MAKE IT A BIG 10: Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll Wins GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Again

MAKE IT A BIG 10: Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll Wins GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Again

AUGUSTA, Mich. – Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll coached her Michigan State University women’s golf team on the way to another Big Ten Championship this fall and it inspires her when she finally gets golf clubs in her hands.

“I see them playing so many incredible rounds and making a lot of birdies, and I want to do that, too, badly,” she said.

Slobodnik-Stoll didn’t make as many birdies as she would like, but she made more than the other golfers in the field in winning the GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship for an unprecedented 10th time Monday.

The Haslett resident shot a closing 77 on the Stonehedge South course at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort. It gave her a two-day total of 152, four shots better than runner-up Julie Massa of Holt, a two-time past champion who shot 76 to close. Sarah Johnson of Wixom was third at 159.

“I was disappointed with the way I played for two days,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “I won, and that feels great, but I know I didn’t play very well. Sometimes after not competing for several months it takes a little while to get back into that mode.”

The Stonehedge North and South golf courses hosted the top golfers over age 25, and a senior division winner was also determined.

Terry Delcamp of Grand Blanc shot an opening 73 followed by a 79 Monday for 152 and first place among the senior players. Donna Benford of Linden was second with a closing 82 for 157. Shelly Weiss of Southfield was third.

Stoll, inducted in 2017 into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, is also a two-time Michigan Women’s Amateur champion.  Among the over age 25 group that plays in the Mid-Amateur she has been one of the state’s best players for several years. She won the Mid-Amateur six consecutive times between 2005 and 2010, and also won in 2012, 2015 and last year.

She said her play over the last two days will motivate her in the next few weeks.

“I’ve got some things to work on and the past two days I’ve realized I have to work on my putting, which again, has been neglected for the past six months,” she said. “When I coach I don’t practice much, and it is just a different mode. I have to go spend some time on the putting green. I would like to play well at the Michigan Open this year.  That’s my next tournament.”

Slobodnik-Stoll is the winningest golfer in GAM history, thanks in large part to the 10 Mid-Amateur wins, but she planned to email congratulations to Bill Zylstra of Dearborn Heights, the winner last Friday of the GAM Senior Match Play Championship for the third time.

“I model myself after him,” she said. “He is 66 almost 67 and still playing incredible golf. People like him, especially him being a Spartan, are inspiring. I just feel like there is not any reason why I can’t play good golf for a long time.

“I’ve also got 13 kids on my team who are great role models for playing good golf. It’s something I enjoy – competing. And when I’m done doing what I’m doing at Michigan State one day, I want to play more golf, and play great for several years like Bill.”

via Greg Johnson