Mulligan Tour News

Thom Bales shot a 4-under par 68 to claim the 2011 Runny Nose Open and bring the curtain down on the Tour's 13th season. Bales posted 7 birdies and an eagle during 2 loops of the Harbor Club course in Belleville - home to the Runny Nose Open since 2002. The 6-stroke victory was worth $40 in unofficial prize money. Bales, co-winner of the West Skins Game in early October, won twice as much money in the silly season ($66.00) as he did during the regular season ($29.17).

Ray Collins (37-37 - 74) finished 2nd, 1-stroke ahead of Tom Moran (36-39 - 75). A four-way tie for 4th place included Charlie Roy (42-37 - 79), Erik Meland (38-41 - 79), Tim Jakubowski (45-34 - 79) and Julie Gardner (46-33 - 79).

Team Central broke open a close Commissioner's Cup with a Sunday thrashing to keep the Cup in Central hands for another year. Commissioner Greg Kline remained perfect in singles (7-0-0) and his troops won 7 of the 8 singles matches to take a 16 to 8 win after only leading 8½ to 7½ after the Saturday team matches.

Team East's first try for the Commissioner's Cup was abruptly halted when close matches kept falling red for the Central. Six of the 8 singles matches went to at least the 17th hole but the East could only garner a half point when Kelly Arnold halved his match with Team Central's Tim Markel.

The Mulligan Tour's Central Division has now won the Commissioner's Cup 4 consecutive years.

(Mike Prieskorn, Tom Sachs, Klaus Juska, Greg Kline, Jason Rectenwald, Rich Dunmore, Tim Markel and Jeff Klipa)

Just 3 weeks after taking the EASTERN Championship, Kelly Arnold finished the 2011 Mulligan Tour season by claiming the TOUR Championship and finishing 2nd on the money list. Arnold posted a 35-38 - 73 to beat David Martin by 1 and Joe Robar and Lou Acosta by 2 in the final TOUR Championship at the Ann Arbor Polo Fields G&CC. Arnold finished 2011 with 2 major titles and $159.30 in prize money. Mike Prieskorn finished T-21 in the championship but won the 2011 Money Title with $206.80 in earnings for the year.

Martin (35-39 - 74) bogied the final 2 holes to fall back to 2-over par for the championship. He has finished 2nd at the TOUR Championship 4 times in 5 attempts since 2006. Robar (38-37 - 75) and Acosta (40-35 - 75) shared 3rd place, each making their 2nd top-4 finish at the Polo Fields in the last 3 years.

After a 3-year run at the exclusive Ann Arbor club, the TOUR Championship is set to move to the Polo Fields Washtenaw (formerly Washtenaw Country Club) in 2012.

Joe Robar shot a 1-over 72 at the Coyote Preserve on Saturday to win the 2011 WESTERN Championship by 1-stroke over Jeff Klipa and by 2-strokes over Lou Acosta. Robar won a Memorial Tournament in 2009, with partner John Powell, and now has 2 major titles on his Mulligan Tour resume. Added to the Casino Classic win in July, Robar became the 10th multiple tournament winner in 2011. He has earnings of $97.67 from 5 top-4's this year.

Later that afternoon, Young Tom Litzler fired a 2-under 70 at the Golden Fox to claim the 2011 PLAYERS Championship. The victory, a 6-stroke win over Greg Kline and Terry Baar, was Young Tom's first win since the 2007 Crazy Brit and 4th in 68 career starts. A winner at the '05 Memorial with partner and dad, Old Tom Litzler, Young Tom became the 11th player in Tour history to surpass $500 in career prize money.

Then on Sunday, Kelly Arnold, winner of the Green Towel in 2008 with partner Rick Persichetti, shot a 3-over 75 at the Orchards Golf Club taking the 2011 EASTERN Championship by 1-stroke over Joe Brandenburg. Arnold is the 6th player in Tour history to win 4 majors adding this EASTERN title to the '06 PLAYERS, the '08 Memorial and the '09 Match Play. One day after Young Tom Litzler, Arnold joined him in the career $500 club - now 12 members strong.

Mike Prieskorn, one of only 3 players to compete in all three 2011 division championships, finished 4th in the WESTERN ($12) and 3rd in the EASTERN ($24) to wrap-up the 2011 Money Title. With $206.80 in earnings from 9 top-4's this year, the prolific Prieskorn - he made 23 starts in 2011 - cannot be caught for the overall Money Title with only the TOUR Championship remaining. Incidentally, Prieskorn also has a Green Towel - from the 2010 Memorial Tournament win with Thom Bales.

Mike Prieskorn made the 2011 UPS Store Golf Classic his 2nd win of the year and the 6th of his career by shooting a 1-under par 71 at Northville Hills on Sunday. Prieskorn led the field in greens in regulation (11/18) and was the only player in red numbers at day's end. The win was worth $36 and moved Prieskorn to the top of the money list with $170.80 in earnings in 2011. Added to the Big Dog Pro-Am win in June, he is the 9th player to earn multiple wins in 2011.

