2022 Women’s Michigan Amateur Sweet 16 Set

2022 Women’s Michigan Amateur Sweet 16 Set

Dinh, Shulz, Ellis March On in Michigan Women’s Michigan Amateur

  ROCHESTER – The “Sweet 16” features many of the golfers who were expected to challenge for the 106th Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland.

  Few surprises happened Wednesday as defending champion Kimberly Dinh of Midland, last year’s runner-up Mikaela Schulz of West Bloomfield and this year’s stroke play medalist and top seed Caroline Ellis all won first-round matches at Great Oaks Country Club to advance to the round of 16.

  Dinh, a senior research specialist for Dow Chemical, topped former Grand Valley State University golfer Mackenzie Blomberg 7 and 6, Schulz, a University of Michigan golfer, turned back Amaya Melendez of Ann Arbor 7 and 5, and Ellis, the assistant women’s golf coach at Michigan State University, beat Laura Liu, a high school golfer from Rochester Hills 7 and 5, all before Noon to set the tone for the day.

  Other results of note: Alissa Fish of Clark Lake, a Western Michigan University golfer, turned back 15-year-old Lauren Timpf of Macomb 4 and 3 and is back in the “Sweet 16.”

  The Dy sisters, Anika and Anci of Traverse City, each won. They are in opposites sides of the bracket and would not have to play each other unless they both reach the title match. Anci, a University of Indianapolis golfer, topped Mandy Erhlich, a Saginaw Valley State University golfer from Grand Rapids, 2 and 1.  Anika, a University of Michigan golfer, beat Natalie Samdal, a WMU golfer, 3 and 2   

   Also, in a match featuring junior standouts, Sophie Stevens of Highland topped Mia Melendez of Ann Arbor 4 and 2.

   Dinh said she played steady golf with one bogey and one birdie in her win.

  “I knew all the elements were there in stroke play but I hadn’t put it together yet,” she said. “I kind of figured out the driver and had a lot of confidence in that and hit good iron shots all day.”

  Dinh, who has made the “Sweet 16” seven times over the years, said her plan is the same as always in match play – one shot at a time.

  “Play solid, consistent golf and we will see how it falls,” she said.

  Schulz, determined to win after getting to the final match a year ago, said she had a bogey-free day in her win and was 6-up after nine.

  “She dropped some putts but I was going to be tough to beat today,” she said.

  Schulz, last year’s GAM Champion, came back to the course after she played Monday and worked on the putting green.

    “I did a lot of work just doing some different drills and making sure I was rolling the ball well,” she said. “This field has a lot of good players and I need the putter to be working for me this week if I want to advance. I’m seeing the line and feeling that I’m hitting the center of the clubface.”

  Ellis said she made a lot of pars on the front nine and then took over her match with birdies on holes 10, 12 and 13.

  “That happened fast, I kind of got in a groove,” she said.

   The top seed said she was going to put her feet up and find air conditioning in the afternoon, and she was looking forward the Sweet 16 dinner this evening. As an Ohio native and former professional, this is her first Michigan Women’s Amateur as a Michigan resident.

   “I’m excited to be here and we will see what happens,” she said.

  Two rounds of match play Thursday and Friday will determine a champion.

THE SWEET 16

UPPER BRACKET

Caroline Ellis, 31, East Lansing, Assistant Coach for MSU Women’s Golf Team

Kamryn Shannon, 18, Jackson, Incoming Freshman Golfer at Ferris State University

Mikaela Schulz, 20, West Bloomfield, Senior, Golfer at University of Michigan

Olivia Stoll, 18, Haslett, Sophomore, Golfer at Grand Valley State University Player

Alissa Fish, 20, Clark Lake, Senior, Golfer at Western Michigan University

Kimberly Dinh, 29, Midland, Senior Research Specialist at DOW Chemical

Anci Dy, 19, Traverse City, Sophomore, Golfer at University of Indianapolis

Kate Brody, 17, Grand Blanc, Senior at Grand Blanc High School, Verbally committed to University of Wisconsin

LOWER BRACKET

Maya Hunter, 19, Saint Joseph, Sophomore, Golfer at Northern Michigan University

Grace Wang, 16, Rochester Hills, Senior at Rochester Adams High School

Sophie Stevens, 16, Highland, Senior – Home School

Anika Dy, 20, Traverse City, Golfer at University of Michigan

Megha Vallabhaheni, 17, Northville, Incoming Freshman at Western Michigan University

Nateda Her, 19, Lansing, Sophomore, Golfer at Oakland University

Lilia Henkel, 19, Grand Rapids, Sophomore, Golfer at University of Delaware

Bridget Boczar, 17, Canton, Incoming Freshman Golfer at Oakland University