Levan Wins GAM Boy’s Championship In Playoff

JP Levan of Grand Rapids Wins GAM Boys’ Championship in Playoff

  YPSILANTI – JP Levan of Grand Rapids made a 15-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff with Harris Hoekwater, also of Grand Rapids, to win the GAM Boys’ Championship at Washtenaw Golf Club Wednesday.

  It was the second win of the summer for Levan, who also won the Michigan Junior Amateur earlier this summer, and just last week narrowly missed the cut in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

  “I mean, two big wins in a year is obviously awesome,” said the East Grand Rapids High School golfer. “I’m just grateful for the (GAM) staff and Washtenaw and all the volunteers and what they do to support these events and make them happen.”

  Levan shot a 72 to go with his 3-under 69 from the first round for a 141 total, and Hoekwater, a South Christian High School golfer who won the 15-and-under title a year ago at this tournament, rallied with birdies at Nos. 15 and 17 to shoot 69 and force the playoff.

  Both players tied holes 1 and 2 in the playoff, setting up Levan’s birdie putt on the par 5 third hole to wrap up the title.

  “I hit a drive, pretty far left there, but ended up hitting a good hybrid up there and got up and down for the birdie with a good putt,” he said. “I just wanted to stay in the present, keep it one shot at a time in the playoff and just play. It worked out. I ultimately got the job done.”

   William Pennanen of Oxford, who shot 71 for 143, tied with Tommy Preston of Grand Rapids, who shot 72, in third place. Parker Westcott of Manchester rounded out the top five with a 74 for 144.

  A champion was also determined in the 15-and-under division.

 Draven Rogers of Fort Gratiot shot a closing 2-under 70 for 145 and a three-shot win. It was his first GAM title after having twice been a runner-up in GAM tournaments.

 Jack Logar of South Lyon shot 77 for 148 and second place, while Zane Rueger of Saline, who shot 69, and Timothy Wagemann of Haslett, who shot 77, tied for third at 149. Paiton Old of Lexington shot 77 for 152 to round out the top five.

  Rogers, 15 and a Port Huron Northern golfer, shot 75 in Tuesday’s first round and was four shots off the lead at the start of the round.

  “Yesterday was a struggle,” he said. “I never really played like that before. I was four-over through two (holes). I’ve never been in that situation, so being able to claw back from that showed me that I can play.”

  He was elated to collect what he called his biggest win.

  “Mentally, I know I’ve had the game but knowing that I finally got first place is going to be big,” he said. “This win will give me a lot of confidence.”

RESULTS: at GAM.org or on the Golf Genius App.