2025 ANNUAL REPORT
PHOTO COURTESY OF NILE YOUNG
FROM THE PRESIDENTS Dear GAM Members,
In 2025, the Golf Association of Michigan reached a historic milestone with over 107,000 members. This growth reflects the passion Michigan golfers have for the game and the strong connection between our members, clubs, and volunteers. Demand for championships and programs reached new heights, with many events filling quickly and developing waitlists. It’s clear that golf in Michigan is thriving. Our volunteers, officials, course raters, and staff provided outstanding service throughout the season. Their preparation and professionalism ensured another year of exceptional competition and meaningful engagement for our members. We also saw the strength of the Michigan golf community when players and clubs rallied in support of the Charlevoix golf team after a tragic accident. At the Michigan Amateur at Belvedere, participants wore maroon ribbons to honor them. It was a powerful reminder of the compassion and unity that define our golf community. Serving as President has been a privilege. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead during such an important year and proud of what we have accomplished together. Richard D. Aginian President, Golf Association of Michigan
Cathy Kalahar and
Richard D. Aginian
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A Heartfelt Thank You!
Thank you for your continued support of the Golf Association of Michigan Foundation. Your generosity has made 2025 another impactful year for golf in Michigan. We’re proud to report that Youth on Course has grown to nearly 18,000 junior members, who played almost 79,000 rounds this year – making Michigan one of the most active states in the nation for this incredible program. In addition to Youth on Course, the GAM Foundation supported a wide range of initiatives last year: • First-ever scholarships awarded to two Ferris State PGA Golf Management students • Continued support for PGA HOPE, serving military veterans • Support for two Michigan PGA professionals running innovative local programs • Travel assistance for Michigan amateurs competing in national USGA championships These efforts reflect our mission: to create opportunities through golf. Despite increased program demand, the GAM Foundation remains financially healthy and committed to responsible stewardship of every donation. Golf is more than a game – it builds confidence, character, and connection. Your support helps ensure more people, from all walks of life, can experience those benefits. Thank you for your trust in us and for making a difference. With gratitude, Cathy Kalahar, President, Golf Association of Michigan Foundation
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THE GAM COMMUNITY
107,000 GAM Members, over 650 golf courses and clubs A Growing Community of Golfers Last year marked a proud milestone for the Golf Association of Michigan as our community grew to more than 107,000 members members – a reflection of the passion, inclusivity, and shared love of the game that unite golfers of all ages and abilities across the state.
Club Services GAM Member Clubs enjoy a full range of support, including USGA-authorized Course Rating, the World Handicap System™, and Golf Genius tournament software. Clubs also have opportunities to host GAM Championships, partner with Youth on Course, and offer exclusive member discounts, strengthening Michigan’s vibrant golf network.
Member Benefits Individual members gain access to a Handicap Index®, easy score posting through the GHIN Mobile App, and eligibility for competitions, events, volunteer programs, and exclusive partner perks. Together, our members, clubs, and partners continue to grow the game and create a welcoming golf community across Michigan. Learn more at GAM.org/membership
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CONDUCTING MICHIGAN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
In 2025, the GAM conducted 31 championships and 13 USGA® qualifying events. The USGA® recognized the winners of four GAM “majors” with exemptions to their national championship. With the expertise of over 100 volunteer tournament referees, over 135 days of competition for men, women, juniors, seniors, elite, social, and net players were conducted with professionalism and fun.
31
Championships
Caleb Bond
Macie Elzinga
JP Levan
Alena Li
2025 Michigan Amateur
2025 Michigan Women’s
2025 Michigan Junior
2025 Michigan Girls’ Junior
13
USGA® Qualifiers
Champion
Amateur Champion
Amateur Champion
Amateur Champion
135 5,700+ Over
Days of Competition
Tournament & Golf Day Entries
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HANDICAPPING + COURSE RATING A Handicap Index® gives golfers of all abilities a fair and consistent way to compete. It reflects a player’s potential scoring ability and is based on the Course and Slope Ratings™ of thousands of courses worldwide through the World Handicap System™. These ratings, provided by GAM, ensure that scores are comparable no matter where the game is played. A dedicated team of measuring and rating volunteers visits every member club at least once every 10 years to keep course ratings accurate and up to date. New in 2025, GHIN Challenges introduced a fun and interactive way for golfers to test their skills and connect with others through the GHIN app. Players can take part in friendly competitions, track performance in real time, and add a new layer of excitement to maintaining their Handicap Index®.
