42nd Broken Club Open

25th Annual Broken Club Open - Animal Edition

Drinking, debauchery, and mostly shitty golf!

The History

Perseverance could be the best way to describe the Broken Club Open. Originally founded by Bob Hirzel in 1984 at Lakes of the North Country Club, The BCO quickly became a regular fall golf extravaganza. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow could stop the BCO from its appointed duties. Unlike the post office, the duties included golf but focused primarily on partying, bonding, and long lasting friendship. After 17 years, the old guard turned over the reins to the young guns, with a new chapter, aptly named The Animal Edition.

The new era led by OG's, Bill "Hirz" Hirzel and Dave "Boog" Brenner brought new ideas and new venues. 40 years later, the party is slower and everyone gets some sleep before tee times but the goal remains the same...Keeping The Dream Alive!

The Players

Joe Cushing

Sometimes you meet people that make an indelible mark on you that never fades. One that makes you happy that you were part of their existence. It's rare, but it's impactful in a way that's hard to describe. We can probably all describe someone who has impacted us this way. Many of us were lucky enough to have known that person through our years at BCO.

Neil Young said it best that it's "better to burn out than to fade away". Our good friend Joe Cushing, exemplified those words. He lived with a freedom to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted to. The result was almost always a legendary tale that will never die. The stories forever being told at every BCO and remembered vividly by all of those that were blessed to have been there.

He died way too early and has left a huge void in our brotherhood, but his charisma, his charm and his "devil may care" attitude will always be with us.

RIP, Joe.

Bobby "The OG" Hirzel

Founder and Original Godfather of the BCO, Bobby is steady as a rock, straight down the middle, deadly from short range, and expert green reader...even after half a dozen Red Bulls

Dave "Boog" Brenner

OG of the original BCO and 21 year commissioner of The Animal Edition. Never underestimate the grit of this oft injured hall of famer

Bill "Hirz" Hirzel

Brother of the original OG, Bob Hirzel, Bill is a mainstay of the BCO. Expect the unexpected and be aware that the moon and its saggy satellites can make an appearance any time

Jim "Z-Man" Zemaitis

Once know to have been the instigator of many a BCO boozin' or fightin' shenanigan, Z Man found his game and orchestrated a completely unpredicted upset of the Cally/Bailey BCO empire in 2021

Tom "The Athlete" Arce

Typically lingering near the bottom third of the roster, an epic performance several years ago gave Tommy the self-described nickname, The Athlete. There has been talk of changing his nickname to Gummy Baby

Jimmy "Comic" Arce

There at the start of The BCO, everyone knows you can always count on Jimmy for comic relief. Be on the lookout for his inner Max Cady to break out just when you need it

Dan "Conno" Converse

A master technician on the course, Conno doesn't limit himself to equipment changes for improvement. He is best know for the right hand to left hand switch.

Matt "Pork Loin" Stokes

A regular in the kitchen and the back of his pickup, Matt has developed a reputation for his fantastic pork loin and making his bed in the back of the truck

Chris "Buch" Buczak

Never at a loss for a one hit, this half of the Cheech and Chong duo several years ago serves a valuable role in BCO as our official auditor for all things cheaper

Ed "Eddie" Doman

Eduardo Domano has taken the torch from Fidel Castro as the king of cigars. An intense competitor on the course, he can often be heard berating himself in the 3rd person

Mike "Cally" Callahan

A regular on the BCO Cup winner plaque, Cally's "deliberate" approach to his game has served him well and driven Bailey crazy. There are rumors of him being required to use hickory sticks for BCO as a handicap

Chris "The General" Bailey

Another regular at the top of the leaderboard, Bailey's teams are chosen with specific skill sets (even when he isn't captain), mostly the willingness to do as he says

Brendan Molloy

Sláinte, to the Irishman!!! A long time BCO stalwart, Brendan is the calm at the eye of the storm and always there to help with a little Captain in your coke.

Al "Big Al" Meacham

The gentle giant of the group and official shot distribution expert on the course, Big Al's immense presence was solidified in what now lives in the lore of BCO as the arbiter of the "tie breaker rules fiasco"

Jim "Mac" McCartney

Masquerading as an "A" player with a low
"B" game, Mac looks the part but seldom comes out on top. Give him a gummy, game over.

Ron "Daddy" Ford

Masquerading as a "B" player with an "A" game, Daddy always seems to be lurking near the top. Give him a few beers and a gummy and who knows what's gonna come out of his mouth

Kurt "Ghost" Ford

Younger brother of Ron. Excellent BCO host. Typically well lubed after the Friday activities and the life of the party, but don't blink on Saturday night after dinner or you'll miss the vanishing act

Jim "JD" Dennis

A recent addition to the BCO, JD has quickly become a fixture. Growing up with the original BCO'ers and a Shrine grad, against all reasonable caution he's jumped back in to the fray

Jim "Ruggles" Trumbull

Never a fan of the fairway, Trumbull is a master of a majestic carry into the trees off the tee. In spite of that he's a scrambler, and he's found himself on the BCO Cup and can always be counted on for a smoke or a toke

Dick "Large One" Landry

Well, what can you say! He's The Large One. Ever present, unapologetic, and loyal to the soul. Need a memory from the old days? Ask Dick.

