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The Summer Grind Premieres Thursday on Golf Channel YouTube

Tune in this Thursday at 8PM EST on Golf Channel YouTube

Author

Todd Dobson
September 15, 2025

Premieres Thursday 9/18 on the Golf Channel YouTube

The 2025 Summer Grind was the first Grass League event to take place outside of Arizona. Goat Hill Park was the destination, and it delivered. The format was slightly adjusted, playing as a franchise team aggregate. Each of the 11 franchises had four 2-person teams competing in a scramble format. Every score counted, and the title was awarded to the lowest 36-hole aggregate total.

To say the tournament was one for the books is an understatement. New faces were introduced, and familiar names delivered once again. The entire tournament was documented by a state-of-the-art production crew, which has compiled the weekend into a feature episode premiering on the Golf Channel YouTube this Thursday (9/18/2025) at 8p.m. EST. Set a reminder - this episode is not only a sneak peek into the Grass League, but also a glimpse of what the future of golf may look like.

The first Grass League franchise aggregate tournament was claimed by the Michigan Auto Aces, led by the pairing of Gabe Salvanera and Ryan MacPherson. The victory bumps the Auto Aces into second place in the Season Long Franchise Standings (seen below) and continues the momentum heading into the season’s final event: the GL Championship, Dec. 5–6, which will be broadcast LIVE on Golf Channel.

Movement in the GL Player Rankings

The Grass League player rankings, presented by Gila River Resorts and Casinos, have officially been updated following the Summer Grind. While the top spots saw little change, it’s the movement between ranks 5 and 50 that folks should watch heading into the league’s final event of the year, the GL Championship.

#6 Hayden Wood
San Diego Munis

Hayden Wood has now played in 3 Grass League Events dating back to the 2024 GL Championship (T12). His performances are impressive and have only gotten better. Coming into the 2025 season, Munis management team made the decision to change his pairing and it’s clear they got it right. Ricky Romano, also known as Ricky Fowler’s full time caddie, has paired with Wood to finish solo 2nd at the 2025 GCO and most recently a T4 at the 2025 Summer Grind. Heading into the GL Championship, they might just have the best odds to win.

#10 Ricky Romano
San Diego Munis

The San Diego Munis may have cracked the code to the Grass League: pair a PGA Tour caddie who can swing the stick with a golfer capable of winning at the highest level. That’s what you have between Romano and Wood. Not only can Ricky handle his own it’s clear his presence has elevated the play of Hayden Wood. Ricky has a knack for winning while carrying the bag and maybe December is his to turn carry the team.

Phoenix United entered the Summer Grind in last place and clearly needed a spark. Well, that spark came from “Fire and Ice”. Kropp and Bigley navigated the course with a performance as unlikely as their pairing. They finished with the lowest score of all 2-person teams which deserves a nod, but it was a franchise aggregate event. Regardless, the pair have put Phoenix United right back in the mix for December and have the team playing some inspired golf.

The pairing of Ochoa and Finnell deserve more credit than received. They were an off season addition that Auto Ace management was excited about, and are a big reason for the franchise’s early success. The duo finished T3 at the 2025 GCO, followed by a T7 at the 2025 Summer Grind. The Auto Aces are peaking at the right time, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they climbed into the top 10 of the player rankings by year’s end.