Andrew Walker Named Golf Association of Michigan Junior Boy’s Player of the Year

Andrew Walker has been named Junior Boys Player of the Year by the Golf Association of Michigan.

The 17-year-old out of Battle Creek Country Club amassed 1,339 points with over 500 earned with two wins and a strong showing on the American Junior Golf Association circuit. He was also the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I medalist while playing for Lakeview High School, the team runner-up. Walker has signed a national letter of intent with Michigan State University’s golf program,

This is Walker’s second time as Boys’ Player of the Year. He earned the title in 2013 as well.

“I greatly appreciate the GAM and what it does for junior golf, and I know others feel the same way,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to be recognized as one of the better players in your state and it is amazing how many great tournaments the GAM provides. I know I will continue to play in GAM tournaments because they have helped transform me into the golfer I am today.”

James Piot of Canton and Fox Hills Learning Center, who won the Michigan Junior Amateur and also the GAM Junior Invitational in a playoff with Walker, finished second with 1,218 points.

Last year’s Player of the Year Donnie Trosper of Canton and Carl’s Golfland of Plymouth, who was runner-up to Piot in the Michigan Junior Amateur, was third with 1,068.

Ben Smith of Novi and Walnut Creek Country Club was fourth with 633 and Austin Jenner of West Branch and The Nightmare, another MSU signee and a Michigan Amateur semifinalist, rounded out the top five with 510 points.

Walker, who will play a mix of AJGA and men’s amateur tournaments next summer before he turns 18 in October, called the recent signing day with Michigan State one of the best days of his life.

“It was a great feeling to say I’m officially part of the Spartan Nation and know that I will call that place my home for the next four years,” he said. “One of my goals was to play (NCAA) Division I golf and realizing this goal helps to know I can realize some of my other goals.”

About the GAM: Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan is the governing body for amateur golf in the state. As a not-for-profit organization, the GAM’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. The GAM, served by over 250 dedicated volunteers as well as nine full-time staff, provides membership to more than 60,000 golfers and more than 470 Michigan golf courses, conducts over 30 amateur championships, oversees 15 USGA qualifying events, administers the GAM/USGA Handicap System and measures and rates almost 70 courses a year for the USGA. Learn more at www.gam.org.

via Greg Johnson/GAM