WSU Golfer Sets Record at Jackson County Golf Open

Wayne State University golfer Grant Haefner watches his shot head down the fairway during the Jackson County Golf Open on Sunday at Cascades Golf Course. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(July 19, 2020 5:44 PM) A yardage book golfer Grant Haefner picked up at the pro shop at Cascades Golf Course proved to be very valuable.

The Wayne State University golfer shot his second consecutive under par round to win the Jackson County Open at Cascades on Sunday.

He finished with rounds of 67 and 69, with a two-day total of 136. The Jackson Golf Committee record book lists 137 as the previous low, although that total only dates back to 1982.

The tournament has been played in Jackson County since 1932.

Haefner got into the tournament at the urging of soon-to-be college teammate Conor Spencer of Jackson. The tournament is open to all golfers, no matter their residence.

Mike Brockie finished second with a two-day total of 139, Mark Kurzynowski was third at 141, Spencer was fourth at 142, and Riley Hestwood and Bret Valkuchak tied for fifth at 143.

All five placers shot under par in the two-day medal tournament. Rain and lightning delayed the tournament for about an hour on Sunday afternoon.

Haefner said he hit only five greens Saturday, but nearly doubled that on Sunday.

“I felt more confident off the tee,” Haefner said. “With the yardage book I received from the clubhouse, I had a good idea where to miss it.

“I relied on the book a lot … looking at the pin sheets to figure out distance behind the pins and the slope of the greens.”

Brockie commented on how nice it was to see a college golfer who played fast.

“This day and age in golf, pace of play is important,” Haefner said. “Once I have pulled my club out, there is not waiting.”

Jack Brockie shot the lowest round of the day with a 4-under-par 68. He tied Justin Bunch and Tom Butterfield for seventh place at 145. Pete Walz, Dave Crandall, and Andrew Tindall rounded out the top 10 with totals of 147.

Zach DeFrain won the first-flight championship with a two-day total of 151 and Richard Horodecki took the top spot in the second flight with a 165 total.

Championship Flight

Player Round 1 Round 2 Total

Grant Haefner 67 69 136 1_ST

Mike Brockie 68 71 139 2_ND

Mark Kurzynowski 68 73 141 3_RD

Conor Spencer 71 71 142 4_TH

Riley Hestwood 69 74 143 T5_TH

Bret Valkuchak 70 73 143 T5_TH

Jack Brockie 77 68 145

Justin Bunch 73 72 145

Tom Butterfield 72 73 145

Pete Walz 76 71 147

Dave Crandall 73 74 147

Andrew Tindall 72 75 147

Evan Brzyski 77 71 148

Cody Lysher 78 70 148

Rob Longbrake 77 72 149

Jordan Riske 73 76 149

Todd Marston 74 76 150

Brogan Brockie 72 78 150

Cannon Risner 74 77 151

Brett Casto 73 78 151

Sean Vann 72 79 151

Greg Zeller 76 76 152

John Tarpley 75 77 152

Luke Girodat 74 79 153

Mike Raymond 78 76 154

Chris Chaney 77 77 154

Dave Mickle 75 79 154

Matt Farhat 77 79 156

Troy Allen 74 82 156

Logan Anuszkiewicz 79 77 156

Mike Boldt 79 78 157

Sean Matson 76 81 157

Tyler Stassines 76 82 158

Malon Backinger 75 84 159

Henry Hitt 85 77 162

Noah Abbey 80 84 164

First Flight

Player Round 1 Round 2 Total

Zach DeFrain 78 73 151 1_ST

Dan Owens 78 76 154 2_ND

Zach Boorom 79 77 156 3_RD

Tim Pickering 79 78 157

John Stadelman 82 76 158

Mike Kulka 81 77 158

Louis Redovich 80 78 158

Will Double 83 76 159

Brian Carney 81 80 161

Chris Polich 82 81 163

Adam Chippewa 83 81 164

Andy Horodecki 82 82 164

Mike McClafferty 82 82 164

Rusty Whisman 82 82 164

Ray Hill 83 82 165

Jim Coutu 83 83 166

Ron O’Rourke 82 84 166

Bryan Marvin 83 84 167

Edward McClafferty 79 88 167

Second Flight

Player Round 1 Round 2 Total

Richard Horodecki 86 79 165 1_ST

Frederick Vann 85 81 166 2_ND

Owen Campbell 85 82 167 3_RD

Fisher Jacobs 88 81 169

Stephen Broghamer II 92 78 170

Ken Byers 88 82 170

Travis Crowe 87 83 170

Zach Cornell 87 83 170

Stuart White 86 86 172

Palmer Duncan 87 88 175

Matt Brown 86 90 176

Rick Burns 85 97 182