Michigan Golf Journal September 2021

Michigan Golf Journal ichigan PGA News Benny Cook won the historic 100th Michigan PGA Professional Championship by four shots at Prestwick Village Golf Club, but said he never felt comfortable. “I won by what, four shots, it was never that close,” he said. “I was grinding out there, and it was within two shots after 14 and it came close to being one shot after 15, and the golf course only firmed up and got a lot harder through the week.” Cook, a teaching professional from Yankee Springs Golf Course, shot a 10-under 206, besting Kyle Dobbs of Walnut Creek Country Club by four shots. Cook will have his name put on the Gilbert A. Currie Trophy for the second consecutive year and should receive a sponsor’s exemption into the PGA Tour’s 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Per his status on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and his low club professional finish in the PGA Championship earlier this year at Kiawah Island, S.C., Cook is exempt through the first stage of Korn Ferry Tour qualifying. He will go to second stage in October. Otto Black, a Mackenzie- PGA Tour Canada professional from Pinckney , shot a 9-under 63 in the final round and rolled to victory in the Michigan PGA’s Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain Resort in August. “It’s great, unbelievable,” he said after accepting the Walter Burkemo Trophy, the traditional green jacket awarded the champion, a lifetime BOYNE Golf membership, and the $9,000 first-place check. “It means a lot to me just because it’s in our home state and my name will be on the trophy with all the great players who have won it.” Jeff Cuzzort, who teaches and provides golf services at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club, finished second. “I shot the best round I’ve shot here in forever, so I feel great about that. I love playing up here. Boyne is so great. Hard to feel bad about being second to a score like that, too.” MGJ Benny Cook Wins 100th Michigan PGA Professional Championship And Otto Black takes home Tournament of Champions Crown from Boyne Resort By Greg Johnson Benny Cook Otto Black