.

SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

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LOGJAM AT BOYNE MOUNTAIN AS FIVE GOLFERS SHARE LEAD

BOYNE FALLS – It’s a logjam of champions at the top in the 34th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Five golfers, including Barrett Kelpin, a two-time Tournament of Champions winner from Kalamazoo who is now a ...golf instructor in Wisconsin, Jay Jurecic, the defending champion and a senior professional from Crystal Falls, Baker Stevenson of Novi, an assistant professional at Meadowbrook Country Club, Eric Lilleboe of Lansing, a former mini-tour now working in commercial real-estate, and Grant Haefner of Bloomfield Hills, a mini-tour golfer who is traveling the world, each shot 5-under 67 on the Alpine course Monday.
On a day that also offered an assortment of weather, including heat, wind and rain late in the afternoon, 43 golfers in the field of 122 shot par or better, and 34 were under-par.
In addition to the fivesome at 5-under, six golfers were at 4-under and six more were at 3-under.
The half-dozen one shot off the lead included another two-time Tournament of Champions winner in Andy Ruthkoski of Muskegon, the 2017 Tournament of Champions winner Michael Nagy from Manistique, who is now a teaching pro in Wisconsin, junior golf instructor and former college coach Matt Thompson of Jonesville, mini-tour player Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor, first-year professional and former Grand Valley State University standout Bryce Wheeler of Augusta, and Wayne State University golfer Jack Julian of South Lyon.
Joe Jusczcyk, teaching this summer at Whole Golf in Bloomfield Hills, and the 2024 Tournament of Champions winner, was among the group at 3-under 69.
Kamryn Shannon of Jackson, an NCAA Division II All-American for Ferris State University this year, was also at 3-under and low among the women in the field.
Two more women, Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Suzy Green-Roebuck of Ann Arbor, and Elayna Bowser of Dearborn, shot 2-under 70, and the brother-sister competitors, Evan and Elayna Bowser of Dearborn, were in the group tied at 70.
More golfers than usual were very happy with their rounds.
“I felt pretty good off the tee and into the green all day, but the short game was pretty tight when I missed the green, so it was good,” said Kelpin, who had a long mini-tour career and now works at Bishops Bay Golf Club near Madison, WI.
“All in all, 5-under felt pretty good, and it’s a good start to the tournament.”
Kelpin, 37 and the champion at Boyne in 2015 and 2023, said the Alpine Course was in great condition for the tournament.
“You know I like the Alpine Course,” he said. “It’s always great to come here for this tournament, to be in Northern Michigan and to play a great golf course. I’m looking forward to the next two days.”
Shannon, 22 and planning soon to enter the PGA of America apprentice program while working at a golf course in Jupiter, Fla., said she had been having a poor summer since college season ended, but she found something last week competing in the Michigan’s Women Amateur Championship.
“I’m swinging better and I played really well today,” she said after her first time playing in the championship that brings together men, women, professionals and amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing from different tees for the same championship honors.
“It was fun, and I think playing in groups with men or boys growing up, helped,” she said. “It’s always pushed me a little bit more because I don’t want to hit bad shots and hold them back, so it motivates me even more to play well.”
The field plays another 18 holes Tuesday followed by a 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties. The final round in the 54-hole, $75,000 championship is Wednesday.
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 water park is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities, and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. Boyne Mountain recently added Skybridge Michigan to their list of attractions, the world’s longest timber suspension bridge spanning over 1100 feet sitting 120 feet over the valley floor. 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 includes a collection of 11 courses at Michigan three resorts, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor, located within 15 miles of Petoskey. 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.
SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

We're officially underway at the Tournament of Champions and looking forward to a great week!

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PRACTICE DAY AT THE 34 TH TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

