Written By: Greg Johnson
YPSILANTI – Washtenaw Golf Club, one of the oldest golf courses in Michigan, is hosting many of the state’s best players Monday and Tuesday in the 32nd GAM Women’s Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland.
A field of 78 GAM member golfers will play 36-holes of stroke play over two days to determine a champion.
Washtenaw opened in 1899 and has evolved over the years into a 6,512-yard classic parkland style golf course featuring tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and quick, undulating greens.
In January of 2020 KMD Investors took the reins of the historic golf club that remains open to the public, and Michigan-based architect Raymond Hearn’s firm is performing master plan renovation and restoration projects.
Hearn’s research of the property found a rare 1930 aerial photograph he is using to bring back some of the classic golf course design features. Through his research Hearn also found at least nine holes of the design should be credited to William Herbert “Bert” Way, a golf professional and course designer from England.
The course has a rich tournament history, including hosting the 1927 Michigan Amateur Championship, and many major events since for both the Golf Association of Michigan and the Michigan PGA. The 1955 Michigan Open at Washtenaw included Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members Walter Burkemo (the champion), Horton Smith, Chick Harbert, Chuck Kocsis and John Barnum.
Last year, Sophie Stevens of Highland shot a closing 6-under 66 at Country Club of Lansing to win. She will not be returning to defend, opting instead to play in the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Last year’s runner-up, Bridget Boczar of Canton, an Oakland University golfer, is in the field, as is last year’s Michigan Women’s Amateur Champion Anci Dy, and this summer’s Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur Champion Lauren Timpf of Macomb.