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Since 2018, the season-long match play championship has been contested by members of the MiGCSA. Now in its ninth year, the 2026 Match Play Championship, presented by SiteOne, debuted a new format. For the first time, play opened with a round robin stage: 32 two-person teams were split into eight divisions of four teams (sixteen in the East, eight in the West and eight in the North). Each team played three best-ball net matches, earning points toward its division standings. A total of 103 matches were played in 2026 providing fantastic opportunities for our members to network with each other and visit with a fellow member at their course. This is the spirit of this event and this season was a great one.
Each team played three best-ball net matches, earning points toward its division standings. A total of 103 matches were played in 2026, providing fantastic opportunities for our members to network with each other and visit fellow members at their home courses. This embodies the spirit of the event, making this season a great success.
The top eight teams advanced to the traditional match play bracket:
East Division 1: Grant Kieft & Anthony Schimento (34.50 points)
East Division 2: Charley Baker & Paul Albanese (43 points)
East Division 3: Aaron McMaster & Terry Poley (37.50 points)
East Division 4: Shane Conroy & Adam Ikamas (33.50 points)
West Division 1: Jay Eccleton & Marc McCoy (33.50 points)
West Division 2: Logan May & Kevin Thielke (38 points)
North Division 1: Doug Hoeh & Tim Matty (37 points)
North Division 2: Kurt Fisher & Ryan Holmes (35 points)
In the quarterfinals, Adam Ikamas & Jason Farah (subbing for Shane Conroy) defeated Doug Hoeh & Tim Matty 4&3 at Crystal Mountain; Aaron McMaster & Terry Poley edged Jay Eccleton & Marc McCoy 1-up in extra holes at The Emerald; Kurt Fisher & Ryan Holmes beat Grant Kieft & Anthony Schimento 2&1 at Midland Country Club; and Charley Baker & Paul Albanese slipped past Kevin Thielke & Logan May 1-up at The Country Club of Lansing.
In the semifinals, McMaster & Poley defeated Ikamas & Farah 2&1 at Oakland Hills, while Baker & Albanese topped Fisher & Holmes, also 2&1, at The Emerald.
The Championship Match was played on Friday, October 23, at Barton Hills Country Club, hosted by Golf Course Superintendent Andrew Christesen. Aaron McMaster & Terry Poley defeated Charley Baker & Paul Albanese 4&2 to win the 2026 Match Play Championship. This marks Poley and McMaster’s third title since the event began in 2018.
Thank you to SiteOne and all of our Industry Partners who make this event—and all of our events—possible, as well as the members who met new people, played new courses, and participated in 2026. Registration for the 2027 Match Play Championship opens in February, featuring a live bracket drawing at the Presidents Reception during the 2027 Annual Meeting.
