Jam Packed June for Michigan PGA

The Michigan PGA Section has at least four very significant tournaments on tap in the month of June – adding to Michigan’s slate of five pro Tour events in June (PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Epson Tour) and four major amateur events for the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM).

Michigan Open: 

Starting things off on June 10 for four rounds is the Michigan Open at Oakland University. Hall Financial is the title sponsor. The tournament features Michigan professionals, plus top amateurs from the Great Lakes State. 

The Katke Course proved to be a venerable challenge as a first-time host for this championship last summer. Mini-tour pro Joe Juszczyk from Dearborn won the championship in a dogfight with amateur Charles DeLong of DeWitt. In two of the prior five years, amateurs won the event – Jake Kneen in 2018 (and again in 2022 as a pro) and current MSU senior Bradley Smithson in 2021.

The tournament record of 265 was set by Chick Harbert in 1948, and tied by Barrett Kelpin in 2012.

Michigan Women’s Open:

Played for 20-plus years at Crystal Mountain on the Mountain Ridge Course, the Women’s Open allows pros from across the country to play for the purse. Dozens of Michigan amateurs also join the fun for a dynamic field. 

The defending champion is Valentina Haupt, a mini tour pro who played at Southern Mississippi. Notable past winners include Michiganders Sarah White, Sarah Burnham, Liz Nagel, Suzy Green-Roebuck, Allison Fouch and Elaine Crosby, all of whom played the LPGA Tour. Amateur Anika Dy of Traverse City won in 2019.

Juniors:

The Michigan PGA Girls Junior and Boys Junior will also be contested in June. 

The girls play June 20-21 at Washtenaw Golf Club in Ypsilanti, one of the three oldest golf courses in Michigan.

The boys are scheduled for June 27-28 at Bedford Valley Golf Course, just north of Battle Creek. Note: the same course often hosts high school state championships of the MHSAA for both boys and girls. The boys play there June 7-8 this time around.

Every Michigan PGA event listed above is free and open to the public. What a treat it is to watch some exceptional golf, and enjoy a nice walk outdoors without the restrictions found at professional Tour events.