Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, MI — September 15, 2019
Jerry Kelly did just what he needed to do to capture the Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. The 2nd round leader played bogey-free golf, picking up two birdies on the front nine and two on the final nine. His 16 under par score was good for a three-shot lead on the 18th tee.
Woody Austin birdied the final hole to pull within two strokes, but the outcome was never in question. Kelly’s only bobble occurred on the 16th hole. The par 5 can be reached in two and both Austin and Kelly fired at the green with their 2nd shot. Kelly landed in the greenside left rough, Austin in the rough on the opposite side of the putting surface.
Kelly’s chip was short and did not make the green, Austin chipped 15 feet behind the hole. The tournament could have taken a much different turn with a two-shot swing on this hole. Kelly’s 2nd chip settled about 8 feet below the hole, Austin just missed his birdie putt and Kelly calmly rolled his into the cup.
The 17th Hole
Kelly birdied the 17th, much to the delight of the crowd as they finished off the day with more $2.00 beers. Austin missed a birdie putt and any chance to catch Kelly. The beer promotion was a big hit with spectators all weekend long as fans cheered and groaned depending on whether a putt dropped into the hole or tantalizingly slid by.
Too Little Too Late
Tim Petrovic had a final round 67 to finish in a 3-way tie for 3rd. Steve Flesch shot a 6 under par 66 to tie with Petrovic, David Toms was the 3rd golfer in the group at 12 under.
Retief Goosen also had the lowest round of the day with Flesch at 6 under. Goosen, tied for the lead after the first round, lost the tournament on Saturday when he carded a one-over 73. Goosen finished 6th at 11 under, five strokes behind Kelly.
Rave Reviews
The tournament received outstanding reviews from the players and fans responded with great crowds despite having to battle a couple of light rain showers. Charitable donations are expected to exceed One Million Dollars for this year’s event.
Ally Financial and McLaren Health Systems announced they have extended their primary sponsorships through 2025. Great news for the PGA Tour Champions and an awesome financial boost for the community.
Ally Challenge Final Results
| Position | Player | To Par | R1 | R2 | R3 | TOT | EARNINGS |
| 1 | Jerry Kelly | -16 | 67 | 65 | 68 | 200 | $300,000 |
| 2 | Woody Austin | -14 | 68 | 65 | 69 | 202 | $176,000 |
| T3 | Tim Petrovic | -12 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 204 | $120,000 |
| T3 | Steve Flesch | -12 | 68 | 70 | 66 | 204 | $120,000 |
| T3 | David Toms | -12 | 70 | 66 | 68 | 204 | $120,000 |
| 6 | Retief Goosen | -11 | 66 | 73 | 66 | 205 | $80,000 |
| T7 | Tom Byrum | -10 | 70 | 67 | 69 | 206 | $58,400 |
| T7 | Wes Short Jr. | -10 | 69 | 67 | 70 | 206 | $58,400 |
| T7 | Tom Lehman | -10 | 69 | 67 | 70 | 206 | $58,400 |
| T7 | Bernhard Langer | -10 | 68 | 67 | 71 | 206 | $58,400 |
| T7 | Tom Gillis | -10 | 66 | 69 | 71 | 206 | $58,400 |
| T12 | Fred Couples | -9 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 207 | $40,667 |
| T12 | Kenny Perry | -9 | 70 | 66 | 71 | 207 | $40,667 |
| T12 | Jerry Smith | -9 | 67 | 68 | 72 | 207 | $40,667 |
| T15 | Colin Montgomerie | -8 | 69 | 70 | 69 | 208 | $35,000 |
| T15 | Scott McCarron | -8 | 66 | 67 | 75 | 208 | $35,000 |
| T17 | Marco Dawson | -7 | 72 | 70 | 67 | 209 | $29,150 |
| T17 | Stephen Ames | -7 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 209 | $29,150 |
| T17 | Brandt Jobe | -7 | 71 | 68 | 70 | 209 | $29,150 |
| T17 | Chris DiMarco | -7 | 70 | 68 | 71 | 209 | $29,150 |
| T21 | Angel Cabrera | -6 | 72 | 72 | 66 | 210 | $22,200 |
