GAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Lake Orion’s Justin Sui Cruises to Victory

   By Greg Johnson

   Justin Sui of Lake Orion and the University of Florida finished off a remarkable golf tournament with a final 35-foot exclamation point birdie putt and understandably said he felt amazing.

  “I always wanted a major Michigan title,” he said after collecting just that in winning the 104th GAM Championship at Radrick Farms Golf Club. “I was really happy to make that last putt for birdie and not be over-par for any round this week.”

   Sui shot a 16-under 194 total, which included a course and tournament record 60 in the first of three rounds, overall winning by 12 shots.

   Vibhav Alokam of Ypsilanti, a Villanova University golfer, finished second at 4-under 206 with a closing 75.  Zach Koerner of Laingsburg, most recently a Ferris State University golfer, shot 71 for 209 and third place. 

     Alokam said of Sui: “He played amazingly. It was awesome to see a 60 on the board. That doesn’t happen in tournaments in Michigan or anywhere that often. It’s hard to feel bad about finishing second with the way he played.”

GAM Mid-Amateur Championship: David Praet Makes Eagle on 18th Hole for Win

   David Praet of Lake Orion rolled in a 50-foot eagle putt on the par 5 closing hole to win the 43rd GAM Mid-Amateur Championship at The Highlands at Harbor Springs.

   The 39-year-old investment banker came to the 18th hole of the Moor course trailing Ryan Johnson of Bloomfield Hills and Anthony Sorentino of Rochester Hills by one shot. He hit a 193-yard 6-iron second shot deep into the large green and then made the long eagle-putt to cap a final-round 1-under 69, which catapulted him into the lead.

   Johnson, who had led for most of the round, made par on the final hole and finished with a 70 for 139. Also at 139 was Sorentino, who in a group ahead had also eagled 18 to shoot a closing 68.

  “This means everything,” Praet, an Indianwood Golf & Country Club member, said. “I’ve been playing golf in Michigan for a long time... I just feel like this validates a lot of hard work and determination.”