We have a new Champion of the National Car Rental Michigan Assistants Championship. Gareth Lappin of Stonewater Country Club is a first-time winner in the Michigan Section. 34 Michigan PGA Section Assistants teed it up on Monday August 14th at Gull Lake Country Club, competing not only for the trophy but also three spots in the National Car Rental Assistants PGA Professional Championship taking place November 16th-19th at PGA Golf Club in Port St Lucie, Florida.
Gareth Lappin is Originally from Ireland. He came to Michigan in 2014 to play golf at Michigan State University. After moving back to Ireland for a few years after college, Lappin came back to Michigan a few months ago. He is currently an assistant pro at Stonewater Country Club. Lappin started off hot with a bogey free round of 64, with 5 birdies and an eagle to give him a 6-stroke lead going into the afternoon round. He played a steady second round shooting even par with a couple birdies and a couple bogeys, that was all he needed after an astonishing open round to bring home the first-place trophy.
Cody Haughton of Red Run Golf Club shot a steady even par 71 in round 1. When I talked with him in between rounds he said he was striking the ball well but couldn’t find any cups with the putter. The putter must have overheard, making 5 birdies in round two, Cody shot a 68, finishing solo second and securing the 1st qualifying spot since Lappin was ineligible to qualify for Nationals as a Level 1 Associate in the program.
Cole Meinke made the most birdies of the day with 10 total, some bogies along the way held him from contending for the trophy but he finished solo 3rd and captured the second qualifying spot for Nationals with a total score of -1 for the day.
The last qualifying spot came down to a playoff between Benny Cook of Country Club of Lansing, and Alex Patricio of Tam O’Shanter Country Club. Both players shot opposite rounds of 70 and 74 to finish at +2 for the day. Benny and Alex played the par 5, 18th to determine the qualifier and the 1st alternate. Alex came out on top Capturing the last qualifying spot and Benny Cook claimed the first alternate.
The other two alternate spots went to Tim Pearce of Birmingham Country Club and defending Champion Josh Fryer of Franklin Hill Country Club after both finishing with a solid +3 for the day.
We also would like to give a huge thank you to Gull Lake Country Club for being such an incredible host venue, and a huge thank you to the Director of Golf Dan Urban, and all his staff for making this event possible and for all they did for our employees to make this tournament run so great.
Thank you as well to our title sponsor National Car Rental and presenting sponsors Srixon, Cleveland Golf ,Asics and the PGA Tour.
For complete results click HERE