Drew Preston of Ada wins 101st Michigan Amateur

I'm off to Ireland today for the 2012 Irish Open, so I don't have much time to devote to a full take-out of the 101st Michigan Amateur. I'll leave the storytelling to one of the best golf writers in the state, Greg Johnson. See his story below.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP – Drew Preston of Ada always looked up to Tom Werkmeister of Kentwood while growing up playing golf in the Grand Rapids area.

“It really couldn’t be scripted better,” he said after topping Werkmeister 2-up in the championship match of the 101st Michigan Amateur Championship on the Oakland Hills Country Club North course Friday afternoon. “It feels awesome to beat a guy like Tom. I remember looking up to him and thinking I want to be able to play with him someday. Now, I’m here, and it’s pretty gratifying.”

Preston, 21, called it a long week. He even dashed to Ohio to take a final exam on the history of Nazi Germany at Bowling Green State University after playing in Monday’s opening round. He has 12 credits remaining at BGSU, but has used up his golf eligibility where he won twice in four years but slumped his final season.

“I been working and going to school and practiced about eight days before this to have a good showing year,” he said. “This was a very hard year in college golf. This is best felt about my game in a long time. I needed it. I do have pro aspirations, but with some of the scores I was shooting there for a while, I was kind of you know, not too sure about it.”

Werkmeister, a 44-year-old internet salesman who won the 2009 Michigan Amateur, struggled with his game on the back nine after playing three consecutive matches with extra holes before the final.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said after losing an early 2-up lead and never trailing until No. 15.“I certainly played rather poorly and gave a lot of holes away. I mean he did what he had to do to win the holes. We both struggled out there on the back. He didn’t struggle as bad.”

Losing to a fellow West Michigan golfer made it easier to take, Werkmeister said.

“I like Drew, he’s a great kid,” he said. “I’ve known him for a handful of years. He has a great family. He’s a really nice kid so I can’t help but feel good for him.”

Preston, who is considering a professional career, took his first lead on No. 15 when Werkmeister played to bogey. At 18, he made a 12-foot birdie putt after hitting a wedge shot from a side-hill lie in the left rough to close out the match.

“It’s so great to win here at Oakland Hills,” Preston said. “I mean, the history here is amazing. To be a champion here – I can’t even get my head around that yet. It will take a while to sink in.”

In the morning semifinals, Werkmeister beat another Grand Rapids area golfer. Brian Hayward battled him for 19 holes before Werkmeister won with a birdie on No. 1.Preston meanwhile, topped his former college teammate, Wes Gates of Novi, 4 and 3. Gates, who is still a BGSU student and golfer, had a highlight shot of the morning. He made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole with a 5-iron shot from 201 yards. It was the third ace of his life, and second while playing golf with Preston.

Semi Finals Match Play Results:

Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood, def. Brian Hayward, Grand Rapids, 19 Holes

Drew Preston, Ada, def. Wesley Gates, Novi 4&3

The North course at Oakland Hills Country Club set to host the 2012 Michigan Amateur

It's hardly "the other course."

But that's how the North course at Oakland Hills Country Club is essentially treated by most golfers. It hasn't hosted the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup or the PGA Championship like the South has. But club members and golf insiders know the North course is just as strong as its sister, albiet a little shorter and a little more forgiving.

Yet it will still be plenty of a challenge for players in the 101st Michigan Amateur, set for June 18-22. Randy Lewis, the Alma resident who played in The Masters this spring, will return to the course where he won his only Michigan Amateur, way back in 1992.

"It's too bad it's an alternate course to the South. It is one of the best courses in Michigan by far," Lewis said at a recent media day. "It should set up well for match play. There are a lot of good holes. You don't have to kill it (with the driver). It is all about where you place it (the ball)."

The par-70 design will play shorter than most Michigan Amateurs - at roughly 6,700 yards - but Golf Association of Michigan tournament setup man Ken Hartmann, the senior director of rules and competitions for the GAM, said it will give players all they can handle. Tricky slick greens - many are elevated - demand precision. The two par-5s are the course are no gimmees, either.

