LPGA in Grand Rapids Begins Pro Golf Schedule in Michigan
Golf can be seen almost everywhere in Michigan. The professionals and top amateurs are making their way to the Great Lakes State this week to begin a long stretch of fantastic golf action this year.
There are several places to go statewide to see the top players and players that are grinding to make it to the pinnacle of the golf world. Check out the complete schedule with a brief synopsis below.
June 13-16 - Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give - Blythefield Country Club, Grand Rapids
This is the sixth year of the tournament, as the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) makes it's way back to the Grand Rapids area to Blythefield Country Club. Last year, So Yeon Ryu (photo above) became the third Korean player to take the crown in the tournament at -21, winning by two strokes. The ladies will be vying for a portion of the $2 million purse.
June 21-23 - Island Resort Championship (Symetra Tour) - Sweetgrass Golf Club - Harris
The ninth edition of the Island Resort Championship returns to one of the top golf course in the state and among the two best course in the Upper Peninsula. Ruixin Liu of China won her first of three tournaments on the Symetra Tour in 2018, a year after she finished tied for second in the UP. The championship is also the second leg of the three-tournament Potawatomi Cup, awarded to the player that performs the best among the Four Winds Championship in South Bend, the Island Resort Championship and the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Battle Creek in August, determined by points and standings. Golfweek also named Sweetgrass the 19th Best Casino Course out of 50 in the nation.
June 27-30 - Rocket Mortgage Classic (PGA) - Detroit Country Club
The PGA Tour makes its only stop in Michigan and returns to a classic course. This is the debut of the Rocket Mortgage Challenge, where a $7.2 million purse is up for grabs. The DCC is celebrating its 120th year of operation and the pros will see a classic Donald Ross design, considered one of the best golf architects in golf's history.
July 17-20 - Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (LPGA) - Midland Country Club
Speaking of debut tournaments, another one takes place in mid-July with the second stop for the LPGA in Michigan. The tournament will also be a stroke play team event, where the ladies will golf in pairs in all four rounds. A $2 million purse will be at hand for the tournament. The 18th hole is absolutely gorgeous - a great way to end each round. Take a look at this course.
July 29-August 3 - Western Amateur - Point O' Woods Golf & Country Club - Benton Harbor
The top amateur tournament in the nation returns to the longtime home of Benton Harbor. The Western Amateur has been one by players now on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jamie Lovemark, Ryan Moore, Justin Leonard (twice) and Chris DiMarco. All of the previous names punched their names on the trophy at Point O' Woods from 1971 to 2008 (along with 1965 and 1961) and comes back this year. This tournament was also held at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids in 1953. Point O' Woods was also ranked 165th in Golfweek's Top 200 Classic Courses as the Robert Trent Jones, Sr., classic course was built before 1960.
August 16-18 - Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship (Symetra Tour) - Battle Creek Country Club
The second stop for the Symetra Tour in Michigan returns to Battle Creek for the sixth time. Spaniard Marta Sanz Barrio fired a seven-under 65 to finish at -13, the second best score among the winners of the tournament. It's also the final stop for the Potawatomi Cup.
September 13-15 - The Ally Challenge (Champions Tour) - Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club - Grand Blanc
The seniors make their only trip to Michigan in 2019 to the Flint-Saginaw area for the second Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills. Paul Broadhurst won the debut tourney last year at -15, two shots better that Brandt Jobe. It was Broadhurst's third win of 2018, which included the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor. The Senior PGA returns the Lake Michigan shore again next year, 2022 and 2024.