The following news releases have been archived:

Tour Adjusts Fall Schedule

Images From The Grande Golf Club

16th Hole, 480 yards, par 4	17th hole, 214 yards, par 3	18 th Hole, 439 yards, par 4

The Michigan Player's Tour has made a few adjustments to the 2009 schedule, and a slight change to the Membership policy. These changes are outlined below.

Shedule Changes

The Tour has reduced five 36 hole events to 18 holes. Entry fees for these events have been changed as well. For additional details, please see the Event Information page.

The events reduced to 18 holes are:

9th Hole, Hawk's Eye G.C., Bellaire

    1. The Coyote Preserve Open -- June 1st

    2. The Coyote Preserve Ladies Open -- June 1st

    3. The Moose Ridge Open -- June 15th

    4. The Moose Ridge Ladies Open -- June 15th

    5. The Shanty Creek Open -- August 3rd

Membership Policy Changes

The Membership policy has been amended so that a portion of the membership fee will be applied to deposits on events. The breakdown of this application is as follows:

1. Fifty dollars ($50.00) of the fee will be applied to Tour overhead and marketing.

2. The balance of the fee will be applied to one or more events as a deposit on the entry fee(s). The player may choose which events the balance applies.

In addition to how membership fees are allocated, the Tour will waive the membership fee for players who plan on playing in only one event. Players who wish to exercise this option must call in their entry by phone.

For additional information, players may call the Tour office at 1-888-678-8878.

The Tour is continuing to construct an exciting schedule for the upcoming season, and will put out a statement and much of the schedule in a few days.

Some of the courses to be used on the 2009 Tour

The schedule will consist of at least 14 Regular Tour events, plus a collection of 6 to 8 "MPT Extreme Series" events, which will be staged primarily on Saturday afternoons. Several of the Regular Tour events will be 36 holes.

The Tour is also discussing the possibility of creating a few Pro-Am tournaments prior to some of the Regular Tour events. These Pro-Ams will offer spots to the general public.

"We're hopeful our marketing strategy will attract much larger fields this year," said Ken Carter, Director of the Tour. "With all of the tremendous courses we plan to compete on, it certainly will present an exciting challenge for all of the players."

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MPT Extreme Series To Challenge Players

January 1, 2009In 2009, the Tour will create a collection of events known as the “ MPT Extreme Series,” which will consist of 18 hole events on many of the most exotic courses in Michigan. The events will be held primarily on Saturdays, and the courses will be set up to play as difficult as they can while remaining "fair."

“These events will allow players to keep loose and get some work in between events on the regular Tour,” says Ken Carter, Director of The Michigan Player's Tour. "Our hope is these events will appeal to players who enjoy a difficult challenge and are searching for adventure. They will definitely get their wish with this series."

A wide variety of courses will be used in the Series, including a few courses in the U.P. “Some of the courses we want to compete on include UAW Black Lake, Dunmaglas, Elk Ridge, Black Forest, Garland, Boyne Resorts, Red Hawk, Timber Stone, Greywalls, etc. – courses which are pretty remote and perhaps too "wild" to host big events, but are awesome to play,” Carter says. “We can have a skins game and play for small purses based on the number of players, but mostly these events will be small and just for fun.”

Brian Cairns Leads 2008 Order of Merit

October 21, 2008

The Michigan Player’s Tour would like to extend its appreciation to all of the players who participated in Tour events this summer.

Brian Cairns

Brian Cairns of Waterford led the 2008 Michigan Player’s Tour Order of Merit, winning $1,750.00 in 4 events. Cairns, who is a teaching professional at Highland Golf Center in Milford, was the Michigan PGA Player Of The Year in 2000. He is a two time winner of the Michigan PGA Professional Championship, and finished 2nd to 2008 PGA Professional National Champion Scott Hebert in the Championship this year. Cairns' scoring average for the season on Tour was 73.00 (4 rounds).

During the 2008 season, the Tour conducted a total of 9 events, and paid out $9,525.00 in prize money. Overall, 28 different players participated during 2008. In the three seasons the Tour has been in operation, 26 events have been conducted, with 77 different players participating. Total prize money paid out during the three seasons was $25,165.00.

A complete list of money winners in 2008 is shown below.

