PLAY THE OPEN: Deadline to Enter Hall Financial Michigan Open is May 8

PLAY THE OPEN: Deadline to Enter Hall Financial Michigan Open is May 8

   ROCHESTER – Golfers planning to test themselves against the state’s top players and go after another record-setting purse in the Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship presented by Make The Turn must enter by Wednesday, May 8, at 5 p.m.

  The 107th edition of the storied state championship is set for June 10-13 on the Katke-Cousins Golf Course at Oakland University Golf & Learning Center for a second consecutive year.

  Hall Financial is the title sponsor for a third consecutive year. Make The Turn is the presenting sponsor and supporting sponsors include Turbo Insurance, Harbor Title Agency and Fox Motors. If entries come in as anticipated another record purse is possible. The purse a year ago of $122,500 set the new high mark for the state championship.

  “We had a great championship last year with the move to Oakland University, the continued tremendous support from Hall Financial and enthusiastic additional support with new partners,” Justin Phillips, the Michigan Section PGA tournament director said. “It’s all coming together in a similar way this year and we anticipate another great event.”

  The championship is open to Michigan residents and all registration and entry fee information for the qualifiers is on the Michigan Section PGA website (michiganpga.com).

  The qualifiers by date and site: May 13 Walnut Creek West/North, South Lyon; May 14 Indianwood Old Course, Lake Orion; May 14 Washtenaw Golf Club, Ypsilanti; May 15 Thornapple Pointe, Grand Rapids; May 16 Plum Hollow Country Club, Southfield; May 21 Atlas Valley, Grand Blanc; May 23 Timber Ridge, East Lansing; June 2 Black Lake Golf Club, Onaway; June 8 3-Spot Qualifier Indianwood New Course (may be used as a first or second attempt).

  The Michigan Section annually conducts the state championship and has built a strong relationship with Oakland University. The Katke-Cousins course, one of two courses at the facility, is familiar to most of the players as it also served as host of the Michigan PGA Professional Championship from 2012-14 and hosted numerous Golf Association of Michigan tournaments and qualifiers and NCAA events as home of the Oakland University golf teams.

  A benefit for the players in the field is lunch being provided each day courtesy of Patti Finnegan’s Pub & Grille at Oakland University.

  Last June at Oakland University, Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, a touring professional playing one tour or another for 14 years, came home to Michigan to win the biggest check of his career. The 37-year-old journeyman shot a closing 2-under 69 and finished two shots clear of the field at 12-under to win the $18,000 first-place check and add his name to the James D. Standish Trophy.

  Juszczyk is planning to defend his title and Jake Kneen, the 2022 and 2018 champion now working as an assistant golf coach at Oakland University, will be in the field, too.

  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, and more recent Michigan Golf Hall of Fame inductees Randy Erskine, Buddy Whitten, Lynn Janson, Jeff Roth, Tom Gillis and Scott Hebert. Current PGA Tour player Ryan Brehm is a three-time winner.

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL: David Hall started in the mortgage business in 1996 and his passion for the business and his clients has never been stronger. After working for others for over 20 years, David started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Media contact for Hall Financial: Mark Gildersleeve, Vice-President-Marketing & Strategy, 248-590-0131, [email protected]. Website: callhallfirst.com