By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Golf has long been a vehicle for individuals and organizations to give back to their communities and support their favorite causes. Back in April, we highlighted a charitable effort that many PGA Sections have implemented in recent years – Yellow Birdie Bash.
As the dog days of summer become fewer and the promise of autumn comes to light, several PGA of America Golf Professionals in the Michigan PGA Section are gearing up to continue a stellar cause – The Harbor Cup Matches – on September 30 and October 1 at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Shaun Bezilla, the PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Harbor Point Golf Club and 2013 Section Golf Professional of the Year, created this two-day competition 27 years ago when he was at Little Travers Bay Golf Club. This year will be very special, as the annual event seeks to surpass $1 million in funds raised and donated.
Team BOYNE, consisting of 12 of the world-renowned resort’s PGA Professionals takes on Team Harbor, a dozen Michigan PGA Professionals from 10 clubs that are located within a 50-mile area of each other. Each side conducts its own qualifiers and raises its own funds – see QR codes below to contribute to your favorite team.
As it stands, Team BOYNE leads the Harbor Cup Matches 16-11, but it’s Bezilla’s crew that will be defending its 2023 victory during this milestone year.
The two-day format consists of an 18-hole Better Ball round and an 18-hole Alternate Shot round on day one, with Singles Matches deciding the champion on day two. Each squad is decked out with pride in its team uniforms and each professional strives to entice his or her members or core golfers to come out and support their side.
“I was new to the area and wanted to do something for the community,” Bezilla explains of his motivation back in 1997. “I thought we should do something similar to the Ryder Cup to raise money for local charities. Bernie Friedrich at BOYNE liked the idea and we came up with the guidelines and parameters for the event. Over almost three decades, there has been a lot of wonderful golf played in the name of charity.”
Bezilla credits the event’s relationship with the Petoskey/Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation with helping to maximize their impact on their community and increase engagement.
“The Harbor Cup Matches are about giving back to the communities where we all work and play,” he explains. “I’m very proud of how far we’ve come and the sum of charitable dollars raised and donated within our communities. I’m sure I speak for all of the participants past and present when I say we couldn’t have reached this milestone without the support of so many, and we are thankful to all of you.”
Jason George, PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Walloon Lake Country Club, is the Team Harbor captain for the 4th year in 2024 and is proud to serve in that role during this momentous year.
“We all want to beat our opponent and win every match we play,” he says, “but we all know the main goal is raising money for the local charities, and playing golf with 23 colleagues and friends is a bonus. I love representing Team Harbor and competing against the BOYNE Golf Professionals every year. Crossing $1 million raised since the start of the tournament is monumental.”
Steve Niezgoda, PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Bay Harbor Golf Club, is the Team BOYNE captain and is happy to lead his players into this fun-spirited competition. “This will be year three for me as captain, and the camaraderie that is built around the event with my fellow BOYNE golf professionals is very special,” he says. “We can’t get together as a whole team too often during the season, so when it’s Harbor Cup season, we cherish those moments.”
He adds, “It starts with our five qualifying events that our PGA staff must compete in to make Team BOYNE. And that competitiveness certainly continues into the Harbor Cup event. While we did not retain our title last year, we had won 5 years in a row and the all-time series stands in our favor. But both teams get the most satisfaction knowing that our charities are the true winners each year.”
With play taking place on Monday and Tuesday, there’s an opening cocktail party with pairings selected at the host site on Sunday evening. When the event concludes on Tuesday, each side traditionally has lunch among its own competitors and then meets at a local bar or restaurant to share stories about the competition and celebrate the victors, as well as the monumental impact all the competitors are making on their local communities.
Here at Golf Range Magazine, we’ll follow up in the fall and highlight the results of the 2024 Harbor Cup Matches, both on and off the course. Some organizations that the event supports include First Tee – Northern Michigan, Manna Food Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Beyond the Scoreboard and several local high school golf programs.
To contribute to Team BOYNE:
To contribute to Team Harbor:
