2020 Michigan Junior PGA Championship 

 

The Michigan Junior PGA Championship was held this week at Bedford Valley Golf Club. The contest was a 36 hole, two-day event held on June 18 and 19. Although the National Junior PGA Championship was cancelled due to COVID-19, 117 boys and girls still participated for the Michigan Junior PGA Champion title. The players overcame adversity both days by battling through the 90° weather and putting with the flagsticks still in due to COVID-19 safety procedures. Even with these drawbacks, everyone was grateful to get out on the course again. With the cooperation of staff, parents, and players, this event was able to not only take place, but to be very successful. This event brings in some of the top junior golfers from all over the state of Michigan, and their performances proved it. 

For this event the boys and girls each competed in the Overall 13-18 Division. In the subdivisions, there were Boys 12 and Under, Boys 13-15, and Boys 16-18. For the girls, there were two subdivisions, Girls 13-15 and Girls 16-18. The top three players from each subdivision earned individual awards. In the Overall Boy and Girl Divisions, the winner and runner-up both received an award. 

This year’s field had some very talented competitors. In the Boys Overall 13-18, there was a three-way tie between Joshua Lavely from Kewadin, MI, Evan Johnson from Grosse Ile, MI, and Landon Wanless from Caledonia, MI. These boys came in with a very impressive -4 under through the 36 holes. Evan Johnson even had a Hole-in-One on the 170 yard hole number 12. After a long day, the boys entered into a sudden death playoff match to determine the overall champion. Joshua Lavely got a birdie on the first playoff hole to earn the championship title.  

In the Girls Overall 13-18 Division, Kate Body from Grand Blanc, MI earned the win by a spectacular 5 strokes (143). Brody is a younger player, but should not be overlooked. She finished the two-day tournament shooting a total of -1 under par. Also notable was the first and second ties in the Girls 16-18 Division. Nateda Her and Olivia Stoll both shot 148, sending them into a playoff. Nateda Her secured the win after a birdie on the first playoff hole. Both Overall Champions are children of PGA members. Joshua Lavely is the son of PGA member Lawrence Lavely, and Kate Brody is the daughter of PGA member Doug Brody. 

Finally, we would like to thank Bedford Valley and their amazing staff for making this event possible. The course was in great shape for both days of the event. Also, we would like to thank our two rules officials and our staff. Most importantly we would like to thank our players for battling the heat and following our new rules and procedures of social distancing. 

Congratulations to our winners:

Boys Overall 13-18 

  1. Joshua Lavely-140 (-4) (Birdie on the first playoff hole)
  2. Evan Johnson-140 (-4)
  3. Landon Wanless-140 (-4) 

Boys 16-18 

  1. Joshua Lavely-140 (-4) (Birdie on the first playoff hole)
  2. Evan Johnson-140 (-4)
  3. Landon Wanless-140 (-4)

Boys 13-15

  1. PJ Maybank – 141 (-3)
  2. Lorenzo Pinili- 143 (-1) (after a 4 hole playoff) 
  3. Ieuan Jones  -143 (-1)

Boys 12 and Under

  1. Matthew Murdock – 77 (+5)
  2. Andrew Chang – 82 (+10)

Girls Overall 13-18

  1.  Kate Brody-143 (-1)
  2.  Nateda Her- 148 (+4) (birdie on the first playoff hole)
  3. Olivia Stoll-148 (+4)

Girls 16-18  

  1. Nateda Her- 148 (+4) (birdie on the first playoff hole)
  2. Olivia Stoll-148 (+4)
  3. Bridget Boczar – 150 (+6)

Girls 13-15

  1.  Kate Brody – 143 (-1)
  2.  Adie Maki – 150 (+6)
  3. Mia Melendez  – 152 (+8)