Anniversary celebrations successful

By Michael Selecky
INDEX Sports Writer

GRAND BLANC TWP. — Generally, when trying to tell the story of a three-day party, images are going to be evoked regarding events like Mardi Gras. On a much more local note, the three days that preceded the June 26-29 Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club were designed to recognize the event’s 50th anniversary, beginning June 23 with the Buick Dealer Pro-Am and the Buick Family Golf Clinic featuring Jason Zuback on June 24.

Taking the dealers’ pro-am event was the team of professional golfer Jin Park and amateurs Lin Jie, Fan Yue and Wen Hao. The trio earned their spot to play in the pro-am by notching the top three spots in a golf contest in China.

Finally, on June 25, the festivities concluded with the OnStar Pro-Am, an event that stirred up more publicity than expected when fan favorite John Daly announced he’d participate in the competition with Romeo native Kid Rock. Daly was given a late sponsor’s exemption to play in the Buick Open, but was cut from the field after shooting a 146 for the first two days.

For the morning session of the Onstar Pro-Am, professional Paul Goydos and amateurs Wallace McArthur, Fred Hasler, Cam Hefferan and Dennis Alexander took the championship by carding a 56 to tie for first, only to end up winning by a scorecard playoff. Coming in second and also scoring a 56 was the squad containing professional golfer Jim Furyk, followed by Daniel Chopra’s group at 57.
In the afternoon session, PGA member Jesper Parnevik and non-members Bill Bach, James Brown, Scotland Thede and Jerry Mulligan teamed up to score a 56 and earn afternoon glory by a single stroke.

Finishing tied for second at 57 was pro Will Mackenzie and amateurs Denny Dunfield, Ron Haggin, Tony Nichols and Gordon Taylor. Charlie Wi’s group shot a 57 as well, but Mackenzie’s crew was issued a second place finish based on a scorecard playoff.

At the Buick Open, Park came in tied for 76th with a three-day score of 214, Goydos shot a 277 to tie for 28th, Chopra tied for 17th with a 275 and Furyk tied for 36th by shooting a 279. Parnevik withdrew from the tournament after notching a 74 for day one, Wi tied for 25th with a 276 and Mackenzie was cut after a two-day total of 144.

Some of the other local celebrities taking part in the pro-am included Detroit Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby, who was paired with professional Bubba Watson. Detroit Lions quarterback John Kitna played with Tom Pernice Jr., and former Detroit Pistons guard Vinnie Johnson was teamed with Arron Oberholser.

Over the weekend, Watson tied for second at the Buick Open with Woody Austin at 270 while Pernice and Obelholser were both cut after a day two score of 142.

Also participating in the event was former Detroit Tiger outfielder Bobby Higginson and his partner, Fred Funk, who was cut from the Buick Open after shooting a 143 for the first two days of play.
The pro-am was preceded by a special morning ceremony to commemorate the Buick Open’s 50th anniversary. The event included 1958 Buick Open Champion Billy Casper, 2007 tournament winner Brian Bateman, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and Buick Golf Marketing Manager Larry Peck.

Casper and Bateman simultaneously hit the first tee ceremonial balls to kick off the pro-am.
Other than the years 1970-77, the Buick Open has taken place at Warwick Hills annually since 1958. The tournament has raised more than $9 million for charities in Southeastern Michigan since 1982 and golf legends that have played in past Buick Open’s include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino.