BRIGHTON – Lakelands Golf and Country Club, enjoying its 97th season on the shores of Winans Lake, tests the short games of golfers with its smaller greens and tree-lined fairways.
Monday through Wednesday it will test the field of the 8th GAM Net Match Play Championship.
A field of 50 golfers with GAM GHIN Handicap indexes of 20.4 or lower will play 18 holes of stroke play for net scores on Monday morning to determine a low 32 golfers to fill out a match play bracket, and the first round of match play is Monday afternoon. The round of 16 and quarterfinals are Tuesday, and the semifinal and final matches on Wednesday.
The Net Match Play Championship is part of the GAM’s continuing effort to serve beyond the elite golfers with competitive tournaments by handicap index.
The Lakeland course has stood the test of time since an original nine-hole course was built in 1922, and the second nine was added in 1927. It is traditional in style and kept in outstanding shape and has been a many-time host of GAM tournaments over the years. Eric Martin is the golf professional and Christian Koval is the superintendent.
The club’s current driving range stands on what was a landing strip for aircraft through both World Wars, specifically designed as such by William Stout, a noted aviation engineer.
Taylor’s Joe DeNino, a drag racer and retired mechanic, is returning to defend his title. The lefty, who turned back Dan Feiten of Commerce Township in last year’s final while playing to a 10-handicap in the tournament, is one of four former champions in the starting field. The others include David McTear (2015 champion), Mike Hayes (2014) and Michael Piazza (2013).
-Greg Johnson [email protected]