Barb Hoelzle (35-39 - 74) was trying to conjure the spirits of the PLAYERS Championship that she won here in 2008, but a triple bogey at the finishing hole derailed her efforts and left her 3-strokes out of first. Lou Acosta (38-37 - 75) finished another stroke back in solo 3rd place while Steve Prew (37-40 - 77) secured his 2nd top-4 of the season.

Karl Carter shot a 1-over par 72 and took a 1-stroke victory in the 2011 Ugly Pants Open at Downing Farms on Saturday. The Dearborn resident posted 2 eagles and 5 birdies in the "up-and-down" round, epitomized by the final 2 holes - a triple bogey at 17 and game winning birdie at 18. Carter collected a $28 first place check and stamped his ticket to the WESTERN Championship in the West's final regular season event.

Lou Acosta (37-36 - 73) recorded his 5th top-4 of the year and moved up to 6th on the money list ($98.00). Phil Johnson (39-36 - 75) and Don Morris (39-36 - 75) tied for 4th place. Morris slipped into the lead in the West division ($86.50) and 4th overall ($110.75) in 2011 earnings.

Erik Meland needed overtime but prevailed at the 2011 Caddyshack Classic on Sunday. Meland shot a 34-35 - 69 to tie with Eric Morris at 3-under par. A Morris 3-putt on the first hole of the 4-hole aggregate playoff was the difference and Meland took home the gopher trophy for the second time. He also won the inaugural Caddyshack in 1999.

This is the President's 2nd win of 2011 and his 19th title in 13 years including 6 wins in 7 playoffs. Playing in his 209th tournament, the Tour's founder tied David Martin for the career lead in top-4 finishes (71) and tied Rick Persichetti for the career lead in wins (19). He has earned over $1,300 and ranks 4th on the career money list.

Morris, the defending champ at the Links at Lake Erie, made birdie on 3 of his final 4 holes to force the playoff. Hitting a tournament best 13 greens in regulation, Morris made an eagle and 7 birdies but fell just short of repeating at the Caddyshack. Still, 2 runner-up finishes in one weekend's not all bad. Morris made $36.80 in official Tour prize money at Carrington and Lake Erie.

Don Morris (35-36 - 71) finished in 3rd place - his 5th top-4 of the year. He ranks 5th on the overall money standings in 2011 with $95.25 in earnings. Thom Bales (36-36 - 72) and Bill Gordon (31-41 - 72) tied for 4th. Gordon was entertaining the notion of sweeping the Tour's "southern swing" (Carrington Classic and Caddyshack Classic) until running out of steam on the Links inward nine.

Bill Gordon won the 2011 Carrington Classic on Saturday, becoming the 4th rookie to find the winner's circle this year. The Ann Arbor resident shot a back nine 30 and overcame a 9 stroke deficit at the turn. He made 2 eagles and 4 birdies to finish at 2-under 70 - the only player to finish in red numbers. Gordon won $36 and stamped his ticket to the PLAYERS Championship at the end of the month.

A five-way tie for 2nd place included the last 3 Carrington champs. Mike Prieskorn (2010), Eric Morris (2009) and Kelly Arnold (2008) all finished at even par 72 along with Tim Markel and Kevin Morin. The 2nd place logjam yielded $12.80 for each player and, with 1 Central tournament remaining, a spot in the top-20 Central money winners.

John Powell won the Go Blue Classic on Sunday at Hudson Mills Metropark shooting a 32-35 - 67 that has the Tour's statisticians scrambling to see if this is the first perfect round on Tour. Powell recorded no net bogies on his scorecard. He led the field in greens in regulation (8/18) and was 2nd in putting (26 putts) and made 5 birdies and 13 pars.

The win is Powell's 2nd of the season (Tin Cup) and 5th top-4. He is now ranked 2nd on the money list with $133.50 in prize money, trailing Rich Dunmore by just $5.25. The 2011 Go Blue Classic is Powell's 5th career title. The 4th year pro from Livonia has moved into the top-10 in career earnings ($561.40) on the strength of 26 top-4's in 52 starts.

Jeff Klipa (31-38 - 69) had his best finish in 2011, and his 3rd top-4 of the year. The $24 2nd place check guarantees a top-20 ranking on the west money list and qualification for the WESTERN Championship on August 27th. Commissioner Phil Abele (38-32 - 70) took 3rd place, his first top-4 of the year. The $16 should be enough to qualify for the WESTERN but unfortunately, Abele will miss the division Championship at the Coyote Preserve. Joe Robar (38-36 - 74) and Scott Belanger (35-39 - 74) tied for 4th. Robar is 19th on the west money list with one tournament remaining (Ugly Pants Open).

Tim Jakubowski won his 2nd tournament of the year, securing a 1-stroke victory at the 2011 Fifty Cent Classic on Saturday. "T-Jake" made birdies at 13, 15 and 17 to overtake Denny Ersig and finish at 7-under par 65. The winning stash of 65 fifty cent pieces moved Jakubowski to the top of the East division money standings ($60.50) and 7th overall ($80.50).