The Courses

The Bear

Welcome to The Bear, every bit the animal it was when Jack Nicklaus first unleashed the course on June 17, 1985. Celebrated as one of the toughest 18 holes in Michigan, The Bear was ranked as the 18th toughest course in America, according to Golf Digest. This beautiful course offers the best of Traverse City golf and regularly stands out as a top golf course in Michigan.

Nicklaus' signature design features Scottish terraced fairways, tiered greens, deep grassy roughs, moguls and mounds, and deep pot bunkers. With rolling land, trees, lakes, streams, fruit orchards, and a variety of wildlife, The Bear features a mixture of different elements golfers rarely see on one course. This is northern Michigan golf at its finest.

The Bear

The WolverinE

Gary Player’s first signature course in the state of Michigan is designed to take full advantage of the Resort’s richly diverse environment. The design’s flexibility, versatility, and playability with four sets of tees allows the course to be set up to accommodate golfers of all abilities.

The course is challenging for a low handicap, yet playable and enjoyable for high handicappers and is capable of being set up to be a true test for professional tournaments.

Each nine is distinctive. The front nine is constructed on lowland terrain with water and wetlands, and existing wetlands were enhanced to interweave with several holes on the front. The back nine is constructed on highland terrain with hardwoods, rolling hills, and views of East Grand Traverse Bay.

Fairways and greens were seeded with Providence Bentgrass, tees were seeded with Penncross Bentgrass, and the rough was seeded with bluegrass and fescue. The greens are undulating while water comes into play on 13 holes. The course record is 63, shot during the first round of the 2008 Michigan Open by Brian Stuard of Jackson, Michigan.

The Wolverine

Spruce run

Spruce Run, the Resort’s original resort golf course, began as a nine-hole Acme public golf course and was later expanded to 18 holes in the 1970s. The course was redesigned as a 6,741-yard, par-72 course in 1979 by former University of Michigan Golf Coach William Newcomb and renamed The Resort Course.

In 1992, it was given the name Spruce Run to reflect the numerous spruce and fir trees that line its fairways and greens. Spruce Run was modified to a par-70 course during the development of The Wolverine golf course.

The tees, greens, and fairways are bentgrass, and water comes into play on 13 holes. The Michigan Open was played on Spruce Run from 1981 through 1984. Yardage, rating, and slope were updated in 2017.

Spruce Run

The Lodging

Condos at Grand Traverse

Enjoy the scenic views of our iconic Grand Traverse Resort and Spa golf courses with our condominiums. One, two, and three bedroom options provide an abundance of space for large groups and are still conveniently located near our on-property amenities and activities.

Condos at Grand Traverse

The Details

Thursday

Thursday PM

Optional Arrival
Warm up golf

Friday

Friday AM

Tee times- 8:30-9:10
18 holes (TBD)
Four Ball (2 man team match play, handicaps apply)
- 10 Ryder Cup points available (2 pts/match, 1 per golfer)
- Play your own ball
- Hole is won by team whose member has the lowest score
- 1 pt for hole win
- 1/2 point if hole is halved
- Team with most hole wins gains 1 point for their Ryder Cup team
- If a match is halved, each team gets 1/2 point

Friday PM

Tee times- 2:30-3:10
9 holes (TBD)
Two man scramble
- 5 Ryder Cup points available (1 point/match, 1/2 point per player)
- 3 drives per team member
- Each team member must contribute a shot on each hole
- Must putt out everything, No Gimmes

Saturday

Saturday AM

Tee times- 8:30-9:10
9 holes (TBD)
Singles Match Play
- 10 Ryder Cup points available (1 per golfer)
- 9 Hole match play
- Each hole is won by the lowest net score
- 1 point per hole won (9 pts total)
- Match can be closed out early if hole lead is greater than number of holes remaining (ie...3 up with 2 to play)

Saturday PM

Tee times- 1:30-2:10
18 holes (The Bear)
Broken Club Open, 4 man scramble

The Games

Saturday Morning

These 9 holes will be a Match Play among pre-determined A, B, C, D and E players. Matches will be determined Friday night.

Points will be awarded by holes won. Each player that wins a hole is award one point. Individual “net” scores are tallied on each hole, including appropriate handicaps. The player with the lowest score is awarded one point.

Should the hole be “halved” (ties) each player is awarded 1/2 point for that hole. The player with the most points for the 9 holes is awarded the 1 point for their respective teams. Should the players tie, each team is awarded 1/2 point.

It is possible to end a match early by closing out your competition, (if a player is up by 4 points, with 3 holes to play, the match is over and in essence complete).

Point total – 10 (1 per match/golfer)

Friday PM, Saturday PM

The Broken Club Open is an 18 hole tournament and it is the traditional “Broken Club Open Championship”. The BCO and the Friday afternoon format will both be a scramble format.

Pretty easy rules:

Minimum of 3 drives per golfer are required
Low score wins. If there is a tie, handicap rules apply and will determine winner
One club length from ball is allowed, but no closer to the hole and no improvement in your lie
(Hole handicap will be the tie-breaker!)

Winning BCO team will have their names engraved on the “Animal Edition” trophy, with each team member having possession of the trophy for a minimum of 60 days!

The 2025 Ryder Cup Teams (Winners: Team Hirz)