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

We're officially underway at the Tournament of Champions and looking forward to a great week!

Follow along live scoring here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12483107174714737339?back_link=true

PRACTICE DAY AT THE 34 TH TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

BOYNE FALLS – Sunday was practice day for the 34th Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Defending champion Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, a senior professional, is part of 122 major tournament champions in the field, ...including 11 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members and 11 former winners of the Tournament of Champions.
The will compete Monday through Wednesday with the professionals playing for a $75,000 purse and everybody playing for the Walter Burkemo Trophy and the traditional Country Club of Boyne blazer.
In addition to Jurecic, other past winners of the Tournament of Champions in this year’s field are the six-time winner of the Tournament of Champions and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Jeff Roth, who teaches at the BOYNE Golf Academy at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Joe Juszczyk (2024), Barrett Kelpin (2023 and ‘15) Otto Black (2021), Alex Scott (2018) Mike Nagy (2017) Korey Mahoney (2016), Andy Ruthkoski (2013 and ‘14), Scott Hebert (2009) and Tom Harding (1997).
The Michigan Golf Hall of Famers playing, in addition to Roth, are Ron Beurmann, Steve Brady, Brian Cairns, Greg Davies, Suzy Green-Roebuck, Harding, Hebert, Jack Seltzer, Tom Werkmeister and Bill Zylstra.
The field also includes a host of recent champions from the Michigan Open, the Michigan Amateur, the Michigan PGA Professional Championship and the GAM Championship. A notable returning player this year is James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion who is now playing professionally.
The unique field of professionals, amateurs, seniors, juniors, men and women, also includes relatives competing against each other. The brother-sister combination of Evan and Elayna Bowser are joined by father-son Jack and John Seltzer, father-son Jim and Austin Dieters and father-son Frank and Frank McAuliffe IV.
The field will play each round of the 54-hole stroke play championship on the Alpine Course. A 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made after the second round.

SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

Jay Jurecic to Defend at Boyne’s Tournament of Champions

BOYNE FALLS – Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls is 56 and chasing the elusive PGA Tour Champions chance, but the defending champion is making sure to stop at home in Northern Michigan Monday through Wednesday to play in the 34th ...Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort.

“I will be there,” said the former high school teacher after his recent runner-up finish to Andy Walker of Royal Oak at the Yamaha Golf Cars Senior Open Championship. “It’s a fun tournament and it was a thrill to win it last year.”

Thrill, indeed.

First, Jurecic erased a two-shot deficit in regulation play on the par-5 No. 18 hole of the Alpine course with a 260-yard 3-wood shot that bounced off the flagstick to inside one foot, resulting in a tap-in eagle-3.

Then in a sudden-death playoff with mini-tour pro Grant Haefner of Bloomfield Hills, Jurecic’s third shot, a 45-yard pitch shot from the rough right of the green rolled to within five inches, and with the tap-in birdie he won the 33rd edition of 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.

With his miraculous finish Jurecic took home the $10,500 first-place check, the historic Walter Burkemo Trophy, and the traditional green blazer emblematic of his membership for life in the Country Club of Boyne.

“I know I’m blessed to be able to still chase my dream,” he said after the win. “I think I’m playing the best golf of my life at 55 to be honest. I’m going to just keep going and keep trying to get better.”

Jurecic will lead the field of 122 champions, including 11 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members and 11 former winners of the Tournament of Champions. The professionals will play for a $75,000 purse and everybody plays for the trophy and blazer.

In addition to Jurecic, other past winners of the Tournament of Champions in this year’s field are the six-time winner of the Tournament of Champions and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Jeff Roth, who teaches at the BOYNE Golf Academy at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Joe Juszczyk (2024), Barrett Kelpin (2023 and ‘15) Otto Black (2021), Alex Scott (2018) Mike Nagy (2017) Korey Mahoney (2016), Andy Ruthkoski (2013 and ‘14), Scott Hebert (2009) and Tom Harding (1997).

The Michigan Golf Hall of Famers playing, in addition to Roth, are Ron Beurmann, Steve Brady, Brian Cairns, Greg Davies, Suzy Green-Roebuck, Harding, Hebert, Jack Seltzer, Tom Werkmeister and Bill Zylstra.

The field also includes a host of recent champions from the Michigan Open, the Michigan Amateur, the Michigan PGA Professional Championship and the GAM Championship. A notable returning player this year is James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion who is now playing professionally.

The unique field also includes relatives competing against each other. The brother-sister combination of Evan and Elayna Bowser are joined by father-son Jack and John Seltzer, father-son Jim and Austin Dieters and father-son Frank and Frank McAuliffe IV.

“It’s another amazing field with great champions, professional and amateur, college players, mini-tour professionals and several of our top Michigan PGA Section players and Hall of Fame members,” said Justin Phillips, the tournament director for the Michigan Section PGA, which sanctions and administers the unique championship. “It is the 34th year and it remains the most unique tournament in the country at one of the top resorts in the country.”

The field will play each round of the 54-hole stroke play championship on the Alpine. A 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made after the second round.

SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com

NOTE: Gallery is welcome. Parking and admission are free.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Connect with media coordinator Greg Johnson at 616-560-8995 or gregeeee24@gmail.com. For Boyne Mountain and BOYNE Golf information, contact TR Hollis at Thomas.hollis@boyneresorts.com

Congratulations to Adam Burghardt (a) on earning medalist honors at our Rocket Classic Pre-Qualifier at Twin Lakes Golf Club after shooting a -7 (64)

View the full leaderboard at https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12466381199385854686

We had an exciting day yesterday at The Fortress at another sold-out Midwest Golf & Turf Pro-Am, presented by Linksoul and Evolve Golf! 54 teams of two competed in a best ball format with both gross and net divisions.

