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Petoskey News-Review August 1999 ... Michigan Amateur Returning to Belvedere

Tournament set for 2003; will end 15-year absence
By Eric Gaertner / News-Review sports writer

CHARLEVOIX --- Brett Marshall took over as executive director of the Golf Association of Michigan in 1993 and, since that time, he has been asked one question most often by members of the news media, "When's the Amateur going to be back at Belvedere?"

Marshall now has an answer for them: June 15-21, 2003.

That's the date when the Michigan Amateur and the Belvedere Golf Club will renew a longtime partnership. The Golf Association of Michigan, which puts on the Amateur annually, recently announced it has accepted an invitation from Belvedere Golf Club.

The historic golf course in Charlevoix has hosted more Michigan Amateurs than any other site in the state, 38, including 26 consecutive years from 1963-1988. The Golf Association of Michigan switched to a rotation of host courses following the 1988 event, which saw David Van Loozen of Pontiac defeat former Detroit Red Wing hockey playter Darren Veitch for the title. The rotation will now include Belvedere.

"I think it is a real popular choice among the media and the players," Belvedere Golf Club general manager Tom Conlan said. "We're (Belvedere officials) looking foward to it, and I think everyone else is, too.

"It's a tradition and that's what Belvedere's all about."

"I think it's something that has been on the minds of a number of golfers since tha GAM left Belvedere in 1988," Marshall said of the return to the William Watson - designed course.

The tournament, which is open to Michigan residents who have a United States Golf Association Handicap-Index of 5.4 or less, annually attracts more than 700 players who go through sectional qualifying to advance to the championship site. The event opens with 156 players competing on site over 36 holes of qualifying to advance to the 64-player match play field. Three consecutive days of double-rounds of match play determine the winner of the prestigious Staghorn Trophy, which has existed since the tournament started in 1908.

"We are enthused with the prospect of going back there," said Robert McMasters, president of the GAM and a 10-time player in the Amateur at Belvedere. "It's a wonderful place with a lot of great memories for a lot of players. We think it's a wonderful thing that Belvedere wants to have the Amateur return."

Marshall, who along with McMasters was part of the group that made the official visit to the course a month ago, pointed to the enthusiasm of the staff and board members.

"I really think the membership, board and staff at Belvedere should be commended for their enthusiasm and persistence to do the things necessary to meet with us, host the visit and other items to get the tournament back," Marshall said. "We could not be happier."

"The entire contingent of members of the Belvedere Golf Club board, the Belvedere Club board and the local Chamber of Commerce are committed to provide a tournament in 2003 that everyone will be proud of," said Richard Tomkinson, president of the Belvedere Golf Club membership. "We are equally proud to be staging the most prestigious amateur tournament in Michigan at our course."

During the official visit by GAM staff members, only a couple of logistical items were discussed for the event, such as expanding the driving range and having a tent and other rooms available for the tournament.

"The golf course needs very little tweaking to it, because it is a great layout," Marshall said. "It was in excellent condition when we visited."

Belvedere's head golf professional has come full circle with his involvement with the area course and the Amateur. Steve Braun was a past participant in the Amateur at Belvedere, and now he'll be part of the return.

"I am excited," said Braun, who reached the Amateur final in 1979. "For me it's special, because I started coming up here in the 1960's to play in the Amateur. Then I get this job here and I love it."

Braun faced a legendary player in the 1979 championship match in Peter Green, who has won the Amateur four times.

"I played real well until the final," Braun said of the tournament. "It was a fun experience."

Green is not the only big-name golfer to have been a part of the Amateur at Belvedere's glorious past.

Chuck Kocsis of Detroit won the first of his record six Amateur titles at Belvedere in 1930, whil his brother, Sam, captured the title at Belvedere in 1941 before World War II interrupted the tournament for four years. Glenn Johnson of Grosse Ile won the fourth of his five titles at the Club in 1958, while Bud Stevens of Detroit claimed two of his three crowns there in 1963 and 1965. More recent winners at Belvedere were Lunn Janson of East Lansing, 1968; Randy Erskine of Battle Creek, 1972; Dan Pohl of Mount Pleasant, 1975 and 1977; Steve Maddalena of Jackson, 1980; and John Morgan of Birmingham, 1985.

Before returning to Belvedere, the future Amateur site list includes Battle Creek Country Club in 2000, Flint Golf club in 2001, and the Country Club of Jackson in 2002. The last time the Amateur was held in the area was in 1998 at Boyne Highlands' Heather Course.

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