"No one is going to tear it up," he said about the two-day stroke play event that serves as qualifying for match play. "It is going to be a good test. If you get above the hole, it is going to be dicey."

Follow www.gam.org for day-to-day results.

Willie Mack III wins historic Michigan Amateur

It was a historic result for a historic event on a historic venue.

All the stars aligned for the 100th Michigan Amateur at The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort.

From the first tee shot of the final round it was Willie Mack III’s day. With precision drives and savvy putts Mack defeated defending champion and hometown favorite Joey Garber (Petoskey/University of Michigan) 4 & 3 to become the first African American to win the Michigan Amateur title.

“I didn’t really think about this history aspect of it when I was out there,” said Mack, 22, who plans to turn professional later this year. “I just wanted to come out and play and see how far I could get in the tournament. But to be the first African American to win in the 100th year of the tournament is really special.”

Mack won his semi-final over Matt Thompson (Battle Creek/University of Michigan) 1-up in a match where Mack was 5-up at the turn. He hit some errant shots on the back nine which caused him to consult his swing coach Bill Baldwin between the semi-final and final matches. Baldwin, who is the PGA professional at The Jewel of Grand Blanc, knew just what Mack needed to help him soar in the final round.

“I called Bill and he gave me a little drill and I went out on the range and did it before the final and it worked,” said Mack. “I told myself to just keep grinding and to take it one shot at a time and it worked out.”

Mack has been on a tear recently. Mack, a former Flint Central High School and Grand Blanc High School golfer who played at Bethune-Cookman University, has won four college tournaments and the West Michigan Amateur this season.

Garber also defeated his semi-final opponent, Eric Lilleboe (Okemos) 1-up but in the final round sprayed some tee shots into the woods and rough and left himself with some long and difficult putts. Garber was clearly frustrated with his play, particularly after the turn, and was disappointed not to play better in front of the large gallery that was, for the most part, rooting for him.

“I know how good Willie is but I also know how good I am and I didn’t play nearly as well as I can today,” said Garber, 19. “It’s no fun to lose like this but Willie beat me and he played well so there just isn’t much to say about it.”

Mack had birdies on 10 and 11 which really turned the match in his favor. Although he played his practice round at Boyne Highlands Resort – The Heather with Garber, he had no qualms about going for the kill in the final match against his fellow golfer.

“We’re all friends but you have to keep grinding and beat them down,” said Mack. “I know Joey was getting mad out there, but I just got hold of the par 5s today and that really made the difference.”

The diminutive Mack stands 5-foot-6 and weighs just 148 pounds, but he packs a punch with his driver. He averages between 295 and 300 yards with it and hit his 5-wood 265 yards on the back nine in the final.

“I’m just real happy,” said Mack, who expressed a sense of pride in coming from the Flint Junior Golf program and adding to a rich tradition of golf in the Flint area. “It’s been a long week and I can’t wai
t to get home to Flint and share this with everyone there.”

Two University of Michigan golfers finish 1-2 in stroke play at Michigan Amateur

HARBOR SPRINGS – University of Michigan golfer Matt Thompson (Battle Creek) edged teammate and defending champion Joey Garber (Petoskey) for medalist honors at the 100th Michigan Amateur.

Thompson shot 71-69—140 while Garber was just one stroke behind him with 71-70 – 141 on The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort.

Thompson has played in the Michigan Amateur for the past three years and lost in the final to Tom Werkmeister (Kentwood) at Spring Meadows in 2009. At the start of the tournament, Thompson’s goal was just to make it to match play but after shooting a one-under-par 71 in the first round of stroke play he raised the bar.

“After seeing what I shot in the first round I had to set a different goal and keep myself motivated,” said Thompson after his round on Wednesday. “So I went out today with the goal of being the medalist. I was one over at the turn but I made a couple of long putts on the back nine which really helped me.”