| T21 | Lee Janzen | -6 | 71 | 72 | 67 | 210 | $22,200 |
| T21 | Glen Day | -6 | 70 | 71 | 69 | 210 | $22,200 |
| T21 | Doug Barron | -6 | 70 | 69 | 71 | 210 | $22,200 |
| T21 | Mark O’Meara | -6 | 70 | 69 | 71 | 210 | $22,200 |
| T26 | Scott Parel | -5 | 76 | 69 | 66 | 211 | $17,800 |
| T26 | Ken Tanigawa | -5 | 69 | 72 | 70 | 211 | $17,800 |
| T26 | Stephen Leaney | -5 | 68 | 70 | 73 | 211 | $17,800 |
| T26 | Gene Sauers | -5 | 69 | 68 | 74 | 211 | $17,800 |
| T30 | David Frost | -4 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 212 | $15,067 |
| T30 | Kirk Triplett | -4 | 70 | 70 | 72 | 212 | $15,067 |
| T30 | Bart Bryant | -4 | 72 | 68 | 72 | 212 | $15,067 |
| T33 | Rocco Mediate | -3 | 72 | 73 | 68 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Gibby Gilbert III | -3 | 74 | 70 | 69 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Darren Clarke | -3 | 67 | 75 | 71 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Jay Haas | -3 | 67 | 74 | 72 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Jesper Parnevik | -3 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Jeff Sluman | -3 | 71 | 70 | 72 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Greg Kraft | -3 | 73 | 68 | 72 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T33 | Kent Jones | -3 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 213 | $11,850 |
| T41 | Paul Broadhurst | -2 | 71 | 73 | 70 | 214 | $9,000 |
| T41 | Bob Estes | -2 | 72 | 70 | 72 | 214 | $9,000 |
| T41 | David McKenzie | -2 | 72 | 70 | 72 | 214 | $9,000 |
| T41 | Cliff Kresge | -2 | 69 | 72 | 73 | 214 | $9,000 |
| T41 | Steve Jones | -2 | 73 | 67 | 74 | 214 | $9,000 |
| T46 | Billy Andrade | -1 | 75 | 71 | 69 | 215 | $7,600 |
| T46 | Brandel Chamblee | -1 | 76 | 70 | 69 | 215 | $7,600 |
| T48 | Skip Kendall | E | 72 | 74 | 70 | 216 | $6,800 |
| T48 | Esteban Toledo | E | 73 | 70 | 73 | 216 | $6,800 |
| T50 | Tommy Armour III | 1 | 72 | 74 | 71 | 217 | $6,000 |
| T50 | Vijay Singh | 1 | 76 | 70 | 71 | 217 | $6,000 |
| T52 | Gary Hallberg | 2 | 73 | 77 | 68 | 218 | $5,067 |
| T52 | Todd Fischer | 2 | 74 | 71 | 73 | 218 | $5,067 |
| T52 | Duffy Waldorf | 2 | 68 | 75 | 75 | 218 | $5,067 |
| T55 | Joe Durant | 3 | 73 | 75 | 71 | 219 | $4,500 |
| T55 | John Huston | 3 | 74 | 70 | 75 | 219 | $4,500 |
| T57 | Tom Pernice Jr | 4 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 220 | $4,000 |
| T57 | Loren Roberts | 4 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 220 | $4,000 |
| T57 | Dan Forsman | 4 | 76 | 70 | 74 | 220 | $4,000 |
| T60 | Mark Walker | 5 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 221 | $3,300 |
| T60 | Miguel Angel Jimenez | 5 | 74 | 73 | 74 | 221 | $3,300 |
| T60 | Dennis Hendershott | 5 | 75 | 71 | 75 | 221 | $3,300 |
| T60 | Larry Mize | 5 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 221 | $3,300 |
| T64 | Paul Goydos | 6 | 72 | 77 | 73 | 222 | $2,500 |
| T64 | Dudley Hart | 6 | 72 | 76 | 74 | 222 | $2,500 |
| T64 | Joey Sindelar | 6 | 72 | 75 | 75 | 222 | $2,500 |
| T64 | Billy Mayfair | 6 | 74 | 73 | 75 | 222 | $2,500 |
| T68 | Corey Pavin | 7 | 76 | 74 | 73 | 223 | $1,940 |
| T68 | Russ Cochran | 7 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 223 | $1,940 |
| T70 | Sandy Lyle | 8 | 75 | 73 | 76 | 224 | $1,700 |
| T70 | Tom Kite | 8 | 71 | 74 | 79 | 224 | $1,700 |
| 72 | Mark Calcavecchia | 9 | 70 | 78 | 77 | 225 | $1,520 |
| 73 | David Eger | 11 | 76 | 72 | 79 | 227 | $1,400 |
| 74 | Michael Allen | 12 | 77 | 74 | 77 | 228 | $1,320 |
| 75 | Gary Nicklaus | 15 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 231 | $1,240 |
| 76 | Mark Brooks | 19 | 77 | 75 | 83 | 235 | $1,160 |
| – | Olin Browne | WD | 76 | 73 | — | 149 | — |
| – | Jeff Maggert | DQ | 73 | 72 | — | 145 | — |
