Crystal Falls’ Jay Jurecic Pulls Off a Miracle Finish to Win the Tournament of Champions Trailing by two shots on the par-5 No. 18 of the Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain Resort, Jurecic, 55, launched a 260-yard 3-wood that hit the flagstick and stopped a foot away. The tap-in eagle forced a playoff with Grant Haefner of Bloomfield Hills. In sudden death, Jurecic sealed the win with a 45-yard pitch to five inches for birdie. His final-round 67 gave him a 13-under 203 total and the Walter Burkemo Trophy, green blazer, and $10,500 first prize. “I wasn’t banking on hitting the flag, but that was my hope—the miracle finish,” Jurecic said. “At 55, I think I’m playing the best golf of my life.” Haefner, a 27-year-old mini tour player, also closed with 67 but settled for runner-up. Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Tom Werkmeister finished third with 206, while past champions Otto Black and Jack Kneen were among a group tied at 207. The unique championship features men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors competing for the same title. “It gives everybody a chance on a great golf course,” Jurecic said. “This is special. Glory to God.” Thank you to Boyne Mountain Resort for being a longtime host site and supporter of this event. •••••• Baker Stevenson Claims Michigan Assistants Championship TitleAfter finishing runner-up a year ago, Baker Stevenson of Meadowbrook Country Club captured the 2025 Michigan Section Assistants Championship at Travis Pointe Country Club. A field of 46 Michigan PGA Section Assistants teed it up, competing not only for the Section title but also for four coveted spots in the National Assistant PGA Professional Championship, set for November 13–16 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Stevenson opened with an even-par 72, trailing first-round leader Wyatt Vogel of Prestwick Village Golf Club by three strokes. However, the back nine of the final round belonged to Stevenson, who carded birdies on No. 10, 11, 13, and 14 to close out with a 32 for a round of 67. His total gave him a four-shot victory over Michael Carrillo of Gull Lake Country Club, Sean Vann of Country Club of Jackson, and Brandon Petzak of Eagle Crest Golf Club. Because Stevenson and Petzak remain Level 1 Associates, they are ineligible to advance to the National Championship –opening the door for Matthew Leti of Country Club of Detroit, who finished at 1-over-par to secure the third qualifying spot alongside Carrillo and Vann. The final qualifying spot was determined by a five-hole playoff between Justin McPhail of Traverse City Golf & Country Club, and Parker Fanning of Oakland Hills Country Club. Fanning claimed the last qualifying position, while McPhail will serve as first alternate. The Michigan PGA extends its sincere thanks to Travis Pointe Country Club for its exceptional hospitality and to presenting sponsors: Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and the PGA TOUR for their continued support of this championship. •••••• Tom Werkmeister Wins His Third Michigan Senior Open Title Tom Werkmeister, 57, Michigan Golf Hall of Famer, of Hudsonville, MI successfully defended his title and earned his third Michigan Senior Open win at Bedford Valley Golf Club. Werkmeister closed with a 73 following his opening-round 65 for a 138 total, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a playoff. Doug Hoey of West Olive, MI came in with a birdie on No. 15 and an eagle on No. 16 to shoot 70 and force a sudden-death playoff. Back on the 18th, Hoey’s wedge approach landed 12 feet away, while Werkmeister’s wedge approach hit the flagstick and stopped a couple of feet inside Hoey’s. Hoey’s birdie putt just missed, and Werkmeister rolled his in to secure the win and an exemption from the USGA into the sectional round of qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open. This was Werkmeister’s second consecutive win of the Michigan Senior Open, and third since 2019. “Winning again this year is really, really cool, but it was a struggle out there all day,” said Werkmeister, who managed to hold at least a one-shot lead until Hoey’s eagle at 16. “For some reason, I was comfortable in the playoff. I don’t know if it is because I’ve had success in them before, but while I had anxiety early in the round and hit a lot of bad shots, I hit three really good shots in the playoff.” Hoey, a former Michigan Amateur Champion, said he and Werkmeister have competed against each other since junior golf. “I beat him when we were in junior golf, but he has more than made up for it since,” Hoey said and laughed. “We have a great time when we play together. We seem to bring out the best in each other.” Frank McAullife of Meadowbrook Country Club finished third at 140, while a fivesome tied at 141–Scott Hebert of Traverse City Golf & Country Club, who shot 69; amateur Greg Davies of West Bloomfield, who shot 70; Andy Walker, the head golf coach at Eastern Michigan University, who shot 71; James Dieters of Midland Country Club, who shot 71; and Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, who shot 73. Tim Matthews of Scotts, 65, played for the first time in the Super Senior Division, shooting a 70 for a (-5) 139 total, winning the over-65 set. Defending champion Greg Zeller of Jackson was runner-up at 141. We would like to thank our host site, Bedford Valley Golf Club, and title sponsor, Yamaha Golf Cars, for their continued support of the Michigan Senior Open. •••••• Jim Deiters Wins the Michigan Senior PGA ChampionshipJim Deiters and 46 other Michigan Senior PGA Professionals were back at Hidden River Golf & Casting Club for the Michigan Senior PGA Championship. Deiters of Midland Country Club captured the title after sinking a birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Lee Houtteman of Leland Country Club. Both players finished at 2-under for the championship. This marks Jim’s second Michigan Senior PGA title. Deiters and Houtteman claimed two of the eight qualifying spots for the Senior PGA Professional National Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL on October 23-26. Joining them to represent Michigan are Frank McAulliffe of Meadowbrook Country Club, Chad Kurmel of Michigan State University Golf, Gary Lewandowski of Tullymore Golf Club, Brian Cairns of Fox Hills Learning Center, Pete Mogg of Walnut Creek Country Club, and Kevin Muir of The Wyndgate. Randy Erskine, PGA Life Member from Lake Orion, won the 70 and over Super Senior Division finishing at 6-over, just 2 shots ahead of Dave Zink, PGA Life Member also from Lake Orion. We would like to thank our host site, Hidden River Golf & Casting Club. We would also like to thank the Michigan PGA Senior Organization and our national sponsors, the PGA Tour, and the Golf Channel for their continued support of this event. |