WERKMEISTER IS MEDALIST, NO. 1 SEED FOR MATCH PLAY AT MICHIGAN AMATEUR
MUSKEGON — Tom Werkmeister’s golf season of accomplishments continues.
The 45-year-old internet salesman from Kentwood added stroke play medalist at the 102nd Michigan Amateur Championship sponsored by Miles of Golf/Kendall Academy/Titleist Wednesday.
Last week’s winner of the Michigan Open and the 2009 Michigan Amateur champion shot a second consecutive 2-under-par 70 for a 4-under-par 140 total on the testy greens and tight fairways at Muskegon Country Club.
As medalist, he won the Chuck Kocsis Trophy for the first time and earned the No. 1 seed for the start of match play Thursday. Single elimination matches through Saturday will determine a champion from the 64 golfers remaining.
The cut to make it into match play (64) from the starting field of 156 fell at 10-over-par 154, and nine golfers played off for the final three spots in the bracket.
“I got a nice little run going,” said Werkmeister, who has led or been tied for the lead in six consecutive rounds of stroke play against the state’s best competition the last two weeks. “I think I’m in a pretty good spot. The fun starts tomorrow.”
Werkmeister, never before a stroke play medalist in the Michigan Amateur, finished three shots ahead of Otto Black of Pinckney, a University of Toledo golfer who shot a 69 for 143.
Mike Ignasiak of Saline, 47 and the 2007 Michigan Mid-Amateur champion, shot 70 for 144 to take the third spot in the bracket.
Muskegon CC member and University of Michigan-bound Reed Hrynewich, who shot 73, White Lake’s Justin Pahl, a 17-year-old who shot 74, and Gaylord’s Alex Dombrowski, a recent high school graduate who shot 71, made up the group at 145.
Match play starts at 7:15 a.m. Thursday with two rounds scheduled to determine a “sweet 16,” and gallery is welcome. Admission and parking are free.
Werkmeister, last year’s runner-up to Drew Preston at Oakland Hills, started his final nine holes of the second round with consecutive bogeys, but rallied with four birdies in the last nine holes. He likes the golf course, and thinks it will be an excellent venue for match play and his game.
“It’s a good course for me – not very long and you have to be pretty accurate and the greens are tricky,” he said. “I don’t mind scrambling to make pars, and I feel comfortable on greens that are tough and tricky. Those are right up my alley.”
Black, who was Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, highlighted his 69 with an eagle-2 on the 453-yard par 4 No. 16 hole. He holed out a 9-iron shot from 145 yards out, but said the key to his day was his driver.
“I drove the ball really well,” he said. “It’s super tight out here with that heather, so I was able to hit wedges into a lot of holes and get a lot of birdie putts. So that was the biggest thing, I drove the ball well. I hit it long and straight.”
The cut for match play fell to 154 late in the day with several low scores being posted by golfers who had high scores in the first round. Two of the best comebacks were by Justin Holyszko of Bay City, who shot a 69 to follow a first-round 84 for 153, and Nikolaj Brons-Piche of Traverse City, who shot 69 on the heels of a 79 for 148.
Last year’s medalist Brian Hayward of Grand Rapids (78 for 156) was among those who did not make the cut.
Mike Nagy of Manistique and Kyle Rodes of Plymouth earned two of the three final spots with birdies on the first playoff hole, and Carson Castellani of East Lansing earned the last spot with a par on the seventh playoff hole and will meet Werkmeister in the first round of matches.
Round 2 Quote Sheet from the 102nd Michigan Amateur Championship at Muskegon CC
TOM WERKMEISTER, 45, from Kentwood (2013 Medalist & 2009 Michigan Am Champion)
He shot 2-under-par 70 for 4-under-par 140.
“It was a little more stress free than yesterday, but I did have my bad moments making bogey to start my back nine (the front nine). I had a lot more birdies today to make up for it. I played solid. I played pretty good.”
(birdied four of last six) “It was a nice way to finish. I hit a couple close, and made a nice 12-footer on the last for birdie.”
(Birdies on 3, 6, 8, 9) “Hitting close on these greens is not easy, but I was able to make good putts. My friend Ryan (Mouw, of Muskegon, caddie) helped me read some of the greens as well.”
“It’s a good course for me – not very long and you have to be pretty accurate and the greens are tricky. I don’t mind scrambling to make pars, and I feel comfortable on greens that are tough and tricky. Those are right up my alley.”
