Beau Breault Wins 107th Michigan AmateurJune 24, 2018 Beau Breault Wins 107th Michigan Amateur by Greg Johnson GROSSE POINTE WOODS – Beau Breault of Hartland turned back Anthony Sorentino of Shelby Township to become the eighth golfer in 107 years to win the Michigan Amateur Championship after being the runner-up the year prior. “I proved to myself I could do it last year,” the Eastern Michigan University golfer said after his 4 and 3 final match win Friday at Country Club of Detroit garnered him the Staghorn Trophy as the winner of the 107th Michigan Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland. “Then this year I just said, ‘you know let’s must make it to match play and then anything can happen. Let’s get it done this year.’” Breault, who lost a year ago to Tom Werkmeister of Grandville in the final match, went 4-up through a five-hole stretch (Nos. 5 through 9) winning with two pars and two birdies against Sorentino in the final. Then he matched him in scores over the next six holes to put it away. “Beau played fantastic,” said Sorentino, a 40-year-old attorney who has won three GAM Mid-Amateur Championships and made a splash in golf as one of the golfers on the first reality show presentation of The Big Break by the Golf Channel in 2003. “I know he was under par and I was a couple over, but he really just beat me senseless. I was hanging in there and hanging in there, but I couldn’t get anything going against him. He hit it great all day. He hits it really long and has two, three clubs less going into every green and that’s a big advantage. He’s a great player.” Breault used a fast start in the morning semifinal and beat Hope College golfer Josh Gibson of Grandville 5 and 4, and Sorentino rallied from behind and slipped past Georgia Tech golfer Ben Smith of Novi 1-up in the other semifinal. “It still hasn’t really hit me yet that I won,” Breault said. “I was laser-focused all day. I didn’t think about anything about after the tournament because I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I just tried to stay focused, hit smart shots and stay in the moment. And now it is finally starting to hit me. I just won. This is awesome.” Breault said he made an equipment change a few weeks ago and it has helped him, and he thanked his childhood friend, high school golf teammate and caddie Baker Stevenson. “I’m hitting my driver really well,” he said. “I switched shafts trying to get a lower more controlled ball flight. I hit a lot of fairways this week. Baker and I picked out a lot of good targets. It kind of made it easy because there are a bunch of fairway bunkers that are 270 to 290 (yards), which went I hit it well, I can carry. It made the fairways a little bit wider. So when I hit driver well it set up the rest of the shots. I hit a lot of wedges and my putter was rolling it well, too.” Breault will be a senior in the fall at Eastern, and he plans to try and qualify for the U.S. Amateur this summer. “This win means a lot of exemptions,” he said. “I don’t have to quality for a lot of stuff now, which is nice. It means the Tournament of Champions and mostly a lot of confidence. I just proved to myself when I stay focused, play smart and play my game I’m hard to beat. It’s a really good feeling knowing that, and that all the hard worked paid off.” Breault was the first runner-up to return and win since 2007 when PGA Tour player Ryan Brehm pulled it off as an amateur. The very first runner-up in 1906, Phillip Stanton of Grand Rapids did it in 1907. The others include David Ward of Big Rapids in 1926, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Bob Babbish of Detroit in 1935, Mike Andonian of Pontiac in 1962, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Randy Erskine of Battle Creek in 1972, and five-time Michigan Amateur champion and Hall of Fame member Pete Green of Franklin in 1986. RESULTS: Match play bracket available at gam.org Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentFoursome Headed to Final Day of the 107th Michigan Amateur ChampionshipJune 22, 2018Foursome Headed to Final Day of the 107th Michigan Amateur Championship by Greg Johnson GROSSE POINTE WOODS – Beau Breault of Hartland, Josh Gibson of Grandville, Anthony Sorentino of Shelby Township and Ben Smith of Novi are the semifinalists in the 107th Michigan Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland. The foursome survived two rounds of matches Friday at Country Club of Detroit, and will meet Saturday morning to determine the finalists for Saturday afternoon’s championship match. Breault meets Gibson at 8 a.m., and Sorentino plays Smith at 8:15. The championship match should start around 1 p.m. Breault, an Eastern Michigan University golfer who was runner-up last year, beat John Quigley of St. Clair Shores 3 and 2 in the round of 16, and then earned his semifinal spot by surviving a 19-hole match with Bowling Green State University golfer Max Rispler of Grand Rapids in the round of 8. “(Rispler) got up and down from everywhere and he hit probably the best bunker shot I’ve ever seen on 17, and then he made a 15-foot slider on 18,” Breault said. “He played awesome and we had a great battle.” Breault said it was a long, tough day just like it was a year ago in getting to the finals. “I had to grind some today against two good players,” he said. “My body wasn’t cooperating with my mind early, but I came out of it. I’m ready for tomorrow. I’ll be here ready to grind some more.” Gibson, a Hope College golfer who was recently named the NCAA Division III Player of the Year, topped Michigan State golfer Charlie Green of Ann Arbor 5 and 4 in the round of 16, and then took out last week’s Michigan Open champion, Jake Kneen of White