2008 Michigan Player's Tour

Order of Merit

Final Standings

POS.	PLAYER	HOMETOWN	EVENTS	WINNINGS
1	Brian Cairns	Waterford, MI	4	$1750.00
2	Paul Wilson	Grayling, MI	8	1325.00
3	Justin Hull	Birmingham, MI	2	1050.00
T4	John Parke III	Howell, MI	2	1000.00
T4	Craig Hicks	Tecumseh, ON	1	1000.00
6	Jason Swihart	Jackson, MI	3	900.00
7	John Raymond III	Traverse City, MI	1	500.00
8	Brad Phillion	Saginaw, MI	1	400.00
9	Jeff Rachar	Highland, MI	3	350.00
10	Ken Carter	Traverse City, MI	9	300.00
T11	Jay Jurecic	Caspian, MI	1	250.00
T11	Jacob Leyrer	Lansing, MI	7	250.00
T11	Derek Arnett	Hartland, MI	2	250.00
T11	Matt Zavadil	Rocchester Hills, MI	2	250.00

Parke III Wins Michigan Player's Tour Championship

Superb 71 in cool and wet conditions bests Cairns by 3

October 6, 2008

Bath, Michigan -- It was the final event of the year, played on one of the most difficult courses in Michigan.

And with fall-like weather conditions only the toughest players could tolerate, it was John Park III of Howell who posted a superb one under par 71 to win the Michigan Player's Tour Championship October 6th at Hawk Hollow Resort (Eagle Eye G.C.) in Bath. Brian Cairns of Waterford, runner up in the 2008 Michigan PGA Professional Championship and a two-time winner on Tour this year, finished 2nd with a 74.

John Parke III

The event was played in cool and wet conditions, with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s for most of the round and a light drizzle. Heavy rains a couple of days prior to the event forced the Tour to implement the lift, clean, and place rule. Despite the conditions, the course was in excellent shape, with the greens running at about 11 on the Stimpmeter. All but 3 of the holes were played at their maximum length.

The Tour Championship drew a field of 13 players, the largest field on the Tour in 2008. Because the event drew at least 12 players, the Tour was able to pay out $1,000.00 to the champion.

"We made a promise this year to pay a minimum of one grand to the winner of each event drawing at least 12 players," said Tour Director Ken Carter. "Unfortunately, it took us the entire season before we had 12 players actually show up. I think things will pick up, though, especially as the Michigan economy begins to recover."

The Tour would like to thank all of the players who participated in Tour events this season, and to encourage them to keep an eye on this web site for breaking news concerning the 2009 season.

For scores in the Michigan Player's Tour Championship, please go to the Results page.

Wilson, Carter finish 1 stroke back

September 22, 2008

Brian Cairns

Bellaire, Michigan – On an ideal day for scoring, Brian Cairns of Waterford overcame a balky driver and a couple of near disasters to post an even par 72 and win the Shanty Creek Open on September 22. His score bettered Paul Wilson of Grayling and Tour Director Ken Carter by one shot.

A teaching professional based at Highland Golf Center in Milford, Cairns is a two time winner of the Michigan PGA Professional Championship, and finished second to PGA Professional National Champion Scott Hebert of Traverse City in the Section Championship this year.

Playing conditions were perfect, sunny and 74 degrees with light winds. With the maple trees in Northern Michigan now beginning to sport fall colors, Cedar River G.C. was the place to be on Monday. Unfortunately for the event, only four players were on hand to compete.

"It's always disappointing to have so few players competing in an event," noted Carter. "But even with 4 players, the competition is intense, and you have to play extremely well to prevail. Everyone in the group today had a chance to win, and it all came down to the last hole. I know I had the adrenaline going."

For scores, please go to the Results page.

Only player to post a score under 80

Brad Phillion

September 15, 2008

Treetops Village, Michigan – Living up to its reputation, the Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord again withstood all challengers, yielding only one score under 80 in the Treetops Resort Open on September 15. Brad Phillion of Saginaw was the winner, posting a 6 over par 77. Paul Wilson of Grayling, winner of the Saginaw Valley Open the week before, finished 3 shots back.

"This event has a history of high winning scores," says Ken Carter, Director of the Tour. "In 2006, I shot 79 to win, and in 2007, in heavy winds, the winning score was 82. It's one thing to play here for fun, but when you are playing it competitively for a score, it's an awesome challenge."

