FREELAND, MI – Mike Wenglilowski isn’t as good as he once was, but he’s better than he used to be.
Wenglikowski, 41, joined elite Saginaw District Golf Tournament company Sunday, claiming his third consecutive District title at Apple Mountain in Freeland.
He also owns three Bay County championships, with the former Northwood University golfer winning in 2000, 2003 and 2005.
“I’m not as good as I was then, but I’m better than I have been recently,” Wenglikowski said. “Back then, you’re golfing all the time. You’re young.”
Wenglikowski moved to Saginaw in 2010, taking a job at Garber Chevrolet. He also became a dad. Brynn Wenglikowski is 10 years old and a student at Swan Valley.
“Nick Krattiger has three kids, and I told him that it’s going to be tough for him,” Wenglikowski said. “You just don’t golf as much as you used to once you have kids. I know I didn’t. But now that my daughter is older, I’ve been able to get out more, golf more.
“So I don’t golf as much as I used to, but I’m golfing more than I have in the past couple of years. I’m at a happy medium of play hard, work hard and spend time with the family. And it helps my golf game. So I’m not as good as I was 20 years ago, but I’m better than I have been.”
That medium has become too large a hurdle for the rest of the Saginaw County field. Only two other golfers have won three consecutive District titles, with Ron Stelter doing it twice. Stelter won from 1962 through 1964 and again from 1968 through 1970. Matt Pumford also won three consecutive Districts from 2012 through 2014.”
Wenglikowski trailed Krattiger by three strokes after the first round, but closed the gap on the No. 12 hole in the second round. Wenglikowski hit a 3-wood on the 563-yard, par-5 hole. Two shots later, he had an eagle.
“If I hit that 3-wood wrong, I’m losing two strokes instead of gaining two,” Wenglikoski said. “That was the turning point in the tournament.”
After a 72 Friday and 73 Saturday, Wenglikowski finished with a 72 Sunday for a 1-over 217. After a 69 Friday, Krattiger shot a 76 Saturday and 79 Sunday to finish second with a 224, seven shots behind Wenglikowski.
Adam Jacobs was third with a 9-over 225.
“You need patience on this course,” Wenglikowski said. “There are so many places to get in trouble. This is a tough course.”
Wenglikowski will have little time to celebrate. He tees off at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the Michigan Amateur at Hawk Hollow golf course in Bath.
Todd Essex claimed the Senior title with a 236, besting Roger Pumford by three strokes. Saginaw Nouvel sophomore Alex McCarthy finished sixth overall to earn the 21 Club title, beating Swan Valley’s Ashton DiBlasi by six strokes.
Dan Hughes, a member at Apple Mountain, finished off a dominating tournament to claim the Legends Division championship by 10 strokes. Hughes, playing from the Legends tees, shot a 72 Sunday to finish with a 215, followed by Terry Franz at 225.
Hughes is a four-time District Open Division champion.
The 2023 Saginaw District is scheduled for The Sawmill, and Wenglikowski expects to go for his fourth consecutive championship.
“As long as I’m able to do it, I’ll be there,” Wenglikowski said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
2022 Saginaw District
Open Division
Mike Wenglikowski 72-73-72—217
Nick Krattiger 69-76-79—224
Adam Jacobs 74-72-79—225
Nicholas White 74-75-78—227
Matt Pumford 76-74-78—228
Alex McCarthy 75-76-67—229
Ashton DiBlasi 76-77-82—235
Brandon Schneider 81-78-77—236
Todd Essex 83-74-79—236
Brian Allen 78-76-82—236
Micah Skidmore 77-85-77—239
Roger Pumford 81-78-80—239
Daniel Gladki 76-85-80—241
Alan Pumford 78-82-82—242
Justin Bellinger 77-80-86—243
Mitchell Hughes 74-82-87—243
Andrew Gladki 78-81-86—245
Hunter Koch 77-86-85—248
Adam Haswell 83-80-86—249
Legends Division
Dan Hughes 70-73-72—215
Terry Franz 76-77-72—225
Steve Yockey 76-78-77—231
Eric Frost 77-81-79—237
Bill Coulter 81-79-79—239
Steve Soulliere 77-76-90—243
Rick Johnson 80-84-86—250
Paul Gerwin 88-80-86—254
John Kowalewski 87-80-89—256
John Vondette 82-86-88—256
Bill Kundinger 88-80-92—260
MORE
Mike Wenglikowski, Nick Krattiger tied at top of Saginaw District golf tourney
Nick Krattiger takes early lead at 2022 Saginaw District golf tourney
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