Mike Brockie concentrates on a putt during the Jackson Spring Thaw Tournament Sunday at Cascades Golf Course.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
There is nothing orthodox about Mike Brockie’s golf game.
From his “homemade swing” to his unique putting style, few professional golf professionals would recommend copying the Jackson-area golfer and high school golf coach.
But it works for Brockie.
He won his fifth Jackson Spring Thaw at Cascades Golf Course this weekend pulling within one of his friend Shane Clark for the most wins in the tournament.
Brockie shot rounds of 72 and 71 to tie Riley Hestwood for the two-day tournament at Cascades Golf Course. Brockie won the sudden-death playoff hole against Hestwood with a par.
Andrew Tindall finished third at 145, Greg Zeller and Bret Valkuchak tied for fourth with 146, and opening-round co-leader Steve Maddalena and Tom Butterfield tied for sixth.
Justin Bunch won the first flight with a 152 and Cannon Risner won the second flight with 166.
Brockie said he struggled last year on the golf course following the death of his son.
“It was a rough year … after losing my son I tried to do everything (golf related) for him,” Brockie said.
But he struggled on the golf course.
While cold temperatures Saturday and Sunday bothered a number of golfers, it did not seem to bother Brockie.
“I am a mudder out there,” Brockie said. “I have more rounds in prior to the Spring Thaw than most as I take my golf team (Hanover-Horton) out on the course and make them play in inclement weather.
“They know how to play in this kind of weather.”
Brockie said his unique putting style – as he holds the top of the putter with both hands – is very unorthodox and very homemade.
“Golf professionals will tell you to use all of the big muscles and take the hands out of putting,” Brockie said. “I lock both hands and concentrate on the back of my left hand.”
He also notes that it helps him to concentrate.
“I take a lot of time over every putt and it helps,” he said.
All-time Jackson Spring Thaw leaders
Shane Clark 6 titles
Mike Brockie 5
Steve Maddalena 4
Mark Kurzynowski 4
Tom Butterfield 2
Figures from www.Jacksongolf.net files