CATCH A GOLF MOVIE: Attend Unique Film, Support Junior Golf in Michigan

A fun and funny golf movie is coming to Michigan and will help raise funding for Junior golf in the Mitten.

Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Governor and golf writer Terry Moore helped bring to light in Michigan a quirky golf tale many years ago and now the story has been made into a movie; The Phantom of the Open.

Its Michigan debut will be June 15 at 7 p.m., at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids. Proceeds will benefit the GAM Foundation for Youth on Course across the state and the First Tee of West Michigan.

“It’s been amazing to relive the story of Maurice Flitcroft and how I not only got to know him but play golf with him,” Moore said. “It’s a feel good movie that hits all the right notes. People will like it including non-golfers.”

The movie includes a back-story involving Moore, and is the surreal story of Flitcroft, who became famous or notorious – your pick – after entering a 1976 British Open qualifier and shooting a 121, the highest score recorded in any round associated with the Open and earning him the media tags of the world’s worst golfer and the Walter Mitty of golf.

The then 46-year-old shipyard crane operator in Barrow-in-Furness became a hoaxer and regularly attempted to enter the Open and other golf tournaments. He went as far as wearing disguises and using pseudonyms.

Terry’s brother, Tim, a member at Blythefield Country Club, paid homage to the 121 score by naming the annual member-guest tournament after Flitcroft. Terry 10 years later invited the real Flitcroft to play in the tournament named for him. Flitcroft died in 2007 at the age of 77, but the story has lived on. 

The movie brings his story and the love story with his wife Jean to light, and Moore is portrayed by actor Michael Capozzola for the coming to Michigan part.

By Greg Johnson

Get tickets Here! Phantom of the Open Film Benefit Event :: About This Event (golfgenius.com)