Michigan Golf Journal July 2021

Michigan Golf Journal 104 th Michigan Open ACME – Amateur Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids made the biggest shot of his life to help secure the biggest win of his life – the Turtle Creek Casino MICHIGAN OPEN. And it came in a two-hole playoff against pro Patrick Wilkes-Krier of Ann Arbor, an instructor at the Kendall Golf Academy. Smithson’s ‘biggest shot’ was a chip-in birdie from about 15 yards off the green on the first playoff hole, the middle of three consecutive finishing birdies, to extend the match where he birdied again, on hole 16, to take the crown. He is only the fifth amateur to win this professional open event in its 104- year history, but he is the second left-handed golfer in a row to win the title. Lefty pro Brett White, also of Grand Rapids, won the 2020 tournament on The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort. “Wow, and I’m really tired and I’m really hungry,” Smithson said were his first thoughts as it all began sinking in. “It’s an awesome feeling to get it done; very emotional. “For sure, this is definitely the biggest win of my life, and definitely the best. But this win doesn’t change my plans; it strengthens my goals. Playing like this the whole week was good to see.” Smithson, a golfer at Michigan State University, found himself down two strokes on the tee of the 72 nd hole. But he dialed in on his approach shot into the 18 th green in regulation to make a 14-foot birdie, while Wilkes-Krier, the former U-M assistant golf coach, made a bogey from off the green. The pair were tied at 13-under after regulation and each birdied the first playoff hole. “I pretty much knew I had to make birdie and for him to make bogey to get in a playoff and try to get it done there,” Smithson said. Then on the first playoff hole from off the green at 18: “I tried to pick a line that was an aggressive line, and I knew if it had a little top spin, it could roll in, and that’s what it did.” More details here. MGJ Amateur Bradley Smithson of MSU Wins 104 th Michigan Open By Tom Lang Bradley Smithson