Gus Macker Returns to Newaygo County with a Vengeance

Gus Macker Returns to Newaygo County with a Vengeance
Story and photos by Alexis Mercer

In its second year, the Newaygo County Gus Macker has become a highly anticipated event. This year, the Grant Public Schools parking lots were filled with players, spectators, referees and volunteers on both Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16.

With 295 teams participating, the event grew significantly from its inception. In 2022, there were 229 teams, a record for first year attendance from Gus Macker in the last 40 years. 

More courts, more action, and certainly more volunteers. Everywhere one looked there were bright yellow volunteer shirts. According to event coordinator Tara Nelson, there were approximately 225 volunteers who worked along with the planning team to make this event a success. "Newaygo, Grant, Tri-County and Fremont schools each provided us with 50 volunteers," said Nelson. "Plus the River Country Chamber of Commerce, friends of the planning team and police agencies from the county," she added. 

Gus Macker is a 3 on 3 tournament meant to include people from all ages and abilities. From the Macker website, the following information is included to inspire people to register: 

"The Macker Tournament is designed so that anyone can play: male or female, young and old, short and tall, the most experienced or no experience at all. This maintains the purity and integrity of the driveway game.
Since 1987, the Macker tour has expanded, holding a total of 972 tournaments with over 2.2 million players – male and female from 7 years old to 50+ - and more than 23 million spectators."

This article has been updated to reflect the record attendance for a first year Macker to be 40 years rather than the 10 originally published.