Weather was not a factor the day of the event, which turned out sunny and 56 degrees. The course was extremely wet, however, as the remnants of Hurricane Ike passed over Michigan the day before, dropping about 2 inches of rain. The event was played under lift, clean, and place conditions.

Phillion, an unaffiliated professional who works in the electrical supply business in Saginaw, played a solid round highlighted by a chip in birdie on the 208 yard par three 13th.

Fore scores, please go to the Results page.

Treetops Resort, Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece

Four under par 33 on back nine leads to victory

September 8, 2008

Freeland, Michigan – On a day that began cool and overcast, it took several holes for the sun to finally break out for the players competing in the Saginaw Valley Open on the Michigan Player’s Tour. And when it did, it was Paul Wilson of Grayling who responded with a blistering 4 under par 33 on the back nine at The Golf Club at Apple Mountain to shoot a one under par 71 and win by three shots over Jacob Leyrer of Lansing. This was Wilson’s first win on Tour this year.

Paul Wilson

Wilson, who was the leading money winner on the Michigan Player’s Tour in 2007, had an adventurous week prior to the round. He had spent several days bear hunting in Northern Ontario north of Lake Superior, and immediately upon his return had to make a trip to Jackson to visit his father in the hospital. According to Wilson, he had put nearly 2,000 miles on his truck in the previous week.

The Golf Club at Apple Mountain is an excellent layout that features very fast and undulating greens, numerous bunkers, and plenty of water coming into play on several holes. Playing at 6,962 yards par 72, it isn’t extremely long, but the design forces the player to hit accurate shots or else. “Apple Mountain was an excellent test, and all of the players really liked it,” said Tour Director Ken Carter. “I can certainly envision a really big Tour event out here one day."

For complete scores and a few pictures, please go to the Results page.

Swihart 's 71 Wins At The Grande

Dakotas Tour vet overcomes tricky greens to post only subpar score

August 18, 2008

Jackson, Michigan – Fresh off a stint on the Dakotas Tour, Jason Swihart of Jackson overcame the tricky greens of The Grande G.C. to post a one under par 71 to win The Jackson Open August 18th on the Michigan Player's Tour. Jeff Rachar, assistant professional at Pine Lake C.C. in Orchard Lake, finished second, a distant seven shots back.

Jason Swihart

Swihart will return to the Dakotas Tour next week to play in the final 3 events, and then will return to Michigan in preparation for PGA Tour Qualifying School. His prequalifier will be at Woodbridge G.C. in Wylie, Texas, September 23 - 26.

The Grande is a beautifully designed course by Raymond Hearn, and features a very distinctive style of bunkering as well as some of Michigan's most challenging greens. Many of the players in the field were consistently fooled by the undulating greens and three putts were common. The course plays at 7,181 yards, par 72.

Brian Cairns of Milford, winner of the Majestic Open on July 28th, was slated to play but withdrew due to injury.

The event was played in near perfect conditions, with temperatures in the low 80's, very little humidity, and a moderate breeze of 10 - 15 mph from the west.

For complete scores, please go to the Results page.The Michigan Player' Tour has been forced to cancel The Shootout At The Fortress, scheduled for August 25th at The Fortress

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Cairns Is Magic At Majestic

July 28, 2008

Hartland, Michigan – Two time Michigan PGA Champion Brian Cairns of Milford shot a sizzling 4 under par 32 on the front nine, and then held on during the final nine to win The Majestic Open on The Michigan Player’s Tour July 28th. Paul Wilson of Grayling and Derek Arnett of Hartland tied for second with 3 over par 75's.

Brian Cairns

The event was held at The Majestic at Lake Walden, a beautiful layout that winds its way through the heavily forested and hilly terrain surrounding Lake Walden just west of Hartland. Although not extremely long at 7,009 yards, it requires accurate driving to set up decent approaches into the undulating greens. The course also boasts two of the most difficult par 3's you will find anywhere.

The round was played in perfect scoring conditions with temperatures in the low to mid 80's and virtually no wind. “It was a perfect day, a great course, and tough competition, which is precisely what we’re trying to create out here on the Tour,” notes Tour Director Ken Carter. “It’s still amazing why more players aren’t signing up to play."

