Wishing Michigan PGA Professional, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, the best of luck as he tees it up at the Rocket Classic this afternoon!

Round 1 | 2:22 pm
Round 2 | 9:12am

Click the link below to follow tee times and the leaderboard:
...https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2026/rocket-classic/R2026524/tee-times

JAMES PIOT OF CANTON RALLIES, WINS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS AT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT

BOYNE FALLS – James Piot was hoping to catch some momentum this week before returning to play on the PGA Tour Americas in a few weeks.
The 27-year-old Canton native and Michigan’s only ever U.S.... Amateur Champion caught that momentum and the leaders, shooting a final-round 7-under 65 on Boyne Mountain’s Alpine Course to win the 34th Tournament of Champions Wednesday.
“It feels great to play the way I did today, especially that back nine to finish it off strong,” he said. “It’s a great feeling and I’m super proud of how this week went. “
Piot, a former LIV Tour player, started the final round two shots off the lead, but started moving up the leaderboard on the front nine and then made four consecutive birdies starting on the 10th hole and moved to the top of the leaderboard.
Teaching pro Matt Thompson of Jonesville, one of three leaders starting the day, was tied with Piot for the lead for a few holes, but Piot made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to get to 7-under for the round and finished the last two holes with pars for a final 14-under 202.
Thompson, meanwhile, missed a final birdie putt from 10 feet away on the par 5 18th and shot 68 for 203.
Alex Scott, a mini-tour pro from Traverse City who shot a final 67, first-year pro Bryce Wheeler of Augusta who shot 68, and current Wayne State University golfer Jack Julian of South Lyon who shot 67, each finished at 204, two shots back.
Two-time Tournament of Champions winner Barrett Kelpin, a Kalamazoo native now working as a golf instructor in Wisconsin, and Eric Lilleboe of Okemos, a former pro awaiting his amateur status to be restored, finished at 211. Kelpin closed with a 66, and Lilleboe, who was tied for the lead with Thompson and Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor before the final round, shot 70.
Piot, who won $10,500, the Walter Burkemo Trophy and the green blazer signifying a membership in the Country Club of Boyne, said he was hitting the ball well the first two rounds and hitting a lot of good putts that were just not dropping.
“It felt like that at the beginning today,” he said. “Then eventually it clicked for that four (birdies) in a row, and then from there I was able to keep the momentum going into the clubhouse.”
He said his goal starting the final round was to shoot 8-under.
“That’s kind of what I thought the number would be to give myself a chance,” he said. “But obviously getting to 7-under after a rough first tee ball and a bogey (on hole 1), just staying in there was great for me.”
Thompson, who had Piot and a large gathering watch him finish in the final group, said he didn’t look at the leaderboard until he was in the fairway at 18, a par 5 playing into the wind Wednesday.
“I was debating going for (the green) from there, but I was a few yards too far out to get over the water,” he said. “I had a last chance, just didn’t make that putt. I played great though. It was fun being in the last group and being in contention. I came with no expectations because I haven’t played much at all. Somebody had to go really low to beat us and he did.”
Julian, the Michigan Publinx Medal Play Champion earlier this summer, was the low amateur in 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.
Jay Jurecic, the defending champion, was among the leaders throughout the tournament. He shot a final 67 for 206 and eighth place and was the low senior professional.
Doug Hoey of West Olive shot 72 for 216 and was the low senior amateur.
Kamryn Shannon of Jackson, a Ferris State University All-American this year, shot a final 69 for 215 and was the low female amateur.
Hall of Famer Suzy Green-Roebuck of Ann Arbor shot 73 for 218 and was the low female professional.
Piot praised the golf course conditions and the hospitality at Boyne Mountain and said he looked forward to using his Boyne membership.
“I’m super grateful for this week,” he said. “This is a great tournament, so much fun to play and I love coming up here.”

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.

RESULTS: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

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!
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12483107174714737339?back_link=true

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