Mike Wolfe first appeared in the match play finals 17 years ago against Ron Coleman at Lake Shore. He fell to the now 5-time champion 4&3. In 2018 he was back in the finals against Drew Deimel at Kahkwa. He fell again by the same count to the now 3-time champion. In the previous 2 tournaments he fell in the semi-finals. In the EDGA’s other major, the Amateur Championship he finished second in 2018 to a then record 54-hole score. He’s finished 3rd four times, in 2021 one stroke out of a playoff and 2 shots out in 2023. He also finished 3rd in 2018 and 2022.

So, to say he’s been close is an understatement. But, with today’s 6&4 victory over Ted Grassi, III at The Kahkwa Club, his wait for a coveted EDGA major has come to an end. After a week of very hot and sunny weather the players were greeted with much cooler and softer conditions due to the early morning rain. Thankfully, those rains held off and ultimately, the sun shined through as the match concluded.

Grassi, a two-time major winner himself struck first blood when his second shot on the short par 4 second, bumped the pin and ended up a foot away for a birdie and a one up lead. Wolfe’s first win came at the 4th. With both players just off the front of the green their shots to the back pin were some 80 feet away. Grassi putted and left a challenging par putt, but it wasn’t necessary when Wolfe chipped in for a birdie. On the 5th Grassi found himself short sided in the bunker, after failing to make bogey, Wolfe’s 20 footer from the front fringe was conceded for birdie and he had his first lead, a lead he’d never relinquish. Grassi had a good opportunity to get back to even on 6, but could not convert his birdie after an outstanding approach shot. The 7th proved difficult as it always does, but more so for Grassi and his drive into the right rough ended close to a tree and he was unable to advance toward the green. Once there, the uber difficult right side pin greeted players. Wolfe 3 putted from just off the back but it was good enough to take the hole.

On the 8th, both players had good opportunities for birdie but both missed, Wolfe from relatively short range. Undeterred he rammed in a 20 footer for birdie on the 9th to close the front 9 3 up. The always difficult 10th protected its par as Wolfe was unable to save par from short and Grassi failed from being shortsided again. After pars at 11 both players were close to reaching the par-5 12th in two. Grassi was unable to get closer than 10 feet, a distance from which he did not convert, and when Wolfe chipped to a couple of feet, his lead grew to 4.

Neither player was close on the par 4 13th and Grassi was in the rough just off the green so the hole was up for grabs. Grassi lipped out his much needed chip which opened the door for Wolfe who curled in a downhill, sidehill 20 footer for birdie bringing the match to dormie. Both players found the fairway with good drives and Grassi’s second did quite stay on, rolling back to just off the front. Wolfe struck a majestic long iron to about 8 feet for eagle. Grassi needed to win the hole to extend the match and when he was unable to convert his birdie, Wolfe’s eagle putt was conceded, ending the match at 6&4.

The loss was Grassi’s second in the finale, offset by his lone victory in 2013.

Complete results.