Wilson & Kehoe win the 2025 adidas State Pro Am!
PGA Professional from Bay Meadows Family Golf Center in Traverse City and one of his former junior golfers, Murphy Kehoe, overcame a crowded leaderboard and two playoff holes to defeat Michigan’s top golfers to win their first Adidas State Pro Am at The Highlands on Tuesday!
A huge turnout of 136 teams of one PGA Professional and one amateur teed it up on Monday and Tuesday using the Arthur Hills & Heather Courses at The Highlands in this historic state best ball event that started in 1935.
With 24 teams within 3 shots of the lead after round 1, we knew it would be a close finish. The team of professional Dave Kendall from Washtenaw Golf Club and his amateur partner Casey Baker held a 1 shot lead after shooting 64 on The Heather, but could not keep up the momentum and fell short in round 2 as they looked to pick up their 3rd Adidas State Pro Am title.
Despite the windy conditions in round 2, there were a lot of good scores as teams made their move to the top of the leaderboard. The team of PGA Professional Jeff Caminiti from Caminiti Golf Academy and his amateur partner, Rickey Shilts, as well as PGA Professional Zak Knoll from Western Golf & CC and his amateur partner, Kyle Bentley, both had rounds of 63 to jump up to the top of the leaderboard early in the second round. Jeff and Rickey finished one shot back at -11 under and Zak and Kyle finished 2 shots back.
After birdies at both holes #15 and #16, Scott and Murphy jumped into the lead and looked to pull away. However, a costly bogey at the par 5 18th hole on the Arthur Hills course left them tied at the end of the day with the team of Baker Stevenson from Meadowbrook Country Club and his amateur partner, Joeseph Mancinelli, who shot 65 the final round.
The playoff went back to #18 on the Arthur Hills. After both teams made birdie there, Scott and Murphy were able to clinch the victory with a par on the second playoff hole. I am sure this will be talked about for years to come at family gatherings as Joe Mancinelli’s brother Dominic is set to marry Murphy’s sister this coming August.
Scott and Murphy now get their names on this historic trophy with the likes of Al Watrous, Walter Burkemo, Horton Smith, Randy Erskine and many other Hall of Famers as well as an exemption into the Tournament of Champions.
Congratulations to amateur Brett Hudson on his hole in one on Tuesday on Hole #16 of The Heather!
The Highlands always proves to be such a great venue for this event. The golf courses were in great condition. The total effort just to get the golf courses open and playable after the severe tree damage from the ice storm was amazing.
Teams were able to play and experience the new Doon Brae short course while they were there at The Highlands. The early reviews were all very positive as everyone really enjoyed it. The course opens to the public on June 6.
Thank you as well to our sponsor Adidas! They were onsite and set up a mobile pro shop for all the players providing them with a tournament gift.
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