BLOOMFIELD HILLS -- The 101st Michigan Amateur is the largest golf event in Michigan and it's coming back to Oakland Hills Country Club after a 20-year hiatus.
The event will be held from June 18-22, 2012. The North Course awaits the 168 Michigan qualifiers to win the title.
Last year, Flint native Willie Mack won it all and was the first African American to do so.
But, Mack turned pro, so the Staghorn trophy is up for grabs.
The Golf Association of Michigan hosted the media at Oakland Hills' North Course Monday so we could see what the qualifiers will be facing in a few weeks.
The amateurs vying for the title will play an 18-hole sectional qualifier unless they're exempt. Then, there will be a 36-hole stroke play. The lowest 64 golfers will move on to match play.
As GAM president said, golfers of all shapes and sizes will be there in mid-June to battle it out for the title.
"Willie's successor may be a high school teenager or a collegiate star, or perhaps a veteran who has competed many times in the Michigan Amateur," John Schulte, GAM president, said.
"It should set up to be great for match play," Two-time Michigan Amateur Champion Randy Lewis said. "It should be really exciting. There's a lot of holes here where you don't have to kill it off the tee, and with the roughs, the green speeds will keep everyone honest on the putting surfaces. It should be a great venue."