Lake, 5 and 4 as well. “I played well and had some good results,” he said. “Honestly, this spring I struggled a little bit, but I haven’t played in a tournament in a while and I’ve been practicing a lot. I was thinking my game would be in pretty good shape this week, and I wanted my game ready for this one.” Gibson is making a match play run in the Michigan Amateur for the first time, and is in the final four for the first time. “It’s awesome to have a chance to win this,” he said. “I’ve struggled in this tournament in the past, and it’s the biggest tournament in the state for amateurs. To win it would be awesome.” Sorentino, a 40-year-old attorney who has won three GAM Mid-Amateur titles, beat Michigan State golfer Zach Rosendale 1-up in the morning, and then topped Wayne State golfer Kyle Rybicki of White Lake 3 and 1 in the round of 8. “I have played all college kids so far, and they are all great, hit it way past me and I’ve been down in every single match,” he said. “But the tough pins have helped me I think. I’ve made some good shots and most of all some timely shots and had a little bit of luck. That’s what it takes.” Sorentino, in the final four for the first time, said he will guard against fatigue. “The old man will get some rest and get ready,” he said. “I will try to keep the train rolling.” Smith, 19 a Georgia Tech golfer and the winner of the last two Michigan Junior Amateur Championships, battled 2015 champion Ryan Johnson of New Boston to win in 19 holes, and then topped David Hall of Birmingham 5 and 4 in the quarterfinals. “In my first match I didn’t play so hot and had to grind it out, but then in the second match I got it rolling and started hitting some good shots,” he said. “I was fortunate. Things worked out for me today.” Smith said he wasn’t nervous and feels prepared to play for the title. “I’m excited to play tomorrow,” he said. “This is the premier event in the state, and a lot of my coaches are following down south. I haven’t won anything in a while, so it would be great to come up with something like this.” THE FINAL FOUR Beau Breault, 21, Hartland, Eastern Michigan University golfer Josh Gibson, 21, Grandville, Hope College golfer Anthony Sorentino, 40, Shelby Township, Attorney Ben Smith, 19, Novi, Georgia Institute of Technology golfer RESULTS: Match play bracket available at gam.org Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentHartland’s Beau Breault Heads Sweet 16 Remaining in 107th Michigan AmateurJune 22, 2018Hartland’s Beau Breault Heads Sweet 16 Remaining in 107th Michigan Amateur GROSSE POINTE WOODS – Hartland’s Beau Breault said when match play starts he becomes a different Beau. The match play Beau won twice Thursday and is part of the traditional “Sweet 16” at the 107th Michigan Amateur presented by Carl’s Golfland at Country Club of Detroit. “The goal at the start of the week was to get into match play because I know anything can happen in match play,” said Breault, an Eastern Michigan University golfer and last year’s runner-up to Tom Werkmeister. “Once I get into match play I’m a different Beau. I play more aggressive. I’m more aggressive with my putting and more aggressive on me tee shots, whereas in stroke play I’m kind of laying back, hitting a few irons off the tee. It kills me sometimes hitting irons off the tee.” Record-setting medalist and top-seed Andrew Walker of Battle Creek was knocked out by the 64 seed and 2008 champion Jimmy Chestnut of Royal Oak, 1-up, in the morning round of 64. It marked the second consecutive year the top seed has gone out in the first round of match play. Chestnut, 35, ran into Breault in the afternoon though, and fell 4 and 3. Chestnut was the second accomplished veteran player Breault beat Thursday. He birdied his first five holes in turning back Mike Ignasiak, the former Major League baseball player and a runner-up in 2013, 3 and 2, in the round of 64. “I hit a lot of good drives and set myself up in good positions,” Breault said. “I started my morning match with five straight birdies. That was big and beating two really good golfers gives me confidence, just like finishing second last year did. I circled this one on my calendar for the summer, this and qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. I love match play, and I want to win this. I’ve already finished second.” Patrick Sullivan, son of Country Club of Detroit member Tom Sullivan and a Grosse Pointe South High School golfer, was the crowd favorite, but fell to Lake Orion High School player Drew Coble 1-up in the afternoon. Coble is the son of Twin Lakes Golf & Swim Club professional Jeff Coble and the youngest member of the Sweet 16. The oldest golfer still battling is 47-year-old David Hall of Birmingham, who won the final match of the day. A native of Grosse Pointe, the owner of Hall Financial Group beat Connor Jones of Rochester Hills, the long-hitting recent graduate of Oakland University, 1-up, to earn the final spot in the Sweet 16. Ryan Johnson of New Boston, 33 and the 2015 champion, has become a fixture in the Sweet 16. He beat his boss, Carl’s Golfland’s CEO Casey Baker, 5 and 4 in the round of 64, and then turned back Bryce Messner of Howell 2-up in the afternoon. Baker caddied for him in the afternoon, too. Jake Kneen, a recent Oakland University graduate who just last week won the Michigan Open Championship, won two close matches to keep his hot summer going. Two Michigan State golfers, Charlie Green of Ann Arbor, a recent graduate, and Zach Rosendale of St. Johns, who will be a sophomore in the fall, made the Sweet 16. Josh Gibson of Grandville, a Hope College golfer who was the NCAA Division III Player of the Year, beat former champion Henry Do of Canton and