Kucher wins UPGA title

The 102nd edition of the Upper Peninsula Golf Association men’s championship wrapped up on Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

The four-day event concluded on Sunday as Frank Kucher Jr. of Sault, Ont. shot a final round 73 to take the title with a 286 for the weekend.

Kucher finished seven strokes ahead of Matt Argall, who entered the tournament as the defending champion. Argall fell off the pace after shooting a 79 on Saturday after entering the day in a battle with Kucher and Austin Kirkwood for the lead entering the weekend.

Kucher’s scores were steady throughout the tournament after shooting a 70 on opening day Thursday. The veteran golfer shot a 71 on Friday and a 72 on Saturday.

Kirkwood and Jim Markell finished in a tie for third in the championship flight. Kirkwood and Bryce Douglas were tied for second and four shots off the pace heading into the final round.

Richard Evoy, also of Sault, Ont. finished in a tie for first with Don Savoie in the second flight, after shooting a 302 for the weekend. Evoy shot a final round 73 to move into the tie for top spot with Savoie, who shot a 74 on the final day. Evoy was three shots off the lead heading into the final day.

The tournament marked the first time since 2010 that the event had been held in the Michigan Sault. That year, the tournament was split between the Sault Country Club and the Sault Golf Club on the Ontario side of the St. Mary’s River. Paul Raycroft of Sault, Ont. won the 2010 event.