The gross division came down to a playoff, where Frank McAuliffe of ...Meadowbrook Country Club and his amateur partner, Konner Kubica, defeated Ian Martin of Washtenaw Golf Club and his amateur partner, Paul Ostby, on the second playoff hole. McAuliffe and Kubica claimed the title after both teams finished at 9-under par (63).

The net division also required extra holes, with Daniel Shattuck of Oakland Hills Country Club and his amateur partner, Aiden O'Sullivan, defeating Duncan Henry of Hartland Glen Golf Course and his amateur partner, Steven Turchi, in a 3-hole playoff after both teams posted 9-under par (63).

Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to our sponsors, Midwest Golf & Turf, Linksoul, and Evolve Golf for their support! We would also like to thank The Fortress for hosting and Zehnders for concluding the day with their famous barbeque chicken lunch!

ANDY WALKER, EMU COACH, WINS YAMAHA GOLF CARS SENIOR OPEN AT BEDFORD VALLEY GOLF CLUB

BATTLE CREEK – Andy Walker, the Eastern Michigan University men’s golf team coach, made a three-foot birdie putt on the second sudden-death playoff hole and won the Yamaha Golf Cars Senior Open ...Championship Wednesday at Bedford Valley Golf Club.
Walker, 51 and a resident of Royal Oak, bested Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, the 55-year-old 2021 Senior Open champion, in the playoff. Walker and Jurecic both shot final-round 5-under 67s for 6-under 138 totals to set the stage for the playoff.
“It feels great to be the Senior Open Champion of Michigan,” said Walker who has been the men’s coach at EMU for two seasons and was playing in his second Senior Open.
“It was really a couple days of attrition out there,” he said. “I didn’t hit it great early, and just kind of kept hanging in there. And my putter saved me the whole tournament. I made a lot of big six-footers for par when I needed to, and when I gave myself some birdie looks, I knocked them down. It was hot out there, but I’m from Arizona. It felt like home.”
Walker, who earned $2,000 for the win, made a 30-foot birdie putt on No. 18 in regulation play to get into the playoff, his fourth consecutive birdie to finish the late-round charge.
Both players made par on the first playoff hole, No. 18, and then went to hole 16, a par 5. Walker just missed reaching the green in two shots and pitched from the rough just in front of the green to three feet for the winning birdie putt. Jurecic reached the greenside bunker right of the green in two shots but missed a six-foot birdie putt.
Walker, who played on tours around the world for 11 years, including the Korn Ferry Tour and a few stops on the PGA Tour after being part of a college national championship team at Pepperdine University, went into coaching in 2013 and came to Eastern after three years at Virginia Commonwealth. He said he has played very little tournament golf since, and his last win was in 2010 on the Gateway Tour.
“I didn’t play a tournament from 2013 until really last year when I played a U.S. Senior Open qualifier and in this,” he said. “So, this is my major every year now and it’s so awesome to win it.”
Brian Cairns of Fox Hills Learning Center, a Michigan Golf Hall of Famer and the 2016 Senior Open champion, shot 69 to miss the playoff by one shot with a 139 total.
Chad Kurmel of Okemos, an assistant golf coach at Michigan State, shot 69 for 141, and Jim Deiters, the head pro at Midland Country Club, shot 70 for 141 to tied for fourth. Tom Gieselman of Commerce Township was the low amateur after shooting a final 69 for 142.
It also took a sudden-death playoff to determine the champion of the Super Senior Division for golfers age 65-plus, and Barry Redmond of Chelsea, who works part-time at the Polo Fields Golf & Country Club, was the survivor of a three-hole playoff.
The 66-year-old former Michigan Open and two-time Michigan PGA Professional champion dropped a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 10 in the playoff to secure his first Senior Open title.
He fended off 2020 Senior Open Champion Steve Maddalena of Jackson, the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame amateur who a week ago won the Golfweek U.S. Super Senior National Championship at The Golf Club of Georgia.
Redmond shot a second consecutive 70 to finish at 140, and Maddalena tied him with a 69. They traded pars on the first two playoff holes, and then Redmond rolled in the long putt to wrap things up on No. 10.
“It feels good to win after such a long time, and it feels good because I try to stay in good shape so I can have a chance to win,” he said. “I’ve always taken pride in that.”
It looked like Redmond would run away with the win on the front nine where through seven holes he was 5-under after making an eagle-3 on No. 7. But Maddalena kept moving up the leaderboard and with birdies at 12, 15 and 17 earned his spot in the playoff.
“The way I played on the front nine I didn’t think there would be a playoff, but Steve got it going pretty good on the back nine and he’s such a good player,” Redmond said. “I three-putted on 18 (in regulation) and that was frustrating, but it was fun to go in the playoff, just to be in that situation again, get the goosebumps and all that. It felt good.”
Grand Blanc amateur Charles Pattan shot 68 for 141 and just missed the playoff. Mitch Wilson of Portage, another amateur, shot 60 for 143, and Kerry Buettner of Grandville, yet another amateur, shot 70 for 144 to round out the top five.

RESULTS: michiganpga.com