Michigan State golfer James Piot of Canton to earn his spot. John Quigley of St. Clair Shores, the 2017 GAM Mid-Amateur champion and two-time Michigan Publinx Match Play winner, is in the final 16 for the third time, and Anthony Sorentino, a 40-year-old attorney from Shelby Township who is a three-time GAM Mid-Amateur champion, is also in for the third time. THE SWEET 16 Beau Breault, 21, Highland, Eastern Michigan University golfer John Quigley, 34, St. Clair Shores, strategist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Max Rispler, 22, Grand Rapids, Bowling Green State University golfer Drew Coble, 17, Lake Orion, Lake Orion High School golfer Josh Gibson, 21, Grandville, Hope College golfer Charlie Green, 23, Ann Arbor, Michigan State University golfer Jake Kneen, 22, White Lake, Oakland University golfer Ben VanScoyk, 22, Grand Rapids, Calvin College golfer Zach Rosendale, 19, St. Johns, Michigan State University golfer Anthony Sorentino, 40, Shelby Township, Attorney Noah Schneider, 20, Jackson, Appalachian State University golfer Kyle Rybicki, 23, White Lake, Wayne State University golfer Ben Smith, 19, Novi, Georgia Institute of Technology golfer Ryan Johnson, 33, New Boston, Carl’s Golfland club fitter Alex Scott, 21, Traverse City, Grand Valley State University golfer David Hall, 47, Birmingham, owner of Hall Financial Group RESULTS: Match play bracket available at gam.org Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentGolf Pen SetJune 22, 2018 Golf Pen Set Ridiculous Golf Item of the Week Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentAmerican Cancer Society Outing At Oakland Hills Nearly Sold OutJune 21, 2018American Cancer Society Outing At Oakland Hills Nearly Sold OUt JULY 9, 2018 AT OAKLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB The American Cancer Society’s 2018 Detroit Select Golf Invitational is nearly sold out, but limited sponsorships are still available. Sponsorships start at $5,000 for a foursome. Contact Katy Siereveld for more information at Katy.Siereveld@cancer.org or call 248.663.3408, or visit http://acsdetroit.wixsite.com/detroitselectgolf. More than 200 golfers are expected to attend this premier golf event, featuring 18 holes of golf on Oakland Hills North and South Courses, award opportunities for top teams, a cocktail reception and silent auction. Detroit Select Golf Invitational major sponsors include Dana Incorporated, SKF, and Toyota. The event will welcome Golf Pro Rick Smith, named one of Golf Digest’s top 10 golf instructors in the world, as the featured guest. Smith, CEO and President of Rick Smith Enterprises, Inc., has achieved great success in golf as a teacher, designer, communicator and visionary. He is regarded as one of the PGA tour’s best “sounding boards” for swing advice, serving as coach to some of the most accomplished golfers in the world who have collectively won 8 major golf championships including Phil Mickelson, (Four-Time Major Winner), Lee Janzen (Two-Time U.S. Open Champion), Rocco Mediate (2016 PGA Senior Champion) and Jack Nicklaus (1993 US Open Champion). Smith has also won dozens of awards and accolades for his skill as a golf course designer. Detroit Select has raised over $2 million since its inception in 2003. All money raised at the event benefits the American Cancer Society’s work to fund cancer research, provide programs and services for cancer patients, and support cancer prevention and early detection. In the last two decades, cancer deaths have dropped by 26 percent, saving 2.4 million lives that would have otherwise been lost to the disease. About American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentWilson Raw V6 Offers A Different LookJune 21, 2018 I was intrigued by the look behind the new Wilson Raw V6 irons. As the name suggests, they are raw steel, and designed to develop a rusty patina. Troy Merritt has these in the bag at the Travelers Championship. The Tour V6 Forged irons are made of 8620 carbon steel. A tungsten insert is positioned to lower the center of gravity, increasing launch angle without increasing spin. Wilson says that the rusty patina will not affect either integrity or performance, although, I wonder if rust on the face might increase spin. I also wonder how long it takes for these clubs to get to the very cool looking “phase three” in the photo above. It is definitely a unique look. They remind me of those wedges from a few years back that were supposed to rust. At the very least they make it less likely that someone will steal them out of your bag. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentJacques Lemans Golf WatchJune 21, 2018 Jacques Leman Golf Watch With a golf ball texture on the face, the Jacques Leman golf watch has a 42mm diameter and is 12mm thick. Specs:42mm diameter 12mm thickness Quartz Mineral Crystal Face Stainless steel body 22mm band width Date calendarLike this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentWalker Sets Michigan Amateur Scoring RecordJune 20, 2018 Walker Sets Michigan Amateur Scoring Record by Greg Johnson Andrew Walker Sets Record, Earns Top Seed at Michigan Amateur Championship GROSSE POINTE FARMS – Andrew Walker had no idea he was setting a 36-hole stroke play qualifying scoring record or that he would be getting a crash course on the history of six-time Michigan Amateur champion Chuck Kocsis. “It’s pretty amazing I set a record, and I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished the last two days,” said the 19-year-old Michigan State University golfer from Battle Creek who received the Chuck Kocsis Medalist Trophy Wednesday at the 107th Michigan Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland. “It means a lot to me. It