Michigan Junior PGA Championship

This week was exciting for Junior Golf! The Michigan PGA Junior Championship hosted at Bedford Valley Golf Club gives juniors all over the state of Michigan a chance to compete for two spots in the National Junior PGA Championship. The 45th Boys Junior PGA Championship: Monday, July 12th – Thursday, July 15th, 2021, at Kearney Hills Golf Links in Lexington, KY. The 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship: Tuesday, July 27th – Friday, July 30th, 2021, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY

This event brings in the top golfers from all over the state of Michigan. The divisions consisted of Boys 12 & Under, Boys-13-15, Boys 16-18, Girls 12 & Under; Girls 13-15, Girls 16-18 The 12 & Under division played 18 holes while the other divisions battled it out for 36 holes for two spots per gender. The Overall Champion (13-18) would be crowned after 36 holes and moving on to the National Junior PGA Championship.

This year’s event was unique. Friday morning, we had severe thunderstorms roll through Battle Creek. We had a two-hour rain delay to start the morning off and had to make some adjustments to the course to get play finished during daylight. With a few fairways flooded, and unplayable after the storm, we elected to change hole #2 and hole #7 into a par 3. This changed the par to 69. The players handled the changes well and continued to put ups some amazing round two scores.

After 36 holes both the Girls and Boys overall divisions had two players tied for first place. The boys division, Carter Housler & Lorenzo Pinili both came in at 133 (-8). They went into a sudden death play off where Housler won with a birdie on hole #1. The Girls division has Sophie Stevens and Bridget Boczar both tied at 141 (+1) They went into a sudden death play off where Stevens won on hole #1.

We would like to thank Bedford Valley Golf Course for hosting the event, and head professional Dan Wilson and Superintendent Andrew Brandt for their help during the rain delay issues and for hosting.

The four Division winners representing Michigan in the National Championship are:

Girls Overall 13-18

  1. Sophie Stevens 141 (+1)
  2. Bridget Boczar 141 (+1)

Boys Overall 13-18 

  1. Carter Housler 133 (-8)
  2. Lorenzo Pinili 133 (-8)

 

Overall Results 

Boys Results 

Girls Results 

Congratulations to our winners

Boys Overall 13-18

  1. Carter Housler 133 (-8)
  2. Lorenzo Pinili 133 (-8)

Boys 16-18

  1. Carter Housler 133 (-8)
  2. Lorenzo Pinili 133 (-8)
  3. Thomas Keyte 135 (-6)

Boys 13-15

  1. Ieuan Jones 135 (-6)
  2. Peter Roehl 143 (+2)
  3. Drew Miller 144 (+3)

Boys 12 & Under

  1. Mathew Murdock 85 (+13)
  2. Tommy Preston 88 (+16)

Girls Overall 13-18

  1. Sophie Stevens 141 (+1)
  2. Bridget Boczar 141 (+1)

Girls 16-18

  1. Bridget Boczar 141 (+1)
  2. Kate Brody 143 (+2)
  3. Anna Fay 144 (+3)

Girls 13-15

  1. Sophie Stevens 141 (+1)
  2. Mia Melendez 148 (+7)
  3. Macie Elzinga 151 (+10)

Girls 12 & Under

  1. Saisha Patil 88 (+16)
  2. Maddy Manning 92 (+20)

Each of the 41 PGA of America Sections has the opportunity to send 2 players to Kentucky to compete. The Girls & Boys Champion & Runner up will advance to the National Championship

The Girls Junior PGA Championship is where some of the best in the world get their start. Many of today’s LPGA Tour professionals made their debut at the Championship. Notable past participants include: Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, Grace Park, Michelle Wie, and Dottie Pepper

The Boys Junior PGA Championship is where some of the best in the world get their start. Many of today’s PGA Tour professionals made their debut at the Championship. Notable past participants Include: Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Stewart Cink and Phil Mickelson.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit www.PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook. For more information about the 45th Boys Junior PGA Championship, visit www.juniorpgachampionship.com

Contact

Chelsea Guoynes, PGA
Player Development Coordinator & Foundation Activities Director
Michigan Section PGA
O |517-641-7421
D|517-827-2198
E |cguoynes@michiganpga.com