Ersig (29-37 - 66) blistered the front side but cooled off on the inward nine and settled for 2nd place. He certainly secured a spot in the EASTERN Championship with the $24.50 in prize money.

Costly bogies at the 15th and 17th holes relegated Dan Schwartz (31-36 - 67) to 3rd place, his 2nd top-4 finish of the year. The $16.50 should be enough to qualify for the EASTERN. Charlie Roy (32-38 - 70) and Thom Bales (35-35 - 70) shared 4th place.

Kevin Morin, a rookie from White Lake, took the 2011 Match Play Championship in commanding fashion last weekend. Entering the tournament as the 15th seed, Morin swept the 4 matches and became the first player ever to win the Match Play title without ever having played the final 3 holes competitively.

The title run was impressive. Morin beat the defending champ, Thom Bales, on Friday by a 4&3 score. He returned Saturday to face Scott Wyka, fresh off a Crazy Brit win, and posted a 6&5 win while shooting even par thru 13 holes. On Sunday, Morin closed the deal with a semi final win over Karl Carter 5&3 in the morning and then duplicated the 5&3 line over Mike Prieskorn in the afternoon. In the 4 matches, Morin was a gross 14-over par for 58 holes.

Morin is the first player to make the Match Play Championship his first win on Tour. The $60 first place check moves Morin up to 7th on the current money standings and secures a spot in the TOUR Championship in September.

A rookie from Lake Orion, Klaus Juska won his 2nd tournament of the year - the 2011 East Side Charity Classic at Rammler GC on Sunday. He shot a 35-34 - 69 to finish at 2-under par and one stroke ahead of Johanna Lewis. Juska led the field in driving accuracy (10 of 13 fairways) and was tied for most greens in regulation (8/18). He won the Par-54 in June and is the leading candidate for rookie-of-the-year with earnings of $87.00, 4th overall on the Money Standings.

Lewis (36-34 - 70) posted her 2nd top-4 finish in the month of July and earned another $21.00 in official prize money. She is 10th on the East money standings and 35th overall. Commissioner Tom Hoelzle (34-38 - 72) took 3rd place with Denny Ersig (33-40 - 73) and Joe Brandenburg (38-35 - 73) sharing 4th place.

The Tour raised $240 for the Michigan chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation. Tom Hoelzle was closest to the pin on hole #8 winning 50% of the $60 prize pool. He donated his half back to the charity.

Scott Wyka beat Jon Heikkinen in a playoff for the 2011 Crazy Brit title. Wyka made a 3-point birdie on the last hole of regulation play to get to 38 points total in the British Stableford scoring tournament. Heikkinen, playing in the group behind Wyka, also finished with 38 points thanks to an eagle and 5 birdies. Wyka took the early advantage in the 4-hole aggregate playoff with a par-2 to Heikkinen's bogey-3, but he gave back the advantage on the 2nd hole with a 3-putt of his own. Both players made par on the 3rd hole but a second 3-putt by Heikkinen on the 4th hole gave the win to Wyka.

Wyka adds the 2011 Crazy Brit crown to his previous wins at the 2009 Harbour Pointe Open and 2005 TOUR Championship. Saturday's win is his second top-4 in 2011 and he currently ranks 20th on the current money list.

Chris Dunmore scored 37 points and finished in 3rd place, 1 point ahead of his brother Rich Dunmore and 3 others that included Barry Kirsch, Ned Loving and Don Morris. Rich added another $3.25 to his 2011 coffers and continues to lead the Tour in prize money with $138.75.

Ray Collins edged Mike Harmon for the 2011 MT Senior Open title on a hot and muggy Sunday at Kensington Metropark. Collins birdied the 413-yard par-4 18th, one of 7 birdies on his round, to finish at 1-under 70 and a 1-stroke win. The victory is Collins' 4th Tour title in 61 starts over 8 years on Tour and made him the 28th player to earn $300 in prize money. As the 2011 Senior Open champ, Collins is exempt from qualifying for the TOUR Championship at the Polo Fields in September.

Harmon, a rookie from Ypsilanti, posted his first top-4 finish in his 8th start on Tour. A birdie at the 17th tied Harmon for the lead, but a bogey at the finishing hole avoided a playoff. Tom Moran (37-35 - 72) finished 1-over par and took 3rd place while Tom Hoelzle (34-39 - 73) finished in solo 4th as the field of 24 seniors all survived the 100 degree heat index .

Jeff Kellstrom shot a 2-under par 69 at the Links at Whitmore Lake on Saturday to win the 2011 Two-Stick Classic by 7 strokes. Kellstrom used his 4-hybrid and a wedge to set a new scoring record at the Two-Stick. The aggregate 69 is one stroke better than Gary Rose's 2-under 70 in 2004 at Sandy Creek and matched the following year by Kellstrom's wife Heather when she won at Rustic Glen with a 2-under 70.

