06/10/2007

Hebert going for the gold at Open

6-time Michigan Open champion eying record 7th

BY JEFF PEEK

jpeek@record-eagle.com

ACME — Scott Hebert hopes to celebrate Grand Traverse Resort's silver anniversary as host of the Michigan Open golf tournament by striking gold.

Hebert, head professional at the Resort, is the defending champion and is tied with Al Watrous on the career victories list with six.

One more win and Hebert stands alone — not that the 38-year-old Upper Peninsula native ever makes a big deal out it.

"That's the kind of stuff you think about at the end of your career,” Hebert has said. "But I'm awfully proud of it. Winning never gets old.”

Hebert shot a 12-under 275 to win by four strokes last June.

The 90th Michigan Open — in its 25th year at GT Resort — begins Monday and runs through Thursday.

The field of 258 players will be cut to the low 70 (plus ties) after two rounds.

For the second consecutive year, early-round action will take place not only on The Bear but also The Wolverine.

The new format was instituted last summer and allowed the field to be expanded by more than 100 players. It included a record 102 amateurs.

The tournament is being held two weeks earlier than usual, due to the PGA Tour's decision to move the Buick Open to the final week in June — the Michigan Open's normal spot.

Hebert doesn't believe the courses will play differently despite the earlier dates.

"Gene Davis (superintendent of the Wolverine), Seth Britton (superintendent of The Bear) and Paul Gallagan (the Resort's director of golf) and their staff have busted their humps to get the courses in great shape,” Hebert said. "I don't think I've ever seen the Wolverine in as good condition. The Bear has that burned-out look, but that's the way it's played for several years.

"Our guys knew (the Open) was coming, so they moved their schedules around to make sure everything was in great condition. I think the golfers will be happy.”

Hebert said his game is in decent shape, too.

"It's not too bad,” he said. "I'm excited about my putting. It makes the game a little easier when you're putting well. Hopefully, my putter can save me a few strokes.”

Hebert said two-time champion Jeff Roth is playing well, as are a pair of northwest Michigan golfers — Crystal Mountain's Brad Dean and Bay Meadows' Lee Houtteman.

"I think you'll see a lot of the same guys (contending),” Hebert said. "And you never know what you guys are going to show up.”

Other local pros in the field are Traverse City's Christian Vozza, Mark Domres and John Raymond; Grand Traverse Resort's Bruce Keillor and Adam Schriber; TC Golf and Country Club's Roger Bliss; Mistwood's Greg Gay; Crystal Lake's Larry Clark; Manistee National Golf Resort's Ian Ziska; Petoskey Bay View Country Club's Keith Grunch; Charlevoix's David Shearer; Grayling's Paul Wilson; and ex-TC West golfer Rob Tighe, now of Kalamazoo.

Local amateurs include Traverse City's Nick Stanek and Issac Tefelsky, Williamsburg's Don Kring, Suttons Bay's Nate Kelly, Cedar's Bill Rankin, Kalkaska's Andrew Robertson, Cadillac's Thomas Mueller, Grayling's Lance Davis and Zack Chapin of A-Ga-Ming Golf Club.