Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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 ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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? ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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. ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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.
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Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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. ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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.

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Michigan PGA

10 months ago

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. ... See MoreSee Less

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