Troy Invitational participants Chris Keeler, Sue Mooradian, Sandy Morley, Sharie Gregware, Gail Sobolewski, Debby Murray, Susan Reeks and Lynn Cardish surround Mike and his wife Christyne Kucera at a players’ dinner on Monday, July 7, 2025, after the first round of competition. Kucera, after nearly 40 years of service at the Country Club of Troy, will retire at the end of the club’s 100th anniversary season this year.

The Country Club of Troy is celebrating its centennial this year and, as the club hosted the 29th annual Women’s Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, the spotlight was on PGA head professional Mike Kucera, who has embraced the women’s game as an ardent teacher and administrator.

After nearly 40 years of service, Kucera will retire at the end of this golf season.

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The club announced his retirement plans in May and the many women past and present who have played in the invitational honored Kucera with a tribute and gift at the players’ dinner on Monday.

He earned two standing ovations as Gail Sobolewski, who started the tournament and ran it for 15 years with Chris Keeler, wiped away tears.

“If you go back 29 years, there weren’t many two-day tournaments for women. You couldn’t take over a golf course for two days as a woman — you just didn’t. We started as a one-day, but then we realized........

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