By Greg Johnson for www.skyviewsports.net
BOYNE FALLS – Tom Werkmeister of Hudsonville has been on a roll, and he couldn’t wait to roll into Boyne Mountain Resort for the Tournament of Champions.
The 56-year-old Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member and marketing consultant kept rolling, shooting an 8-under 64 on the Alpine course Monday to lead through the first round of the unique tournament that brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing for the same title from different tee positions.
Werkmeister, a former Michigan Open and Michigan Amateur champion, which makes him eligible for the championship for life, led Dearborn native Evan Bowser, an assistant golf professional at LaPlaya Golf Club in Naples, Fla., 2024 Hall Financial Michigan Open champion Eric Lilleboe of Okemos, and mini-tour golfer and Cobra golf-club fitter Connor Jones of Shelby Township, who each shot 68.
Eight golfers checked in at 69 in the 54-hole, $75,000 championship, including professionals Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids, Charles DeLong of DeWitt, Otto Black of Brighton, Tim Pearce of Birmingham Country Club, Jeff Bronkema of Caledonia, Kyle Martin of Lochmoor Club, amateur Doug Hoey of West Olive and Grand Valley State University golfer Bryce Wheeler of Augusta.
After Tuesday’s second round a cut will be made to the low 60 scorers and ties. The final round is scheduled for Wednesday. (More story after leaderboard).
Werkmeister, who won the Michigan Senior Open for the second time just two weeks ago, and earlier this summer played in the U.S. Senior Open, said he has been telling his wife Leslie that he couldn’t wait to get to the Tournament of Champions.
“I just knew I was on a roll, hitting the best I have in probably five years, and you are never sure how long it will last,” he said.
Werkmeister said his longtime friend, golf teacher and sometimes caddie, Mike Boogaard of Wyoming, saw something in his hand position at impact.
“He gave me an adjustment and ever since I’ve been hitting it great,” he said. “I owe Mike a lot of credit. Ever since that moment, it kind of clicked, and it has been great ever since. I can’t wait to play tomorrow.”
The recent success is not going to push Werkmeister back on the road chasing the PGA Tour Champions.
“I don’t want to travel like that again, and it’s so expensive,” he said. “I like the way things are now, and I’m so happy to be hitting it well again. I had reached the point where I was thinking I’m 56 and I’m just not as good as I used to be, but I was also having a hard time accepting that.”
Werkmeister, who made nine birdies and just one bogey, called it a topsy-turvy kind of round. He played in the afternoon wave, which was interrupted by a one-hour rain delay.
“I made like a 10-footer on No. 10, our first hole of the round, and that was huge to sort of ease the nerves and stuff,” he said. “I made one bad club choice on the hole I bogeyed (No. 3), but the rest of the way I stayed out of trouble and made some really good shots and really good putts.”
BOYNE Golf includes a collection of 10 courses at Michigan three resorts, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain Resort and the Inn at Bay Harbor, located within 15 miles of Petoskey. Beyond the world-class golf, BOYNE Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information on BOYNE Golf, visit www.BOYNEgolf.com.
SCORING: Find the Leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com