Holt’s Julie Massa Wins Second Consecutive Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur

Holt’s Julie Massa Wins Second Consecutive Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur

PORTAGE – Julie Massa of Holt rallied from an early deficit to turn back Susan Campbell of Kalamazoo in the final match of the 15th Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur Championship presented by Sullivan Golf Travel.

Massa, who won for the second consecutive year, was 2-down through three holes Thursday at The Moors Golf Club before battling back to take the lead and win 2-up.

“Sue made a birdie on the second hole with a great putt, and then I got in a tough spot in the bunker on three and made bogey,” Massa said. “I just told myself to be patient and just play your game and see what happens.”

Massa, 54, had tied the match by the eighth hole, lost the ninth and was 1-down heading to the back nine. She won holes 11 and 12 to go 1-up and then held the lead through the hazard-laden back nine.

Campbell, 64 and a two-time former champion, conceded a birdie on the final hole after she hit a shot into a water hazard.

“I was fortunate with a birdie putt on 2 because it hit the hole going fast, and she got a tough lie in the bunker at 3 and I won with a par, but you don’t sit back,” Campbell said. “Julie is too good of a player. I knew it was going to be a close match no matter what, and it was.”

Massa, last year’s GAM Senior Women’s Player of the Year, reached the finals with a morning semifinal win over two-time champion Joan Garety of Ada, 3 and 1, and Campbell had to go 20 holes to turn back Audrey Akins of LaSalle in the other semifinal.

“It’s not easy to win,” Massa said. “It’s nice, I think because you put the work into it, and you know it is not easy. When these opportunities come along you hope to take advantage. Then when you do, it feels good.”

Sue said second place was not a disappointment.

“I have been really struggling with my game this year, so to play well today and yesterday is rewarding,” she said. “I know Audrey isn’t all the way back from surgery she had, but I had never beaten her and I had to play well and go extra holes to do it. Then I faced Julie. I haven’t beaten her yet. She is just so solid. She got the lead, and the few times she made bogey, I walked off with bogey, too. It’s a tough back nine here.”

Massa said she has known Campbell for 25 years, as well as the other golfers in the rest of the championship flight.

“You know you are friends, and you sort of put that aside because you are both trying to play good golf,” she said. “I feel good because I won, but also because I played good golf to do it and had fun.”’

Champions were also determined in three other flights. The flights were determined by USGA/GAM handicap index. Completed results in the match play brackets can be found at gam.org.

via Greg Johnson