Monroe Invitational Championship
History

The Monroe Invitational Championship (MIC) is one of the oldest amateur tournaments in the United States dating back to 1937. Monroe Golf Club (MGC) has hosted this event for 70 years.

Tournament History:

• The MIC was played at match play since its inception in 1937. 
  
  
• Tom Creavy beat Tiger Woods in his semi-final match on his way to his win in 1993.
   
  
• 1998 the format was switched to a 72 holes at stroke play tournament.
   
• For most of the MIC’s history the tournament was primarily a local tournament pitting the finest players in Rochester and New York State against each other in head to head competition. Occasionally a nationally renowned player such US Amateur Champions Skee Riegel (1947), Sam Urzetta (1948-1950), Fred Ridley (1975) and Buddy Alexander (1986) competed and won the MIC.
   
• In 1987 Tom Solberg, Monroe Golf Club member and noted Rochester attorney, mounted a campaign to elevate the status of the MIC. He enlisted support of the Monroe Golf Club Board of Governors who whole-heartedly backed his efforts. Mr. Solberg raised the necessary funds by initiating a Buss Reed Blitz tournament; whereby, sponsoring club members were paired with amateur stars. In addition, Mr. Solberg sought and gained the financial backing of a large cross section of the Monroe membership through a Patrons Program. Nearly 50% of the membership contributes voluntarily toward the success of the event.
   
• Mr. Solberg was able to attract many top ranked amateurs and collegiate players to the finely conditioned Monroe Golf Club. Players were treated to many amenities not found at other amateur venues such as member housing for all players, transportation, a generous gift package, outstanding food and most of all, an exquisite Donald Ross golf course.
   
• Bob Bishop, Bob Jordan, Buzz Webber, Harry Shrier, John Purcell, Jim Spitz Jr., Dan Purcell and present Tournament Director and past MIC Champion, John Kircher followed Mr. Solberg’s chairmanship. They continued to make great strides in bringing national prominence to the Monroe Invitational Championship and Monroe Golf Club.
  
  
• In 2002 DJ Trahan set the MIC course record with a 62 in the second round. In 2007 Dustin Johnson of Coastal Carolina University tied DJ's competitive course record with a 62 on Thursday on his way to his win.
  
  
• In 2007 nine championship fairway bunkers were added to Monroe Golf Club along with new championship tees on the 5th hole (now a 484 yard par 4 and the 9th hole (now a 601 yard par 5). In 2008 Michael Foster of Perth, Australia set the course record for the revised course with a 65 in his final round. Justin Shin, New Mexico State, set the new course record in 2010 with a blistering 62 in his opening round.
• Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open Champion played in the MIC four times and Ben Curtis, former British Open Champion played the MIC five times.

Current MIC Status

• The current MIC enjoys the status of one of the top amateur tournaments in the United States along with the North and South Amateur, Sunnehanna, Porter Cup and Northeast Amateur Invitationals.
  
  
• Competitors in the event include the top ranked collegiate and amateur golfers in the United States with a history of top international players.
  
  
• The 2011 MIC Champion was Albin Choi, North Carolina State.

Notable MIC Champions include:

Keegan Bradley Jonathan Byrd Ben Curtis Jason Day Harrison Frazar Jim Furyk Lucas Glover

Dudley Hart JB Holmes Charles Howell III Steve Marino Jeff Overton D. A. Points Heath Slocum

Brandt Snedeker Kevin Stadler Jhonattan Vegas Johnson Wagner Mark Wilson Nick Watney Tiger Woods