Barnum, Braun and Cairns In 2016 Michigan PGA Hall of Fame Class

Three Golf Legends Make Up 2016 Michigan PGA Hall of Fame Class

EAST LANSING – John Barnum, Steve Braun and Brian Cairns make up the three-golfer class inducted to the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame, the Michigan PGA Section office announced today. An invitation only induction ceremony was held Sunday, October 23rd at Country Club of Lansing. This is the sixth class inducted to the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame, which honors section members who distinguished themselves in golf.

John Barnum was the Head Golf Professional at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan for more than 20 years from 1950 until 1973. He was a dominant player in the Michigan Section and Western Chapter in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Barnum holds two unique distinctions in professional golf; he is the only player ever to win his first PGA Tour event, the 1962 Cajun Classic, after reaching the age of 50, and was also the first to win a PGA Tour event using a Ping Putter. Barnum won the Cajun Classic over a strong field and beat runner-up Gay Brewer by six strokes. He was also the runner-up three times in the Senior PGA Championship (1963, 1964 and 1966.) He finished tied for 31st in the 1950 United States Open and tied for 16th in the 1958 PGA Championship. In Michigan, Barnum won the Michigan Open four times, 1950, 1958, 1960 and 1961. He won the Michigan Section PGA Championship in 1957, 1958 and 1961, and was the Section Senior Champion on five occasions. Barnum dominated the Western Chapter Championship during his years at Blythefield. John Barnum was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1984.

Steve Braun’s impact on Michigan golf is especially evident from the two honors he has received from the Flint Junior Golf Association and the American Junior Golf Association. The FJGA named a tournament in his honor, the Steve Braun Cup, after Steve served as the executive director for ten years (1975-1985) and dramatically helped grow the association. The AJGA’s National Service Award, the Digger Smith Award, was presented to Steve in 1992 where he worked as the tournament director. Steve received the Special Service Award when he was named to the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Steve began his PGA golf professional apprenticeship at Dunmaglas Golf Club in Charlevoix which led to the opportunity to become the head professional at Belvedere Country Club for 14 years. In 1994, Steve co-founded the Charlevoix County Junior Golf Association and currently serves as its President. After serving as the Governor of the Golf Association since 2004, he took over as its President in 2016.

Brian Cairns was born and raised in Metro Detroit and attended Bishop Foley High School. While in high school, he lettered in wrestling and golf for four years. An accomplished junior golfer, Brian developed his skills playing at Red Run Golf Club. He earned a scholarship and played four years Division II college golf at Barry University in Miami, Florida. After college, Brian worked in Florida and mentored under Mr. Ed Furgol. Soon after, he returned to Michigan and worked at clubs such as Country Club of Detroit, Dearborn Country Club and Orchard Lake Country Club. In the late 90’s, Brian played full time achieving conditional status on the currently named Web.Com Tour.

Brian Cairns’ Playing Accomplishments and Awards
PGA of America National Senior Player of the Year— ’15
National PGA of America Top Ten Player of the Year- (4) ‘00, ‘12, ‘13, ‘15
National Club Professional Championships—(17) ’97, ‘99, ‘01, ‘03-’08, ‘10-’17
U.S Senior Open Championship—‘16
Champions Tour Member—’14
National PGA Championship— (3) ‘12, ‘13, ‘15
National Senior PGA Championship—(2) ‘15, ‘16
Maxfli National Player of the Year—’00
Michigan PGA Match Play Champion—(5) ’97, ‘10, ‘11, ‘13, ‘14
Michigan Junior Golf Leader—’11
Michigan PGA Player of the Year—(5) ’00, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘15
Michigan PGA Section Champion—(3) ’96, ‘00, ‘13
Michigan Senior PGA Champion—’14

The Michigan PGA Hall of Fame was founded in 2011 and exists to recognize and acknowledge those PGA Professionals who have excelled in their profession, achieved remarkable accomplishments, and made significant contributions to the game, the industry and the Michigan PGA. For a complete listing of the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame inductees please visit www.michiganpgagolf.com.

via Michigan PGA