For scores, please go to the Results page.”

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Next Up -- The Traverse City Open

Tour to extend entry deadline, will play some events even if less than 12 players enter

July 1, 2008

The Michigan Player's Tour has decided to extend the deadline to enter the Traverse City Open, scheduled for Wednesday, July 9th at The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (The Wolverine). The deadline will now be Saturday, July 5th.

3rd hole, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (The Wolverine) 491 yards, Par 4

The Tour has also decided to play certain events even if the minimum of 12 players is not met. With less than 12 players, the prize money formula will revert to the method used during 2007.

According to Tour Director Ken Carter, the changes were made in order to keep at least some of the events in 2008 alive. "When it's sunny and 74 degrees outside, I'd rather compete against 8 or 10 guys than not compete at all. Playing a great course for a $600.00 or $700.00 first place check is a lot better than watching a bunch of soap operas on TV."

Should any event draw 12 or more players, the Tour will pay the minimum $1,000.00 first place check.

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Hicks Secures Win At Fieldstone Open

Canadian Tour player battles tough winds in triumph

June 16, 2008

Craig Hicks

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Battling stiff westerly winds throughout the final nine, Canadian Tour player Craig Hicks of Tecumseh, Ontario shot a one under par 71 at Fieldstone G.C. of Auburn Hills to capture the second event of the 2008 Michigan Player’s Tour. Hicks picked up $1,000.00 for the win.

Justin Hull of Birmingham shot an even par 36 on the back nine to finish with 73, giving him second place over Jay Jurecic of Caspian, who finished 7th in the Michigan Open the week before.

Rain in the Detroit Metro area on Sunday left the course soft and receptive, and with light winds for much of the first nine, Hicks ripped the front nine in three under par 33. On the back nine, winds became increasingly gusty and reached speeds up to 25 mph. The dramatically different conditions led to a two over par 38 on the back nine for Hicks, but it was enough to hold on for the win.

Hicks has exempt status on the Canadian Tour for 2008, but has decided to remain close to home for the first half of the season. He entered the Fieldstone Open to get in some practice prior to the PGA Tour Buick Open prequalifier, which was to be played at Fieldstone June 19th.

For complete scores, please see the Results page.

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Growing The Tour In 2008

May 25, 2008

Some thoughts concerning the 2008 season on the Michigan Player's Tour:

Players desire Tour to succeed

Despite growing pains and a weak economy, the Michigan Player's Tour continues to receive numerous inquiries and encouragement from interested players. "In all of my contacts with players around the state and the country, everyone wants to see the Tour succeed," says Ken Carter, Director of the Tour.

"The Michigan Player's Tour offers one of the most challenging and beautiful selections of courses of any professional tour in the world, and they are all within three hours driving time of each other," Carter says. "If we can get decent fields and purses, the Tour will be one of the most affordable and effective places to develop one's game in the country. If a player can come out here and consistently post scores one or two under par on these courses, they will definitely be ready to compete at the highest level."

Tour will no longer publish number of entries

Since the Tour began operations in 2006, it has published the number of entries for each event on the Schedule page of the web site. Unfortunately, this has actually led to smaller fields in events.

"As you know, every tournament starts out with zero entries," Carter says. "The problem is, players see this number on the web site and decide not to enter until the number grows. With everyone waiting for everyone else to enter, nobody enters."

To break this cycle, Carter offers this suggestion. "If you want to play, just sign up and place the $50.00 deposit down for the event. When the deadline arrives, the Tour will notify you how many entries have been received. If you do not like the projected number of players, you can withdraw and receive a full refund."

"Once we have a few events where everyone who wants to play actually does, the Tour will start realizing its potential," Carter says.

Deadline changed to enter events

Effective June 9th, the deadline to enter events on the Michigan Player's Tour will be moved to 5 pm the week before each event. This will allow the Tour to notify courses of changes in the number of tee times or cancellations with enough advance warning to minimize disruptions.

"If we do not receive at least 12 entries by the deadline, the Tour will be forced to cancel the event," Carter says. "If we get the 12, we will continue to take additional entries until we run out of tee times. So get those entries in ASAP."

