Paul Johns Wins 2002 PPA Michigan Open by Three Strokes over Todd Viau Scott Copeland Wins APA Division by One-Stroke Paul Johns playing the final hole of the 2002 PPA Michigan Open (Ypsilanti, MI). 21 July 2002 - Ypsilanti, MI - Paul Johns of Gahanna, OH overcame sweltering heat followed by torrential rain and soaked carpets to claim a three-stroke victory over Todd Viau of Grand Rapids, MI in the Great Lakes Tour's six-round 2002 PPA Michigan Open. Johns seized the lead in the second round by firing a perfect back nine on his way to a tournament-best 22. At the 54-hole break, Johns enjoyed a two-shot lead at 73 over Viau. Brandon Yee of Columbus, Oh was third at 77. Early in the fourth round a summer thunderstorm flooded the course and stopped play for a full hour and a half. With the holes expediently cleared of water by the Ypsilanti Putt-Putt staff, play resumed. Scott Copeland, APA winner of the Michigan Open. Johns appeared to falter early in the fourth round with a triple-bogey five on the treacherous side-hill fifth hole, and he could only muster a 32 for the round. Fortunately for him, none of his fellow contenders were able to break 30 in that soggy fourth round. Solid fifth and sixth rounds of 26 and 24 to end the event clinched the victory for Johns, who picked up a GLT major title, his second World spot and his second GLT spot in the same day. Johns’ final score was 155, 61-under par. Todd Viau and Brandon Yee kept up their steady play. Viau finished second at 158 and Yee third at 160. Each player received a GLT spot. Paul Johns and Scott Copeland (left to right). Paul Sample of Bend, OR made the long trek to Michigan in search of a World spot and accomplished that goal, finishing fourth at 165. Detroit-area native Jim Heikkinen, now a resident of North Olmsted, OH fired a 22 the final round to grab the third World spot and a GLT spot at 168. Mike McCormack of Columbus also shot 168 to claim the fifth GLT spot. In the APA division, Springfield, OH players swept the top four places. Scott Copeland survived a neck-and-neck battle with Leroy Lacey to win his second GLT event of the year by a single stroke. Both players spent the day no more than two strokes apart at the completion of any round and the outcome was not decided until the final hole. Copeland’s winning score was 170, 46-under par, with Lacey at 171. Bennie Williams posted a perfect back nine in his final round to claim third place at 172. Zach Rumery was fourth at 174. GLT spots were awarded to Zach Rumery, Zach Smith, Bob Luginbuhl and Andy McCoy. The Michigan Open also featured a Novice division won by Tom Stimpson, who defeated fellow Ypsilanti regular Jimmy Anderson in a playoff after both players tied at 184, 32 under par. The GLT wishes to express many thanks to course owner Bill Chrysan and to the Chrysan family for their cooperation and hospitality, which made the Michigan Open a special event for everyone participating. Scores provided and tournament recap provided by Bill Thompson.

Professional Division of the 2002 PPA Michigan Open
(Ypsilanti, MI - Course #2 - 21 July 2002)

		Round							Prize	GLT	GLT	WPC
	Player	1	2	3	4	5	6	Total	Money	Points	Spots	Spots
1	Paul Johns	27	22	24	32	26	24	155	$300.00	150.00	Match	1
2	Todd Viau	25	26	24	30	27	26	158	$250.00	128.00	Match
3	Brandon Yee	25	26	26	30	26	27	160	$195.00	113.00	Medal
4	Paul Sample	28	24	27	31	27	28	165	$170.00	105.00		1
5	Mike McCormack	25	26	30	31	28	28	168	$135.00	94.00	Medal
	Jim Heikkinen	29	29	29	31	28	22	168	$135.00	94.00	Match	1
7	Tom O'Brien	27	28	29	28	31	27	170	$110.00	83.00
8	John Darst	26	29	26	32	29	30	172	$95.00	72.00
	Bill Thompson	29	29	31	31	28	24	172	$95.00	72.00
10	Dave Nutini	25	31	26	30	28	33	173	$81.00	53.00
	Rick Alessi	26	29	31	30	28	29	173	$81.00	53.00
	Jay Hadsell	27	30	29	31	28	28	173	$81.00	53.00
	Jim Engel	29	26	32	30	28	28	173	$81.00	53.00
	Jim Cruse	33	30	26	29	27	28	173	$81.00	53.00
15	John Bambling	29	28	30	30	28	29	174		37.00
	Bill Baus	31	23	34	28	30	28	174		37.00
17	Karl Moe	28	32	28	30	29	28	175		30.00
18	Craig Williams	31	30	28	30	28	29	176		27.00
19	Ken Hastings	30	27	29	30	29	32	177		22.50
19	Jeff Garrison	29	28	32	29	28	31	177		22.50
21	Robb Titchell	30	36	28	30	30	26	180		18.00
22	Paul Pastilong	33	27	30	37	27	29	183		14.50
	Jim White	30	30	32	29	31	31	183		14.50
24	Scott Buddie	26	36	29	34	29	30	184		12.00
25	Mike Conklin	28	28	27	42	32	28	185		11.00
26	Doug Young	37	31	32	30	32	31	193		9.00