Presentation of the trophy was delayed until Thursday morning due to a long rain delay on Wednesday that left nine golfers having to finish their rounds. Thompson is a psychology major at U-M but said all of his knowledge didn’t really help him on the links at Boyne Highlands Resort – The Heather this week.

“I didn’t really have a class for golf psychology,” quipped Thompson. “Hopefully I can use something I’ve learned this week.”

Thompson acknowledges there is much golf to be played this week but admits it is a great feeling to have won medalist honors for stroke play.

“Hopefully this isn’t a situation like the President’s Trophy in hockey,” said Thompson. “It was a good feeling to achieve my goal. I ran into Joey (Garber) last night and he said he missed a short putt on nine that put him at 70, one stroke behind me. When I heard that, I thought I might have won.”

There was a playoff between eight players at 154 who battled for the last six spots in the field of 64 for match play. Nathan Clark (Charlotte) Brian Donohoe (Rochester Hills), Matt Johnson (Lansing) Lucas Trierweller (Plainwell), Lyle Wolberg (Huntington Woods), and Bill Zylstra (Dearborn Heights) all advanced to match play.

Gary McCord's antics kicks off the 100th Michigan Amateur at Boyne Highlands Resort

When it comes to first-class golf organizations in Michigan, the Golf Association of Michigan and Boyne USA Resorts come immediately to mind.
Putting the two together is pure magic.

Today kicked off the 100th edition of The Michigan Amateur at The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs. This is a special week for the GAM. And Boyne, Michigan’s largest course operator, rolled out the red carpet for the affair. Monday was a great day for all to kick off the week.

Gary McCord, the sharp-tongued CBS announcer, did a clinic in the afternoon and was the special guest speaker at a spectacular Champions Dinner later that evening. While players were preparing with practice rounds on The Heather, a special outing was held on the Arthur Hills course. I hadn’t played the Hills in at least 3-4 years, so I couldn’t remember how good of a course it really was. It’s as fun as any in northern Michigan.

The green surrounds are tricky. Some are shaved. Others are carpeted with thick rough. Most greens are table-top, elevated plateaus that are hard to hit. The elevated 13th tee – which crashes downhill – might be the most scenic in the state. Check it out below.



True to form, McCord did more talking than hitting shots at his clinic after golf. He dove into a lot of heavy swing theory without taking too many swings himself. McCord – more famous for his mouth and his mustache than his game – went 22 years on the PGA Tour without a single win. Most people know him more as the announcer who was booted from The Masters for life than his handful of Champions Tour wins. He knows where his bread is buttered.

After the golf clinic, McCord and defending champion Joey Garber, a Petoskey High product fresh off an NCAA appearance with the University of Michigan golf team, held an intimate press conference. Garber mentioned that he's hitting his irons better than ever and doesn't feel pressure to defend. He's happy to be able to play in front of so many family and friends this week.

Then McCord held court on all topics, ranging from Rory McIlroy’s historic U.S. Open win to Tiger’s troubles. McCord wouldn’t touch the subject of Tiger too indepth because he repeatedly noted that “Tiger is keeping track” of all those who criticize or doubt him.

As only Boyne can, the Champions Dinner was a classy reception of several hundred people. Everybody was dressed up in jackets, and ties and the food was excellent. WJR’s Steve Courtney was a riot as the emcee. As soon as he got up on stage, he pulled out his wireless phone and said “Did anybody just get a text from former Senator Weiner?’

The gloves were off at that point. After guests met the past champions in attendance and had dinner, McCord knocked them dead with his tales of the “muni” where he grew up in southern California. His risqué stories of illegal aliens, uzis, bookies, gambling, a stay in jail and general debauchery with his friends named “Fairway Louie” and “20/20” (a blind guy) were off the hook. He ended the night with a story that he said “couldn’t leave the room.” I won’t break the code of brotherhood McCord made us swear by, but it involves David Feherty and ashes. You can take it from there.

