Patrick Deardorff of Clarkston knew it was his last Michigan Junior State Amateur, so he gave it everything he had. The 18-year-old lefty turned back Tommy Sullivan of Grosse Pointe 3 and 2 in the final match to win the 41st edition of the championship, played at Bedford Valley Golf Course near Battle Creek.
“I’m extremely happy about this win,” he said. “It was a lot of fun and it’s the biggest win I’ve ever had without a doubt.”
Deardorff, who’s undecided about his college or golf plans, got the lead in the middle of the back nine in the final match and then made clutch putts.
The GAM presented a 15-and-under competition for the first time and Ryan O’Rourke of West Bloomfield took the title with a 2 and 1 win over Joe Murdock of Ada in the final match.