Kellstrom hit 9 of 13 fairways (tied for 3rd in the field), hit 9 of 18 greens in regulation (T-1st) and made 6 birdies (1st) to win the Two-Stick for a second time. His first career win came at the 2002 Two-Stick played at Carrington GC. Kellstrom now has 7 career victories among 26 top-4's in 60 starts on Tour.

Eric Morris (34-42 - 76) finished 2nd and collected his 3rd top-4 of the year. Young Tom Litzler (39-38 - 77) edged out his dad for 3rd place. Old Tom Litzler (35-43 - 78) has 4 top-4's this season and is currently ranked 11th on the Money List

Rich Dunmore goes low and posts 3rd win at Doc's Sports Retreat Quad-Tour Challenge

Shooting the lowest score on Tour this year, Rich Dunmore passed 3rd round leader Greg Kline with a 31-33 - 64 at Whispering Willows to finish at 14-under 271 and win the 2011 Doc's Sports Retreat Quad-Tour Challenge. Dunmore leads the Tour in wins (3) and money earned ($135.50) in 2011 and is a lock to make the Central Commissioner's Cup team in September.

Dunmore was aided by PGA pro Zach Johnson (65), Champions Tour pro Jeff Sluman (70) and the LPGA's Ai Miyazato (72) in the four-Tour combined scoring event. Kline's professional golfers included Johnson (65), John Cook (67) and Christie Kerr (71). Kline (36-40 - 76) finished at 6-under 279 and was a runner-up for the 4th time in 8 appearances at this event.

Dave Oliver (36-33 - 69) took 3rd place with a total of 283 (-2) finishing in the money for the first time in his 8th career start on Tour. Steve Villerot (36-41 - 77) secured his first top-4 of the year with a 4-round total of 284 on the Livonia course where he won the Crazy Brit last year.

Tour President Erik Meland presents a check for $155 to Stacy Bering of English Springer Rescue America, Inc.

The Tour's youngest member just became the Tour's youngest winner ever after Samantha Kellstrom took the 2011 Indigo Salon & Spa Ladies Open on Sunday at Pheasant Run Golf Club. Samantha shot a 31-34 - 65 from a career best gross 87. The 65 sets a new record low score at the Ladies Open beating DeVonne Mowry's 5-under 66 at Blackheath in 2007. A few months shy of her 13th birthday, Samantha is also the youngest winner on Tour - 4 years younger than Young Tom Litzler when he won the 2005 Memorial Tournament at age 17.

Perennial favorite Mowry (38-40 - 78) tied for 2nd in what may be her final Ladies Open appearance as her career path will take her out of Michigan for a few years. Mother-to-be Sharon Prew (40-38 - 78) finished strong in the 95 degree heat and recorded her best finish on Tour. Johanna Lewis (43-39 - 82) also posted her first ever top-4.

What were the odds? The Casino Classic is 2 for 2 in playoffs. One year after Art Wakeford won the inaugural Casino Classic in overtime, Joe Robar won a playoff with Ron Hiestand to take the 2011 Casino Classic at the Twin Lakes GC last Saturday. This is Robar's 2nd Tour win but the first solo victory. He and John Powell won the 2009 Memorial Tournament together.

Robar (37-34 - 71) finished the regulation 18 holes in even par and then waited for Hiestand, playing in the final group, to come in at level par as well. Robar and Hiestand traded 2-putt pars for the 4-hole playoff, but Robar birdied the first sudden death hole to claim the top prize. The win puts Robar in the top-5 in the East ($32) and 17th overall ($44.67) in prize money.

Hiestand (32-39 - 71) held the front nine lead, and earned an extra $20 bill for 3 consecutive birdies, but a bogie on 18 created the tie. The 2nd place check pushes Hiestand up to 3rd on the East money standings.

Sam Akunuri (36-37 - 73) finished alone in 3rd place while Klaus Juska (37-37 - 74) and Joe Brandenburg (39-35 - 74) shared 4th. Brandenburg also snagged a Jackson for making 3 birdies in a row.

Lou Acosta earned the red ribbon for a 2nd win at the Strokes on a Rope tournament. He and David Martin shot 5-over 77's at Huntmore GC on Saturday and Acosta earned the playoff win thanks to a 1-putt on the 2nd hole of the 4-hole playoff. First time winners of the SoaR get a white ribbon attached to the trophy. Second time wins get red ribbons and 3rd time wins get blue ribbons.

Acosta hit 9 of 14 fairways and 9 of 18 greens in regulation while making 31 strokes with the putter. He added $36 to his season earnings and now ranks 5th on the West Money list ($41.00) and 9th overall ($59.00).

David Martin led the field in greens in regulation with 12. Martin has had the low score at each SoaR played at Huntmore GC - earning his red ribbon in 2007 and losing a playoff in 2008. He earned his white ribbon for winning the SoaR at Lake Forest in 2005.

Mike Prieskorn took 3rd place with a 78 and Jon Heikkinen made the top-4 with an 81.

