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By Greg Johnson – Story and Photo
BOYNE FALLS – Matt Thompson of Jonesville, Eric Lilleboe of Lansing and Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor will make up the final group in the last round of the 34th Tournament of Champions on Wednesday.
They were tied for the lead through Tuesday’s second round in the 54-hole, $75,000 championship being played on the Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Thompson, a 36-year-old golf instructor and former Hillsdale College golf coach, shot 5-under 67 to land at 9-under 135.
Lilleboe, a 38-year-old former mini-tour player transitioning back to amateur status and now working in commercial real-estate, shot 68 for 135.
And Copp, a 28-year-old mini-tour player heading back to tour qualifying in the fall, shot 67 for his 135.
That trio has little breathing room, however.
Two golfers – Wisconsin teaching pro and Manistique native Mike Nagy and first-year pro Bryce Wheeler of Augusta, MI – are at 136, one shot back, and four more golfers are at 135.
The 135 group includes James Piot of Canton, the former LIV Tour player and U.S. Amateur Champion, who shot 67, mini-tour player Alex Scott of Traverse City, who also shot 67, mini-tour player Grant Heafner of Bloomfield Hills who shot 70, and Jack Julian, a Wayne State University golfer who shot 69.
The 36-hole cut was made at 6-under 150 with 70 golfers earning a spot in the final round of the unique tournament that brings together men, women, amateurs, professionals, juniors and seniors – all past champions of significant Michigan tournaments – playing from different tees for the Walter Burkemo Trophy and Country Club of Boyne green blazer and membership. The champion, if a professional, will also earn $10,500 on Wednesday.
With groups starting on Nos. 1 and 10, the final group of leaders will tee off No. 1 at 9:50 a.m.
Copp, who saved a par from a hooked tee shot on No. 18 to stay tied for the lead, said there are a lot of guys with a chance.
“I mean, even if you are four groups back, you could have a day and still win,” he said. “You’ve got to keep making birdies. It’s a lot like a professional (tour) event. This is a really strong field, the strongest I’ve seen up here, so you can’t back off at all.”
Thompson said he spends most of his time working with junior golfers and with his family, so he came to Boyne Mountain this year with few expectations.
“I’m just kind of plodding along enjoying being out here,” he said. “I did nothing super out there today. I just hit the driver well, made some putts and made a few saves, too. I think it helps not having expectations. I’ll just continue to try to play smart and make some birdies.”
Lilleboe, who said with work he plays once a week, also cited a lack of expectations for the week.
“My putter, really my chipping and putting, are keeping me in it and I’ve taken advantage of the par 5s,” he said.
He said this is a tournament he has coveted so he’s excited to be in the final group.
“I’ve wanted this one for a long time,” he said. “It would mean a lot to me. I’ve worked up here. I’ve lived up here. I consider the Alpine a second home course. I have a chance. It’s not like when I was playing all the time, but I’m happy that this week I still have some game.”
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