TRAVERSE CITY PRO CAMERON RUGE WINS HALL FINANCIAL/FOUNDERS BREWING CO. MICHIGAN OPEN Presented by Make The Turn

BELLAIRE – Cameron Ruge, an assistant professional at Bay Meadows Family Golf Center in Traverse City and a native of Coldwater, thought he wouldn’t get especially ...emotional if he won the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn.
Then he hit all 18 greens in regulation, shot 7-under 64 and won the 109th edition of the state championship by seven shots Thursday on the Cedar River Course at Shanty Creek Resort.
“When the last putt went in it was just a mix of emotions coming over me,” he said. “I was so locked in all day. I didn’t check the leaderboard all day. Then it started to get kind of emotional, and my mom and my girlfriend came over and gave me hugs. That and just the fact that I was able to do it and close it out was, you know.”
Ruge’s prior history in the Michigan Open was two missed cuts, but this time he took home the $15,000 first-place check, a Crystal Trophy and he will have his name inscribed on the historic James D. Standish Trophy.
His final 64 gave him a 16-under 268 total for the championship.
Four golfers tied for second at 9-under, including defending champion Otto Black of Brighton, who closed with a 67, and Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, the 2023 champion and leader for the first two rounds, who shot 70.
Will Preston, the Penn State University golfer from Grand Rapids, was another at 9-under after shooting a closing 71. He ended up as the low amateur for the tournament.
And Matt Thompson, the 2017 Michigan Open champion, made the most noise among those who tied for second. He shot a closing 64, which included three eagles, one of which was a hole-in-one on hole 17 (7-iron from 185).
Four golfers finished at 8-under 276, including Tim Pearce of Birmingham Country Club, who also shot a 64, mini-tour pro Yuqi Liu of Ann Arbor, who shot 67, Michigan State University golfer Julian Menser, who shot 68, and Bentley Coon, the celebrated 16-year-old from Horton, who shot 72.
Former University of Michigan golfer and now mini-tour professional Will Anderson got in on the noise, too. He shot a course-record 63 and tied for 11th.
Ruge said while he didn’t look at the leaderboard, he did hear the chatter pass from group to group about multiple eagles being made and golfers carding low scores.
“I just played like I was tied for the lead the whole day,” he said. “I just said I’m going to keep the ball below the hole, not be too aggressive to some of those flags and keep trying to make birdies.”
He birdied holes 3, 5 and 9 on the front and had the lead even though he didn’t know it. He added birdies on 10, 13, 16 and rolled a final 10-foot birdie putt in on 18 for the gallery on the hill over 18.
He said a 5-iron approach shot he hit at hole 5 from 216 yards was his best shot of the day.
“I meant to go to the middle of the green there, but I hit a draw in there and it kept moving over and ended up a foot-and-a-half away from that back left pin,” he said. “I didn’t take that pin on. It worked over and I was like ‘wow.’ It was a big momentum booster.”
Ruge, who is 27, cited increased self-belief, a golf buddy in Florida (Shane Bryant), who is a mini-tour player who has pushed him to be a better player, and his fellow teaching professionals at Bay Meadows for helping make him a better player.
“One of the biggest things is the putter change I made last year, from a blade to a mallet, and I’ve just found that under pressure I can rock that thing a little easier,” he said. “I hit 18 greens today, but I also burned like five edges (on putts). It could have been 12-under today the way it was rolling.”
Ruge doesn’t expect the win to change his goals in golf. The former Trine University golfer who studied professional golf management likes working with junior golfers at Bay Meadows and is advancing through the PGA professional rankings (currently a PGA Associate Professional).
“I may sign up for more tournaments down the road,” he said, “but I’m just going to keep working at Bay Meadows. I love seeing the kids out there.”

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL: Hall Financial is proud to partner with the Michigan PGA and the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open. Supporting the Michigan PGA and its members is a passion for Hall Financial CEO, David Hall. Growing the game of golf in the state of Michigan while providing a key financial resource is a privilege for Hall Financial. David Hall started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for making the mortgage process simple and fast while delivering clients with Five-Star service. With nearly 7,000 Five-Star reviews, the team at Hall Financial is committed to providing customized mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Media contact for Hall Financial: Mark Gildersleeve, Sr. Vice President- Growth & Strategy, 248-590-0131, mgildersleeve@hallfg.com. Website: callhallfirst.com

