KINGSLEY, MI – There were three winners of the second annual Peninsula Cup last weekend – the two-man teams that took the Mid-Amateur and Senior flights and the Kingsley Club itself as players raved about the Mike DeVries-designed five-year-old course which is ranked 19th of the top 100 Modern Courses by Golfweek magazine.
"I have spent a lifetime of serious competition as an amateur (five U.S. Amateurs) and as a senior pro (three U.S. Senior Opens) and you’ve created one of the finest and most challenging golf courses to be found anywhere," wrote competitor Denny Spencer in a letter to the club after the event.
"Each hole has its own set of strategies dictated by varying pin locations. The joy of every round is figuring out that day’s set of puzzles and then executing the shots required," wrote Spencer, now an accomplished, reinstated amateur and golf course architect based in Toledo, OH. "The people there, the reverence for golf and the magnificent course make the Peninsula Cup so very special. It is, quite simply, my favorite event on the golfing calendar."
Don Brooks of Oakland Hills Country Club, teamed with Jim Graham of Winged Foot Golf Club, and both embraced Spencer’s comments. "These same sentiments are being echoed by many participants in the second annual Peninsula Cup Invitational Tournament," stated Brooks. The tournament attracted two-man teams from 14 states and Canada.
Mike Anderson of Plum Hollow Golf Club in Southfield and Rick Williams of Oakland University’s Katke-Cousins Golf Course combined for 66-68-65—199, 14 under par, for a seven shot victory in the Mid-Amateur Flight over defending champions Chris Vozza and Eric Spencer of Oakland Hills Country Club and Fred Disanto and Mike Stewart of Cleveland’s Canterbury Golf Club.
Anderson and Williams were three shots behind Disanto and Stewart going into the final round but their 65 was 10 shots better than the Ohioans. Vozza and Spencer shot 70-70-66—206.
David Carroll of Silverado Country Club in Napa, CA, and Gary Shimmin of Old Tabby Links on Spring Island, SC, won the Senior Flight with rounds of 68-68-67 for 203, one shot better than the 71-67-66—204 of John Benson of Totter Ridge Golf Club in Greensburg, PA, and Ron Tumlin of Marsh Creek in St. Augustine, FL.
Like Disanto and Stewart in the Mid-Am Flight, Don Brooks of Oakland Hills, Bloomfield Township, Michigan and Jim Graham of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY, failed to hold their 36-hole lead and finished out of the running at 207. Jim Chapman of Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving, TX, and Don Slater of Treyburn Country Club in Durham, NC, finished third at 65-68-73—206.
"The weather and course were perfect and we saw some of the best amateur golf to be found anywhere in any event in the country," said head pro David Plassman in his third year at the club after 13 years at Bel Air Golf Club in Los Angeles.
Edward Walker, co-founder and club chairman, announced at the tournament dinner that the Governors Cup associated with the tourney will be named the Ewing Cup in honor of Bryant Ewing, who conceived the event and brought it forth to fruition.
"His dedication and love of amateur golf and the people who share in our great game is a true testament to the spirit of the game," Walker said. "Bryant is an extraordinary gentleman, a beloved friend and a wonderful ambassador for golf and the principles associated with the game we love. Having one’s name etched onto the Ewing Cup will be an honor long cherished by those lucky enough to win this prestigious event."
The Kingsley Club takes pride in reflecting the Old World golf experience as still enjoyed in Ireland and Scotland. It is a private golf club located just a few minutes south of Traverse City, Michigan.
It has extensive practice areas encompassing a range and separate areas for the short game and putting greens. In the tradition of the old links courses, the club encourages walking which is supported by its caddie program. There are picturesque golf cottages on the grounds for the use of members and guests.
At the present time a limited number of annual guest rounds are made available for players who enjoy and respect the traditions of the game. To learn more about The Kingsley Club, or to arrange a visit, call 231-263-3000 or visit www.kingsleyclub.com.
Contact:
Jack Berry,
All About Golf
jtb100731@aol.com
248 535-2660
Terry Moore
All About Golf
tmoore@usxchange.net
616 247-1931