Sponsorship possible with increased participation

With small fields, the Tour has been a tough sell to sponsors. "We're in the classic 'catch-22' situation for startup tours -- the Tour can't attract sponsorship without player participation, and players are waiting for the Tour to obtain sponsorship before they participate," Carter says.

Despite this, the Tour has been contacted by two Michigan casinos interested in sponsoring events, and the Tour is developing proposals for these events. "Given the state of the economy right now, it is very encouraging to see these resorts express interest in the Tour," Carter says. "If the players start showing up, we will definitely see sponsors jumping on board."

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Tour To Publish e-Newsletter

May 5, 2008

The Michigan Player's Tour is now publishing an e-newsletter containing news, results, and "inside information" about the Tour's efforts to build top level tournaments in Michigan.

The newsletter will be published monthly, and will link to the Tour web site. To subscribe, click on the button below.

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2008 Schedule Complete

January 28, 2008

The Michigan Player's Tour schedule for 2008 is now complete, and will consist of 17 events throughout the state beginning June 3rd.

Some of the courses to be used on the 2008 Tour

In order to make the Tour more accessible to players, the Tour schedule now includes several events in the greater Detroit Metro area, the I-94 corridor, and in the Saginaw Valley. In addition, most events will occur on Mondays, which should allow more PGA Section pros and assistants the opportunity to play.

"The schedule this year combines a solid lineup of courses which will definitely challenge every player on the Tour, but which also makes it more convenient for players to participate," says Tour Director Ken Carter. "More events will be played down state, which means a shorter drive for most players."

There are several courses making their first appearance on the schedule this year, including Fieldstone G.C. in Auburn Hills, Northville Hills G.C. in Northville, Coyote Preserve G.C. in Fenton, The Majestic at Lake Walden in Howell, Timber Trace G.C. in Pinckney, The Golf Club at Apple Mountain in Freeland, and The Fortress in Frankenmuth.

To see the full lineup of events, please go to the Schedule page of this web site.

2008 Schedule Progressing

November 18, 2007

The Michigan Player's Tour schedule for 2008 is continuing to take shape, and will include a number of new courses not previously used on the Tour. Among the new courses contacted are Coyote Preserve G.C. in Fenton, Apple Mountain G.C. in Freeland, The Fortress in Frankenmuth, and The Majestic at Lake Walden in Howell.

3rd Hole, Fieldstone G.C.

One of the events recently added to the schedule is an 18 hole shootout at Fieldstone G.C. of Auburn Hills on Monday, June 16th. Players should note this is just 3 days before the PGA Tour Buick Open prequalifier at Fieldstone, and will be an excellent tune up for players hoping to get to the June 23rd Monday qualifier, which also takes place at Fieldstone.

In creating the 2008 schedule, the Tour has decided to conduct most of its18 hole events on Mondays, and most 36 hole events on Mondays and Tuesdays. This should allow more PGA Section players to participate.

Player Priority List

To help build larger fields in events, the Tour has decided to create a "player priority list" for the 2008 season. The creation of the list will accomplish three things:

• determine which players will get into events with a limited number of tee times;
• help the Tour gauge the number of players expected to play in any given event;
• get an early indication of overall participation.

Any player who is thinking about participating this year is encouraged to call or email the Tour office as soon as possible to tell us which events you might play in and to provide basic contact information. Although the list of events you provide will be non-binding, your early inclusion on the list will allow you to get into those events should the number of tee times for that event be limited. In addition, should certain events receive fewer proposed entries, it will allow the Tour to target its marketing efforts on those particular events.

As always, the Tour requests any player planning to play this year continue to "spread the word" about the Tour to your friends and to other players you come in contact with during the course of the season. Building the Tour will continue to require a "team effort."

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2007 Season Recap

Paul Wilson of Grayling leads 2007 Order of Merit

October 4, 2007

Paul Wilson

The Michigan Players Tour would like to extend its appreciation to all of the players who participated in Tour events this summer.

Paul Wilson of Grayling led the 2007 Order of Merit, winning $2,595.00 in 9 events. As a testament to the difficulty of courses used on the Tour, Wilson's scoring average for the season was 76.08 (12 rounds).

