Michigan PGA Among the Best PGA Sections
By Michael Patrick Shiels

The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort hosts the Michigan Open. This is the 15th hole.

The Michigan PGA is among the leading sections in the PGA of America for various reasons: organizational excellence, large purses, and PGA member professionals who have an impact on the golf industry nationally through teaching, marketing, merchandising, promotion, charity and leadership.

Michigan PGA professionals are pioneers who have expanded their duties and proven their value to golf clubs and golf facilities. Michigan's influence in the world of golf is evident.

Another of the great benefits of being a Michigan Section professional, and indeed one of the benefits of living in or visiting Michigan, is the tremendous array of scenic, challenging golf courses on which we play golf and the professionals compete in tournaments.

The Michigan PGA's major championships and tournaments are held at some of America's premier and highly acclaimed golf resorts. The Taylor Made/Adidas State Pro-Am is held at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs, home to courses like the esteemed Heather, the Donald Ross Memorial, the Moors, and the new Hills Course.

Not far away, Boyne Mountain Resort's Alpine and Monument courses host the Michigan PGA/Boyne Country Sports Tournament of Champions, a unique event that pits champions in all demographics: men and women professionals, amateurs, and even juniors.

For over 20 years, the Detroit Newspapers Michigan Open Championship has been held on the Jack Nicklaus-design The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme along the east shore of Traverse Bay. The fortunes of these players rise and fall as much as the terrain in this exciting championship. The Shanty Creek Classic and Michigan PGA Championships are contested on Shanty Creek's complement of various courses. The Legend course, designed by Arnold Palmer; Cedar River Golf Club, designed by Tom Weiskopf; and the popular Schuss Mountain course. Treetops, another Michigan resort of note, hosts the Mizuno Pro-Assistant Championship.

In addition to the major resorts and major championships, there are so many Michigan gems that the Michigan PGA plays their tournaments on. Over 40 host Michigan PGA events. From northern and central Michigan to the shores of Lake Michigan in the west, to the dazzling Detroit-area courses, Michigan's winning hand is flush with strong cards. MG