Written By: Greg Johnson
FARMINGTON HILLS – Saisha Patil of Okemos, though not 14 until February and eligible to play in 15-and-under age group competition for two more seasons, is thinking it is time to move up and play for overall titles with the ages 16 through 18 juniors.
“I definitely built my confidence this year,” she said.
Patil was the stroke play medalist and champion in the 15-and-under division of the Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur, won the 15-and-under title in the GAM Girls’ Championship, won the GAM 14 & Under Match Play Championship and four Meijer Tour tournaments.
The Youth on Course Michigan member has been named the GAM 15-and-under Junior Girls’ Player of the Year, Alex Clark, GAM director of tournament operations, announced today. It is the second consecutive year in which she earned the honor.
“I definitely made it a goal to win player of the year again, and I’m really glad to make it for the second time this year,” she said. “I felt this year was my best season yet. Throughout last winter and in the spring, I worked on my game a lot, especially my short game, which definitely helped through the season.”
Patil’s multiple wins helped her amass 1,453 points to top the GAM 15-and-under Junior Girls’ Points List.
Hannah Kim of Troy, a Youth on Course Michigan member and the GAM Junior Stroke Play winner, was second with 920 points.
Tula Puzzuoli of Washington Township and Cherry Creek Golf Club, the runner-up to Patil in the Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur, was third with 650 points.
Anika Srivastava of Okemos and Youth on Course Michigan, who had 470 points, and Madilyn Sheerin of Grand Blanc and Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, who had 410 points, rounded out the top five.
Player of the Year point totals can be found on a pull down from the PLAY tab at GAM.org. Carl’s Golfland is the presenting sponsor of the points lists.
Patil is the last of nine players of the year announced for 2024.
In recent weeks, McCoy Biagioli of White Lake was named the GAM Men’s Player of the Year, Elayna Bowser of Dearborn was named the Women’s Player of the Year, Randy Lewis of Alma was named the Super Senior Player of the Year, Leo Daigle of Wixom was named the Senior Men’s Player of the Year, Lori Schlicher of Lewiston was named the Senior Women’s Player of the Year, Cooper Reitsma of Ada was named the Junior Boys’ Player of the Year, Alena Li of Okemos was named the Junior Girls’ Player of the Year and Julian Sinishtaj of Macomb was named the 15-and-under Junior Boys’ Player of the Year.
Patil said her best stretch of play came during the Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur. She recorded a 67 at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers West Course, her personal best score, during the stroke play part of the tournament.
“My game came all together,” she said. “My irons were great and my chipping and putting were great.”
Patil, who is in the eighth grade, said her dream is to play golf in college and see what happens from there. She works with Lansing area teaching professional Chris Mory.
“The best part of my golf game are my irons,” she said. “They are really consistent, and what I need to improve on the most is what I’ve needed for a long time, a more consistent short game.”
Clark said Patil appeared to continue incredible play from 2023 through 2024 and clearly has a bright future.
“She has great length of the tee, especially when you realize she is only 13,” he said. “That allows her to capitalize on scoring opportunities by hitting shorter clubs into greens than her competition, and on top of that she has developed a strong short game. She also knows how to close out tournaments.”
