Written By: Greg Johnson

FLINT – The classic Willie Park Jr.-designed course at Flint Golf Club has hosted legends and championships for over a century, as well as many Golf Association of Michigan tournaments and qualifiers.

The first day of the 33rd GAM Net Team Championship presented by Michigan Golf Live takes to the storied course on Monday.

A field of 80 teams, or 160 golfers, including combinations of men, women and some family duos, will play 18 holes with net four-ball scoring. At least eight teams emerging from play on Monday will qualify and advance to the final day of the championship on Oct. 11 at Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville.

Flint Golf Club dates to 1910 as a social club which opened its classic course in 1919. Park, a two-time British Open champion turned designer, fashioned a parkland golf course that has stayed true to its roots over the years. Unique to the Park design are five par-3 and five par 5 holes. Recent renovation work has rejuvenated much of Park’s original design.

Flint recently hosted the Michigan PGA Professional Championship for four years and has been a regular host to Golf Association of Michigan tournaments over the years, including the 2001 Michigan Amateur Championship. Part of the club’s history is that legend Sam Snead set the course record in June 1963 shooting a 61.

Flint Golf Club’s staff includes head PGA professional Ed Bialek, and Superintendent Jim Smedley. For more information on the club visit flintgolfclub.com.

Last year in the finals at Western Golf & Country Club, Bryon Scott of Farmington Hills and Joe DeNino of Taylor, former workmates at Village Ford in Dearborn, teamed up to win. They are returning to defend.