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1.9M Rounds Posted at GAM Courses in 2025
75+
Ratings in 2025 by 93 GAM Course Rating Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS AND AWARDS
2025
At the heart of the Golf Association of Michigan is a remarkable community of volunteers who embody the spirit of the game. More than 200 trained individuals across the state give their time and expertise as rules officials, course raters, committee members, and board members – helping to make every GAM event possible. Their commitment runs deep; some have been volunteering for more than 50 years, sharing their knowledge and passion with new generations of golfers. Even in the off-season, our volunteers stay engaged through weekly educational sessions led by GAM and USGA staff, ensuring they are ready to deliver first-class tournaments and services each year. We are deeply grateful for these dedicated individuals who continue to pay their experience forward and give back to the game they love.
— AWARDS —
Distinguished Service Award
Dave Kendall Washtenaw GC Club Representative of the Year
Bryan Harris Forest Akers Golf Courses Superintendent Award of Merit
Carey Mitchelson College Fields GC Arlene Alessi
James Wlosinski
Holly Little
Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services at Oakland University
Clark Wilson
Carmany Thorp
Course Rater of the Year
Kurt Visniski Flint Elks GC
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THE GAM FOUNDATION
Year
8 ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Rounds Played
2020
7,097
29,479
2022
6,955
21,429
2021
The GAM Foundation’s mission In 2025, the GAM Foundation proudly celebrated a record-breaking milestone in its ongoing commitment to creating opportunities through golf. Through our cornerstone program, Youth on Course Michigan, we’ve seen remarkable growth – nearly 18,000 young members took to the fairways, playing almost 79,000 rounds of golf across the state. Each of those rounds represents more than a game – it’s a story of access, opportunity, and connection. At its core, the GAM Foundation believes golf should be a game for everyone. Youth on Course Michigan makes that vision a reality by ensuring that cost is never a barrier. Michigan juniors, ages 6–18, can play for $5 or less at more than 100 courses in Michigan – and hundreds more across the U.S., Canada, and even Australia. These rounds give young people the chance to learn integrity, patience, and perseverance – skills that reach far beyond the course. The GAM and the GAM Foundation are honored to help shape a future where every child can experience the transformative power of golf. Together with our members, partners, and supporters, we’re not just lowering the cost of play – we’re opening doors and creating lasting opportunities through the game we love. To learn more about Youth on Course Michigan, visit GAM.org/YOC.
Michigan Membership
6,518
16,333
2023 9,010
36,334
2025
78,960
2024 11,436
17,900
49,792
Areas of Interest for the GAM Foundation Include: • Junior Golf Youth on Course Michigan • Grants Supporting the Michigan PGA Golf In Schools, Michigan PGA Player Development Award Winners, GAM Junior Tournament Players • Scholarships Ferris State University PGA Professional Golf Management Scholarship Winners
GAM Foundation 39255 Country Club Dr. Suite B40 Farmington Hills, MI 48331 GAM.org/Foundation
2025 GAM Foundation Donors Diamond ($5,000+ Annually) Joe Balaskovitz The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Eagles For Children Robert Frasier Midland Area Community Foundation Tim Moore OUTLYR Dow Championship Edward F. Redies Foundation John Schulte Marana Webber Tost Charitable Fund Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Marie Christine Walker Scott Watkins Memorial Golf Foundation Platinum ($2,500$4,999 Annually) Ally Charity Chip In The William Chinnick Charitable Foundation Inc. Gold ($1,000-$2,499 Annually) Chris Angott Fritz Balmer John Barbour Jeff Drury Belvedere Golf Club David Graham Cathy Kalahar Amanda Kuzak Joe Levan Randy & Melanie Lewis Cindy Obermeyer
