BACK-TO-BACK: PJ Maybank III Wins Another Michigan Junior State Amateur
PJ Maybank III of Cheboygan said one of his goals for the summer was to repeat as Michigan Junior Amateur Champion. He reached it, turning back Justin Sui of Lake Orion, 3 and 2, in the final match of the 43rd edition of the junior state championship at TPC Michigan. 
“This is the biggest junior tournament in the state and I really wanted to defend,” said Maybank, 16. “I’ve always looked up to the people who won this tournament, since I was nine or 10-years-old. This is amazing.”
“I was really solid, especially in stroke play (which he also won) where I played some of the best golf I’ve ever played,” Maybank said. “Then in match play I was able to keep it going. I really played well all week.”
Maybank also announced his college commitment to Oklahoma State.
Max VanderMolen of Richland, who is 13, won the 15-and-under age division over Connor Fox of Lake Orion, 6 and 5, in the championship match.
Mikaela Schulz Holds On, Wins 30th GAM Women’s Championship
University of Michigan golfer Mikaela Schulz of West Bloomfield held on for a wire-to-wire win in the 30th GAM Women’s Championship at 100-year-old Klinger Lake Country Club.
Schulz, who will be a junior in the fall at Michigan, shot a final-round 74 to go with a first-round 69 for a winning total of 1-under 143, just one shot ahead of Northern Illinois University golfer Jasmine Ly of Madison Heights, who rallied with a 70.
“It feels great and it means a ton to me,” Schulz said. “I always look forward to GAM tournaments and it’s just such an honor to win again.”
Grand Valley State University golfer Katie Chipman of Canton, who shot 72, and East Lansing’s Rachel Sampson, a former Michigan State University golfer, who shot 69, the low round of the day, tied for third at 146.
Schulz is a two-time GAM Junior Girls’ Player of the Year and the runner-up earlier this summer in the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship to Kimberly Dinh of Midland.
Davisburg’s Ray Emsley Wins GAM Super Senior Championship
Ray Emsley of Davisburg said it is always fun to win something nice. 
“I’ve won a few things, but I’ve never really won a stroke-play tournament before,” he said after shooting a final-round 1-under 71 at the Medalist Golf Club to win the 7th GAM Super Senior Championship by three strokes over defending champion Rick Herpich of Orchard Lake and Dan Hughes of Saginaw.
Emsley, who shot 70-71 for 141, was the only golfer in the field of 76, ages 65-and-over, who was under par for the two days.
A Legends Division for golfers over age 75 was also presented, and George Dillon of Midland prevailed with a final 77 for 155.
“I was putting it close to the pin a lot and missed a ton of birdie putts, but because I was putting it close I was making a ton of pars,” he said. “So, I kept it out of trouble and there’s all kinds of trouble out there.”
All stories by Greg Johnson
