Yurika Tanida is from Kanagawa, Japan, but a summer of golf in Michigan and playing for Michigan State University’s women’s golf team has her feeling thankful.
“I didn’t grow up in Michigan, but everyone has welcomed me and Michigan has become a second home to me,” the MSU junior said. “It means so much.”
Qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur and reaching the round of 64 in match play, as well as a tie for second behind GAM Championship winner Sarah Shipley of Hastings, keyed her Honor Roll point total.
Tanida set a course record with an 8-under 63 during the Atlas Trophy matches at the celebrated Stoatin Brae Course at Gull Lake View Golf Club. As an amateur in the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship at Sweetwater Golf Club she made a hole-in-one (7-iron, 156 yards) during competition on the No. 15 island hole.
Her goal is to be an LPGA player. She came to the U.S. during high school to attend and play golf at Morningside Academy in Port Saint Lucie, Fla. Past GAM Woman of the Year, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, recruited her to Michigan State.