During the 2007 season, the Tour conducted a total of 12 events, and paid out $9,800.00 in prize money. Overall, 39 different players participated during 2007. In the two seasons the Tour has been in operation, 17 events have been conducted, with 62 different players participating. Total prize money paid out during the two seasons was $15,640.00.

A complete list of money winners in 2007 is shown below.

2007 Order of Merit

Final Standings

Pos.	Player	Hometown	Events	Winnings
1	Paul Wilson	Grayling, MI	9	$2595.00
2	Christian Vozza	Traverse City, MI	7	1980.00
3	Jay Jurecic	Caspian, MI	2	1000.00
4	Jason Swihart	Jackson, MI	2	950.00
5	Ken Carter	Traverse City, MI	12	800.00
6	David Shearer	Charlevoix, MI	3	750.00
7	Yohann Benson	Montreal, QC	1	600.00
8	Nathan Fritz	South Haven, MI	1	300.00
9	Jacob Leyrer	Lansing, MI	3	225.00
10	Matt Zavadil	Taylor, MI	1	200.00
10	Jordan Young	Brownstown, MI	1	200.00
12	Jeff Cuzzort	Grosse Ile, MI	1	100.00
12	Ryan Holly	Haslett, MI	1	100.00

July 23, 2007

Due to lack of participation, the Michigan Player's Tour has reduced entry fees into all of the remaining events in 2007 and reduced all but the last of the scheduled 36 hole events to 18 holes.

"As a startup tour, the goal in 2007 was to post a full schedule and see what kind of response we would get," said Ken Carter, Director of the Michigan Player's Tour. "We're getting some response, but not quite to the degree we had expected. Although it is disappointing, to achieve what we have with practically no sponsorship is actually quite remarkable."

Entry fees will now be consistent from event to event, and will be as follows:

Number of rounds	PGA Pros	Unaffiliated Pros	Amateurs
1	$175.00	$200.00	$100.00
2	$350.00	$400.00	$200.00

March 14, 2007

It was a long weekend, but the overall response from the Michigan Golf Show in Novi March 9-11 was excellent, according to Ken Carter, Director of the Michigan Player's Tour.

"I met at least 25 players who are planning to enter events on the Tour this year, as well as a bunch of guys who are considering it," said Carter. "Combined with other commitments I've received and new contacts from ads placed in various publications, I think we should have decent fields in Tour events right from the start."

The first event of the season is at Shepherd's Hollow G.C. in Clarkston on June 5th and 6th. "Shepherd's Hollow is a spectacular course, and it will challenge even the best players. They really should move the Buick Open there. With the greens cut down and the pins tucked in the corners, guys will have their hands full," Carter said.

The Michigan Golf Show in Novi is the largest consumer golf convention in the United States. The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January is larger, but it is closed to the general public.

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Dates Of Two Events Changed

March 5, 2007

The Michigan Player's Tour has swapped the dates of two events on the 2007 Men's Division schedule. The event at Angel's Crossing G.C. in Vicksburg has moved to June 19th and has become an 18 hole event, and the event at The Ravines G.C. in Saugatuck has moved to June 26th and 27th and has become a 36 hole event. Please refer to the Event Information page for entry fees and other information concerning these events.

6th Hole, The Majestic at Lake Walden

The Michigan Player's Tour has also scheduled four events for women in 2007. These events are designed to help publicize the creation of the Women's Division of the Tour in 2008, which will consist of 12 to 16 events at many of the top courses in Michigan. The events are open to all female professionals and to amateurs with a handicap of 5.0 or less.

The four Women's Division events are at The Majestic at Lake Walden in Hartland, Michigan on June 7th, Gull Lake View Resort (Stonehedge South G.C.) in Augusta on June 20th, UAW Black Lake G.C. in Onaway on July 12th, and at Buck's Run G.C. in Mt. Pleasant on August 1st.

Players competing in these events can expect the courses to be set up similar to Future's Tour and LPGA courses (6250 to 6500 yards).

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Tour Now Accepting Membership Applications

January 1, 2007

The Michigan Player's Tour is now accepting membership applications for the 2007 Men's Division schedule. Players who wish to become members should contact the Tour office or register online.

