EAST LANSING –
Forest Akers East Golf Course, one of two championship courses on the campus of
Michigan State University, will play host to the 10th GAM Junior Stroke Play
Championship presented by Pepsi Wednesday and Thursday.
It is the second
consecutive year that Forest Akers East as hosted the age group championship
for boy and girl golfers in age divisions 13-15 and 12-and-under. The tournament
is designed for young players to gain competitive experience in GAM tournaments
over two days. Players are allowed to play up a division if they choose. The
13-15 players play 36 holes of stroke play, 18 holes each day, while the
12-and-under golfers play nine holes each day.
Forest Akers East is
the lesser known of the two golf courses at Michigan State, but especially
suited for young golfers. Many of the players will play it often as they move
on to high school golf as both the West and East course host regional and state
tournaments.
The East Course,
founded in 1958, was redesigned in 1997 by Arthur Hills, and changed from a par
71 to par 72. Numerous trees and bunkers were also added for strategic
enhancements. The most extensive improvement was the addition of the new Golf
Center, which includes equipment, food service and other amenities.
The tournament is a
proven training ground. Two-time Michigan Women’s Amateur champion and this
year’s GAM Women’s Champion, Allyson Geer of Brighton and now the Michigan
State golf team, cites the stroke play tournament as her first significant win
in Michigan. James Piot of Canton and Andrew Walker of Battle Creek, both
current Michigan State golfers, are also on the list of past champions.
Bryan Harris is the
PGA professional and Ron Lewis the superintendent.
-Greg Johnson, [email protected]