Rick Persichetti alternated pars and birdies over the final 8 holes at the Majestic at Lake Walden on Sunday to finish with a 68 and 2 round total of 6-under par 138 to win the 2011 Commercial Underwriters Harbour Pointe Open by 5 strokes. Perch was chasing Sam Akunuri and Klaus Juska on the front nine and finally overtook Akunuri for the lead on the 14th hole. Akunuri and Juska both shot final round 75's and tied for 2nd at 1-under 143.

This was Persichetti's 2nd HPO win, joining Thom Bales and Erik Meland with multiple HPO titles. Persichetti won the HPO in 2004 at Eagle Crest GC in a playoff. But no playoff was needed in 2011, the 13th edition of the Harbour Pointe Open, when Perch closed the deal with a back nine 33 that required only 11 putts.

Four strokes behind to start the championship round, John Powell (72-72 - 144) started quickly with birdies on 3 of the first 4 holes and got to within 2 of the lead after an eagle-2 on the 14th hole but settled for 4th place alone at even par. Tournament host Dan Schwartz shared 5th place with Steve Prew. Schwartz (72-73 - 145) hit 12 of 14 fairways on Sunday and had his best showing in the HPO since a 10th place finish in 2008.

2011 Harbour Pointe Open champ Rick Persichetti with Commercial Underwriters' Dan Schwartz

Rookie Klaus Juska and Memorial champ Sam Akunuri are tied for the lead after the opening round of the 2011 Commercial Underwriters Harbour Pointe Open. Each posted a 4-under par 68 and hold a 2-stroke lead over 2004 HPO champ Rick Persichetti. Five others, including tournament host Dan Schwartz, are 4 strokes back.

Eighteen players made the cut, established at 5-over par 77, and are continuing play on Sunday afternoon in this 36-hole major championship.

Tom Hoelzle captured the 2011 Holy Grail at St.Johns Golf & Conference Center on June 18th, outlasting the defending champ, Phil Johnson, in a playoff. Hoelzle took the lead on the first playoff hole and held on to secure his 2nd career victory. He has 13 top-4's in 106 career starts.

Johnson (34-38 - 72) birdied the 18th hole to force the playoff. He has 2 career top-4's, both coming in this event in the last 2 years.

Mike Prieskorn (39-34 - 73) bogied the 18th and missed joining the playoff by a stroke. Prieskorn has 3 top-4's in 2011 and is currently 5th on the Money List ($64). Don Morris (36-38 - 74) finished 4th and continues to lead the West Division money standings with $76.00 in earnings and is ranked 3rd on the overall standings.

Terry Baar shot a 6-under 65 to reclaim the Real McCoy Classic title on Saturday. Even par through her first 12 holes, Baar played the final 6 holes in 6-under par including an eagle-birdie-birdie finish that sealed the deal. Baar was 36% in driving accuracy and hit 7 of 18 greens stroking 35 putts to win by 3.

In 6 appearances at Farmington Hills GC, Baar has finished 1st or 2nd four times in the Real McCoy while carrying a 66.7 net-stroke scoring average. Baar now has 4 wins among 19 top-4's in 94 career starts.

Jon Heikkinen (35-33 - 68) finished 2nd needing only 28 putts - best in the field. This was Heikkinen's 2nd top-4 of the year. Lou Acosta, the 2009 Real McCoy champ, secured 3rd place with a 2-under 69. Acosta led the field with 13 greens in regulation. Jeff Klipa (34-36 - 70) took 4th place alone staying ahead of a trio of players at even par. Host Victor McCoy was T-15 with a 3-over 75.

Rich Dunmore, a 2nd year pro from Livonia, birdied the 18th hole at Fox Hills GC to win the 2011 Dudlee's Plymouth Open by a stroke on Sunday. Dunmore recorded 6 birdies and an eagle to post a 2-under par 68 for his 2nd win of the year and 4th top-4 in 8 starts. The first place check of $28 catapulted Dunmore to the top of the Money Standings with $99.00 in earnings this year.

Tom W Litzler (33-36 - 69) and Mike Sikes (34-35 - 69) tied for 2nd. Litzler is leading the Central division money list with $47.50 and is ranked 5th overall. Sikes posted his first top-4 finish in his 8th career start. Han Kim (35-35 - 70) and Eric Morris (36-34 - 70) shared 4th place.

Host Karl Carter finished T-12 with a 7-over 77. Carter's designated charity for the 2011 Dudlee's Plymouth Open was Leader Dogs for the Blind. The tournament raised $655 for Leader Dogs through the sale of "back-nine mulligans", a blind-folded putting contest and several raffles.

Mike Prieskorn came from 3 strokes back to win the 2011 Big Dog Pro-Am. Tied for 6th with PGA pro Rory McIlroy's 68 going into play on Saturday, Prieskorn added his own 68 at Riverview Highlands for a 2-round total of 8-under par 136 to beat Rich Dunmore by a stroke. Prieskorn has 8 top-4's in 32 career starts, but 5 of those are victories.

