This long-time northern event is named after C.E. Tuck Tate, founding member of the Northern Michigan Turfgrass Managers Association (NMTMA) which was one of the four original Michigan Chapters. During the first two years of the NMTMA, Tuck coordinated communication to the members with a monthly newsletter. He continued editing, publishing, and mailing the monthly newsletter of the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association for eighteen years, until the format was changed in 1990. Tate continued to support the newsletter as an assistant editor from that time.
The Tuck Tate Championship was originally played in 1985 at Frankfort Golf Course. This event continued as an individual low gross event until 2019 at True North Golf Club. Seeing the need to breathe some new life into this event the format was changed post COVID to a two-person team event. The Tuck Tate Shootout was launched on August 30th 2022 at Treetops Resort on the par 3 Threetops course. This year it was again held at Treetops on the Par 3 on August 23rd.
The event starts with a 9 hole qualification to determine the 10 teams who would be entered into the shootout. This was a best ball event and all the teams who shot 29 or better (with a putt off for the three teams that shot 30 which was holed out by Drew Boike!) made it into the shootout. At 12:30 all 10 teams in the shootout along with the teams who did not make it as spectators went to #1 tee. The shootout was set for 6 holes, two teams would be eliminated on holes #1, #2 & #3 then one team per hole on #7, #8 & #9. As was the same last year there were some terrific shots executed by every player on each hole. On #9 tee the team of the 2022 champions host Superintendent Tim Matty and Dr. Kevin Frank vs. Kurt Fisher from Boyne and Joe Ettawageshik from Platinum Partner Spartan Distributors were the last team standing. Tim’s tee shot came up a little short right in a grass bunker and Kurt went a little long right leaving a short sided chip for Joe. Kevin executed a good shot from a challenging lie to get them to about 20 feet. Joe hit an excellent chip to about 2 feet for Kurt which he made in front of a large crowd after Tim missed the 20 footer.
Special thanks to MiGCSA President Doug Hoeh for hosting along with all of the MiGCSA Members at Treetops Drew Boike, Mark Lauret & Damon Robinson. Also thank you to PGA Professional Mark Hogan and his staff for a fantastic event!
Closest to the pins: #1 – Chris Burnett, #2 – Zach Redman, #3 – Dan Heiss, #4 – Jim Higgs, #5 – Nick Shaw, #6 – Micah Wise, #7 – Stubby, #8 – Jim Higgs, #9 – Alex Greenacre.