Written By: Greg Johnson
GRAND BLANC – Atlas Valley Golf Club’s historic course will host the 12th GAM Net Match Play Championship presented by Preferred Data Systems (PDS) Monday through Wednesday.
A field of 78 golfers with handicap indexes of 20.4 or lower will play 18 holes of stroke play for net scores on Monday to determine a low 32 golfers to fill out a match play bracket. The round of 16 matches and quarterfinals will be played Tuesday, and the semifinal and final matches on Wednesday.
The Net Match Play Championship is part of the GAM’s continuing effort to serve more than just elite golfers with competitive tournaments.
Atlas Valley, previously known as Atlas Valley Country Club, is a semi-private facility with a course originally designed in 1912 by legendary architect Tom Bendelow, a prolific designer of over 600 courses including the famous East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and the three courses at Medinah Country Club in suburban Chicago.
Bendelow’s naturalist’s approach in design is evident in the course at Atlas Valley that is built on about 150 acres of rolling, scenic land. Kearsley Creek winds through the course.
Since the ownership change in recent years significant renovation has included the clubhouse exterior and interior, dining and banquet facilities, irrigation on the course, course bunkers and cart paths. A tree removal program was implemented as well.
Rick Howles is the director of golf operations and Andrew Dalton is the superintendent. Learn more atlasvalleygolf.com.
Last year at Lakes of Polo Fields Golf & Country Club in Ann Arbor, Grosse Ile’s Andrew Lang won his second consecutive Net Match Play title by closing out Jerry Tranzow of Macomb 2-up in the championship match.
The 37-year-old Lang, who has a golf club refinishing business, is one of five former champions in the field including 2019 winner Chris Badgley of Trenton, 2018 winner Joe DeNino of Taylor, 2016 winner Jack McHale of Macomb and 2014 winner Mike Hayes of White Lake.
