Crystal Mountain celebrates 20 years as host of Michigan PGA Women's Open
June 23, 2022
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (June 23, 2022) – Past champions, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members, Michigan Amateur winners, LPGA and Epson Tour status players and golfers from across the country and Canada make up the field for the 29th Annual Michigan PGA Women’s Open. The three-day, signature event kicks off Monday at Crystal Mountain for the 20th time.
After two decades, the resort’s Mountain Ridge course has become home to the Michigan PGA Women’s Open. The signature course, designed by noted Michigan architect Bill Newcomb, is a Par 72 and set up at about 6,115 yards for the championship. Carved into the side of the ski hill, Mountain Ridge features dramatic elevation changes, natural and sand areas, fairways lined with towering pines and hardwood, and beautiful vistas throughout.
“We are so fortunate to not only have a host venue, but a great partnership with Crystal Mountain,” said Justin Phillips, tournament director for the Michigan Section PGA. “The Crystal team’s dedication to putting on such a great event, from generating sponsors and providing the purse, to creating a family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it enjoyable for players and spectators from all over the world to come and play each year.”
The field of 74 golfers will play 54 holes of stroke play June 27-29 to determine a champion. The professionals in the field will compete for a share of the estimated $40,000 purse, while the amateurs compete to improve their game and earn credit towards enhancing their career.
“Whether they’re a pro or amateur, the players in the Michigan PGA Women’s Open are unique and fun to watch,” said Greg Babinec, PGA Head Professional at Crystal. “The ladies swing with grace, you can learn something from them, and overall the event is a fun social setting to catch up with local players and meet new talent from around the world.”
While there are plenty of former tournament champions returning to the field this year, last year’s champion, Tristyn Nowlin of Richmond, Ky., will not be returning. She is in graduate school at the University of Illinois where she played collegiate golf.
Michigan State University alumna and 2020 champion Sarah Burnham will compete, this year, with partial LPGA status.
A talented sister duo from Traverse City, Mich., Anika and Anci Dy, will also be back to compete for a spot on the leaderboard next week. Anika, 2019 champion and former cart attendant at Crystal Mountain, now plays for the University of Michigan. Her younger sister Anci plays for the University of Indianapolis and won the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship last week – the biggest amateur win of her career.
Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member and three-time champion Suzy Green-Roebuck, who won the first Michigan Women’s Open in 1994, as well as 1999 and 2016, is returning to compete after several years of playing on the LPGA Tour.
Despite retiring this year as a teaching professional, former LPGA Tour player Sue Ertl will be back to play in the tournament at Crystal Mountain. The Ionia, Mich. native who now lives in Bradenton, Fla. Earned several awards during her time at Michigan State University and is also a member of the Women’s Collegiate Golf Hall of Fame.
Heading the usual large group of MSU Spartans is Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, head coach of the women’s golf team at Michigan State University, and the winningest amateur golfer in Michigan history. The first time she filled in as a pro in the Michigan Women’s Open Pro-Am was in 2003, when she was eight months pregnant with her daughter Olivia, who is now a golfer at Grand Valley State University and will play in next week’s tournament, too.
Caroline Ellis, Slobodnik-Stoll’s current assistant at MSU, a former Spartan star, a four-time professional winner and now a reinstated amateur, is also in the field. She was the stroke play medalist in last week’s Michigan Women’s Amateur and reached the quarterfinals of match play.
Other notable names include, Mikaela Schulz, a University of Michigan golfer and the reigning GAM champion who was a semifinalist last week in the Amateur. Stephanie Jennings, Michigan Section PGA vice-president and women’s golf coach at Eastern Michigan University. Sarah White of Grand Rapids, Mich., an Epson Tour player and tour winner, and Elayna Bowser of Dearborn, Mich., now a professional and the 2019 Michigan Women’s Amateur winner.
Several out-of-state new professionals are playing in the championship that is open to non-Michigan residents. Most have recently completed their college careers and play in state opens as a way to test the professional waters.
Round one of the tournament begins Monday. Starting times Monday and Tuesday will range from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. with Wednesday starting times ranging from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. There will not be a cut this year as there are 74 players in the field.
Spectators are welcome to come watch the tournament free of charge. There will also be a Vespa Test Drive event happening near the Kinlochen building, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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INFORMATION: Tee times and results through the week can be found at michiganpga.com. Justin Phillips of the Michigan PGA is the tournament director and is available at 517-641-7421 or jphillips@michiganpga.com
PGA MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Johnson 616-560-8995 or gregeeee24@gmail.com
NOTE MEDIA: You are invited to cover the tournament live. Please contact Johnson with your coverage plans and we will provide parking, work space and course transportation. For those who are unable to cover the tournament live, Johnson will provide a release and photo each day.
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN CONTACT: Brittney Buti, manager of public relations, (269) 845-1352 or brittneybuti@crystalmountain.com
About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, a conference center and real estate options. Visit www.CrystalMountain.com for more resort details or information about Four Seasons Club memberships.