Michael Brown wins the GAM Net Amateur Championship
Written by: Susan Smiley

HOLLAND - When Michael Brown (Marshall / Yarrow Golf & Conference Center) made the turn on the second day of the 2007 GAM Michigan Net Amateur at Macatawa Legends, he figured there was no chance for him to win the tournament.

"I was tied for first place after the first day of competition, but I played very poorly on the first nine today," said Brown. "I thought I was completely out of it when I made the turn so I decided just to have fun and play golf and not worry about it."

No one was more shocked than Brown when he discovered upon exiting the 18th green that he had won the tournament which features two days of stroke play. He shot a gross 89 / net 70 the first day and a 94 gross / net 75 on day two for a net total of 145.

"My playing partner came up to me and congratulated me and I couldn't believe it," said Brown. "I started the day on the first tee by shanking my ball out of bounds. I had to hit a provisional ball and play the provisional ball and the whole first nine was like that."

Having scrutinized Net Amateur scores from previous years, Brown figured he needed a net 65 to stay competitive in the tournament and knew after his first nine he would not be close to that score. He took the pressure off himself, decided to just enjoy the beauty of Macatawa Legends and expected to finish seventh or eighth.

The 2007 Michigan Net Amateur is the first GAM tournament in which Brown had played.

"I was so nervous - especially the second day," said Brown. "I've played in a couple of county tournaments before but this was a whole new level for me."

Brown said he plans to come back next year to defend his title.

"Even though I was really nervous, there was so much about this tournament that was fun," said Brown. "It is a competition, but it is not cutthroat. All of my playing partners were great and the GAM staff was wonderful too. I can't wait to do it again!" Michael Brown wins the GAM Net Amateur Championship
Written by: Susan Smiley

HOLLAND - When Michael Brown (Marshall / Yarrow Golf & Conference Center) made the turn on the second day of the 2007 GAM Michigan Net Amateur at Macatawa Legends, he figured there was no chance for him to win the tournament.

"I was tied for first place after the first day of competition, but I played very poorly on the first nine today," said Brown. "I thought I was completely out of it when I made the turn so I decided just to have fun and play golf and not worry about it."

No one was more shocked than Brown when he discovered upon exiting the 18th green that he had won the tournament which features two days of stroke play. He shot a gross 89 / net 70 the first day and a 94 gross / net 75 on day two for a net total of 145.

"My playing partner came up to me and congratulated me and I couldn't believe it," said Brown. "I started the day on the first tee by shanking my ball out of bounds. I had to hit a provisional ball and play the provisional ball and the whole first nine was like that."

Having scrutinized Net Amateur scores from previous years, Brown figured he needed a net 65 to stay competitive in the tournament and knew after his first nine he would not be close to that score. He took the pressure off himself, decided to just enjoy the beauty of Macatawa Legends and expected to finish seventh or eighth.

The 2007 Michigan Net Amateur is the first GAM tournament in which Brown had played.

"I was so nervous - especially the second day," said Brown. "I've played in a couple of county tournaments before but this was a whole new level for me."

Brown said he plans to come back next year to defend his title.

"Even though I was really nervous, there was so much about this tournament that was fun," said Brown. "It is a competition, but it is not cutthroat. All of my playing partners were great and the GAM staff was wonderful too. I can't wait to do it again!"