US golf pro accused of membership fraud

An American golf pro has been sacked after admitting he knew of, and attempted to conceal, fraudulent activity relating to the sale of golf membership cards.

Brent Goik is a Bay City golf prodigy who was inducted into the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. After winning a state championship at Bay City Central High School, he went on to become a two-year captain at Michigan State University.

A Michigan State Police investigation into the alleged fraud has been sent to the Bay County Prosecutor's Office. No criminal charges have been filed at this point.

In a letter to the golf club, Goik "admitted to knowledge of fraudulent activity" and attempted to "conceal that activity throughout the 2015 golf season." 

Previously to the letter, Goik, 38, provided information to Cristen Gignac, director of the county's Recreation and Facilities Department, about the unauthorized sale of "mini golf membership cards." He was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 29 following the meeting with Gignac, according to documents obtained by The Times.

Mini golf membership cards are punch cards good for five or 10 rounds of golf at a reduced rate at the county course throughout the season, Gignac said. The county "has not and will not" sell the cards for the 2016 golf season, Gignac said in an email to The Times.

Goik most recently earned a salary of $55,868 in the position, according to documents obtained by The Times.

Lt. David Kaiser of the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post confirmed the investigation, saying troopers examined about a year's worth of alleged fraud centered around the illegal sale of county golf membership cards.

Kaiser said Goik is a suspect in the case.