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Senior PGA Tournament Tee's Off in Benton Harbor

Golfers put on a practice green in front of a clubhouse building
Jennifer Weingart

 

The events around the Senior PGA tournament tee’d off in Benton Harbor Tuesday.

 

The tournament is about golf, obviously, 156 players start official rounds on Thursday. There’s also the pro-am rounds Tuesday where some of the professional players go through the course with amateurs with ties to the title sponsor KitchenAid.

Mark O'Meara lines up for his first shot on the first hole with his caddy as several amateur players looking on
Mark O'Meara tees off on the first hole during the pro-am portion of the Senior PGA Tournament at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.

But off the fairway there are cooking and product demos by KitchenAid, concerts, a kids space and tastings from local wineries and breweries.

Championship Director Ryan Ogle.

“I think it’s created a lot of pride in the community to say that we’ve been able to host this championship for the fourth time now and seven total, it brings a lot of people together, our volunteer base, our community organizations. So we’re excited for the future.”

Ogle said the Michigan Economic Development Corporation credited the tournament in 2016 for $14 million in impact in Michigan with $11 million going to Berrien County.

 

Credit Jennifer Weingart
Chef Chris Covelli removes ravioli filling from a pan as part of a cooking demonstration at the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.

For fans like Roy Davis of Coloma it’s about seeing the sport and players he loves compete right near home.

“I like the fact that we get to see these guys that we’ve grown up with, come out here and you stand, I mean you’re standing next to, when we first came here we were standing next to Tom Watson and watching him tee off. I mean, if you love the game, love the sport, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Davis is also volunteering as a course marshall but on Tuesday he was standing off the green at the first hole getting autographs as the pros came through for the pro-am rounds.

The tournament, which runs through Sunday, is played at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor every other year from 2012 until 2024.

 

Competitive rounds start on Thursday. The purse is $3,250,000. The winner takes home $585,000.