“I got a nice little run going. My goal is to win medalist. We will see how it checks out. I think I’m in a pretty good spot. The fun starts tomorrow.”
(on match play) “It’s a little bit different. You kind of play off your opponent, but you are probably more aggressive. You have to pick your spots.”
(bogeys on 1 and 2, his 10th and 11th holes) “I was a little P O’d there. Usually that works to my favor. Sometimes it gets me going.”
“I’ve never been medalist, close second or third. It’s been a goal to be medalist.”
“I’m not taking anything for granted. It’s an equal game tomorrow. It’s not going to be easy. I’m sure of that.”
“I got a little momentum going I guess. I’ve got my game in control, especially my irons. And the putter has been really solid the last two weeks. I’ve got to keep that going.”
OTTO BLACK, 19, from Pinckney
He shot 3-under-par 69, the lowest round of the day, and was at 143, three shots off the lead. He is a University of Toledo golfer, and was MAC Freshman of the Year. He played in the Michigan Open last week. He made an eagle-2 today by holing out his 9-iron approach shot (145 yards) on No. 16, a 453-yard par 4.
“Match play, I like it a lot. It’s kind of whoever’s day it is. I gave myself a good opportunity with my finish today, and I feel confident going in. I’ve played match play in college, and I was a runner-up in the Michigan Junior Amateur so I’m familiar and comfortable with it. ”
“I drove the ball really well. It’s super tight out here with that heather, so I was able to hit wedges into a lot of holes and get a lot of birdie putts. So that was the biggest thing, I drove the ball well. I hit it long and straight.”
“The greens are in really good shape, and they can really make it tough with the pin placements. I had no three-putts today, which gives me a lot of confidence for match play.”
Match play pairings starting Thursday:
Left side Bracket:
Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood vs. Carson Castellani, East Lansing: 7:15 am
Andrew Chapman, Traverse City vs. Brett Quitiquit, Highland : 7:23 am
Mike Brown, Grand Rapids vs. Bryan Nordquist, Kalamazoo: 7:31 am
Nikolaj Brons-Piche, Traverse City vs. Blake English, Charlotte: 7:39 am
Justin Pahl, White Lake vs. Jordan Weinger, Farmington Hills: 7:47 am
Jake Losey, Grandville vs. Mark Brinkman, Ann Arbor: 7:55 am
Patrick Colburn, Traverse City vs. Ronnie Coriasso, Grand Blanc: 8:03 am
Dieter Schultz, Fort Gratiot vs. Nate Golomb, Belmont: 8:11 am
Alexander Dombrowski, Gaylord vs. Scott Wirth, Grand Blanc: 8:19 am
Spencer Slade, Saline vs. Brett Hudson, Bloomfield Hills: 8:27 am
Nick Dennis, Waterford vs. Chet Vandenberg, Martin: 8:35 am
Sam Stark, Hartland vs. Trent Davison, Rockford: 8:43 am
Reed Hrynewich, Muskegon vs. Charlie Olson, Suttons Bay: 8:51 am
Casey Baker, Ann Arbor vs. Kyle Kurant, Muskegon: 8:59 am
Brad Bastion, Clinton Twp. Vs. Anthony Keim, Holt: 9:07 am
Brody Schiller, Freeland vs. Jud Kotas, Grosse Pointe Farms: 9:15 am
Right side Bracket:
Otto Black, Pinkney vs. Kyle Rodes, Plymouth: 9:23 am
Nicholas Campbell, Britton vs. Tom Sullivan, Grosse Pointe: 9:31 am
Tom Gieselman, Commerce Twp. vs. Derrek Klimek, Ada: 9:39 am
Joe Balaskovitz, Montague vs. Bill Zylstra, Dearborn Heights: 9:47 am
Mark Foster, Davison vs. Timothy Coffey, Midland: 9:55 am
Jared Dalga, Grand Rapids vs. Evan Bowser, Dearborn: 10:03 am
