From Buick Open to Ally Challenge: The PGA Celebrates 68 Years in Genesee County

Professional golf has been a part of the Flint and Genesee County for culture 68 years.  With a long, rich legacy of professional golfers who have come to play in the past, the tradition continues today with the start of the 2026 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. Tournament play for the ninth annual event doesn't start until Thursday, but there is plenty going on before that.

Flint, Grand Blanc, and the Buick Open Legacy

Beginning in 1958 and ending in 2009, the PGA teamed up with General Motors to launch the Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc. Billy Casper was the tournament's first winner in 1958. And according to GolfCompendium.com, the last winner was Tiger Woods in 2009.

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Other notable Buick Open Champions include Vijay Singh, Kenny Perry and Fred Couples. While the majority of Buick Open Tournaments were held at Warwick Hills, a few were hosted at the Flint Elks Club.

The Ally Challenge Picks Up Where The Buick Open Left Off

Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Less than a decade after the last run for the Buick Open, professional golf returned to Warwick Hills in 2018 with a new tournament featured on the PGA Champions Tour. The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is now the premiere stop for professional golf in Mid-Michigan.

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Not only do we get to see the pros who have been doing this for year play golf right before our eyes, the annual event just keeps getting bigger and better year after year.

Ally Challenge is More Than Just Golf... It's a Party!

The Concert at 17 on Friday night always gets the crowd going with great acts like Smash Mouth, Mark Farner, and this year a world-renownd Tom Petty tribute band. Then on Saturday night it's the Community Concert with Keith Urban on stage!