was a big goal of mine to perform well this week and being the low man in stroke play is something I’m proud I accomplished. It will give me confidence through the rest of the week.” Walker shot a 5-under 66 in the second round of stroke play qualifying at Country Club of Detroit for a two-day record-setting total of 11-under 131, medalist honors and the No. 1 seed in the 64-golfer bracket for match play. He was six shots clear of the second-place finisher Dan Ellis, who shot 68 for 5-under 137 and is also one of his golf coaches at Michigan State. The cut to the low 64 golfers for match play fell at 150 where nine golfers played off for the final four spots in the field. The No. 64 spot went to 2008 Michigan Amateur champion and former Spartan Jimmy Chestnut of Royal Oak, who will meet Walker in the first match Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. Winners in the morning move on to the round of 32 in the afternoon to determine a “Sweet 16.” Walker’s 131 showing in the first two days eclipsed the previous 36-hole stroke play score of 10-under 132 set by Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights in 2009 at Spring Meadows Country Club in Linden. His second-round 66 featured a bogey-free 32 on the back nine with birdies on three of the last four holes. The first of those birdies, at the short par 4 No. 15 (360 yards), featured what he called his shot of the day. From the front side of a fairway bunker he hit an 89-yard wedge shot to 10-feet above the hole and made the birdie putt. “I had a big lip in front of me, it looked tough and it was tough, but I pulled it off and that was big for me,” he said. “Coming into the final stretch and being able to hit that shot after an errant tee shot set up a good finish. I hit some good shots today, but my putter was great again. I feel like my game has really started coming together and it is the putter that is making it happen.” Walker, whose glossy junior golf resume includes qualifying for the starting field in the U.S. Amateur at age 14, being an AJGA All-American and twice a GAM Junior Golfer of the Year, said he hasn’t played a lot of match play and has never been the top seed. “Match play is a completely different monster, I know that,” he said. “I will try to detach myself from my score. As much as I already do that, you really have to do it in match play. Everything starts even again.” Ellis, an assistant to Casey Lubahn at Michigan State, said it was great to see Walker have success through the first two days. “He has put the work in,” he said. “He’s smiling and he deserves it because he’s earned it.” Ellis said the next three days of match play turn the tournament into a marathon. “I hope my body is ready for it,” he said. “Maybe I will get to see Andrew (in a match) in the next few days. It’s great to get into match play. It gets physical now and is a real-deal state championship.” Ben Smith of Novi, a Georgia Tech golfer and the winner of the last two Michigan Junior Amateur championships, shot 70 for 139 and the third seed. Jake Kneen of White Lake, who last week won the Michigan Open Championship and is a recent Oakland University graduate, shot 70 for 141, as did Donnie Trosper of Canton, who is in the process of transferring from the University of Central Florida to Michigan State. SCORING: Complete results can be found at gam.org, as well as match play brackets and tee times for Wednesday. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & Comment2018 Travelers Championship PreviewJune 20, 20182018 Travelers Championship Preview Dates: June 21-24, 2018 Where: TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn. Par/Yards: 35-35–70/6,841 yards Field: 156 2017 champion: Jordan Spieth Purse: $7,000,000/$1,260,000 FedExCup: 500 points to the winner Format: 72-hole stroke play Website: www.travelerschampionship.com Facebook: travelerschampionship Twitter: @TravelersChamp 2017 Final-Round Leaderboard Jordan Spieth 63-69-66-70—268 (-12)* Daniel Berger 68-67-66-67—268 (-12) Charley Hoffman 69-67-68-66—270 (-10) Danny Lee 68-67-68-67—270 (-10) *won with a birdie on the first hole of sudden death The playoff at the 2017 Travelers Championship marked the 23rd in tournament history. A glance at the field:Seven of the top 10 in the FedExCup standings: Justin Thomas (2), Jason Day (4), Bryson DeChambeau (5), Patrick Reed (6), Patton Kizzire (8), Webb Simpson (9), Bubba Watson (10). Five of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking: Justin Thomas (2), Brooks Koepka (4), Jordan Spieth (5), Rory McIlroy (7), Jason Day (9). Six players with double-digit PGA TOUR wins: Jim Furyk (17), Rory McIlroy (14), Zach Johnson (12), Jason Day (12), Jordan Spieth (11), Bubba Watson (11). Nine past champions of the Travelers Championship: Jordan Spieth (2017), Russell Knox (2016), Bubba Watson (2015 & 2010), Kevin Streelman (2014), Ken Duke (2013), Marc Leishman (2012), Stewart Cink (2008), Hunter Mahan (2007) and J.J. Henry (2006). 