The Men's Division schedule will consist of eight 18 hole events and nine 36 hole events at some of the most scenic (and difficult) courses in Michigan. The Tour will kick off the season June 5th at Shepherd's Hollow G.C. in Clarkston, which is ranked #2 by Michigan Golf Magazine in its list of "Michigan Monsters," and continue throughout the summer to nearly every region of the lower peninsula. In all, the Tour will conduct events at six of the courses mentioned in the MGM "monsters" list.

The Tour will also conduct four 18 hole events for women in 2007, which are designed to help publicize the creation of the Women's Division of the Michigan Player's Tour in 2008. Three of these events have now been scheduled, and will occur at Gull Lake View Resort (Stonehedge South G.C.) in Augusta on June 20th, UAW Black Lake G.C. in Onaway on July 12th, and at Buck's Run G.C. in Mt. Pleasant on August 1. In the coming days, the Tour will finalize the Women's Division schedule as well.

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Tour Logo Redesigned

August 19, 2006

In response to player suggestions, the Michigan Player's Tour has changed its policy regarding the percentage of the field to be paid in 18 hole Tour events.

In 18 hole tournaments, prize money will now be paid to the lowest 25% of scorers and ties. The amount paid to the champion has also been changed -- the champion will now receive 35% of the purse. In multi-round events, the policy remains unchanged.

The change will take effect September 12th at Treetops Resort.

August 8, 2006

The Michigan Player's Tour has added several events to the 2007 schedule -- most recently a 36 hole event at Thousand Oaks G.C. in Grand Rapids on August 7th and 8th, and an 18 hole event at King's Challenge G.C. in Cedar on July 3rd.

In the coming days, several additional events will be added to the schedule, with ten 36 hole events and six 18 hole events being the ultimate goal for the 2007 season.

The Tour will also conduct four 18 hole events for women in 2007, which are designed to help publicize the creation of the Women's Division of the Michigan Player's Tour in 2008.

The Tour will begin accepting membership applications for the 2007 season on January 1st, 2007.

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Changes Made to Tour Membership Policy

August 8, 2006

In order to increase field sizes in the early years of the Tour, the Michigan Player's Tour has revised its Membership policy to make it easier for non-members to compete in Tour events beginning in the 2007 season.

The changes to the policy are as follows --

• Members will receive priority in entering all Tour events -- non-members will receive spots in an event on a space-available basis.
• To encourage players to obtain a membership, the entry fees into events for members will be 25% less than the entry fees of non-members.
• PGA Section professionals and assistants will not be required to obtain a membership to compete, and will not be required to pay the 25% surcharge. They will, however, be subject to the space-available limitation if they do not purchase a membership.
• Amateurs will continue to be accepted into events on a space-available basis.

The cost of purchasing a membership can be found on the Membership page.

Entry fees for non-members are affected by these changes -- please go to the Entry Fees page to see these changes.

The event will be the first of 8 to 10 multi-round events to be conducted during the 2007 season, the first full season of the Tour. Players can also expect several 18 hole events on the schedule as well. The event has been posted on the Tour Schedule page.

On January 1st, 2007, the Michigan Player's Tour will begin accepting membership applications for the 2007 season. Players desiring to compete in Tour events during the 2007 season will be required to obtain a membership.

"Contributing to the purse accomplishes two things," Carter states. "First, it underscores the committment I have to the success of the Michigan Player's Tour, which has been started to help the game grow here in Michigan. And second, spending money already earmarked for advertising on the golf tournament gives me a much more visible way to market my construction company than placing a few additional print ads."

The money will augment the first place check in the event, which is determined by the number of professionals who play in the event. "If we get 70 pros to tee it up, the first place check will be about $3,600.00, which isn't bad for 18 holes of golf," Carter says.

Carter is also working to secure additional sponsors for the other events on the Tour this year. "Securing guaranteed prize money will help the Tour grow faster than anything else I can do," notes Carter.

The Tour has scheduled several 18 hole events in 2006, which are listed as follows:

Date	Course	City
June 13	Shepherd's Hollow G.C.	Clarkston
July 6	Grand Traverse Resort (Bear)	Acme
July 25	Thousand Oaks G.C.	Grand Rapids
August 17	The Grande G.C.	Jackson
September 12	Treetops (RTJ Masterpiece)	Treetops Village

Additional events will be added soon.

For more information on these events, please see the Schedule page of this web site, or the Event Information page.

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