Sam Weatherhead, Grand Rapids vs. Max Kollin, Farmington Hills: 10:11 am
Nathan Clark, Charlotte vs. Anthony Provenzola, Brighton: 10:19 am
Mike Ignasiak, Saline vs. Mike Nagy, Manistique: 10:27 am
Andrew Yeager, Grand Rapids vs. Jeff Champine, Rochester Hills: 10:35 am
Peter Farner, Kalamazoo vs. Blaze Hogan, Big Rapids: 10:43 am
Steve McKalko, Troy vs. Greg Davies, West Bloomfield: 10:51 am
Steve Fedewa, Troy vs. Justin Holyszko, Bay City: 10:59 am
Ryan Johnson, New Boston vs. James Piot, Canton: 11:07 am
Russ Cunningham, DeWitt vs. Connor Jones, Shelby Twp.: 11:15 am
Erik Schleicher, Grosse Pointe Shores vs. Austin Kreger, St. Clair Shores: 11:23 am
MUSKEGON – Results of Wednesday’s second round of the 102nd Michigan Amateur Championship at Muskegon Country Club:
Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood 70-70-140 (Chuck Kocsis Medalist Trophy)
Otto Black, Pinckney 74-69—143
Mike Ignasiak, Saline 74-70—144
Alex Dombrowski, Gaylord 74-71—145
Reed Hrynewich, Muskegon 72-73—145
Justin Pahl, White Lake 71-74—145
Steve Fedewa, Troy 74-72—146
Mark Foster, Davison 71-75—146
Patrick Colburn, Traverse City 73-73—146
Sam Weatherhead, Grand Rapids 74-73—147
Russ Cunningham, Dewitt 73-74—147
Brad Bastion, Clinton Twp. 72-75—147
Nick Dennis, Waterford 72-75—147
Tom Gieselman, Commerce Twp. 72-76—148
Peter Farner, Kalamazoo 77-71—148
Mike Brown, Grand Rapids 75-73—148
Nikolaj Brons-Piche, Traverse City 79-69—148
Joe Balaskovitz III, Montague 74-75—149
Steve McKalko, Troy 76-73—149
Sam Stark, Hartland 76-73—149
Jake Losey, Grandville 76-74—150
Dieter Schulz, Fort Gratiot 78-72—150
Nathan Clark, Charlotte 72-78—150
Erik Schleicher, Grosse Pointe Shores 75-75—150
Brody Schiller, Freeland 72-78—150
Jared Dalga, Grand Rapids 76-74—150
Ryan Johnson, New Boston 72-78—150
Casey Baker, Ann Arbor 72-78—150
Spencer Slade, Saline 76-74—150
Andrew Chapman, Traverse City 71-80—151
Brett Hudson, Bloomfield Hills 76-75—151
Kyle Kurant, Muskegon 76-75—151
Blaze Hogan, Big Rapids 77-76—151
Jeff Champine, Rochester Hills 78-73—151
Nick Campbell, Britton 75-76—151
Andrew Yeager, Grand Rapids 75-76—151
Brett Quitiquit, Highland 75-76—151
Tom Sullivan, Grosse Pointe 79-72—151
James Piot, Canton 78-73—151
Evan Bowser, Dearborn 76-75—151
Mason Gorris, Lake Orion 81-70—151
Nate Golomb, Grand Rapids 78-73—151
Greg Davies, West Bloomfield 74-78—152
Anthony Provenzola, Brighton 80-72—152
Bill Zylstra, Dearborn Heights 74-78—152
Blake English, Charlotte 71-81—152
Jud Kotas, Grosse Pointe Farms 77-75—152
Austin Kreger, St. Clair Shores 77-75—152
Trent Davison, Rockford 75-77-152
Bryan Nordquist, Kalamazoo 77-75—152
Derrek Klimek, Ada 73-79—152
Anthony Keim, Holt 74-79—153
Chet Vandenberg, Martin 78-75—153
Connor Jones, Shelby Twp. 79-74—153
Max Kollin, Farmington Hills 80-73—153
Ronnie Coriasso, Grand Blanc 76-77—153
Jordan Weinger, Farmington Hills 79-74—153
Tim Coffey, Midland 78-75—153
Justin Holyszko, Bay City 84-69—153
Charlie Olson, Suttons Bay 80-73-153
Scott Wirth, Grand Blanc 76-77—153
Mike Nagy, Manistique 74-80—154 (birdied first playoff hole to advance)
Kyle Rodes, Plymouth 79-75—154 (birdied first playoff hole to advance)
Carson Castellani, East Lansing 79-75—154 (par the seventh playoff hole to advance)
Missed Cut:
Alexander LaSerra, Jackson 80-74—154
Robert White, Wyandotte 81-73—154
Elliott Eckert, Grand Rapids 82-72—154