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Cathy Kalahar & David Evrard Charitable Fund Keith Potter Steven Servaas Sullivan Golf Travel Sara Wold Darrell Zavitz Silver ($500-$999 Annually) Richard Aginian Gail Bavaird Michael Brady John Carter Doug Hoey Indian Hills Golf Club Dutch Jones Arthur Kleinpell Jim Kohl Judy Lazzaro Ron & Anne McCants Lisa McManaman Patricia Meyers Thomas Morrow Sara Preston William Quinn Clay Robinson Carol Tonkin Pam Tyler Betty Woods Bronze ($250-$499 Annually) Barry Babbitt Laura Bavaird Mark Bond Steve Braun Michael Chase Leo Daigle
Joan DeBlasio Patricia DeMaire Tanner Desjardin Jack Galsterer William Hartwig Jay Hults J. Lee Juett Dave Kendall Daniel Kunert Dan Longeway Rob Lyons Maureen MacDougall Nicholas Nadaud Jody Nega Laurie Puscas Ron Rapson Tom Roehl Daniel Seder Amy Smith Eleanor Wagner Chris Zeigler Greg Zeug Friends ($100-$249 Annually) Annette Abdelfatah John Allen Tom Anderson Bill Anton Justin Barnes Spencer Bauer David Baughman Mary Bauman Frederick Belotti Richard Bernstein Alexander Besley Aaron Bielawski Arthur Black Herb Black Brady Boedeker Mike Bork Timothy Brammer Drew Brining
Mark Brining Barbara Brown Jason Budrick Rick Buhr Mark Bultema Bob Carson Laurie Caylen Graeme Chapman Paul Chappel Dante Cioni Cooper Coleman Patrick Cunningham Karen Currie Dennis Daugherty Marlene Davis Dominique Denooyer Ashley Dewling George Dillon Kimberly Dinh Ronald Dooley Steve Eddy James English Frank Ervin Leah Fitzpatrick Josiah Fras Yvonne Fucinari Douglas Gabel Rondal Gaines Gary Glotzhober Women’s District Golf Association Mary-Jo Green Craig Hanson Mark Harper Ian Harris James Hartigan Raymond Hearn Annemarie Heinrich Kevin Helm Aaron Hesselink Tom Hicks Cindy Hill Robin Hoag
Michael Hutcheson Daniela Iacobelli Adam Ikamas Joan Israel Judith Jacobsen Josh Jimmerson Bruce Johnson Bryan Johnson Mark Kaminski George Kelsey Jane Kersjes Austin Kibby Steve Klager Kevin Klemet William Knight Richard Kuhn Tomi Kuntzman Pam Kuzak Tonia Laird John Landis William Latta Caden Lawrence Thomas Liike Holly Little Michael Lorenz Suzanne Madej Jacob Manteuffel Gary Martin Ben Martus Carol Martus Daniel Martus Kallyn Martus Wesley Martus Matt Maser Diane Masternick Jerry Matthews Cristian Mattoon Robert Matzen Corey May Greg McComas Glenn McIlraith Lucy McManaman Denise McVey
Joe Mignano Michael Mignano Don Miller John Mizzi Terry Moore Michael Morabito Jeff Morgan Teresa Mulawa James Munder Ryan Mysen Kevin Nelson Chris Nemes Anthony Newby Adam Noteman Kristine Noteman Don O’Bryan Denise Ottenhoff Lauren Ottenhoff Jada Paisley John Parke John Parker Tom Parkhill Karen Peek Francine Pegues Tim Peiter Nick Perrino Bruce Pfaff Cynthia Pinkard John Polchow Steve Poorman Stephen Powell Benny Preslar Craig Reading Dennis Redmer Kate Riegle Erik Roeren Daniel Ronda Robert Rosowski Tami Salens Christopher Sande Sharon Schornack Timothy Schumaier Trina Scott
Sue Seaglund Keith Sikaitis Douglas Slattery Andy Smith George Smith Joel Smith Linda Smith Michael Smith Michael L. Snyder Theresa Snyder Carol Sofy Tracey Sperry John D. Standish Jim Szilagyi Robert Transou Glenn Trevisan Paul Trevisan Tim Udell Rebecca Ulman Elia Valdez Krishna Vallabhaneni Jonathon Vander Laan Larry Vaughan Sally Veltri James Walsh Pete Walz Brent Wehner Shelly Weiss Kenneth Wenner Christopher Werner Carol White Chris Whitten Melissa Wiebeck Debbie Williams-Hoak Brent Winzeler Curt Wiser Jared Wuerfel Phillip Yeager Bill Young
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GOVERNANCE
New governors. From left: Dennis Walsh, Kathy Stellema, Ben Rabourn and Mary Bauman.