ABOUT FOUNDERS BREWING CO: Founders is one of the highest-recognized breweries and one of the 10 largest craft breweries in the country. Founded in 1997 in Grand Rapids, it has been ranked as one of the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com since 2006 and several of its beers are in the top 100 beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, Founders is devoted to using Michigan’s freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide the highest quality beer possible – from All Day IPA to craft beer stalwarts like KBS, which celebrates 20 years of barrel-aged excellence this year. Website foundersbrewing.com

ABOUT SHANTY CREEK: Shanty Creek is a four-season destination resort spanning nearly 5,500 acres and four distinct villages: Summit, Schuss, Cedar River, and Hawk’s Eye, each with lodging, dining, and golf. Located in Northern Michigan’s Bellaire, just 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek offers a variety of activities and outdoor recreation perfect for your next Michigan getaway. Website: www.shantycreek.com. Media contact for Shanty Creek: Lindsey Southwell, lsouthwell@shantycreek.com, 231-676-9598.

HALL FINANCIAL/FOUNDERS BREWING CO. MICHIGAN OPEN Presented by Make The Turn

Three Tied for Lead Including 16-Year-Old Bentley Coon, Cameron Ruge and Will Preston

BELLAIRE – After a long day in which the second round was completed and the third round played, too, three players... were tied for the lead heading into Thursday’s final round of the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn.
Cameron Ruge, an assistant professional at Bay Meadows Family Golf Center in Traverse City, Will Preston, a Penn State University golfer from Grand Rapids, and Bentley Coon, the 16-year-old phenom from Horton who won a Drive, Chip and Putt title at Augusta National at age 11, shared the 54-hole lead at 9-under Wednesday at Shanty Creek Resort.
They will make up the final pairing at 11:50 a.m. for the final round Thursday in the $100,000 event.
Ruge, who will be the only one of the three playing for a share of the purse as a professional, shot 4-under 67 on the Cedar River Course to check in at 204.
Preston, who just completed his sophomore season at Penn State with a top-20 finish in the Big Ten Conference Championship, shot 70 for 204 with a big boost from a third-round 66.
But it was Coon, a Parma Western High School golfer who turned 16 on May 27, that had the most people at Shanty Creek abuzz.
He shot a 69 in the third round after completing a 65 in the second round for his 204. If he wins the James D. Standish Trophy, he would be the youngest champion in the 109-year history of the tournament, eclipsing Michigan amateur golf legend Chuck Kocsis, who won his first of three Open titles in 1931 at age 18.
“I just came in trying to play golf, like it’s not even that big of a deal,” Coon said, citing his most recent medalist showing as an MHSAA regional title. “My whole junior golf career I’ve pretty much won, so I’m pretty used to this. I’m pretty confident. I will just try to hit fairways and greens and make some putts like always.”
He showed resilience in the third round overcoming a pair of back-to-back double-bogeys on holes 4 and 5, in part with birdies at holes 7 and 8. In all he had seven birdies, one bogey and the two doubles.
“I made some mistakes, but I played pretty good overall,” he said. “I made some putts.”
The 27-year-old Ruge, who won last fall’s Michigan PGA Match Play Championship, had the best third round of the three leaders with his 67.
“I never really got in trouble at all out there,” he said. “I made mistakes in (Tuesday’s second round) in terms of bogeys that I knew I had to clean up, like not reading the wind right, or mis-clubbing on some of the pin locations. So today, I just made sure to keep it below the hole and didn’t let any shots get away from me.”
He said he is feeling good about the final round, especially after some key birdies at holes, 14, 15 and 18 on the way in.
“Everything feels good in the game, hitting it well and I’ll just need to have the putter keep rolling,” he said.
Preston, too, made three birdies on the way in. His were at 14, 15 and 17. The 20-year-old junior-to-be at PSU also overcame a double-bogey on No. 11 followed by a bogey at 12.
“It was nice to get those back after a couple of bad mistakes,” he said. “I won a bunch of stuff as a junior golfer (past Michigan Junior Amateur Champion) and I had some success this spring at school, so I feel good about my game and contending this week. I’m looking forward to being in the final group.”
Joe Jusczcyk of Dearborn Heights, the 2023 Michigan Open champion who held the lead for the first two rounds, shot 73 and was just one shot back at 205 following the third round.
Shea Harmeson of Traverse City, who just finished his college career at Kansas State, shot 71 and was also at 205.
Two-time champion Eric Lilleboe of Okemos looms two shots back at 206 after he shot a 68.
Doug Piesk of Davison shot 71 and was at 207, while defending champion Otto Black of Brighton, who shot 74, and Julian Menser, a Michigan State golfer from South Lyon, who shot 68, were at 208, just four shots off the lead. A dozen golfers were within five shots of the lead.
The 36-hole cut was made when the suspended second round was complete at 6-over 148 with 71 players moving on to play in the third round.

