Michigan
Okemos native Eric Lilleboe captures Michigan Open Championship
ROCHESTER – Eric Lilleboe of Okemos kept the lead through the final three rounds and won the Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship Thursday at Oakland University Golf & Learning Center.
It was the second time the 36-year-old PGA Tour Americas player won the coveted 107-year-old state title. He also won in 2019 and will have his name inscribed on the James D. Standish Trophy for the second time.
He did it by shooting a closing 1-over 72 in wind-whipped conditions on the Katke-Cousins course and finished with a 6-under 278 total, four shots clear of the field to earn the $15,000 first-place check.
“It’s very nice,” he said of winning for the second time and taking the winners’ walk up the final hole with a significant lead. “That course was a bear today, really firm greens, really tough to play in the wind, and I was very happy obviously to be where I was.”
Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor, a PGA Tour Americas player who led after the first round, made birdie on the par 5 18th hole to end up in second place alone. He shot 73 for 2-under 282. He earned $10,000.
Six golfers tied at 1-under 283.
Jeff Cuzzort, the golf services manager at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club and the 2015 Michigan Open champion, jumped up several spots with a 4-under 68, the low-round of the day, to finish at 283.
The others included two-time Michigan Open champion Jake Kneen, a graduate assistant coach at Oakland University who shot 74 to close, new professional Nick Krueger of Spring Lake, who shot 74, new professional and former Oakland University golfer Colin Sikkenga of Kalamazoo, who shot 70, Zach Robbins, a mini-tour professional from Grand Rapids, who shot 74, and the low amateur for the championship, Joe Montpas of Flushing, who shot 71.
Lilleboe’s lead was trimmed to two strokes a few times during the final round, but even after he made a double-bogey to start the back nine, he still managed to have a three-shot lead as the others chasing him had issues with the whipping winds and fast greens, too.
“After making the double-bogey, I just told myself to keep going because I figured that hole was playing over-par for the day into the wind,” he said. “I was looking (at the leaderboard) more today because you just don’t know if someone’s playing well and is maybe 5-under or something. So yes, I was looking, and I saw a lot of bogeys being made. So, I was hanging on and trying to hit good shots, get on the green in regulation and have putts at it.”
Lilleboe, who heads for British Columbia and the North America part of the PGA Tour Americas, said it means a lot for him going forward with his 12-year professional touring career.
“It also means a lot to me to win my state Open,” he said. “I think just about every golf pro in the state feels that way.”
He said the first-place money will be especially helpful.
“We really have to stretch our dollar out there and we spend a lot, you know, spend a lot to make a little,” he said. “This is a big check for me.”
Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather. Looking to hire people, or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.
Copyright 2024 WILX. All rights reserved.
Michigan
Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with $280K
Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.
The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.
In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.
The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.
The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.
Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:
- Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
- Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
- Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
- Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
- Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
- Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
- Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
- The Global Institute Of Lansing
- Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
- Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
- Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
- Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
- Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
- Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
- Southgate Community Schools in Southgate
Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.
The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:
- Allendale Public Schools
- Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
- Cedar Springs Public Library
- Clinton Community Schools
- Coloma Public Library
- Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
- North Dickinson County School in Felch
- Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
- Hillman Community Schools
- Ida Public Schools
- Lawton Public Library
- Luther Area Public Library
- Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
- Sebewaing Township Library
- Tekonsha Community Schools
- Columbia Township Library in Unionville
- Wakefield Public Library
- Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.
The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.
Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.
A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.
“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
Michigan
Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
Michigan
SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
-
Dallas, TX2 minutes agoRanking Every Cowboys Position Group By Overall Talent and Depth
-
Miami, FL9 minutes agoSevere weather, flash flooding possible in South Florida on Tuesday
-
Boston, MA14 minutes agoCanvas reportedly reaches deal with hackers for stolen data – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO20 minutes agoFormer Denver Bronco Craig Morton, who became the first quarterback to start Super Bowl for 2 franchises, dies at 83
-
Seattle, WA26 minutes agoSeattle weather: 80s on the horizon before a long cooldown
-
San Diego, CA32 minutes agoOpinion: Proposed federal rule would hammer beauty industry
-
Milwaukee, WI38 minutes agoWhat the Bucks can learn from this year’s playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round
-
Atlanta, GA44 minutes ago
From skid pad to train car: How the public safety training center is used