CHEBOYGAN — I love this time of year.
And no, it’s not just because fall sports are starting up.
On the evening before fall sports season, one of the most unique sporting events in Northern Michigan wraps up.
That would be the Northern Michigan Open, which takes place at the Cheboygan Golf & Country Club.
On Friday and Saturday, several golfers will look to capture the championship flight title, and others hope to go home with glory in their respective flights in the 79th version of the tournament.
With this year’s edition happening soon, here’s some thoughts heading into the Open.
A new champion will be crowned
With defending Open champion PJ Maybank III off to Pennsylvania to compete in his second-ever United States Amateur Championship event, that means we’ll have a new champion on Sunday night.
Last year, Maybank’s exceptional play helped him run away from the field on Sunday, earning himself a first-ever Open title. Maybank defeated Indian River’s Jon Micoff, who finished second, while former Open winner Zach Koerner, who played golf at Ferris State, placed third.
While it’s a bummer that Maybank’s golf talent won’t be on display this year, he’ll obviously have bigger fish to fry while on the national stage at Merion Golf Club this weekend.
However, with the golf I’ve seen played at this tournament throughout the years, there’s plenty of other stars who have a chance to have their moment in the sun on Sunday evening.
Who’s the favorite?
When you’re talking about the Open, there’s so many great past winners like Kyle Parsons, Kasey Hocquard, Justin Brandt and Joe Kosanke, but there always seems to be a guy who’s consistently battling it out at the top.
His name is Jon Micoff, the ultimate competitor — and a four-time champion.
Every single year, Micoff puts himself in contention to win this thing, and he’s succeeded more than anybody else.
With Maybank out east, there must be a new favorite, and it’s Micoff, who won his last Open two years ago and was runner-up in 2025. With the sort of consistency he’s played with over the years, Micoff has an excellent shot to win Open No. 5, but there’s plenty of others who can make noise as long as they’re on their game, of course.
Who else should we keep an eye on?
While I mentioned a handful of outstanding players who might be considered favorites, here’s one more to watch.
Earl Parsons, the 2001 Open champion.
It’s been 25 years since Parsons celebrated Open glory, but as he showed in 2025 — when he played himself into the second-to-last group with his son, Kyle — he still has what it takes to contend and win a championship.
Playing together last year was an emotional afternoon for the father and son, two former Open champions, but we’ll see what they have this weekend.
Open Winner Prediction
Jon Micoff — The 2024 winner will find a way to outlast a star-studded field and claim a prestigious fifth title. Micoff will have his fair share of challengers, but I think he’ll be too much for the field on Sunday.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: What to watch for at Cheboygan’s 79th annual Northern Michigan Open
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
