GAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Peter Stassinopoulos of Novi Wins in a Playoff

   By Greg Johnson

    GROSSE ILE – Peter Stassinopoulos of Novi executed a sudden-death playoff chip shot from over the green resulting in a tap-in par and victory in the 105th GAM Championship at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club.

    Stassinopoulos, who shot a final-round even-par 70, and Vibhav Alokam of Ypsilanti who charged with a 66, were tied at 7-under 203 at the end of regulation play in the 54-hole championship.

    On hole No. 1 in the playoff, both players missed the green long with approach shots, but Stassinopoulos produced the better chip shot to save par and win his first GAM title.

   “I told myself I’m winning or losing this hole and the whole tournament on this chip shot,” he said. “And I told myself you are going to sellout to it. I landed it right where I wanted to, and I had myself a tap-in for the win.”

     MSU’s Julian Menser of South Lyon, who shot 67, and 15-year-old Rochester Adams sophomore Benjamin Vento (high school’s Mr. Golf), who shot 68, tied for third at 205.

    Jack Klimek, the 17-year-old from Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern High School who led through the first two rounds and shot a competition course record of 63 in the first round, rounded out the top five.