PLYMOUTH, Mich. (August 5, 2026) — Motor City Golf Club (MCGC) is calling on Michigan's best amateur golfers to take their shot at history during the inaugural MCGC Champs Open Try Outs, presented in partnership with The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort, Carl's Golfland and the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), on Saturday, September 12.
Founded in 2025, Motor City Golf Club is Detroit's professional golf team and the seventh franchise in TGL, the tech-infused team golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports. MCGC will make its TGL debut during the league's third season in 2027.
The newly formed MCGC Champs competition extends the club's mission beyond the professionals by giving local amateur golfers and golf enthusiasts the opportunity to represent Motor City Golf Club in community events and competitions throughout metro Detroit.
Open to golfers of all skill levels, the one-day competition offers participants the opportunity to earn a place on the inaugural MCGC Champs team—a three-player amateur squad that will represent Motor City Golf Club in a year-round series of "Challenge the Champs" competitions. The initiative is designed to celebrate Michigan's passionate golf community while creating a unique connection between local golfers and Detroit's professional golf franchise.
For more information on the event and the rules of the competition, you can go to the MCGC Champs Event Page. Registration is now open HERE.
"Detroit is home to the best sports fans in the world and Michigan boasts one of the country’s largest and most passionate golf communities”, said Peter Hamp, Vice Governor of Motor City Golf Club. “The potential to build a loyal and engaged local fan base was the foundation of our ownership group’s bid for the Motor City Golf Club TGL and WTGL franchises. The inaugural MCGC Champs Open Tryout represents an exciting opportunity to unite Detroit’s golf enthusiasts and sports fans through spirited local competition and build momentum and excitement as we launch our Motor City Golf Club WTGL and TGL teams later this year.”
Hosted across the adjacent campuses of The Cardinal at Saint John’s and Carl’s Golfland’s Plymouth location, competitors will test their skills through a series of qualifying challenges before advancing to an on-course knockout competition.
The qualifying portion of the event beginning at 9:00am ET includes:
● Driving Challenge – Longest drive out of three attempts at Carl's Golfland Driving Range
● Approach Shot Challenge – Closest-to-the-pin competition at Carl's Golfland
● Putting Challenge – Precision putting test on the Saint John's Resort Cardinal putting green
Following qualifying, the top 12 scores and ties will advance to a knockout competition on The Cardinal and Little Cardinal courses at Saint John's Resort, where the inaugural MCGC Champs team will be crowned.
"We're honored to welcome golfers from across the state to Saint John's Resort for this first-of-its-kind competition," said Kevin Doyle, Chief Operating Officer of The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which owns The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort. "The Cardinal was built to host memorable golf experiences, and partnering with Motor City Golf Club to launch the MCGC Champs perfectly aligns with our commitment to hosting professional golf events at the highest level and creating unforgettable moments for golfers."
Carl's Golfland, one of the nation's most recognized golf retailers and practice facilities, will host the driving and approach shot competitions.
"For generations, Carl's Golfland has been a place where golfers come to improve their game and fuel their passion for golf," said Tom VanHaaren, Director of Content and Engagement."We're excited to help launch an event that gives Michigan golfers an opportunity to compete, showcase their skills and potentially become the first-ever MCGC Champs."
The Golf Association of Michigan will oversee competition administration and scoring, ensuring a fair and competitive experience under the Rules of Golf.
"This championship aligns with the Golf Association of Michigan's mission to support and strengthen amateur golf throughout the state by providing meaningful competitive opportunities for golfers of all backgrounds," said Chris Whitten, Executive Director of the GAM. "We are proud to partner with Motor City Golf Club on this inaugural event and look forward to recognizing the first MCGC Champs team."
The event is expected to attract up to 250 participants from across Michigan and will serve as the launch of what Motor City Golf Club envisions becoming a signature annual competition and year-round amateur series.
About Motor City Golf Club
Motor City Golf Club was founded in Detroit in 2025 as the seventh golf team under TMRW Sports and the TGL Golf League.MCGC is under the ownership group, Middle West Partners led by principals Michael Hamp, Peter Hamp and Kevin Kelleher, all of whom have Detroit roots. The Hamp family has been longtime co-owners of the Detroit Lions with Sheila Hamp currently serving as principal owner and chairwoman. For this new TGL team venture, Mrs. Hamp, along with her husband, Steve, are co-owners of Motor City Golf Club.
Adding to the experienced ownership group are includes Rob Walton, owner of the Denver Broncos; Jordan Rose, president and founder of Rose Law Group, Kit Hawkins and Vansa Chatikavanij of Present Ventures; technology entrepreneur Kal Somani, Jay Farner, former CEO of Rocket Companies; and RHC Group, an active sports investment firm and early supporter of TGL.
MCGC will premiere in the 2027 season. IG: @motorcitygc; www.motorcitygolfclub.com/
About Saint John's Resort
Saint John’s Resort is a 200-acre luxury destination in Plymouth, Michigan, where historic architecture, championship golf, and purpose-driven hospitality come together. Originally built as a 1940s Romanesque seminary, the property has been thoughtfully preserved and transformed into a resort featuring 124 guest rooms and suites, more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, and a standout golf experience anchored by The Cardinal, a championship 18-hole course, alongside a short course and putting course. The resort is also home to three distinct dining experiences: FIVE Steakhouse, The Wine Grotto, and Doyles Irish Pub. As part of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation’s Humanitarian Hotels portfolio, Saint John’s Resort donates 100% of net profits to educational and humanitarian initiatives across Metro Detroit and beyond, allowing every stay, round of golf, and meal to contribute to lasting community impact. For more information, visit https://www.saintjohnsresort.com/ and follow the property on Facebook and Instagram.
About Carl's Golfland
Carl’s Golfland has over 68 years of golf expertise. Their service and knowledge are the secret sauce behind their two Metro-Detroit retail locations and international servicing website. With 80+ vendors, 12,402 fittings, and 50,000+ customers served annually, Carl’s knows a thing or two about golf. More so, they know a thing or two about customer service. They pride themselves on their world-class customer service, their state-of-the-art custom and repair department, the Launch Pad fitting center and seemingly endless offerings from the top names in golf. Carl’s services the tech-junkie golf influencer to the beginner looking for the guaranteed lowest prices. Thinking golf? Think Carl’s Golfland. Land of Golf Plenty since 1958.
About the Golf Association of Michigan
Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and advancing amateur golf throughout the state of Michigan. As an Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the United States Golf Association (USGA), the GAM represents more than 110,000 GAM members and over 600-member golf courses across the state. The GAM provides a wide range of services, including administering the World Handicap System™ through GHIN®, conducting amateur state championships and USGA qualifiers, providing Course Rating services, and preserving the traditions and integrity of the game. Through programs such as Youth on Course Michigan, rules education, and member benefits, the GAM is committed to making golf more accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages and abilities while strengthening the game across Michigan.
Media Contact
Brian Lenz | Head of Marketing & Media, Motor City Golf Club
Brian@motorcitygolfclub.com
Heather Zachary | Communications & PR Lead, Motor City Golf Club
hz@middelwestpartners.com
Lauren Harrison | Outlyr
lharrison@outlyr.com