Three college golfers and one veteran advance to Final Four at 98th Michigan Amateur Championship

GAM Media Relations

98^th Michigan Amateur Championship

Tonia Branch

248.408.0085

www.gam.org

June 26, 2009

Three college golfers and one veteran advance to Final Four at 98^th Michigan Amateur Championship

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LINDEN, MI ? Three first time semi-finalists emerged from the Sweet Sixteen match play bracket to advance to the final four at the 98^th Michigan Amateur at Spring Meadows Country Club sponsored by Osprey Recreational Properties. While two of the four finalists have been in the Sweet Sixteen, only one has ever played on the championship?s final day. Tom Werkmeister (Kentwood) lost to Steve Cuzzort (Grosse Ile) last year in the semi-final match 2&1. This year he?s on a mission. When asked about this grueling week of golf, Werkmeister said, ?It?s a grind, but there?s nothing better than winning this (tournament). I?m trying to build on last year?s experience.?

The 41 year-old veteran of the group, Werkmeister beat the oldest player ever to make it into match play and home club favorite, Greg Reynolds, 2 Up. ?I had control this morning, but didn?t play my best. His experience showed because he came back on me. It seems like to get this far, you have to play good.?

Werkmeister has the second match tomorrow morning beginning at 8:15 a.m. against Sophomore Mott Community College golfer and local favorite, Tommy Thompson (Davison). Thompson said, ?My dad said that his friends are all coming out to watch tomorrow. I?m excited to get this far, my goal was to make it to match play. You just focus one match at a time. It helps having my uncle on my bag, usually my brother does it but I like having my uncle, Ball because he?s very supportive and encouraging even when I have a bad shot. That helps a lot, especially in this tall rough.?

Tomorrow?s first match of the morning at 8:00 a.m. will feature University of Michigan sophomore golfer, Matt Thompson (Battle Creek) against Eastern Michigan University senior golfer, Martin Jeppesen (Ann Arbor).

?In the morning, I hit the ball the best I?ve hit it,? said Thompson. ?I?ve made a lot of pars and missed some birdie opportunities. I need to keep my streak going ever since the NCAA Championships, Michigan Open and now this week. It?s nice to play well for a couple of months.?

Thompson and Jeppesen played in the same group a couple years ago in the Michigan Open but never head to head in match play. ?This is awesome, it?s the best feeling,? said Jeppesen about making it to the final four. ?This is the greatest summer I?ve ever had. I finally dedicated myself. I?m at the golf course six hours a day practicing and it?s paying off.?

The final match will begin one hour after the conclusion of both morning matches, approximately 12:30 p.m.

Make sure you log into www.gam.org for live scoring, click on ?Match Play? found on the red tab of the home page.

For more information and complete results, visit www.gam.org .

LINDEN, MI (AP) – Results of Friday?s third and quarterfinal rounds of match play in the 98^th Michigan Amateur Championship played on the par-71 Spring Meadows Country Club and pairings for Saturday morning semifinal matches:

THIRD ROUND:

Joey Garber, Petoskey def. Casey Baker, Ann Arbor 1 Up

Matt Thompson, Battle Creek def. Michael King, Saginaw 2&1

Martin Jeppesen, Ann Arbor def. Casey Olsen, Okemos 1 Up

Tim Katanski, Ypsilanti def. Alex Lyall, Novi 1 Up

Ben Peacock, Marshall def. Kasey Hocquard, Cheboygan 1 Up

Tommy Thompson, Davison def. Andrew Ladwig, East Grand Rapids 20 Holes

Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood def. Greg Reynolds, Grand Blanc 2 Up

Eric Lilleboe, Okemos def. Steve Cuzzort, Grosse Ile 2&1

QUARTERFINALS:

Matt Thompson def. Garber, 4&3

Jeppesen def. Katanski, 3&2