Officers Richard Aginian – President – Oakland Hills CC Dan Longeway – 1st Vice President – Spring Meadows CC Barry Babbitt – 2nd Vice President – Plum Hollow CC Robert Ofoli – 3rd Vice President – Forest Akers Golf Courses Darrell Zavitz – Secretary – Belvedere GC John Holden – Assistant Secretary – GAM Course Rating Club Tom Roehl – GAM Course Rating Club 10 ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Governors Arlene Alessi, Birmingham Tony Barra, Oakland Hills John Beecroft, Port Huron Gregg Bonamici, Grosse Ile Mark Bond, Edgewood Mike Brady, Sunnybrook Leroy Bray Sr., Carl’s Golfland Liz Cantu, MWGA Laurie Caylen, University of Michigan Mike Church, Fieldstone Jean Constantini, Pine Grove Ashley Dewling, Oakland University Jeff Drury, Meadowbrook
Frank Ervin, Plum Hollow Joan Garety, Egypt Valley Ross Green, Port Huron JJ Henn, Kalamazoo Thomas Hicks, Oceana Doug Hoey, Wuskowhan Janina Jacobs, MWGA Cathy Kalahar, Boyne Kevin Klemet, MI Publinx Roger Kuhl, The Medalist Holly Little, GAM Tournament Club Maureen MacDougall, Boyne JJ Modell, Franklin Hills & Bloomfield Hills Terry Moore, The Meadows Karen Peek, Rackham Francine Pegues, MWGA Dee Piccard, Cedar Chase Keith Potter, Red Run David Price, Muskegon Laurie Puscas, Oakhurst
Ben Rabourn, Kaufman Steve Renton, Michaywe Pines John Rowlands, Indianwood Randy Seber, American Dunes Harrison Stackpole, GAM OC Kathy Stellema, MWGA Dennis Walsh, St. Clair Brent Wehner, Verona Hills James Wlosinski, GAM Tournament Club Deb Wolfe, Detroit Chris Zeigler, Moors Greg Zeug, Oakland University Honored Governors Gary Adelman John Allen Bill Anton Dave Baughman Inez Bridges James Champion
Pat DeMaire Jim Evanoff Jack Galsterer Peter Green William Hermann Mick Kildea James Koepke Linda Lester William Lindhout Timothy Moore Jean Murray Robert Nowikowski Cynthia Pinkard Craig Reading Betty Richart Lynn Saunders David Simon Marvin Weinstein Betty Woods
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Fellow Golfers, In 2025, the Golf Association of Michigan reached a moment that says as much about our future as it does about our past. With 107,000 members, the GAM continues to grow faster and reach farther than at any time in its 106-year history. That growth represents not just more golfers, but more communities connected through the game. Through thorough planning and teamwork, the GAM once again executed a successful season of championships, programs, and support for our member clubs. From new junior participation records to growing partnerships with public facilities and course operators, the energy across Michigan golf is unmistakable. As we look to the months ahead, the Board and staff will turn our focus toward a refreshed strategic plan. This effort will challenge us to think intentionally about how the GAM can best serve you, our golfers, in the years to come – how we balance tradition with innovation, and how we continue to strengthen the ties that make this organization so special. Key priorities include: • Expanding engagement and value for members at every level. • Supporting clubs and professionals as trusted partners. • Growing opportunities for juniors, women, and new players. • Continuing to modernize our communications and digital tools. • Investing in volunteers and staff to sustain excellence in service.
CHRIS WHITTEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOLF ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN
It is a privilege to work alongside a dedicated Board, experienced staff, and a community of members who believe in what the GAM represents. The milestone we achieved last year reminds us that the game of golf in Michigan is thriving – and that together, we can keep building on that success. Thank you for being part of it. Warm regards, Chris Whitten Executive Director Golf Association of Michigan
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2026 SIGNATURE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE 115th Michigan Amateur Championship
105th GAM Championship Grosse Ile G&CC August 17-18
Bedford Valley Golf Course July 6-9
110th Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship
35th GAM Women’s Championship
48th Michigan Girls’ Junior Amateur
Eagle Eye Golf Club June 29-July 3
Oakland University Golf & Learning Center – Katke-Cousins GC July 20-24
St. Clair GC June 15-16
48th Michigan Junior Amateur
Forest Akers GC – West Course June 22-25