Link to results: Senior TOC
HIGHLAND – Kevin Klemet of White Lake closed the golf season the same way he started it, and Julie Massa of Holt closed the golf season the same way she has for three consecutive years – holding a championship trophy.
The two senior golfers emerged as champions of the 9th GAM Senior Tournament of Champions presented by Chemical Bank Monday at Prestwick Village Golf Club.
It was the final senior GAM tournament of the year and featured a field of 59 golfers, 40 men and 19 women, who had won their GAM member-club championship or a GAM Senior Championship this year. They competed to decide a male and female champion over 18 holes of stroke play. The senior men were all age 55 or more and the senior women 50 or more.
Klemet, 57 and the winner of the GAM Senior Match Play Championship to start the season, shot a 3-under 69 to top the men’s field by two shots.
Massa, 56, the GAM’s Senior Women’s Player of the Year four years running and winner of the Tournament of Champions in 2017 and ’18, shot 75 and topped the women’s field by two shots.
“Overall it has been a special summer,” Klemet said. “I didn’t see it coming, but I won the Match Play, won the (GAM Senior) Four-Ball with Leo Daigle, just Saturday we won the (Michigan Publinx Golf Association) team title, I made it to the finals of the (GAM) Senior Mid-Am (Team) and then this. I don’t think I can ask for any more than that.”
Massa said winning three consecutive years against the quality of players in the Tournament of Champions field is unbelievable.
“It’s really nice,” she said. “I started out four-over through four holes today but was able to steady myself and play well after that. I feel fortunate to win this again. After those first four holes I didn’t think it was happening today.”
David Bartnick of Livonia shot 71 for second place among the men, and Mike Raymond of Jackson, who played in the same group as Klemet, finished third with a 72.
“I had a great group today,” Klemet said. “I never met Todd (Hoag) and what a great guy and good player, and then Mike Raymond was playing really good. He pushed me. He was beating me after nine holes, then I got it going on the back nine. I had four birdies on the back, at 10, 14, 15 and 18. I will take that any day.”
Klemet, an insurance agency owner, said he missed few shots, and was stunned with a flushed 8-iron flew the green at No. 17.
“I was 15-feet over that green but got it up and down and that was big,” he said. “Then on 18 I hit a good drive out there but find it in a divot and had a hard time getting the club on it. I hit it way back right on that green and then made probably a 65-foot putt. That kind of sealed it. It was meant to be I guess.”
Joanne Adams of Detroit and Audrey Akins of LaSalle each shot 77 to finish closest to Massa. Adams was awarded the runner-up trophy via a scorecard playoff.
Massa said she made double-bogey from the fairway on her first hole (No. 13 in shotgun start), made bogey on the next hole, then a par and another bogey.
“Then on 17 I hit my first putt eight feet past, but I was able to make it to save par and that was a good two-putt for me. I think I found something there with my putting and it settled me down. I played good after that – had four birdies overall and was 1-under over the last 14 holes I played.”
Massa, a Forest Akers member in East Lansing, said the Prestwick Village golf course was in great shape despite recent heavy rains.
“I really like this course,” she said. “It’s always so nice, in great shape and the practice facility it so wonderful.”
-Greg Johnson, [email protected]