Prieskorn led the field hitting 9 of 18 greens in regualtion and was T-1 in putting (28). The $32 first place check ranks 4th on the East Money Standings.

Dunmore (65-72 - 138) notched his 3rd top-4 of the year and 2nd year pros Ron Hiestand (68-72 - 140) and Joe Brandenburg (68-73 - 141) recorded their first career top-4's.

David Martin collected career win #18 by successfully defending his Fox Hunt title last Friday. Martin recorded 51 points on the Strategic Fox layout - the same score that won him the 2010 Fox Hunt title. A veteran of 128 tournaments over 11 years, Martin has 70 top-4 finishes and over $1,400 in career earnings.

Tim Jakubowski finished 2nd with 49 points with Mike Prieskorn taking 3rd (48 points) and Jeff Kellstrom (46) getting his first top-4 since rejoining the Tour.

Don Morris won the Animal House Classic for the 2nd time in 3 years at Salem Hills GC on Saturday. He posted a 37-33 - 70 to win the 2011 event by 3 strokes over Kelly Arnold and John Powell. The aggregate 70 has been the same winning score in the AHC for 5 of the last 6 years - the only exception being Morris' 5-over 77 in wet & windy conditions in 2009.

The victory is Morris' 2nd of the year, after winning the Pine View Classic in April. He is 3rd on the overall Money Standings but leads the West Division with $68 from the 2 wins. Morris has 5 career titles and $282 in career earnings.

Arnold (36-37 - 73) finished in the top-4 for the 2nd time and is 6th on the Money List. The $22.50 for T-2 has Powell (35-38 - 73) still leading the Tour in earnings with $75.50 after his 4th top-4 of the season. Thom Bales, Joe Robar and Tom Sachs tied for 4th.

Sachs prevailed in the Zoo putt-off for the 4 players with the lowest Zoo ratios. He outlasted Leo Bechard on the 3rd extra hole after Bales and Morris bowed out after 4 holes.

Erik Meland won the inaugural Cherry Creek Classic last Saturday by outlasting Barb Hoelzle in a 7 hole playoff. This was the Tour founder's 18th career Tour win but his first since the 2008 Quad-Tour Challenge. Meland and Hoelzle finished the regulation 18 holes at 1-under par 71 and then traded 2-putt pars for the 4-hole playoff. Meland secured the win on the 3rd extra hole with his 7th consecutive 2-putt while Hoelzle finally succumbed to a tricky putt that rose nearly 2 feet and then dropped back down 2 feet to a hole 15 feet away.

In regulation,Meland played the final 6 holes in 6-under par with 4 birdies and an eagle to force the playoff. The win, worth $32, sends Meland to the top of the East Money List ($46) and almost certainly secures a spot on the East Commissioner's Cup team in September. Hoelzle, the Tour's all-time leader among female members with 6 wins and $470 in career earnings, is 0-3 in playoffs but she is ranked 2nd on the East Money List ($33.60) and has most likely secured her spot on the East Commisioner's Cup team as well.

Charlie Roy (36-36 - 72) recorded birdies on 4 of the last 5 holes but a double-bogey at 17 derailed the comeback and he missed joining the playoff by 1 stroke. Steve Prew (39-36 - 75) and Rick Persichetti (38-37 - 75) shared 4th place.

Sam Akunuri and Karl Carter are Mulligan Tour major champions after beating a veteran field of competitors at the 2011 Memorial Tournament. Under sunny skies and warm temps that do not always (OK, hardly ever) frame the backdrop of Erik and Susan Meland's Memorial Tournament, Akunuri and Carter played steady scramble-golf netting 6 birdies to finish at 4-under 68. Bogies on the 2 back-nine par-3's were their only setbacks.

Dan Schwartz and Ned Loving (33-36 - 69) birdied their final hole to finish solo 2nd at 3-under par. The pair needed only 24 putts on the Gateway greens - lowest in the field. A 3-way tie for 3rd at 2-under 70 included the teams of Rich and Chris Dunmore, Mike Pearcy and Erik Johnson, and Bob and Terry Baar.

This is Carter's 2nd win (2010 Chelsea Classic) and Akunuri's first, as the pair get their first major victories on Tour. The $40 first place checks move both players up to 4th on the Money List as the Tour breaks for the Memorial Day weekend.

Top-10 at the 2011 Memorial Tournament
	NET	Player
1	33-35 – 68	Karl Carter – Sam Akunuri $40
2	33-36 – 69	Dan Schwartz – Ned Loving $30
3	34-36 – 70	Rich Dunmore – Chris Dunmore $15
	35-35 – 70	Mike Pearcy – Erik Johnson $15
	34-36 – 70	Bob Baar – Terry Baar $15
6	35-36 – 71	Tom Moran – Tim Markel $5
7	36-36 – 72	Steve Prew – Sharon Prew
	34-38 – 72	Mike Sikes – Han Kim
	36-36 – 72	Jeff Klipa – Victor McCoy
10	35-38 – 73	Don Morris – Eric Morris

David Martin posted a 34-33 - 67 at Pierce Lake GC to win the 2011 Chelsea Classic by 4-strokes. The perennial leader in accuracy, from the tee and with the approach, hit 9 of 13 fairways and 11 of 18 greens. Martin, a 12 year veteran from Belleville with nearly $1,400 in career earnings, needed 32 putts and converted an eagle and 4 birdies against a lone bogey to finish 5-under par for his 17th career title.

