Michigan Open Winner: Cameron Ruge, Takes Title by Huge Margin

    Cameron Ruge, an assistant professional at Bay Meadows Family Golf Center in Traverse City and a native of Coldwater, hit all 18 greens in regulation, shot 7-under 64 in the fourth and final round on June 11, to win the 109th edition of the state championship by seven shots on the Cedar River Course at Shanty Creek Resort.

    His 64, just one stroke off the course record, gave Ruge a 16-under 268 total for the championship. That record now belongs to former University of Michigan golfer and now mini-tour professional Will Anderson, who in the same final round tied the course-record 63 to finish the Michigan Open in 11th place.

    Ruge’s prior history in the Michigan Open was two missed cuts, but this time he took home the $15,000 first-place check, a Crystal Trophy and he will have his name inscribed on the historic James D. Standish Trophy.

   Ruge said while he didn’t look at the leaderboard, he did hear the chatter pass from group to group about multiple eagles being made and golfers carding low scores.

   “I just played like I was tied for the lead the whole day,” he said. “I just said I’m going to keep the ball below the hole, not be too aggressive to some of those flags and keep trying to make birdies.”

   Four golfers tied for second at 9-under, including defending champion Otto Black of Brighton, who closed with a 67, and Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, the 2023 champion. Will Preston, the Penn State University golfer from Grand Rapids, was another at 9-under after shooting a closing 71. He ended up as the low amateur for the tournament.

   And Matt Thompson, the 2017 Michigan Open champion, made the most noise among those who tied for second by climbing 12 spots the final day. He also shot a closing 64, including three eagles, one of which was a hole-in-one on hole 17 (7-iron from 185).