BOYNE FALLS – Sunday was practice day for the 34th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Defending champion Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, a senior professional, is part of 122 major tournament champions in the field, ...including 11 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members and 11 former winners of the Tournament of Champions.
The will compete Monday through Wednesday with the professionals playing for a $75,000 purse and everybody playing for the Walter Burkemo Trophy and the traditional Country Club of Boyne blazer.
In addition to Jurecic, other past winners of the Tournament of Champions in this year’s field are the six-time winner of the Tournament of Champions and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Jeff Roth, who teaches at the BOYNE Golf Academy at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Joe Juszczyk (2024), Barrett Kelpin (2023 and ‘15) Otto Black (2021), Alex Scott (2018) Mike Nagy (2017) Korey Mahoney (2016), Andy Ruthkoski (2013 and ‘14), Scott Hebert (2009) and Tom Harding (1997).
The Michigan Golf Hall of Famers playing, in addition to Roth, are Ron Beurmann, Steve Brady, Brian Cairns, Greg Davies, Suzy Green-Roebuck, Harding, Hebert, Jack Seltzer, Tom Werkmeister and Bill Zylstra.
The field also includes a host of recent champions from the Michigan Open, the Michigan Amateur, the Michigan PGA Professional Championship and the GAM Championship. A notable returning player this year is James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion who is now playing professionally.
The unique field of professionals, amateurs, seniors, juniors, men and women, also includes relatives competing against each other. The brother-sister combination of Evan and Elayna Bowser are joined by father-son Jack and John Seltzer, father-son Jim and Austin Dieters and father-son Frank and Frank McAuliffe IV.
The field will play each round of the 54-hole stroke play championship on the Alpine Course. A 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made after the second round.

SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

Jay Jurecic to Defend at Boyne’s Tournament of Champions

BOYNE FALLS – Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls is 56 and chasing the elusive PGA Tour Champions chance, but the defending champion is making sure to stop at home in Northern Michigan Monday through Wednesday to play in the 34th ...Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.

“I will be there,” said the former high school teacher after his recent runner-up finish to Andy Walker of Royal Oak at the Yamaha Golf Cars Senior Open Championship. “It’s a fun tournament and it was a thrill to win it last year.”

Thrill, indeed.

First, Jurecic erased a two-shot deficit in regulation play on the par-5 No. 18 hole of the Alpine course with a 260-yard 3-wood shot that bounced off the flagstick to inside one foot, resulting in a tap-in eagle-3.

Then in a sudden-death playoff with mini-tour pro Grant Haefner of Bloomfield Hills, Jurecic’s third shot, a 45-yard pitch shot from the rough right of the green rolled to within five inches, and with the tap-in birdie he won the 33rd edition of the unique tournament that brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing for the same title from different tee positions.

With his miraculous finish Jurecic took home the $10,500 first-place check, the historic Walter Burkemo Trophy, and the traditional green blazer emblematic of his membership for life in the Country Club of Boyne.

“I know I’m blessed to be able to still chase my dream,” he said after the win. “I think I’m playing the best golf of my life at 55 to be honest. I’m going to just keep going and keep trying to get better.”

Jurecic will lead the field of 122 champions, including 11 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members and 11 former winners of the Tournament of Champions. The professionals will play for a $75,000 purse and everybody plays for the trophy and blazer.

In addition to Jurecic, other past winners of the Tournament of Champions in this year’s field are the six-time winner of the Tournament of Champions and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Jeff Roth, who teaches at the BOYNE Golf Academy at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Joe Juszczyk (2024), Barrett Kelpin (2023 and ‘15) Otto Black (2021), Alex Scott (2018) Mike Nagy (2017) Korey Mahoney (2016), Andy Ruthkoski (2013 and ‘14), Scott Hebert (2009) and Tom Harding (1997).

The Michigan Golf Hall of Famers playing, in addition to Roth, are Ron Beurmann, Steve Brady, Brian Cairns, Greg Davies, Suzy Green-Roebuck, Harding, Hebert, Jack Seltzer, Tom Werkmeister and Bill Zylstra.

The field also includes a host of recent champions from the Michigan Open, the Michigan Amateur, the Michigan PGA Professional Championship and the GAM Championship. A notable returning player this year is James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion who is now playing professionally.

The unique field also includes relatives competing against each other. The brother-sister combination of Evan and Elayna Bowser are joined by father-son Jack and John Seltzer, father-son Jim and Austin Dieters and father-son Frank and Frank McAuliffe IV.

“It’s another amazing field with great champions, professional and amateur, college players, mini-tour professionals and several of our top Michigan PGA Section players and Hall of Fame members,” said Justin Phillips, the tournament director for the Michigan Section PGA, which sanctions and administers the unique championship. “It is the 34th year and it remains the most unique tournament in the country at one of the top resorts in the country.”

The field will play each round of the 54-hole stroke play championship on the Alpine. A 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made after the second round.

SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

NOTE: Gallery is welcome. Parking and admission are free.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Connect with media coordinator Greg Johnson at 616-560-8995 or gregeeee24@gmail.com. For Boyne Mountain and BOYNE Golf information, contact TR Hollis at Thomas.hollis@boyneresorts.com

Congratulations to Adam Burghardt (a) on earning medalist honors at our Rocket Classic Pre-Qualifier at Twin Lakes Golf Club after shooting a -7 (64)

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