18 of the 25 players who have won titles in the 2017-18 PGA TOUR Season are scheduled to Travelers Championship and the FedEx Cup With the FedExCup Playoffs just nine weeks away, the Travelers Championship will once again play a pivotal role in players vying to make the Playoffs.All 11 winners of the Travelers Championship in the FedExCup era qualified for the Playoffs with eight advancing to the Playoffs finale, the TOUR Championship in There are seven past FedExCup champions in the field: Justin Thomas (2017), Rory McIlroy (2016), Jordan Spieth (2015), Billy Horschel (2014), Brandt Snedeker (2012), Bill Haas (2011) and Jim Furyk (2010). Seven of the top 10 in the FedExCup standings: Justin Thomas (2), Jason Day (4), Bryson DeChambeau (5), Patrick Reed (6), Patton Kizzire (8), Webb Simpson (9), Bubba Watson (10). Name-brand players in the Travelers Championship field needing to finish strong to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs include former FedExCup champions Brandt Snedeker (106) and Bill Haas (134) along with Graeme McDowell (137), Jim Furyk (154) and Padraig Harrington (216). How Jordan Spieth won the 2017 Travelers Championship Beginning the final round with a one-stroke lead over Boo Weekley at 12-under 198, Jordan Spieth’s even-par 70, coupled with Daniel Berger’s 3-under 67, resulted in sudden death between the two at 12-under 268. On the first extra hole, the par-4 18th, Spieth holed a greenside bunker shot for birdie. With Berger unable to match Spieth’s birdie, Spieth emerged victorious in his first Travelers Championship start. With the win, Spieth collected his 10th career PGA TOUR title in his 120th start at the age of 23 years, 10 months, 29 days. Spieth joined Tiger Woods as the only players in the modern era with 10 PGA TOUR wins by the age of 24. Woods had 15 before he turned 24. Spieth won The Open Championship later in the summer and currently owns 11 PGA TOUR titles. More on Jordan Spieth (No. 38 FedExCup)Win at the 2017 Travelers Championship marked the first time he has won a tournament in his first start at that Fourth player to win the Travelers Championship in his first start; Ted Kroll/1952 (first year of event), Sam Snead/1955 and Phil Blackmar/1985. First-round 63 in the 2017 Travelers Championship marks his lowest opening-round score on the PGA TOUR (143 career starts) Additional Player Notes Brooks Koepka (No. 13 FedExCup)Move over, Curtis. With his win last week at the U.S. Open, Brooks Koepka became the first back-to-back winner of the U.S. Open since Curtis Strange (1988-89). With the win, Koepka moved to No. 13 in the FedExCup Moved from 46 to No. 13 in the FedExCup standings with his win at Shinnecock Hills GC. Makes third start at Travelers Championship (2016/T9, 2014/T51). Scoring average at TPC River Highlands is 68.38. Low round is 64 (R3/2016). Jason Day (No. 4 FedExCup)Making fourth appearance at Travelers Championship (2017/MC, 2014/T18, 2008/T27). Six of 10 rounds at TPC River Highlands in the With victories at Farmers Insurance Open and Wells Fargo Championship, one of six multiple winners on PGA TOUR this season (Patton Kizzire, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson). Rory McIlroy (No. 35 FedExCup)Only previous appearance at Travelers Championship was a T17 in 2017 (67-73-70-64). Four-time major champion won his 14th PGA TOUR title at 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. Justin Thomas (No. 2 FedExCup)Makes fifth start at Travelers Championship (2017/MC, 2016/T3, 2015/MC, 2013/T30). Final-round 62 in 2016 is low score in 12 trips around TPC River With victories at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES and The Honda Classic, one of six multiple winners on PGA TOUR this season (Patton Kizzire, Bubba Watson, Jason Day, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson). Both titles were won in playoffs. Also lost a playoff to Phil Mickelson at 2018 World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship. Patrick Reed (No. 6 FedExCup)Claimed first major title with victory at 2018 Masters Finished fourth last week at the S. Open in an attempt to win the first two legs of the Grand Slam. Since 2000, is the fourth current Masters champion to compete at Travelers Championship, and first since Bubba Watson in 2014. Makes seventh appearance at Travelers Championship. Best results have come in two most recent starts – T5 in 2017 and T11 in 2016 – firing final-round 66 on both Bryson DeChambeau (No. 5 FedExCup)Won three-man playoff to claim second career PGA TOUR title at the Memorial Tournament in 2018. First title came at 2017 John Deere Six top-10 finishes in 2017-18 includes win at Memorial, second at Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, T3 at the RBC Heritage and fourth at the Wells Fargo Makes third start at Travelers Championship (T27/2017, T47/2016). Bubba Watson (No. 10 FedExCup)First of 11 PGA TOUR career wins came at Travelers Championship in With wins in 2010 and 2015, one of seven players with multiple wins at Travelers Championship – Billy Casper (4), Arnold Palmer (2), Paul Azinger (2), Phil Mickelson (2), Peter Jacobsen (2), Stewart Cink (2). Accumulated five top-10 finishes in 11 appearances at Travelers Championship (Won/2015, 4th/2013, T2/2012, Won/2010, T6/2008). 35 of 40 rounds played at Travelers Championship are par or better, with zero over-par rounds on the weekend. With victories at Genesis Open and World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, one of six multiple winners on PGA TOUR this season (Patton Kizzire, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson). Webb Simpson (No. 9 FedExCup)Won THE PLAYERS this season for his fifth PGA TOUR Finished T10 at the U.S. Open last Makes ninth appearance at Travelers Championship, having made the cut in each of previous eight starts with two top-10 results (T8/2017, T5/2013). Xander Schauffele (No. 38 FedExCup)Finished T14 in lone appearance at Travelers Championship in 2017 (66-70-70-67). Voted by peers as 2016-17 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year after victories at The Greenbrier Classic and TOUR Championship last One of 11 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year award winners in the field this week (Emiliano Grillo/2016, Daniel Berger/2015, Chesson Hadley/2014, Jordan Spieth/2013, John Huh/2012, Keegan Bradley/2011, Marc Leishman/2009, Brandt Snedeker/2007, Jonathan Byrd/2002, Stewart Cink/1997). Young