John Powell (39-32 - 71) led the Chelsea field in driving (11 fairways hit) and greens in regulation (12) as well as birdies made (6). The 2nd place finish moves the #1 ranked player on Tour to the top of the Money Standings with $53 earned in 3 starts this year. Tom Moran (36-36 - 72) fell back to 3rd place with a double-bogey on the finishing hole. Lou Acosta (36-37 - 73), Ray Collins (34-39 - 73) and Charlie Roy (37-36 - 73) shared 4th place.

Rich Dunmore shot a 37-35 - 72 to claim the 2011 Sparty Classic by 5-strokes. The Livonia resident, starting his 2nd year on Tour, made 5 birdies playing in the final group and saved Commissioner Tom Hoelzle from conducting a large playoff with several players leading in the clubhouse with 5-over 77's. Dunmore recorded 6 greens in regulation and needed 36 putts to earn his first win, and 3rd top-4, in his 21st career start.

The group of 5 players that tied for 2nd included Barb Hoelzle, Tom Sachs, Eric Morris, Dick Spiers and rookie Kevin Morin.

Tim Jakubowski, a 2nd year pro from Lincoln Park, overcame a 2 stroke deficit in a playoff with Kelly Arnold to capture his first Tour win at the 2011 Sweet Sixteen at Blackheath Golf Club. Arnold, after an eagle on the 18th forced the playoff, took a 1-stroke lead on the first hole of the 4-hole playoff when Jakubowski 3-putted. Arnold then extended the lead to 2 with a nice 18 footer on the 2nd hole. When both players 3-putted the 3rd hole it seemed a certainty that Arnold would secure his 7th Tour victory. But that's when things got interesting.

Jakubowski cleaned up a 2-putt par on the 4th hole and Arnold missed his 2nd and 3rd strokes. He drained a 2 footer to force sudden death but the gallery sensed Arnold's dejection. On the 2nd extra hole Arnold could not match Jakubowski's 2-putt par and the comeback was complete. Jakubowski collects a $28 first place check

Jakubowski and Arnold had both finished 6-under par after throwing out their 2 worst holes in the Sweet Sixteen format. Erik Meland (3 under) took 3rd place and Charlie Roy (2 under) finished 4th.

Tim Markel shot a 33-37 - 70 to win the 2011 Western Swing by 5-strokes. A closing double-bogey on 18 was of no consequence after he recorded a double-eagle on the 16th to open a 7 shot margin. Aided by 6 birdies, an eagle and the double-eagle, Markel tallied his first win on Tour in 38 career starts. The Ann Arbor resident had 5 top-4's previously with his closest chance coming in a playoff loss to Thom Bales at the 2009 Quad-Tour Challenge.

Young Tom Litzler (38-37 - 75) finished in 2nd place, 3 strokes ahead of his dad. Old Tom (39-39 - 78) has 2 top-4's in as many starts in 2011 as the father/son team prepare for the Memorial Tournament in 2 weeks. Joe Robar (41-38 - 79) and Jon Heikkinen (37-42 - 79) shared 4th place.

John Powell beat Greg Kline in a playoff to claim the 2011 Tin Cup - his 4th win in his 4th year on Tour. Powell and Kline both finished at 5-over par 77, the same score Kline had in winning the Tin Cup in 2006. The field averaged a net score of 84.6 at Hickory Creek. Kline, 3 strokes behind Powell with 3 to play, made a birdie at 14 and caught Powell when John made a double-bogey at 16.

The playoff was a reversal of fortune. Powell took the lead in the 4-hole playoff with par-2's on the first 2 holes while Kline was 3-putting. Kline had not 3-putted at all during regulation play. Both players 3-putted the 3rd and Powell had a 2-stroke cushion with one to play. Kline finally got down in 2 while Powell 3-putted again but the win was secured. The 3rd ranked player on Tour, Powell's 4th title gives him 22 top-4's in 43 career starts and $459.90 in career earnings.

Tom W Litzler (38-40 - 78) and Scott Wyka (40-38 - 78) shared 3rd place. Wyka finished his round with a birdie-2 at the 17th and Litzler completed his round at 18 with an eagle-3 but both fell 1-stroke short of joining the playoff. Young Tom Litzler (43-37 - 80) and Steve Prew (38-42 - 80) tied for 5th. Young Tom also earned an invitation to the Central Skins Game on October 2nd by finishing closest-to-the-pin on hole #11.

Don Morris shot a 37-36 - 73 to win the 2011 Pine View Classic by 1 over Erik Meland. Morris hit 4 of 14 fairways and 3 of 18 greens, needing 31 putts to finish 1-over par. His 4th win in 34 career starts (and 10th top-4) is his first victory since August 2009. Morris showed concern for the PVC trophy that had filled it's 12 years of champions around the base so Meland, acting in official Tour capacity, hand wrote the details on the bottom of the trophy.

