Michigan Golf News

BOYNE FALLS - The magic of Tom Watson has spread to the Boyne Tournament of Champions. Watsons heroic efforts over the weekend in the British Open inspired 61-year old Randy Erskine to shoot an effortless 7-under par 65 Monday. Erskine, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member, is tied for the first round lead with aspiring PGA Tour player Andy Ruthkoski of Muskegon.

"I have to admit I thought about Tom Watson," said Erskine, who made seven birdies on The Alpine at Boyne Mountain. "I have to think anybody a little older did. He (Watson) opened the door for a lot of folks and I putted just like him." 

GRAND BLANC - The PGA Tour Wives Association will team up with the Buick Open for a day of blooming fun at the Whaley Children’s Center on Wednesday, July 29. The Association members and kids from the Center will enjoy a morning of decorating keepsake flower pots and two giant pots for future fundraising, as well as help plant a tree presented by the Buick Open.

“We are delighted to welcome some of the player wives to enjoy some creative fun with the kids,” said Tricia Reinhard, interim president and CEO for Whaley Children’s Center. “With the planting of the tree, it is a testament to this special moment that celebrates our partnership with the Buick Open and PGA Tour.” 

ROCHESTER - Britney Hamilton (Lake Orion/Western Michigan University) sunk a 19-foot putt on the 18th hole at Great Oaks Country Club to win the Michigan Women’s Amateur. She defeated Natalie Brehm (Mount Pleasant/Michigan State University) 1 up.

Hamilton was 2 up on the front nine, but at the turn Brehm was 3 up. Brehm was 1 up going into 17 and when Hamilton shot her ball into the water she thought the match was over. But her chip to the green landed a foot from the hole and Brehm three putted to make things even going into 18. 

ROCHESTER - Elise Swartout (Ann Arbor / Western Michigan University) thought it was the highlight of her day when she picked up a hole-in-one on the 8th hole with her 8-iron in the second round of stroke play at the GAM Michigan Women’s Amateur at Great Oaks Country Club. But she had a second highlight when her even-par round of 72 catapulted her to the top of the leader board and earned her medalist honors. She was 76 - 72 - 148 for the two days of stroke play.

“I wasn’t really thinking about being the medalist,” said Swartout. “My goal was just to make the cut and make it to match play.” 

GRAND BLANC - Mount Pleasant’s Ryan Brehm and USC standout Jamie Lovemark are the latest players to get added into the field for the 2009 Buick Open coming to Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, July 27-August 2. Both were recently announced by the tournament as being confirmed to play via sponsor’s exemptions.

“The field is getting interesting with so many world-class names committed early, and we are delighted to add Brehm and Lovemark to the mix,” said Robb Grainger, Buick Open tournament director.  “Both have had some great early successes and will be exciting to watch this tournament.” 

ROCHESTER - Kim Kester (Ada) posted the low round of the day, shooting a 1-under-par 73 during the opening session of stroke play at the GAM Michigan Women’s Amateur at Great Oaks Country Club Tuesday. Despite going into the water and doubling the par-3 16th and settling for a bogey on 18, she managed to end up atop the leader board.

“I thought my putting was really good today, I ended up with 27, and that helped,” said Kester, who was 2-under par going into 16.