Stars The Travelers Championship has a long history of awarding sponsor exemptions to up-and-coming players. Since 2007, top players like Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Kyle Stanley, Morgan Hoffmann, Patrick Cantlay, Patrick Rodgers, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and more have been granted exemptions by the tournament. This year’s exemptions include Doug Ghim (University of Texas) who won the 2018 Ben Hogan Award as the leading male college golfer, Dylan Myer (University of Illinois) who made the cut last week at the U.S. Open and Nick Hardy (University of Illinois). More on those three below: Doug GhimFormer University of Texas golfer finished runner-up in the 2017 U.S. Amateur to Doc Redman at the 37th Was No. 1 -ranked amateur in the world before making debut as a professional at Travelers Championship, his third PGA TOUR start (2018 Masters Tournament/T50, 2018 U.S. Open/MC). Was the only amateur to advance to the weekend at the 2018 Masters Tournament, finishing T50 with rounds of 72- 76-74-74 to win the Silver Cup as low amateur. After making two eagles in the opening round (Nos. 15 and 18), added a third for the week with an eagle at No. 15 in the third round to claim three sets of crystal glasses and lead the field with the most On the par-4 18th hole at Augusta National, recorded a 2, 4, 5 and 3. 22-year-old was recipient of the 2018 Ben Hogan Award as the leading male college Dylan MeyerMade the cut in first start as a professional at the 2018 U.S. Former University of Illinois standout finished T63 with rounds of 69-69-75-67 in the 2017 Web.com Tour’s Land of Lincoln Championship in Springfield, The 2017 John Deere Classic (MC) marked his PGA TOUR debut. The 2018 Valspar Championship (T74) was his second PGA TOUR In 2017, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine, and was required to remain in bed as they administered him medicine intravenously. Meyer’s University of Illinois teammate and friend, Nick Hardy, visited Meyer every day in the hospital. The day after Meyer was released from the hospital, he made the trip with his team to regionals. He had played just one round between then and the Big Ten Championship, which he won – his third straight win of the year – despite feeling the initial effects of his UC. He struggled to keep his focus and finished T28, his worst finish of the Meyer thought he had let the team down, but his teammates rallied around him, and Illinois ended up third, clinching a spot in its 10th straight NCAA Championship. Is required to undergo medicinal treatments every eight weeks for the rest of his life. Nick HardyTravelers Championship will be his fourth appearance on the PGA TOUR, but first as a Former University of Illinois golfer recently turned professional and made his debut at the 2018 Rust-Oleum Championship on the Web.com Tour, finishing T33 with rounds of 72-67-72-70. As an amateur, qualified for the 2015 U.S. Open where he bogeyed his final hole during the second round at Chambers Bay and moved the cut line to +5, allowing 15 additional players earned entry into the third round, including Ángel Cabrera, Sergio García, Colin Montgomerie, Webb Simpson, and Jimmy Walker. He eventually finished T52 in the Also qualified for the 2016 U.S. Open after earning medalist honors at his sectional qualifying site but missed the cut in the Miscellaneous Travelers Championship NotesSix of the last 12 winners of the Travelers Championship have been first-time TOUR champions: J.J. Henry (2006), Hunter Mahan (2007), Bubba Watson (2010), Fredrik Jacobson (2011), Marc Leishman (2012) and Ken Duke (2013). A total of 17 players have picked up their first TOUR win at the Travelers Championship: Ken Duke (2013), Marc Leishman (2012), Fredrik Jacobson (2011), Bubba Watson (2010), Hunter Mahan (2007), J.J. Henry (2006), Brent Geiberger (1999), Olin Browne (1998), Stewart Cink (1997), Billy Ray Brown (1991), Mark Brooks (1988), Mac O’Grady (1986), Phil Blackmar (1985), Tim Norris (1982), Don Bies (1975), Charles Sifford (1967) and Bob Toski (1953). Seven of the past 14 outcomes at TPC River Highlands have been decided through a playoff (2017-Jordan Spieth, 2015-Bubba Watson, 2013-Ken Duke, 2010-Bubba Watson, 2007-Hunter Mahan, 2005-Brad Faxon, 2004-Woody Austin). Past champions include Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson and Greg The best opening 36-hole score at the Travelers Championship was set by Justin Rose in 2010 (126, finished T9). The best opening 54-hole score at the Travelers Championship is a 193 held by Tim Norris (1982/1st) and Mark Calcavecchia (2000/2nd). The best 72-hole score at the Travelers Championship is 258 held by Kenny Perry (2009). The largest come-from-behind win is seven strokes by Brad Faxon in 2005. Marc Leishman came back from six stokes to win in Travelers Championship and Charity The Travelers Championship is proud to be a PGA TOUR event, which donates 100 percent of net proceeds to charity every year. Since 1952, the tournament has generated more than $38 million for charity.The primary beneficiary of the 2018 tournament will be the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut. Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 250,000 seriously ill children and family members annually – all completely free of charge. For many of these children and families, Hole in the Wall provides multiple Camp experiences throughout the Birdies for Charity is a giving platform that utilizes the excitement around the Travelers Championship to help nonprofits in communities across the region raise awareness and funds to support their missions. Nonprofit organizations simply solicit donations and receive a 15% bonus on every dollarThe Chip-In for Charity program allows an individual or group to sell general admission tickets to the 2018 Travelers Championship for $30, a 38% discount off the gate ticket price. Ticket buyers obtain a discounted ticket and the organization raises $15 per ticket sold Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentLeather Golf JournalJune 20, 2018 Leather Golf Journal Do you keep a golf journal. There are times when I wish I had. It would be nice to go back and look at some of the courses that I’ve played. I like the rustic look of this one. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & Comment107th Michigan Amateur : Andrew Walker Sets PaceJune 19, 2018107th Michigan Amateur : Andrew Walker Sets Pace Hot Putter Helps Michigan State’s Andrew Walker Set Pace at 107th Michigan Amateur by Greg Johnson GROSSE POINTE FARMS – Andrew Walker of Battle Creek felt like his sophomore year on the Michigan State University golf team was one of missed opportunities. “So, I’m happy to see this,” he said after shooting a 6-under 65 Tuesday at Country Club of Detroit to lead through the first round of the 107th Michigan Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland. Walker and the rest of the field of 156 golfers play a second round of stroke play today to determine the low 64 who move on to match play Thursday through Saturday. The medalist of the qualifying stroke play will also receive the Chuck Kocsis Trophy. Walker, a 19-year-old former AJGA All-American, topped the afternoon wave of tee times. Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor, a 20-year-old sophomore-to-be at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., topped the morning wave with a 68 and was standing second alone at the end of the day. Three golfers shot 69, including last year’s GAM Mid-Amateur champion John Quigley of St. Clair Shores, Michigan State assistant golf coach Dan Ellis of Lansing, and Georgia Tech golfer Ben Smith of Novi, the winner of the last two Michigan Junior Amateur titles. University of Michigan club team golfer Ian Martin of Saline, Birmingham Seaholm High School golfer Jack Muir of Birmingham, and Mitchell White of Muskegon and Grand Valley State’s golf team shot 70. Jake Kneen of White Lake, the recent Oakland University graduate who won last week’s Michigan Open Championship, was in a big group at even-par 71. Walker, who tied for fourth in last week’s Michigan Open, said he is having the start to the summer he wanted. “In planning and looking at the summer one of the goals of the summer is to come out on top in this tournament,” he said. “Being in Michigan, and it’s your state Am, it means a lot to me. I’m glad I’ve put myself in a good position on day one. Now I go out, stick to my game plan and take care of business.” His business was especially good on the greens in the first round where a hot putter helped him to eight birdies against two bogeys. He said a trio of made 30-footers for birdies on Nos. 1, 13 and 16 keyed the scoring. “I hit a lot of greens and hit a few close shots, but my putter was the main tool of my trade today,” he said. “There were some really tough pin placements out there, but I did a good job of weighing when to be aggressive and when to be safe.” Copp is competing in his first Michigan Amateur with a little bit of chip on his shoulder. “I kept missing in (sectional) qualifiers by one or two shots with 73s or 74s, and I finally got through this year,” he said. “I want to make the best of it.” Copp, 20, said the main goal is to make match play. He has played the match play format in one tournament before this week. It was last February and Mercer played in a match-play event, ironically against his hometown school – the University of Michigan. Michigan won, but Copp was one of two players who won their matches for Mercer. “I’m a huge Michigan fan, too,” he said. Copp, who played just two years of golf at Ann Arbor Skyline High School and took a year off from golf before heading to Mercer to play, said it wasn’t his best round of golf Tuesday in terms of ball-striking. He was 4-under through seven holes, made three bogeys in the next eight holes and then finished with two birdies and a sand save in the final three holes. His birdie at the par 3 No. 16 hole was with a 5-iron tee shot from 198 yards to four-feet. “I hit a great shot there, but really I just putted really well,” he said. “The course fits me. You have to play strategic golf and put yourself below the hole and make some putts. That’s what I did.” SCORING: Complete results can be found at gam.org, as well as tee times and live scoring for Wednesday. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & Comment107th Michigan Amateur at Country Club of Detroit — Video PreviewsJune 19, 2018 The 107th Michigan Amateur is at the Country Club of Detroit. The historic club was the site of Arnold Palmer’s 1954 US Amateur Win. Palmer would go pro after that, and the rest is history. The Country Club of Detroit is slated to host the 2020 US Senior Amateur Championship, bringing it back to recognition as one of the top courses in the United States. The 107th Michigan Amateur marks the fifth time the club has hosted the event, although the last time was 1929. The Country Club of Detroit also hosted the first Michigan Women’s Amateur in 1914 and has been the site of that championship five times as well with the last of those being in 1949. The course at the Country Club of Detroit is an H.S. Colt design that in recent years has been restored by Michigan’s Tom Doak. Put this one on the list of Michigan courses I would love to play. Here are a couple of videos from the Golf Association of Michigan previewing the Championship. The players are very luck to get the chance to play there.And a course flyover from Straka.Com.Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentWalmart NW Arkansas Championship Winners and HistoryJune 19, 2018The LPGA’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship has been played at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas since its launch in 2007. The tournament did not have a good start. In its inaugural year, inclement weather limited the tournament to just one round: Friday. LPGA events must complete at least 36 holes to qualify, so it was not an official event that year. Stacy Lewis, who was at the time a senior at the University of Arkansas was the 18-hole leader and declared the winner. The purse was reduced by half and the LPGA did not consider the earnings as official As an amateur, Lewis would not have received any winnings in any case. Pinnacle is a par 71 that plays to 6,389 yards. The purse for the Championship is $2 million, with $300,000 going to the winner. All of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship winners are listed below:Year Champion Country Score 2017 Ryu So-yeon South Korea 195 2016 Lydia Ko New Zealand 196 2015 Na Yeon Choi South Korea 198 2014 Stacey Lewis United States 2012013 Inbee Park South Korea 2012012 Ai Miyazato Japan 2012011 Yani Tseng Taiwan 2012010 Yani Tseng Taiwan 2002009 South Korea Jiyai Shin South Korea 2042008 Seon Hwa Lee South Korea 201 2007 Stacey Lewis (a) United States 65Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentSklz Limited Flight Golf BallsJune 19, 2018 Sklz Limited Flight Golf Balls THe SKLZ impact balls are limited flight practice ball that have a 45 yard flight distance. That makes them perfect for practice in smaller spaces. The balls are regulation sized and reported to be nigh indestructible. Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentBMW International Open Winners and HistoryJune 18, 2018The BMW International Open is the only European Tour event held in Germany (which I find surprising). It is not, however, the only European Tour tournament sponsored by BMW, which also hosts the BMW PGA Tour Championship and the BMW Masters, as well as the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR. The BMW International Open’s inaugural event was in 1989 and was held near Munich. In 2012, the event moved to Cologne. The current venue is the Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof. David Feherty, now of the Golf Channel, was the inaugural winner in 1989. Frank Nobolo, another golf tv personality was the winner in 1997. A list of BMW International Open winners followsYear Winner Country Score2017 Andres Romero Argentina 271 (−17)2016 Henrik Stenson Sweden 271 (−17)2015 Pablo Larrazábal (2) Spain 271 (−17)2014 Fabrizio Zanotti Paraguay 269 (−19)2013 Ernie Els South Africa 270 (−18)2012 Danny Willett England 277 (−11)PO2011 Pablo Larrazábal Spain 272 (−16)PO2010 David Horsey England 270 (−18)2009 Nick Dougherty England 266 (−22)2008 Martin Kaymer Germany 273 (−15)PO2007 Niclas Fasth Sweden 275 (−13)2006 Henrik Stenson Sweden 273 (−15)PO2005 David Howell England 265 (−23)2004 Miguel Ángel Jiménez Spain 267 (−21)2003 Lee Westwood England 269 (−19)2002 Thomas Bjørn Denmark 264 (−24)2001 John Daly United States 261 (−27)2000 Thomas Bjørn Denmark 268 (−20)1999 Colin Montgomerie Scotland 268 (−20)1998 Russell Claydon England 270 (−18)1997 Robert Karlsson Sweden 264 (−24)PO1996 Marc Farry France 132 (−12)*1995 Frank Nobilo New Zealand 272 (−16)1994 Mark McNulty Zimbabwe 274 (−14)1993 Peter Fowler Australia 267 (−21)1992 Paul Azinger United States 266 (−22)PO1991 Sandy Lyle Scotland 268 (−20)1990 Paul Azinger United States 277 (−11)PO1989 David Feherty Northern Ireland 269 (−19) Like this:Like Loading......Read More & CommentTravelers Championship Winners and HistoryJune 18, 2018A mainstay on the PGA Tour since 1952, when it was played as the Insurance City Open, the Travelers Championship currently is the second-most attended PGA Tour event. Like so many of the older PGA Tour events, the Travelers Championship has changed names and venues several times. It began as the Insurance City Open in Hartford, Connecticut. The event was created as a fundraiser by the local Jaycees, who had failed miserably with a turtle race the previous year. In 1967, the tournament was renamed the Greater Hartford Open, a name it would retain until 2003. From 1973 to 1988, the tournament also bore the name of song-and-dance Rat Pack member Sammy Davis, Junior. Davis often played in the pro-ams. From 2004 – 2006, it was named the Buick Championship. The Travelers Championship has been played in Cromwell Connecticut since 1984, and since 1991 at the TPC River Highlands. Prior to that, it usually was played at the Wethersfield Country Club. The TPC River Highlands is the former Edgewood Country Club.TPC River Highlands is a par 70, 6,844 yard course. In the past, Canon was a significant sponsor, and employees were encouraged to take vacation time the week of the tournament—presumably to volunteer. The lowest rounds shot were 60 by Tommy Bolt in 1954 at the Wethersfield CC, and 61 by Kenny Perry (2009), Brad Faxon (2005), Phil Mickelson (2001) and Kirk Triplett (2000) at the TPC River Highlands. Billy Casper won four times, in 1963, ‘65, ‘68 and ‘73; two wins each have been recorded by Stewart Cink, Peter Jacobson, Phil Mickelson, Paul Azinger and Arnold Palmer. The photo at top is the drivable par 4 #15 at TPC River Highlands. Below is the complete list of past Travelers Championship winners (also, Greater Hartford Open / Insurance City Open). Like this:Like Loading......Read More & Comment Like this:Like Loading...