Today the tournament kicked off with a ceremony that included Michigan Am. Legends Bud Stevens, Glenn Johnson and Peter Green this morning. After two days of stroke play, the tournament turns to match play to decide the champion on Saturday (weather permitting). Whatever happens this week on the course (see the iconic 18th hole below), it is sure to be a special one for the players and fans who attend. Another celebration like this probably won’t be held for another century.

To follow the action, visit gam.org, or to take a bite out of The Heather yourself after the tournament, check out boyne.com.

Future Wolverine Joey Garber wins Michigan Amateur

Surrounded by a near-record crowd of family, friends and club members, 18-year old Joey Garber of Petoskey won the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club, 2 & 1 over Eric Lilleboe of Okemos.

Garber took control of the match right out of the gate by winning the first three holes.

“It’s all about getting into the moment and getting the lead,” said Garber. “He’s a good player and he played everyone really well this week. “My caddie (Jimmy Dewling) and I had a game plan before I teed off on the final match to turn at all square and then start my push on the back. I’ve played holes 10 through 18 really well this week. I knew those holes had to be where I took the lead.”

It didn’t go exactly how Garber had planned, because Lilleboe won three holes in a row to go 1 up after 9 and kept the lead until hole No. 12, where Garber won the hole to bring the match back to all square. Garber proceeded to win 13 with a par.

“He deserved to win,” said Lilleboe. “We’re friends, we’ve played together a lot up north and he’s a really good player. I just finished up my senior year at Ferris State University and my last amateur tournament will be the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Boyne – The Heather Course on July 22 before turning professional this fall."

Garber has won four GAM Championships in the last four years, but "I really wanted to win this championship; it’s the most important tournament in the state.”

Garber is also the third youngest player ever to win the Michigan Amateur Championship. The second famous amateur ever to live, Chuck Kocsis won it in 1930 at the age of 17, and Korey Mahoney won it at age 18 in 2002.

By winning the Michigan Amateur, Garber receives an automatic five-year exemption into the Michigan Amateur Championship, as well as The Western Amateur, Susquehana Amateur in Pennsylvania, the Michigan Open and the GAM Championship.

College players advance at Michigan Amateur

CLARKSTON, Mich. - The 40-somethings are out. The young guns are in. And Tom Werkmeister won't be around on the weekend at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club in Clarkston to defend his Michigan Amateur title.

Tom Werkmeister, 42 (Kentwood), was defeated by Eric Lilleboe, of Okemos after 20 holes. The roles were reversed for Lilleboe, a Ferris State player, who lost last year to Werkmeister in the quarterfinals on the last hole.

"I wanted to play him again and knew I would because he has been the best amateur in the state for the last year, it was a grind and I was glad I got to play him but at the same time I didn't want to," said Lilleboe.

Joseph Juszczyk, a former Wayne State player from Dearborn Heights and the 2009 Michigan Amateur Championship Medalist, will face Lilleboe in the first semifinal at 8 a.m. The two are familiar foes as they have faced each other about 10 times this past year in college and other amateur events.

The other match will also feature two college players Joey Garber (Petoskey) and Nick Carbary (Kalamazoo). Garber, 18, is an incoming University of Michigan freshmen, who made 4 birdies on the holes 13 -16 to finish off his match against 38-year-old Jeff Champine (Rochester Hills), 4 and 2. Garber's previous best finish in the Michigan Amateur was as a quarterfinalist:

"It's good to get past the hump to the elite 8, it will help me make the transition from junior golf to college golf," he said.

Friday Quarterfinal Match Play Results
Lilleboe def. Werkmeister, 20 holes
Juszczyk def. Brownback, 3 & 2
Garber def. Champine, 4 & 2
Carbary def. Peterson, 19 holes

Saturday Semi-Final Matches

Lilleboe vs. Juszczyk 8:00 am

Garber vs. Carbary 8:15 am

Top seeds falling at Michigan Amateur

Clarkston, MI – There were a lot of surprises during the first two rounds of match play at the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club, as five of the top ten seeds lost their matches. The medalist, Tim Katanski (Ypsilanti) lost his first match to the 64th seeded player, David Brownback (DeWitt) 3&2.

