The Big Mike Story

- May 12th 2023

Big Mike made Big Mike famous, and now he's at Clovernook, with our Mike.

The Clovernook Open provides a first class tournament for rising professional golfers.  This year we welcome professional participant, "Big Mike" Visacki, who recently found stardom in the golf world.  Mike's journey is similar to many of our tournament players, but his emotional moment helped shine the spotlight on the trials and tribulations of professional golfers vying for status on the PGA Tour. 

(Big Mike #1) Mike Wolfe is a PGA Tour Entertainment videographer.  On a Sunday night in the Spring of 2021 he finished filming Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman win the Zurich Classic team event.  First thing Monday morning he flew to Tampa Florida for the Valspar Championship.  The first stop was that weeks Monday Qualifier, the last chance for hopeful professionals to gain entry into the Valspar Championship.

On the second playoff hole (Big Mike #2) Mike Visacki made a 20 foot birdie putt to gain entry into his first ever PGA Tour start.  After making the putt and hugging his caddie the camera caught him holding back tears.  That was just the prelude to the moment that captured everyone's hearts.  Mike Wolfe caught up with Mike Visacki moments later outside the clubhouse, and with camera rolling, witnessed Big Mike Visacki call his father.  On the phone and full of tears he shared the words "I made it" as his father congratulated him.  The video quickly surpassed 12 million views and made Big Mike Visacki a name to remember. 

Following his start in The Valspar Championship, Mike went on to get a sponsor's invite into another PGA Tour event, The Charles Schwab Challenge.  Visacki not only touched fans, but also PGA Tour players like Justin Thomas who reached out to congratulate and show support for Mike.  Later in 2021 Mike Visacki advanced through Korn Ferry Qualifying to achieve tour status for 2022.  We welcome Big Mike Visacki to The Clovernook Open this week where Clovernook Country Club Head Golf Professional Mike Deters caught up with him for a picture.