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL: Hall Financial is proud to partner with the Michigan PGA and the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open. Supporting the Michigan PGA and its members is a passion for Hall Financial CEO, David Hall. Growing the game of golf in the state of Michigan while providing a key financial resource is a privilege for Hall Financial. David Hall started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for making the mortgage process simple and fast while delivering clients with Five-Star service. With nearly 7,000 Five-Star reviews, the team at Hall Financial is committed to providing customized mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Media contact for Hall Financial: Mark Gildersleeve, Sr. Vice President- Growth & Strategy, 248-590-0131, mgildersleeve@hallfg.com. Website: callhallfirst.com

ABOUT FOUNDERS BREWING CO: Founders is one of the highest-recognized breweries and one of the 10 largest craft breweries in the country. Founded in 1997 in Grand Rapids, it has been ranked as one of the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com since 2006 and several of its beers are in the top 100 beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, Founders is devoted to using Michigan’s freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide the highest quality beer possible – from All Day IPA to craft beer stalwarts like KBS, which celebrates 20 years of barrel-aged excellence this year. Website foundersbrewing.com

ABOUT SHANTY CREEK: Shanty Creek is a four-season destination resort spanning nearly 5,500 acres and four distinct villages: Summit, Schuss, Cedar River, and Hawk’s Eye, each with lodging, dining, and golf. Located in Northern Michigan’s Bellaire, just 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek offers a variety of activities and outdoor recreation perfect for your next Michigan getaway. Website: www.shantycreek.com. Media contact for Shanty Creek: Lindsey Southwell, lsouthwell@shantycreek.com, 231-676-9598.

Joe Jusczcyk Maintains Lead; Second Round Suspended by Weather

BELLAIRE – Joe Jusczcyk maintained his game in the rain and managed to remain the leader in the weather-disrupted Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn Tuesday.
The Dearborn ...Heights resident was among the golfers who had completed their second rounds before play was suspended after rain for most of the day, a rain delay of two hours and 30 minutes and finally fog and more rain at 7:30 p.m.
He shot a 4-under 67 in the morning wave of players on Shanty Creek Resort’s Cedar River Course, checked in at 10-under 132 and led by two shots.
The second round will resume at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and once it is completed the field will be cut to the low 70 scorers and ties and the third round will be played.
Will Preston of Grand Rapids, a Penn State University golfer, was running second after shooting the low round of the day, a 66 in the morning that put him at 8-under.
Shea Harmeson of Traverse City, who just completed his college career at Kansas State, was 6-under through 10 holes of his second round.
Former University of Michigan golfer Yuqi Liu of Ann Arbor, now a professional, finished his round and was at 5-under for the tournament.
Others at 5-under were Doug Piesko of Davison, who had completed 10 holes, and Cameron Ruge of Traverse City, who had completed nine holes.
Bentley Coon of Horton, now 15 and a Drive, Chip and Putt National Champion when he was 11 in 2022, was among the golfers at 4-under. He had completed 14 holes of his round.
Juszczyk said he would have preferred a sunny day like Monday, but he managed to deal with the rain.
“It was pretty annoying at times, but I think overall it wasn’t too bad,” he said.
He said he played the par 3 holes better than he did in the first round.
“I putted the ball really well today and I kept it between the trees,” he said. “I was able to deal with the elements and make a few putts. I also made a couple of good putts late in the round to keep the round going. I was just hitting fairways, hitting greens and trying to take advantage of opportunities.”
Preston said his good spring play, including a tie for 20th in the Big Ten Conference Championship, has continued.
“I just did a good job of giving myself a lot of opportunities,” he said. “Obviously, if you get it out of play on this course, it can get ugly pretty quick. I lost one ball and that was my only bogey. Other than that, I gave myself a lot of chances for birdie.”
Preston chipped in on No. 15 for a birdie after missing his previous shot short of the green. He said that chip was the most helpful shot of the day.
“And the 25-footer I rolled in for birdie on 18 was pretty important, too,” he said.

