Stellar Field in Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain
BOYNE FALLS – A field of 118 champion golfers, including 16 who are already members of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, will start play Monday in the 27th Tournament of Champions on the Alpine and Monument courses at Boyne Mountain Resort. Read the GolfBlogger’s Alpine golf course review.
“It’s another strong 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 PGA Section, which sanctions and administers the unique championship.
“It is the 27th year, but it remains one of the most unique tournaments in the country.”
The Tournament of Champions launched 27 years ago with juniors, seniors, professionals and amateurs of both sexes all playing for one title from different tee positions. All who are invited have won selected significant Michigan golf championships, both amateur and professional.
The 16 Michigan Golf Hall of Famers in the field include Bob Ackerman, Ken Allard, Steve Brady, Brian Cairns, Randy Erskine, Tom Harding, Scott Hebert, Lynn Janson, Dave Kendall, Larry Mancour, Jeff Roth, Jack Seltzer, John Traub, Tom Werkmeister, Buddy Whitten and Bill Zylstra.
They will join champions from all the categories and even members of the same families in the three-day, 54-hole stroke play championship on two courses. The Monday round and Wednesday’s final round are on the classic Alpine course, and Tuesdays round is on The Monument course. A 36-hole cut to the low 60 scorers and ties follows the second round. This year’s purse is $55,000.
Michael Nagy, a mini-tour golfer from Manistique, returns to defend his title and heads the list of eight former Tournament of Champions winners in the field.
A year ago the former University of Tennessee golfer finished with a 6-under 66 for a 15-under 201 total and one-shot win. He took home the $8,000 first-place check and annual gifts of the symbolic green jacket and lifetime membership at the Country Club of Boyne in Harbor Springs.
The past TOC winners joining Nagy in the field are 2016 winner Korey Mahoney, 2015 TOC winner Barrett Kelpin, two-time champion Andy Ruthkoski (2013, ’14), five-time champion Jeff Roth (2012, 2008, 1999, ’96 and ’95), 2011 winner Lee Houtteman, 2009 winner Scott Hebert and 1997 winner Tom Harding. Those winners account for 13 of the 26 TOCs.
The only woman to win the TOC, Stacy Snider (2003), is not entered. The group of women entered this year is headed by former LPGA player and Michigan State star Laura Kueny.
In addition to a celebration of champions, the tournament is a family affair of champions. Family combinations entered include brothers Andrew and Travis Dodson, father-son Jack and John Seltzer, father-son Frank and Frank IV McAuliffe and father-son Bill and Chris Mory.
ABOUT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Boyne Mountain Resort 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 waterpark is listed among Budget Travel’s Top 10 Indoor facilities and the resort is a readers’ choice favorite of Spa Magazine. 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. Find out more at BOYNEGolf.com, boynemountain.com or call 866-759-1472.
SCORING: Live scoring and tee times will be available at www.michiganpgagolf.com
NOTE: Gallery is welcome. Parking and admission are free.
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