Sage Run Golf Course once again welcomed some of the nation’s top collegiate golfers to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the seventh annual Island Resort Intercollegiate. When the final putt dropped on September 7, the University of Michigan had delivered a commanding team victory and junior Ralph “RJ” Arone had secured his first collegiate individual title.
Michigan finished the 54-hole tournament at 41-under 823, winning by 25 strokes. Arone led the way at 14-under 202, two shots ahead of teammate Spencer Shropshire.
Michigan Takes Control at Sage Run
The Wolverines set the pace across all three rounds, posting team scores of 274, 273 and 276. All five Michigan starters finished under par, helping the team separate itself from a strong 12-program field.
Michigan combined steady scoring with aggressive play when the course offered an opportunity. The Wolverines recorded a tournament-leading 69 birdies and played Sage Run’s par 5s at 30-under. They also led the field in par-4 scoring at 7-under.
West Virginia finished second at 16-under 848, followed by North Texas at 13-under 851. Saint Mary’s and UCF tied for fourth at 12-under 852.
The win was Michigan’s second victory in as many starts to open the season and marked the program’s first back-to-back tournament wins in 18 years.
Arone Earns His First Collegiate Title
Arone put together three rounds in the 60s – 66, 67 and 69 – to claim medalist honors. His 14-under total tied the fourth-lowest 54-hole score in Michigan program history.
Over the course of the tournament, Arone made 16 birdies and only two bogeys. His consistency proved especially valuable during a final round in which he protected the lead against a teammate making an impressive college debut.
Shropshire finished at 12-under 204 after rounds of 69, 67 and a bogey-free 68. Their one-two finish was Michigan’s first outright sweep of the top two individual positions since 2021.
Vinny Cervantes of Marquette and Samuel Baumuller of Saint Mary’s tied for third at 11-under 205. UCF’s Camden Goldknopf rounded out the top five at 10-under 206.
Sage Run Provides a Memorable Collegiate Test
Designed by Paul Albanese, Sage Run uses the Upper Peninsula’s natural terrain to create a distinctive 7,309-yard, par-72 challenge. Its elevation changes, strategic landing areas and demanding approaches give players plenty to solve over a 54-hole competition.
The seventh annual tournament again gave spectators an opportunity to see Division I golf up close while showcasing how elite players navigate one of Island Resort Golf’s championship courses. From Michigan’s birdie total to Arone’s three sub-70 rounds, the 2026 field produced memorable golf throughout the two-day event.
Experience Sage Run for Yourself
The tournament may be over, but golfers can still take on the same dramatic landscape that tested the collegiate field. Explore Sage Run, review Island’s stay-and-play golf packages and start planning an Upper Peninsula golf trip featuring Sage Run, Sweetgrass and the new Cedar Course.
View the 2026 tournament recap and results or visit the Island Resort Intercollegiate page to learn more about this annual event at Sage Run.
2026 Tournament Results
- Team champion: University of Michigan – 41-under 823
- Team runner-up: West Virginia University – 16-under 848
- Third place: University of North Texas – 13-under 851
- Individual champion: Ralph “RJ” Arone, Michigan – 14-under 202
- Individual runner-up: Spencer Shropshire, Michigan – 12-under 204
- Course: Sage Run Golf Course
- Dates: September 6-7, 2026
- Format: 54-hole, two-day stroke play