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL: Hall Financial is proud to partner with the Michigan PGA and the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open. Supporting the Michigan PGA and its members is a passion for Hall Financial CEO, David Hall. Growing the game of golf in the state of Michigan while providing a key financial resource is a privilege for Hall Financial. David Hall started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for making the mortgage process simple and fast while delivering clients with Five-Star service. With nearly 7,000 Five-Star reviews, the team at Hall Financial is committed to providing customized mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Media contact for Hall Financial: Mark Gildersleeve, Sr. Vice President- Growth & Strategy, 248-590-0131, mgildersleeve@hallfg.com. Website: callhallfirst.com

ABOUT FOUNDERS BREWING CO: Founders is one of the highest-recognized breweries and one of the 10 largest craft breweries in the country. Founded in 1997 in Grand Rapids, it has been ranked as one of the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com since 2006 and several of its beers are in the top 100 beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, Founders is devoted to using Michigan’s freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide the highest quality beer possible – from All Day IPA to craft beer stalwarts like KBS, which celebrates 20 years of barrel-aged excellence this year. Website foundersbrewing.com

ABOUT SHANTY CREEK: Shanty Creek is a four-season destination resort spanning nearly 5,500 acres and four distinct villages: Summit, Schuss, Cedar River, and Hawk’s Eye, each with lodging, dining, and golf. Located in Northern Michigan’s Bellaire, just 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek offers a variety of activities and outdoor recreation perfect for your next Michigan getaway. Website: www.shantycreek.com. Media contact for Shanty Creek: Lindsey Southwell, lsouthwell@shantycreek.com, 231-676-9598.

HALL FINANCIAL/FOUNDERS BREWING CO. MICHIGAN OPEN Presented by Make The Turn

Joe Juszczyk Chases Second State Title, Leads After First Round

BELLAIRE – Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights is 39 and considering transitioning from being a journeyman tour professional for the last ...15 years to being a teaching professional.
“Life stuff is kind of taking priority and I just want to be around home a bit more,” he said after taking the lead Monday through the first round of the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn.
The 2023 Michigan Open champion shot 6-under 65 on the Cedar River Course at Shanty Creek Resort and had a one-shot lead on Traverse City golfers Shea Harmeson, an amateur, and Bay Meadows professional Cameron Ruge, who each shot 66.
Joe Montpas, an amateur from Flushing, mini-tour pro Will Anderson of Portage and two-time Open champion Eric Lilleboe of Okemos were next after 67s, and defending champion Otto Black of Brighton was among the crowd at 68.
The starting field of 156 golfers plays another round Tuesday followed by a 36-hole cut to the low 70 and ties. The $100,000 championship continues through Thursday.
Juszczyk, who doesn’t have current tour status, said he has played only 10 rounds this year while teaching at Whole Golf in Bloomfield Hills and was happy with the way he played.
“I made a couple bogeys on par 3s that I would like to clean up, but I’m putting well and keeping it in play,” he said. “I wasn't hitting it very well last year when I came here, so coming in this year I was a little guarded. But I’m hitting it a lot better this year, so I’m trying to attack wherever I can.”
He made eight birdies against his two bogeys and said he would love to add a second Open title to his resume.
“I would love to add a second, a third, a fourth, fifth, as many as I can,” he said and laughed. “I plan to keep on playing in this event and the Tournament of Champions. I don’t really know what the future holds. I might get back at (tour golf). I might not. It just depends.”
Harmeson, who is 21 and recently finished his collegiate career at Kansas State University, and Ruge, 27 and last fall’s Michigan PGA Match Play Champion, each played in the morning wave.
“I’ve been playing pretty solid the last couple of weeks and then didn’t play great yesterday in a fun round with my friends, so I was kind of no expectations,” Harmeson, a former Saginaw Valley State golfer said.
“Sometimes that makes it a little easier to come out and just give it your all, and I’m home in Northern Michigan and this course has a homey feel to it. I’ve played a lot like it up here.”
Harmeson plans to become a professional at the end of the summer. He is playing in the British Amateur next week and plans to play in the Michigan Amateur Championship and attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
Ruge and his hot putter charged across the back nine with a 6-under 29. He made birdies on 10, 15, 17 and 18, which were wrapped around an eagle on the drivable par 4 No. 13 hole.
“I drove the green about 25 feet behind the pin at 13 and made it,” he said. “I found something on the second day of the (Michigan Pro-Am) and I’m playing solid.”
He said last year’s win in the Michigan PGA Match Play Championship has given him great confidence going into this season.
“Getting that first big win is a big reason I was able to have the back nine I had today,” he said. “I feel like I can contend in all the championships.”

