The northern resort is welcoming former champions and players to the field next week with the 25th Michigan Women’s Open Championship.
By Greg Johnson
Defending Champion Lindsey McPherson of Flushing, Michigan may have stopped playing tour golf, but she is returning to the field to play in the 25th Michigan Women’s Open Championship on Monday, June 25, 2018 at the Mountain Ridge Course at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan.
“I decided to stop playing full-time and start a career away from golf,” said McPherson, who will be playing in the championship for the ninth time since age 16-years-old.
“I will be at the Women’s Open to defend though. Being the defending champion means a lot to me. I love it up north. I love it at Crystal Mountain. It’s a beautiful place to play golf, and everybody is so friendly. Winning the championship at Crystal Mountain meant so much to me. It was a special day in a special place,” McPherson added.
Crystal Mountain Resort is hosting the three-day championship for the 16th consecutive time, beginning June 25 through June, 27, 2018. With local sponsor Coca-Cola, the family-oriented resort has been a strong proponent of women’s golf in Michigan.
“It’s really become the home of the Women’s Open,” said Justin Phillips, tournament director for the Michigan Section of the PGA, which administers the championship.
“People bring their families. It seems like the Michigan State [University] women’s golf program has a reunion here every year. This year 15 current, former or incoming Spartans are playing. It’s a great resort. The golf is great and there are so many other amenities and things to do,” Phillips added.
McPherson is one of four former champions in the field. Suzy Green-Roebuck of Ann Arbor, the three-time champion who last year was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, is returning; as are two-time-champion and Hall-of-Fame-member Elaine Crosby, and 2011-champion Laura Kueny, who announced at last year’s tournament that she was leaving tour golf.
The 25th edition of the championship, which does not require Michigan residency, will feature an international field of 98 golfers, including professionals and amateurs representing multiple states and countries.
The field will play 54 holes of stroke play throughout three days to determine the champion, with a cut after the first two rounds to the low 70 scorers and ties. The professionals will play for a share of an approximately $40,000 purse.
The Michigan Women’s Open offers free parking and admission. Spectators are welcome and can be shuttled to various spots on the course.
Crystal Mountain Resort was established in 1956, and is a family-owned, four-season resort that is nationally recognized for its skiing, golf, and award-winning spa.
Located in northwest-lower-Michigan, a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the resort features downhill and cross-country skiing, Michigan Legacy Art Park, 36 holes of championship golf, Michigan’s only alpine slide, an outdoor water playground, a variety of lodging and dining options, countless year-round activities and kids programs, an IACC-approved conference center, weddings, real estate, and Crystal Spa.