Brownback won in a playoff to survive stroke play.

“I missed my wife’s and my anniversary on Tuesday, missed my wife’s birthday on Wednesday and I even had a special dinner planned for her but then had to call her to cancel because I was in a playoff for the final spot so I’m in the dog house and I don’t even get paid for this.” said Brownback. “The only way I can make this work is if I come home with the trophy.”

The group in the sweet sixteen is rather young, as 11 of the players left are under age 25, including Nick Carbary (Kalamazoo), Chris Cunningham (Milford), Kasey Hocquard (Cheboygan), Joseph Juszczyk (Dearborn Heights), Chad Johnson (Plymouth), Eric Lilleboe (Okemos), Joey Garber (Petoskey), Drew Preston (Ada), Matt Thompson (Battle Creek), Hrynewich, Brett Hudson (Bloomfield Hills), and Aaron Peterson (Ann Arbor).

The Championship continues on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. There are several intriguing matchups, including the 2009 Michigan Amateur runner-up Matt Thompson (Battle Creek) vs. Jeff Champine (Rochester Hills) and Juszczyk (2009 Michigan Amateur Medalist and Wayne State Senior) vs. Johnson, his college teammate. The quarterfinal matches will take place on Friday afternoon, with the semifinals and final match scheduled for Saturday.

Michigan Amateur heads into match play

Clarkston, MI – For the second straight day at the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship, only two players Tim Katanski (Ypsilanti) and Johnathan Pauli (DeWitt) broke par at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club. Katanski followed his first round of even-par 71 with a 69 today to capture medalist honors. Katanski’s two day total of 140 edged defending Champion Tom Werkmeister (Kentwood) who shot 70-73-143, and Pauli who shot 73-70-143 and Nick Carbary (Kalamazoo) who shot 71-72-143.

“I had a good feeling coming in here,” Katanski said. “Oakhurst’s superintendent (Kyle Celmer) has this course in phenomenal shape and the greens are rolling great. It’s a comfortable yardage into the holes and the fairways are very generous. I only missed one fairway all day on hole # 9. I love the layout of this course. I think Oakhurst is a fair test and has plenty of room to hit the ball perfectly.”

Werkmeister bogied the last three out of the four holes.
The Championship continues on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. with the beginning of match play. The 64-player field was completed after David Brownback (Haslett) captured the final spot in a playoff. The ten players who finished at 156 had an immediate hole-by-hole playoff for one spot. Two rounds of matches will be played on Thursday to reduce the field from 64 to the “Sweet Sixteen.”

The leaderboard following Wednesday’s second round of stroke play at the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship played on the par-71 Oakhurst Golf & Country Club.

Tim Katanski, Ypsilanti 71-69-140
Jonathan Pauli, DeWitt 73-70-143
Nick Carbary, Kalamazoo 71-72-143
Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood 70-73-143
Eric Lilleboe, Okemos 73-71-144
Matthew Thompson, Battle Creek 70-74-144
Martin Jeppesen, Ypsilanti 73-71-144
Payne Gniewek, Trenton 74-71-145

Familiar names atop Michigan Amateur first-round leaderboard

Clarkston, MI – Difficult conditions at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club led to plenty of high scores in the first round of stroke play qualifying at the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship on Tuesday, June 22, 2010. The championship field of 156 Michigan players faced a constant swirling wind, 3 to 4 1/2-inch rough, and green speeds stimping at 10 1/2. Only two players shot under par, and 71 players shot 80 or over.

Defending champion, Tom Werkmeister of Kentwood, and University of Michigan junior-to-be Matt Thompson of Battle Creek, last year's runner-up, both shot 70. The duo attributed their solid rounds to consistency and talked about the difficulty of the greens.