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL: Hall Financial is proud to partner with the Michigan PGA and the Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open. Supporting the Michigan PGA and its members is a passion for Hall Financial CEO, David Hall. Growing the game of golf in the state of Michigan while providing a key financial resource is a privilege for Hall Financial. David Hall started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for making the mortgage process simple and fast while delivering clients with Five-Star service. With nearly 7,000 Five-Star reviews, the team at Hall Financial is committed to providing customized mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Media contact for Hall Financial: Mark Gildersleeve, Sr. Vice President- Growth & Strategy, 248-590-0131, mgildersleeve@hallfg.com. Website: callhallfirst.com

ABOUT FOUNDERS BREWING CO: Founders is one of the highest-recognized breweries and one of the 10 largest craft breweries in the country. Founded in 1997 in Grand Rapids, it has been ranked as one of the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com since 2006 and several of its beers are in the top 100 beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, Founders is devoted to using Michigan’s freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide the highest quality beer possible – from All Day IPA to craft beer stalwarts like KBS, which celebrates 20 years of barrel-aged excellence this year. Website foundersbrewing.com

ABOUT SHANTY CREEK: Shanty Creek is a four-season destination resort spanning nearly 5,500 acres and four distinct villages: Summit, Schuss, Cedar River, and Hawk’s Eye, each with lodging, dining, and golf. Located in Northern Michigan’s Bellaire, just 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek offers a variety of activities and outdoor recreation perfect for your next Michigan getaway. Website: www.shantycreek.com. Media contact for Shanty Creek: Lindsey Southwell, lsouthwell@shantycreek.com, 231-676-9598.

The Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Michigan Open is underway...
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PRACTICE DAY PICTURES AT THE HALL FINANCIAL/FOUNDERS BREWING CO. MICHIGAN OPEN PRESENTED BY Make The Turn

BELLAIRE – The first round of the 109th Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open presented by Make The Turn starts on Monday at 8 a.m., and Sunday was the final practice ...day for the field of 156 starting golfers.
Otto Black, 32, a mini-tour professional, is defending on the Cedar River Course at Shanty Creek Resort.
A year ago, Black shot a closing 1-under 70 for a 16-under 268 total on Cedar River to win by two shots, earn $13,500 and have his name inscribed on the historic James D. Standish Trophy.
The Cedar River course is a celebrated design by the late PGA Tour star Tom Weiskopf.
Hall Financial is a title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year and has helped usher in increased entries and record purses. This year Founders Brewing Company is joining Hall Financial as a title sponsor for the 2026 Hall Financial/Founders Brewing Co. Michigan Open Championship.
The Grand Rapids-based craft brewing company, one of the largest and most-recognized breweries in the U.S., is sponsoring a major state golf championship for the first time.
Make The Turn, the Troy marketing agency, is also returning as a presenting sponsor.
The Michigan Section PGA, which administers the championship, expects the tournament to continue to thrive and that this year’s purse should exceed $100,000. It will be announced during the tournament.
Cedar River is one of five courses at the resort that previously hosted the Michigan PGA Professional Championship from 2000 to 2005. It opened in 1999 to rave reviews and can be played to a maximum yardage of 7,001. It was Weiskopf’s first course in Michigan and features isolated holes, generous tree-lined fairways, classic natural green settings, significant elevation changes and includes one of his trademark dramatic drivable par 4 holes (301-yard No. 13).
A full field of 156 golfers, including 10 past champions, tour professionals, Michigan Section PGA professionals and top amateur players will play the first two rounds before a 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties.
Among the past champions in the field, including Black, are six-time winner Scott Hebert of Traverse City Golf & Country Club (1997, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’06), two-time champion Jeff Roth of Boyne Golf Academy (1998, ’04), two-time champion Eric Lilleboe of Okemos (2019, ’24), Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn (2023), Matt Thompson, the golf coach at Hillsdale College (2017), Jeff Bronkema of Caledonia (2016), Tom Werkmeister of Hudsonville (2013), Andy Ruthkoski of Muskegon (2007) and Tim Matthews of Scotts (1986).
Lilleboe has applied to the USGA for reinstatement as an amateur and will not be allowed to accept earnings from the purse, but he will be playing for a third title.
Ryan Lenahan of South Lyon, the PGA Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club, who recently played in the 2026 PGA Championship, is in the field.
First played in 1916, the Michigan Open annually attracts the top professional and amateur golfers in the state and its list of winners includes golf legends Walter Hagen, Al Watrous, Chuck Kocsis, Horton Smith and Dave Hill.