Michigan is fast becoming a center of women’s professional golf. With the Tullymore Classic, the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship and the Island Resort Championship on the Symetra Tour, and the Volvik Championship and Meijer Classic on the LPGA Tour, Michigan now has five professional women’s golf tournaments.
At the Tullymore Classic in the Canadian Lakes community, Symetra Tour golfers appreciated Michigan’s hospitality, great golf fans and a terrific course.
“This area is so beautiful, the crowds were so good on the Fourth of July weekend to watch us, the volunteers and people in the community were so nice and helpful; it was just good for the tour to be in such a great place,” Liz Nagle, a DeWitt native and former Michigan State University golfer, said. “This was not your average week on tour. It was special in every way.”
Daniela Iacobelli of Detroit – the champion last year who is now playing full-time on the LPGA Tour for the second time in her career – said in the minutes after winning that she loves Michigan golf.
“This place is awesome, this whole area is awesome,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many people with such attention to detail ever. The volunteers became my fans and friends and took such great care of us. It really feels like an LPGA event our here.”
The second Tullymore Classic is set for July 1-3 with SpartanNash, on behalf of its Our Family® and Spartan® exclusive private brands, and the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation, teaming up with Tullymore Golf Resort to present two Tullymore Classic Pro-Ams on Wednesday, June 29, and Thursday, June 30, before the tour players take over for three days.
You can read The GolfBlogger’s review of Tullymore here. It has been a few years since I have been able to visit, but from all reports, the course has maintained its stellar quality.
The 144 touring players on the “Road to the LPGA” will compete over 54-holes for a $100,000 purse.
Don Williams, Tullymore Chief Operating Officer, said he was not surprised that golfers were surprised when they came to the Canadian Lakes area last year for the tournament.
“The entire area is a hidden gem, and not just in Michigan but in the entire Midwest,” he said. “Most people don’t realize the golf that is in the area, and that it can appeal to golfers of all types and levels of ability. Canadian Lakes has three golf courses, and of course Tullymore has two. It’s a tremendous golf area, not to mention the water, the wildlife, the beauty and what’s really a great community.”
Canadian Lakes will have a booth at the tournament manned by volunteer residents to promote their vibrant private residential area one hour north of Grand Rapids. Within 11 square miles members and their guests can experience lakes, boating, fishing, beaches, golf, tennis, pickelball, softball, indoor and outdoor pools, disc golf, volleyball, sledding, dining and more.
Jessica Slendak, marketing director for Canadian Lakes, promotes “The Good Life” that the area represents, and she said they support the concept of the more the merrier on the Fourth of July.
“The Tullymore Classic bringing more people to our community is wonderful,” Slendak said. “The more the better on what is already the busiest weekend of the year is a good thing. We want to open our arms and doors to as many people as possible.”
At least 50 percent of the volunteers for the tournament are residents of Canadian Lakes, and the resort’s good neighbors embrace the tournament at every level.
“We house players, work on the course as volunteers, we share information on how you can enjoy The Good Life and we are fans of the golfers,” Slendak said. “Canadian Lakes is very connected to the event.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT CANADIAN LAKES: Visit www.canadianlakes.org
DID YOU KNOW? Spots in the pro-am events remain available for interested amateur golfers who want to join in the fun and rub shoulders with a talented professional headed for the LPGA Tour.
CONTACT: Scot Cucksey, Tullymore’s head PGA golf professional, for information about pro-am spots, and sponsorship or volunteer opportunities. Scot can be reached at [email protected], 231-972-4837, ext. 252.
TICKETS: Tuesday practice round and Wednesday and Thursday Pro-Ams are complimentary; Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets available at the main entrance; one day general admission $10, three-day general admission $18.
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