“I got off to a good start and turned at one over”, Thompson said. “I birdied holes #16 and #17 which calmed my nerves. This course fits my game. It’s probably one of the toughest courses that the Michigan Amateur Championship has ever been played on.”

Werkmeister had this to say: “I played really badly yesterday during my practice round and didn’t know what was going to happen today,” he said. “I was consistent. I had two birdies on holes #5 and #7 and one bogey. I played the tough par 3’s even par – so I was happy with that. It was very windy and we did get caught in the rain early on but overall I’m happy.”

Stroke play continues Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. Following Wednesday’s round, the 36-hole stroke play medalist will be determined and a hole-by-hole playoff will take place, if necessary, to cut the field to an even 64 players for match play. Match play begins Thursday morning with two rounds of matches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

* Here is the leaderboard following Tuesday’s first round of stroke play at the 99th Michigan Amateur Championship played on the par-71 Oakhurst Golf & Country Club:

Matthew Thompson, Battle Creek 37-33-70

Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood 34-36-70

Nick Carbary, Kalamazoo 37-34-71

Tim Katanski, Ypsilanti 36-35-71

Greg Reynolds, Grand Blanc 37-35-72

Jeff Champine, Rochester Hills 35-37-72

Martin Jeppesen, Ypsilanti 37-36-73

Eric Lilleboe, Okemos 36-37-73

Erik Schleicher, Grosse Pte Shores 38-35-73

Eric Spencer, Bloomfield Hills 37-36-73

Kevin Klemet, White Lake 37-36-73

Steven Fedewa, Howell 36-37-73

Jonathan Pauli, DeWitt 36-37-73

Anthony Sorentino, Shelby Twp, 35-38-73

99th Michigan Amateur set to tee off at Oakhurst in Clarkston

Golfers teeing it up in this week's Michigan Amateur will have their hands full with the treacherous greens of the Oakhurst Golf & Country Club in Clarkston.

The 99th Michigan Amateur, run by the Golf Association of Michigan, tees off with stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by 64 players who then advance to match play starting Thursday until a champion is crowned Sunday.



Tom Werkmeister, 42, of Kentwood, returns to defend his title.

"It's been a privilege being champion," he said at media day Monday. "I've lived on a cloud the past 12 months. It's something that you can never take away from me."

Werkmeister beat the University of Michigan's Matt Thompson in last year's final, but even he concedes Thompson will be tough to beat this year. Thompson, a sophomore, was all-Big Ten after setting a Wolverine scoring record average of 72 for 18 holes during the season.

"I can't see him staying an amateur much longer," Werkmeister said.

Thompson hopes to seal the deal this summer.

“I was able to compete to (nearly) win some tournaments (within the last year),” Thompson told mlive.com. “I put myself in position and was close to the lead going into the last rounds. Hopefully I can get in position and figure out how to close some of those tournaments out.”

Oakhurst should be a great match-play venue, according to all involved. There are several potential drivable par-4s, notably the 303-yard 16th hole. Dean Horn, the president of Oakhurst, said the course, which opened in 1998, has never been in better shape. The beautiful 40,000-square-foot clubhouse will provide many a comfortable home base for all involved.

Michigan golf legend Dan Pohl, who won twice on the PGA Tour, said the Arthur Hills course has the toughest set of greens he's ever had to read.

"The eyes show you one thing and the ball will go the opposite," agrees Bruce Baringer, a four-time club champion who will have the home-course advantage this week.

Ken Hartmann, the senior director of rules and competitions for the GAM, said the par 3s will make or break the players.

"No. 8 (200 yards), No. 12 (189 yards) and No. 14 (175 yards) are pretty nasty," he said.



Oakhurst plans to use the tournament to showcase its course and facilities. The club has added 35 new members this year, despite the economic challenges of the golf scene in metro Detroit. The club, built inside a 400-home community, boasts 300 members, a large pool, tennis courts and a market next to the clubhouse.

"There is a heartbeat here," Horn said. " ... We like to think the best years are ahead of us."