Michigan Players Proud of Tullymore Golf Resort; China’s Yu Liu Wins Classic
CANADIAN LAKES – The Michigan golfers playing in the Tullymore Classic are proud of their home state, and they departed proud of Tullymore Golf Resort as a host of the Symetra Tour, which moves south to French Lick, Ind.
“I think they do a great job, and we love coming here,” said Liz Nagel of DeWitt, who has played in all three Tullymore Classics and was the top finisher among Michigan players with a closing 3-under 69 for 5-under 211 and a tie for 19th.
“There are lots of birdies here and it is so fun to see the turnout by fans here. It’s awesome. Compared to other places we play, this is a great crowd, and it’s on the Fourth of July weekend. Shoot, I would be on my boat. It’s so great they came out to watch us.”
China’s Yu Liu, a third-year who spent just one year at Duke University, withstood a bogey 6 on the final hole to win for the first time in her career. She shot 68 for 16-under 200, one shot better than three players – Sophia Popov of Germany, who shot 67, Jessica Welch of Thomasville, Ga., who shot 67, and Lindsey Weaver of Bellefontaine, Ohio, who shot 71.
Popov birdied 18 to be within a shot while Weaver and Welch missed birdie putt chances inside seven feet. Liu had a two-shot lead starting 18, but hit her tee ball in the tall grass right of the fairway, took an unplayable lie penalty stroke and missed a five-foot par putt.
“I was nervous,” she said. “This is my first win on the Symetra Tour, and the first win is always the hardest.”
She took the winner’s check for $15,000 and proclaimed she had a new favorite course in the world.
“Tullymore is definitely my favorite course now,” she said. “The golf course is in great condition, maybe the best condition we have played. It’s tremendous and I really enjoy playing here.”
She was joined by the tour players from Michigan in praising Tullymore Golf Resort.
Lindsey McPherson of Flushing, a second-year pro who played in her ninth Symetra Tour event of the season and was the Michigan Women’s Open champion last Wednesday, said she loved playing at Tullymore Golf Resort. It was her first visit and she closed with a 69 for 212 and a tie for 28th.
“Being in the woods, seeing deer and look at all the people out here for this tournament,” she said. “It’s really great here. I love golf in Northern Michigan anyway, but to have the Symetra Tour here is great.”
Allyson Geer of Brighton, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year for Michigan State and playing for the second year via a sponsor’s exemption, said she loves Tullymore, too.
“I will come back as long as they let me,” she said after shooting a 72 to finish at 213 and in a tie for 33rd. “I love this golf course. I love this part of Michigan. It’s such a nice place and the course fits my game well. I’m so thankful they have given me the opportunity not only to play in Symetra Tour events, but to play here. It’s been a great experience.”
McPherson made an eagle-2 on the short par 4 No. 17 hole with a long drive and 75-yard wedge shot that went in the hole. She thought it was a fitting ending to a fantastic week.
“I haven’t done that in a while so it was really cool to see that go in,” she said. “It was a fantastic week for me. I made a couple of paychecks. I won the Michigan Open. I got to play in Northern Michigan. I’m so happy to be here.”
Nagel, 25, called her day solid, and she was pleased to be under par for the week.
“I haven’t been doing that and I’ve been working on some things, so to play today and have no bogeys is great,” she said. “I’m doing a lot of good things.”
Geer, who is 18 and will defend her 2015 and 2016 Michigan Women’s Amateur titles in two weeks at Saginaw Country Club, said her round was pretty smooth, and she was pleased to finish under par for the tournament.
“I learned more, and the more I play out here, the more I’m going to get used to playing in front of crowds and playing with professionals,” she said. “Both times here have been great learning experiences. I feel so blessed and thankful. I really feel like this is helping me prepare for being out on tour someday.”
VISIT: Visit www.tullymoregolf.com for resort information.
via Greg Johnson
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