I enjoy playing competitive golf, especially when is does not cost an arm & a leg and there is a possibility I might win if I perform well. I always thought it would be nice to have access to a master list of amateur tournaments but I have yet to find such a list. Here is what I have compiled. Undoubtedly there are many more events but this is a start.
The Golf Association of Michigan (http://www.GAM.org) runs a number of tournaments through the Summer. While many are geared toward the low single-digit handicap golfer, several are designed for anyone with a USGA handicap. Of particular note are the Net Amateur and the 2-Man Team Net tournaments. Each requires one to qualify at one of several sites. Then the actual championship is held later in the Summer. I have played in the qualifying round for the Net Amateur (once successfully and once not). The sandbagging appears to be somewhat in control although one individual actually won two years in a row. GAM uses your lowest index from the past 12 months so if one is going to fudge things, plan ahead. The cost is relatively steep since one needs to pay both for the qualifying round and then again if one qualifies for the actual championship. I do not know what the prize consists of, having never gotten that far, but I assume it is a nice sterling plated candy dish or flower pot.
There are several “tours” operating in Michigan. They all run “scratch” flights with several more flights arranged by handicap. All the “tours” attempt some degree of handicap confirmation but unless one is playing in a “scratch” flight, there may be a few ringers. To my knowledge, eGolf (formerly Michigan Amateur Tour), Golf Channel and Shooters Golf Tour are the three operating in SE Michigan.
http://www.shootersgolf.com
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/amateurtour
http://www.amateurgolftour.net/
Michigan Publinx runs five single day tournaments. A full USGA handicap is allowed in the handicap flights. They also have a Senior division. The sign up deadline was 4/15 so you are out of luck this year. The Publinx also runs a couple separate tournaments: Lee Gohs Memorial at the end of May, State Match Play Championship. Details can be found at their website. http://www.mipublinx.com
The City of Ann Arbor runs a three (3) day championship (July 16, 17, 18). The cost is $150. After two days of stroke play the field is flighted based on the first couple days results. A typical field is 156 players with about 8 flights. One does not need a handicap and players shoot anywhere from under par to 100.
Taylor (7/24-25), Troy (8/22-23) and Livonia (9/19-20) hold championships. The fields are flighted after the first day.
http://www.taylorgolf.com/lakes/page/2010+Taylor+City+Championship-33.html
http://www.golflivonia.com/leagues-a-outings/tournaments
http://troymi.gov/parksrec/golf/Tournaments.asp
Kensington Metro Park holds an annual golf tournament. There are two days of qualifying (8/7-8 – pick one of the days) and then the Championship is held 8/29. The field is flighted based on handicap.
The Washtenaw Golf Association has been running an annual tournament for players with an index under 8.5. The tournament is held at one of several local courses over two days. The tournament is usually in the latter part of September.
An Annual tournament hosted by the Kensington Valley Golf Association (at Dunham Hills) has been run the last few years. It was scheduled to be held 7/11-12 but that information may be out of date..