Link to championship page, results: Net Am
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP – Carl LaBorde of White Lake is part of a roaming golf club called the Michigan Hackers who get together on Saturday mornings all around the Detroit area.
He’s also the champion of the 18th Michigan Net Amateur Championship presented by Michigan Golf Live on Tuesday at Edgewood Country Club.
The 49-year-old website developer for Communications Associates in Troy shot a net 8-under 63 off a gross 83, his best round of the summer, and won the championship by one shot over Bill Raune of Macomb.
LaBorde, who shot a net 70 in the first round Monday, finished with a 133 total. Raune shot a second consecutive net 67 for 134.
Jason Karody of Howell, who shot 70 for 136, and Corey McCue of Commerce Township, who shot 65 for 136, tied for third, and Tim Millis of Lake Orion was next with a 68 for 138.
Defending champion Matt Magnotte of Macomb tied for eighth with a closing 68 for 141.
Male golfers with USGA/GAM Handicap Indexes of 20.4 or better squared off over 36 holes and two days of net stroke play to determine the champion. LaBorde said it felt awesome to win.
“This is the first official tournament I’ve ever played in,” he said. “Except for our club championship, I’m kind of new to tournament play. It was a great experience.”
LaBorde said he has spent a lot of time practicing this summer.
“I’ve been practicing my butt off just getting confident with my swing,” he said. “I had a 70 the first day and knew I would really have to do something, go in the low 80s (gross) to be in contention. I basically didn’t make a lot of bad mistakes. I tried not to have any train wrecks. I tripled the third hole and doubled another, but other than that it was bogeys and pars – no birdies. I just got it done. It was a rush coming up 18 knowing I was in contention.”
LaBorde said about 100 golfers are part of the Michigan Hackers, but not all come each Saturday to play.
“I might be the first guy in the club to win a GAM championship, but I don’t know for sure,” he said. “I never asked anybody.”
-Greg Johnson, [email protected]
