Written By: Greg Johnson
WEST BLOOMFIELD – Watson Mercier of Novi, playing his home course, won his first GAM tournament and Hannah Kim of Troy won her second title of the summer in the first GAM 12 & Under Junior Championship at Twin Beach Country Club Tuesday.
Mercier shot a closing nine-hole round of 38 for a 2-over 75 total to win going away among the boys, and Kim shot 39 for an 81 to win by a single shot among the girls.
The new GAM tournament serves as an introductory tournament for the youngest members who want to try competition.
Zander Hendriks of Commerce Township shot a final 45 for 87 and second play among the boys.
Bentley Allen of Troy, who shot 46 for 90, and Cal Peters of Plymouth, who shot 45 for 91, rounded out the top four.
The girls’ competition featured a close battle at the top. Belen Berishaj of Birmingham shot a final 41 for 82, finishing second by one shot.
Victoria TheinAn McCullough of Shelby Township, who shot 49 for 92, and Presley Kiebler of South Lyon, who shot 46 for 94, rounded out the top four.
Mercier, 12 and a student at Geisler Middle School in the Walled Lake School System, said he has played better with an even-par best for nine holes at Twin Beach.
“But I played pretty good and I think having a little draw on my drives was the key for me,” he said. “I got good distance.”
He birdied the final hole, No. 9, with a 7-iron from 131 yards to about six feet and made the putt.
“I had some good shots,” he said. “I feel really good about winning, especially because it’s at my home course.”
Kim, who recently turned 12 and last week won the GAM Junior Stoke Play Girls’ title, said she didn’t play well in her first-round 42 and was happy she played better in the final round.
“Because of yesterday, I told myself to just play good today, and it will be fine,” she said. “I went and practiced at my home course (Pine Trace Golf Club) after yesterday, too. I think that helped.”
The Boulan Park Middle School student said she felt a little pressure in the tight battle with Berishaj.
“Since I won last week, I had confidence I could play better today and I did,” she said. “I knew it was close.”
Kim took a one-shot lead at No. 8 and then completed a sand-save par from the front bunker at No. 9 to maintain the edge.
“I had a good lie in there and it felt good to make that putt,” she said.
