MICHIGAN PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Muskegon Country Club Hosting, Patrick Wilkes-Krier Defending

MUSKEGON – Muskegon Country Club and the Michigan PGA Professional Championship each have over 100 years of history, but the two longtime state golf entities are getting together for the... first time in a major way.

Muskegon CC, which dates to 1908, is hosting the 105th Michigan PGA Professional Championship, Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 24-26.

The highly regarded Donald Ross-designed Muskegon course has hosted several championships and USGA qualifiers, including two Michigan Amateur Championships and some PGA team and chapter tournaments, but never a Michigan PGA Professional Championship or Michigan Open Championship.

“I’m excited about it,” said Justin Phillips, the Michigan Section PGA’s tournament director. “What stands out is the golf course. I’ve looked at scores of other championships played there, and U.S. Open qualifiers, and it plays much harder than what the yardages on the scorecard would suggest.”

Phillips said the green complexes are great, but very challenging.

“Another great thing is that it will be an enjoyable course for all our members to play,” he said. “We have a lot of our PGA Life Members and senior members still playing in this championship. It kind of brings all of our players together and because of the yardage, and the traditional classic design, everybody can play it and enjoy it, but it will also provide a strong test that will determine a worthy champion.”

The club was founded in 1908 on 130 acres of sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan and features rolling terrain and fescue lined fairways. It can play up to 6,697 yards from the back tees, and in Ross fashion features challenging green settings.

The course was originally laid out by noted designer Thomas Bendelow but in 1920 was redesigned by Ross. In the last two decades the club has concentrated on removing some trees and returning the design to the Ross specifications.

In addition to bringing the state’s top playing professionals together to play for the Michigan Section championship, the historic Gilbert A. Currie Trophy and a purse of $56,000, another important feature of the Michigan PGA Professional championship is it serving as the starting point and qualifier on the road to major championship golf with the best players in the world at the 109th PGA Championship of 2027 (May 2027 at Fields Ranch East, PGA Frisco).

The low eight golfers, not including three Michigan golfers who are already exempt, will earn spots in the 2027 PGA Professional National Championship at Streamsong Resort in Florida, next April 25-28. The low 20 finishers from that national event move on to play with the best players in the world in the PGA Championship.

Scott Hebert of Traverse City Golf & Country Club, Jeff Roth of BOYNE Golf Academy and Ryan Lenahan of Walnut Hills Country Club, based on past performances in the national tournaments, are the exempt players already ticketed for the 2027 PGA Professional National Championship.

Defending champion Patrick Wilkes-Krier of Kendall Golf Academy in Ypsilanti is one of 14 former Michigan PGA Professional champions in the field, and that list of past champions covers a sizable portion of the tournament’s history.

It includes eight-time champion Hebert (2006, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’14, ’16) five-time champion Roth (1998, ’99, 2001, ’03, ’19), three-time champion Ben Cook of Quail Ridge Golf Club (2020, ’21, ’24), two-time champion Kyle Martin of Lochmoor Club (2023, ’22), three-time champion Brian Cairns of Fox Hills Learning Center (1996, 2000, 2013), John Seltzer of Egypt Valley Country Club (2017), Dan Urban of Gull Lake Country Club (2015), PGA Life Member Ron Beurmann of Jackson (2010), Tom Harding of Carl’s Golfland (1997), two-time champion Steve Brady of Oakland Hills Country Club (1993, ’95), two-time champion and PGA Life Member Barry Redmond of Chelsea (1991, ‘92), PGA Life Member Jack Seltzer of Flushing (1988) and PGA Life Member John Traub of Berkley (1984).

The field of 108 golfers will play 54-holes over three days with a cut to the low 60 scorers and ties after Tuesday’s second round.

A year ago, at Walnut Creek Country Club, Wilkes-Krier birdied the final hole and won the 104th championship by one shot over Cook. He dedicated the win to his late mentor Dave Kendall.

The Michigan PGA professional Championship dates to 1922 and the past champions list includes Walter Hagen, Al Watrous, Chick Harbert, Jimmy Demaret, Horton Smith, John Barnum, Randy Erskine, Lynn Janson and Buddy Whitten.

SPONSORS: This year’s presenting sponsors are Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex. Supporting partners are Gallagher, the Golf Channel, the PGA Tour and Shipsticks. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/Footjoy, Callaway Golf, Nike and TaylorMade.

RESULTS, TEE TIMES: See michiganpga.com. Gallery is welcome. Parking and admission are free. More information on Muskegon Country Club is available at www.muskegoncc.com.

Congratulations to our Fall Pro Pro Champions, Ben Cook from Quail Ridge Golf Club and James Delnick from Carl's Golfland!

Finishing at 10-under in a tie with Frank McAuliffe and James Yuhas, Cook and Delnick secured the title after winning the first playoff hole in a best-ball ...format.

View full results here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12477999394790081475?back_link=true

Thank you to our sponsors, Sterling Cut Glass and St. Andrews Products, and to Washtenaw Golf Club for their hospitality!

The Road to the National Finals continues for 16 golfers who advanced from our east side Drive, Chip & Putt Sub-Regional at The Orchards Golf Club this past Friday!

Next Stop 👉 Regionals at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN | Sept. 20!

Congratulations and good luck to... all who advanced!

This is the last weekend Michigan PGA Members can register for the Michigan PGA Professional Championship! Registration closes on Monday at 5:00pm.

Secure your spot before it's too late!
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12483284875295621877

Our partners at Founders Brewing Co. have the perfect drink for your next round! Check out the Water Hazard next time you're on the course! ⛳