Meland, a winner here in '04 and '05, was 3-under par thru 10 and trying to become the first player in over 10 years to score in the 60's at Pine View. But playing the final 8 holes in 5-over par doomed the former champ to 2nd place. Meland has 7 top-4's at Pine View having started in all 13 tournaments.

Barb Hoelzle (43-38 - 81) and Rick Persichetti (37-44 - 81) finished 8-strokes back of Morris but that was good enough for a share of 3rd place. Once again, Pine View offered a tough start to the West division schedule as the field averaged nearly 14 strokes over par.

The 2011 season is set to kick-off on Saturday as the Tour's Central Division opens at Hickory Creek for the 13th edition of the Tin Cup. The Tour's West Division also starts on Saturday as the Pine View Classic will be contested for the 13th time. There are 24 players in the field at Pine View and the Tin Cup has 28 entrants. The weather looks good for Saturday and hopefully the turf will dry out a little by the weekend.

The April 22 make-up date for the first Q-School was cancelled - again due to wet and rainy conditions. And the 2nd Q-School, set for April 23 at Whispering Willows, is in jeopardy as well. A rain out there would leave both Q-Schools cancelled for the first time in Tour history.

It's a rainy start to the 2011 season. The first Qualifying School, scheduled for April 16 at Fox Creek GC in Livonia, was rained out. Though the day did not bring a complete washout, the Tour opted for a postponement of Q-School 1, rather than subject the rookie class to cool, windy and wet conditions. Although, it would have made good practice for the Memorial Tournament!

The Tour may try to save the fate of Q-School 1 by rescheduling for Friday, April 22, the day before Q-School 2. All members are welcome to re-register for the Good Friday edition of Q-School.

In the event's 5th year, the Mulligan Tour's Ladies Open picks up a title sponsor for 2011. Indigo Salon, Spa and Boutique of Canton has agreed to sponsor the Tour's ladies championship. The "Rally for a Cure" event, scheduled for July 10 at Pheasant Run GC, will continue to support the efforts of the Susan G Komen foundation for breast cancer awareness.

Voted the best Salon & Day Spa in Detroit, Indigo will provide $25 gift certificates as closest-to-the-pin prizes (3 of 4 par-3's) and one longest drive (ladies). There will also be the traditional 50/50 putting contest to raise money for cause. There is also speculation that Indigo massage therapists may be on hand before the tournament to give neck and shoulder massages in return for a donation to the Susan G Komen foundation.

The Quad-Tour Challenge picked up a title sponsor for the 2011 season. Doc's Sports Retreat in Livonia has agreed to a 1-year deal to sponsor the event, scheduled for July 16 at Whispering Willows GC.

The tournament will formally be called the Doc's Sports Retreat Quad-Tour Challenge and the format will continue to test the players knowledge of professional golfers. Each player will add 3 pro scores to his/her net score at Whispering Willows for a four round team score. The 3 pro scores will come from the better score of 2 draft choices in each pro tour - the PGA Tour, the Champions Tour and the LPGA Tour. The pro scores will come from their July 10th rounds.

The tournament will feature $20 Doc's Sports Retreat gift certificates as closest-to-the-pin prizes on each of the 4 par-3 holes. The event will also support English Springer Rescue America, Inc. by donating $5 from every player's entry fee and 50% of the Springer Putting Challenge to the organization.

Membership rates will remain the same for the 4th year in a row. A full membership will cost $120 for the year, although there is a $20 discount if the membership is received by March 31. A limited membership (6 events max) is still available for $80. Golfers can join at any time of the year.

The Tour will conduct more than 40 events in 2011 including 10 tournaments in the West Division, 10 tournaments in the Central Division and 9 tournaments in the East Division. Add in the major championships, and the Ladies Open and the Senior Open, and the total purse during the season is over $3,800.00!!

Once again the Tour will host 2 Qualifying Schools (April 16 and 23) to give new members a head start on establishing a Mulligan Tour Handicap Index. The Q-Schools are not mandatory, but are helpful for new members to get oriented to Tour playing rules and procedures.

The major championship sites for 2011 include Gateway GC (The Memorial), the Majestic at Lake Walden (HP Open), and the Woodlands of Van Buren (Match Play Ch.). The division championships scheduled for August 27 include a return to the Golden Fox for the PLAYERS (Central) Championship, a return to the Coyote Preserve for the WESTERN Championship and, tentatively, a first ever stop at the Orchards GC for the EASTERN Championship. The TOUR Championship will conclude its 3-year run at the Polo Fields G&CC on September 17.

The Mulligan Tour will again have a booth at the 2011 Michigan Golf Show, scheduled for March 4-6 at the Suburban Collection Showplace (formerly Rock Financial Showplace) in Novi. Visit http://michigangolfshow.com/ for details about show.