Han, Kim Win GAM Junior Stroke Play Titles

David Han of Midland, Hannah Kim of Troy Win GAM Junior Stroke Play Titles

  EAST LANSING – David Han of Midland (above left) and Hannah Kim of Troy (above right) each said they came to the 16th GAM Junior Stroke Play Championship presented by Absopure planning to play their best and see if that was good enough to win.

  It was, as Han, 15, shot a 3-under 68 for a 2-under 140 total Thursday at Forest Akers East to win the boys’ title and Kim, 11, shot a second consecutive 73 for 146 to win the girls’ title.

  It was the first GAM win for each golfer, and they each won by single shots.

  “I feel great, especially coming off a rough high school season,” said Han, who last month was the runner-up in the 15-and-under division of the Michigan Junior State Amateur. “Playing good makes me feel good because I can see my hard work is starting to pay off.”

  Han finished just ahead of Draven Rogers of Fort Gratiot, who shot 70 for his 141 total.

  Blake Springstead of Kewadin rallied with a 67 for 142 to finish third, and Nicklaus Smith of Rochester shot 72 for 144 and fourth place.

  Han said he was just hoping to play some solid golf.

  “I didn’t expect to win at all because it’s a really good field and a bunch of guys can go low,” he said. “I think my putting in general is what did it for me. Almost all of my six or seven-foot par-save putts and birdie attempts dropped and that was crucial to my score today.”

  Kim said she realized walking from the 17th green to the 18th tee that she was tied for the lead.

  “I started thinking I have to par this hole,” she said. “One half of my brain was like you can win, and the other half was like ‘Hannah, you are playing against really good players, just do your best.’ Plus, the other times I’ve played that hole, I’ve made (bogey).”

  Kim hit the green in regulation and two putted for par, and it proved to be the difference.

  Isabella Michetti of Ann Arbor, who shot 74 for 147, was the runner-up, and Paige Radebach of Webberville, who shot 74 for 150, and Cameron Baker of Novi, who shot 75 for 150, tied for third.

   Kim said the two sides of her brain got involved in her thinking before the tournament, too.

  “Half my brain was you have a chance to win, and the other side was saying just do your best,” she said. “My dad told me that if I just hit it consistently then I have a chance to win. I’m so happy because I was consistent and hit it really good.”

  Forest Akers East, one of two championship courses on the campus of Michigan State University, hosted the championship for the eighth consecutive year. The tournament is designed for young golfers to gain competitive experience.