Written By: Greg Johnson
EAST LANSING – Last year’s runner-up, PJ Maybank III of Cheboygan, and Matthew Novak of Mattawan shared stroke play medalist honors and will be the top two seeds starting match play Wednesday in the Michigan Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland.
Maybank, a University of Oklahoma golfer, shot a 6-under 66 for a 7-under 135 at Eagle Eye Golf & Banquet Center, and Novak, a University of Denver golfer, shot 67 to land at the same 36-hole total on a hot, windy day.
Maybank, who won the No. 1 seed slot in a scorecard playoff, will match up against Andrew Tindall of Chelsea in the first match of the round of 64 Wednesday morning. Tindall survived a six-golfer playoff for three spots at 150 to get in the bracket.
The round of 32 matches will follow completion of the round of 64. The round of 16 and quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Thursday, and the semifinal matches and final match will be on Friday.
Maybank and Novak, who will both have their names inscribed on the historic Chuck Kocsis Medalist Trophy, finished three shots clear of the field with four golfers checking in at 4-under 138.
The foursome included McCoy Biagioli of White Lake and Michigan State University, who shot 68, his MSU teammate Julian Menser of South Lyon, who shot 66, Evan Johnson of Grosse Ile, who shot 69 and Joe Montpas of Flushing, who shot 68.
Maybank weathered a slow bogey-bogey start with seven birdies and nine pars the rest of the way.
“I made a lot of good putts, took care of the par fives,” he said. “I think with how windy it is out there, playing Oklahoma, I’m used to the wind. I think that’s helped me out a lot, and then the greens are just so good. You can make a ton of putts on them.”
He said he carries a bit of a chip on his shoulder after losing to Caleb Bond of Williamston in the title match a year ago. Bond shot 75 Tuesday for 143 (tie 16th) and a spot in the match play field.
“My goal this week was to come in and win, just like last year,” he said. “I’m excited for the rest of the week. It’s great to be (co-medalist). I was runner-up in stroke play last year, too.”
Novak, who had five birdies and just one bogey, said he hit some wedge shots close and made the resulting putts to key his round.
“I think the greens are rolling really fast right now, which I like,” he said. “You kind of just really see the line before you hit it, which is good.”
He said he didn’t concern himself with being medalist and focused instead on making the cut. Being a co-medalist meant a lot to him in the end.
“This is a very prestigious event, and a lot of great winners have been through here and (been medalists),” he said. “It puts me in a good spot for match play, too.”
His plan is to stay patient and stick to his game plan.
“Don’t do anything crazy,” he said. “I haven’t played a lot of match play, but I’m excited. This is my first opportunity in a bigger event.”
