CLARKSTON – The trend of no Michigan Amateur Champions repeating their title since 1956 continues as Tom Werkmeister, 42 (Kentwood), the 2009 Champion was defeated by Eric Lilleboe, of Okemos after 20 holes. The roles were reversed for Lilleboe, a Ferris State player, who lost last year to Werkmeister in the Quarterfinals on the last hole.
“I wanted to play him again and knew I would because he has been the best amateur in the state for the last year, it was a grind and I was glad I got to play him but at the same time I didn’t want to,” said Lilleboe.
The Cinderella story of the Championship ended Friday afternoon. The 37-year-old and 64th seed David Brownback (Haslett), who made it into match play after a birdie on the first playoff hole on Wednesday, lost to Joseph Juszczyk (Dearborn Heights), 2009 Michigan Amateur Championship Medalist, 3 & 2. Brownback had been riding his putter until this match when the 23 year old, gave Brownback a challenge he couldn’t meet. “I made a lot of par putts and got an early lead and pressed him a little to make birdie putts” Juszczyk said.
Lilleboe will face Juszczyk, a former Wayne State University player, tomorrow in the first semi-final at 8 a.m. The two are familiar foes as they have faced each other about 10 times this past year in college and other amateur events. They are good friends but expect a tough, challenging match tomorrow.
The other match will also feature two college players Joey Garber (Petoskey) and Nick Carbary (Kalamazoo). Garber, 18, is an incoming University of Michigan freshmen, who made 4 birdies on the holes 13 -16 to finish off his match against 38-year-old Jeff Champine (Rochester Hills), 4 &2. Garber’s previous best finish in the Michigan Amateur was as a quarterfinalist: “It’s good to get past the hump to the elite 8, it will help me make the transition from junior golf to college golf.” While Carbary, an Eastern Michigan student, faced Aaron Peterson(Ann Arbor) in the last match of the day that concluded with a playoff going 19 holes.
The final match is scheduled for one hour after the Semi-Final matches are completed. For more information and live scoring, visit www.gam.org.
Friday Third Round of Match Play Results
David Brownback, Haslett def. Kasey Hocquard, Cheboygan, 4 & 3
Joseph Juszczyk, Dearborn Heights def. Chad Johnson, Plymouth, (21 holes)
Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood def. Reed Hrynewich, Muskegon, 2 & 1
Eric Lilleboe, Okemos def. Steven Fedewa, Howell, 7 & 5
Joey Garber, Petoskey def. Drew Preston, Ada, 1 Up
Jeff Champine, Rochester Hills, def. Matthew Thompson, Battle Creek, 1 Up
Nick Carbary, Kalamazoo, def. Eric Spencer, Bloomfield Hills, 2 Up
Aaron Peterson, Ann Arbor def. Chris Cunningham, Milford, 5 & 4
Friday Quarterfinal Match Play Results
Lilleboe def. Werkmeister, 20 holes
Juszczyk def. Brownback, 3 & 2
Garber def. Champine, 4 & 2
Carbary def. Peterson, 19 holes
Saturday Semi-Final Matches
Lilleboe vs. Juszczyk 8:00 am
Garber vs. Carbary 8:15 am
