MICHIGAN GIRLS’ JUNIOR STATE AMATEUR: Lauren Timpf vs. Lily Bargamian in Friday Final; Esther Zhang Wins 15-And-Under Title
EAST LANSING – A twosome to battle for the title in the 45th Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur has been decided, and a 15-and-under champion crowned.
After playing two rounds of match play golf Thursday to catch up from weather and air quality delays, Lauren Timpf of Macomb and Lily Bargamian of Grosse Ile will play at 7 a.m. Friday for the championship.
Meanwhile, the 15-and-under bracket title was decided when Esther Zhang of Ann Arbor won the age group title with a 4 and 3 win over Madilyn Sheerin of Grand Blanc Thursday afternoon.
“It means, I’m not so bad at golf,” said Zhang who noted she was shooting in the 80s last summer, but this summer she shoots 70s and wins trophies.
She also makes some birdies, including a pair at holes 14 and 16 that were part of winning four consecutive holes in the match.
“I feel very proud of myself,” she said. “I’m playing the best of my life. I was very glad I even made it to the finals. I surprised myself and now I’m feeling very tired.”
Zhang, who was the 15-and-under stroke play medalist earlier in the week, had to go 20 holes in the morning semifinal match to turn back Tula Puzzuoli of Washington Township. Sheerin earned her spot with a 2 and 1 win over Annie Flavin of Plymouth.
As for the overall championship, the quarterfinals and semifinals were completed. Golf Association of Michigan officials determined the players could ride carts in an effort to catch up from play being suspended Wednesday by air quality levels, and over two hours of lightning delays Thursday morning in addition to the continuing air quality issues.
Timpf, the 2021 overall champion, held off stroke play medalist Alena Li of Okemos in one semifinal, and Bargamian beat the 2021 15-and-under champion Mia Melendez of Ann Arbor 3 and 2.
“I was making some putts, which I haven’t been doing,” said Timpf, who plans to play college golf at Purdue University. “Winning is the goal because I’ve been here before and it’s a great feeling. Last year I didn’t even make it to match play, so just trying to get back to the finals.”
She said the key to her win over Li was making a birdie to start the match and winning the next hole with a par for the early 2-up lead.
“I felt like I had a little cushion if I had a bad hole, and I played well and made some good putts to keep the lead,” she said. “I knew Alena could come back, so once I got the lead, I knew I would be ok if I played even with her the rest of the way.”
Bargamian, an Oakland University golf team signee who is seeking her first GAM victory, said she played wonderfully all day.
“Leading up to this I was not playing well, but then last week (she was runner-up in the Michigan PGA Junior) I kind of hit my stride so it has worked out this week,” she said. “Considering how windy it was today, I was really pleased with the way I played and putted.”
Bargamian won the first two holes against Melendez with pars and continued to build the lead through the match before closing it out on the 16th hole of the match.
“Mia is an excellent player, and a tough draw and I’m very happy I was able to beat her,” she said. “I feel great about being in the final match tomorrow.”
RESULTS: Visit GAM.org
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