Michigan Golf Journal September 2021

What’s Inside: Cover story: Fall Golf in Pinehurst Q&A with the PGA Tour’s JIM FURYK Revisiting Thunder Bay 10 16 19 Top 10 Courses Under $50 College Golf: Culture Change at MSU College Golf: Team Season Previews 24 28 32 Michigan PGA Awards and Tournaments 38 Girls Golf Program in Detroit 36 5 September 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com he won’t change his life much in the short term at least and will compete with the Spartans this fall and spring while finishing up his degree in Finance. His Spartans have unfinished business as well, going after a Big Ten title. “I just want to enjoy my last ride with the boys,” he said. “My school credit load might shift in the spring… but I’m looking forward to the college season and getting back out there with the Spartans … we’re going to have a really good team and our goal this year is Big Ten Championship, and hopefully we can do that.” Magic Johnson knows all about Big Ten and national championships. Piot said his highlight to date was getting a voicemail from the former Spartan and NBA Champion. Piot also threw out the first pitch at Comerica Park, showed up at Kirk Gibson’s golf outing, and met Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino at the Ally Challenge – all that and dozens of other surreal events in the two weeks following the U.S. Amateur title. After receiving the U.S. Amateur trophy, Piot looked it over and was asked if any past winners’ names stood out to him. “I was just trying to see if it was real or not. I couldn’t believe it. I mean, I honestly was like, did I just win the U.S. Am, in the back of my mind,” Piot answered. “I didn’t really sit there and stare at all the names.” Yet from now on and forever in history, James Piot’s name will be on that special trophy for so many others to search and admire. MGJ