Casey Olsen, Okemos 78-76—154
Jason Kohn, Belding 79-75—154
Jay Phillion, Rochester 72-82—154
Adam Anderson, Kalamazoo 75-80—155
Jim Vandermolen, Richland 77-78—155
Caleb Johnson, Muskegon 79-76—155
Glenn Piot Jr., Canton 78-77—155
Jason May, Sterling Hts 77-78—155
Chris Weir, Port Huron 76-79—155
Matt Garland, Battle Creek 76-79—155
Andy Alvey, Milford 72-84—156
Andrew Tindall, Manchester 82-74—156
Ryan Francis, Clio 78-78—156
Bobby Thomas, Tecumseh 78-78—156
Scott Grim, Shepherd 79-77—156
Weston Benzing, DeWitt 79-77—156
Brian Hayward, Grand Rapids 78-78—156
Joe Hooks, Commerce Twp. 80-76—156
David Buko II, Saginaw 76-81—157
Austin Carter, Port Sanilac 78-79—157
Emmanuel Petrich, Grand Blanc 79-78—157
Jeff Knudson, Beverly Hills 80-77—157
Patrick Schaffler, Traverse City 82-75—157
Joe Biscaro, Dearborn 79-78—157
Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc 75-83—158
Ian Harris, Bloomfield Hills 80-78—158
Landon Osborne, Battle Creek 80-78—158
Ben Rabourn, Grand Rapids 80-78—158
Austin Alexander, Farmington Hills 80-78—158
Chip Anderson, Ada 80-78—158
Polo Hourani, Lansing 82-76—158
Sean Hickey, Farmington 80-78—158
Erik Nelson, Richland 81-77—158
Curt Brown, Howell 81-87—158
Larry Sterling Jr., Shelby Twp. 80-78—158
Wyatt Drost, Charlevoix 80-78—158
Pete Walz, Jackson 78-81—159
Bryan Carpenter, Allen Park 80-79—159
Eric Johnson, Marquette 81-78—159
Austin Eccleton, Jackson 81-78—159
Mark Brinkman, Ann Arbor 81-78—159
Dean Hitt, Jackson 79-80—159
Michael Coriasso, Grand Blanc 77-83—160
David Bartnick, Milford 81-79—160
Kasey Hocquard, Cheboygan 81-80—161
Jason Walberer, Grand Rapids 82-79—161
Andrew Sarokin, Novi 79-82—161
Jason Walberer, Grand Rapids 82-79—161
Brad VanDam, Muskegon 78-83—161
Pat Cenkner, South Lyon 79-82—161
Jacob Johnson, Holt 79-82—161
David Vaclav, Flat Rock 81-80—161
Nicholas Mitter, Brighton 88-73—161
Tony Lis, Grand Rapids 83-78—161
Robert Favaro, Bloomfield Hills 83-79—162
Kyle Gaines, Oxford 80-82—162
HA Lomason, Orchard Lake 78-84—162
Steve Sprague, Brighton 83-79—162
Mike Stetson, Oakland Twp., 79-83—162
Eric Goebel, Novi 79-83—162
Josh Heinze, Canton 84-78—162
Derek Barribeau, Brighton 79-83—162
Michael Bork, Rapid City 81-82—163
Chris Noble, Niles 83-80—163
Samuel Webster, Hillsdale 88-75—163
Eric Sandford, Ludington 83-81—164
Griffin Beeler, Oxford 81-83—164
Doug Piesko, Washington 82-82—164
Dustin Dishaw, Crystal Falls 84-80—164
Jeff Olsen, Clinton Twp. 78-87—165
Nicholas Vick, Birmingham 87-78—165
Paul Ostby, Mount Morris 84-81—165
Jon Cumberworth, Rochester Hills 83-83—166
James Uelmen, Ferndale 83-84—167
Dan Warner, Saginaw 86-82—168
Christopher Craft, Dowagiac 83-85—168
Bill Montieth, Dearborn 89-79—168
Nick Ward, South Lyon 85-84—169
Jason Kalo, Grand Blanc 85-84—169
Matt Bartnick, Livonia 87-82—169
David Brownback, Haslett 90-79—169
Matt Sherry, Northville 84-85—169
Todd Marston, Concord 86-84—170
Jordan Andrus, Pinkney 83-87—170
Yasu Amaya, Sterling Heights 89-81—170
David Mitchell, Taylor 83-88—171
Andrew Janke, Bay City 90-81—171
Austin Hill, Troy 85-86—171
Eric Davey, Westland 87-85—172
Brett Frantangelo, Goodrich 83-WD
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CONTACT:
Tonia Laird, Assistant Executive Director, Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), (248) 408-0085 or [email protected]
OR: Greg Johnson 616-560-8995 or [email protected]
