Michigan Amateur to be Played at Belvedere for the 41st Time

By Greg Johnson

Cue in the 114th Michigan Amateur in June, which will be the 41st time the state’s top amateur championship will have been played on the classic golf course designed by Scotsman William Watson 100 years ago.

The second most frequent host sites of the state championship are tied as distant seven-time hosts; the Saginaw Country Club and the Country Club of Jackson. 

“Belvedere certainly wanted to host this year — they made it clear in 2014 when we were there — and when a club like that wants you, and there’s all that history, it’s not a tough decision,” says Ken Hartmann, senior director of competitions and USGA services for the Golf Association of Michigan. “The older players will love it, and the younger guys will get what makes Belvedere special once they have played it.”

Membership of the golf club (220) remains today what it was a century ago: primarily summer visitors from other states. Just six members are from Michigan. 

“That was the way it was in 1925, a golf club for people who spent most of the summer in Charlevoix, and the families and members through the years have kept it that way,” said Dennis “Marty” Joy, the head golf professional. “It’s also part of the reason the Amateur works so well here. It’s played in June before July and August, when most of the members get here.”

While a private club, public play is allowed at times as well.

Hartmann says there is never a negative word from the golfers when they realize they get to play the legendary course. As for competing, he said while the course will play shorter than some recent venues for the Michigan Amateur, it’s never an easy golf course because of the undulations of the greens and the demand put on a golfer’s short game.

“You can bomb it off the tee if you choose in some places, but if you don’t hit the greens, and you are going to roll off some, then you have interesting up and downs that you have to execute,” he says.

The defending champ, who won in 2024 at The Highlands at Boyne, is McCoy Biagioli, a golfer at Ferris State University.

Note: This story was adapted from the GAM’s LINKS Magazine.