MICHIGAN JUNIOR STATE AMATEUR: Will Preston of Grand Rapids

Will Preston of Grand Rapids stayed steady and ready and won the 45th Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort. 

The senior-to-be at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School never trailed in topping 16-year-old Connor Fox of Lake Orion High School, 3 and 1 in the championship match. 

“I made some key putts, made several birdies and I just stayed steady through the grind,” Preston said. “All through the week I made minimal bogeys and in match play that is always beneficial. To beat you, they have to make more birdies.” 

Key putts for birdie helped Troy Nguyen of Macomb win the 15-and-under division title, too. He turned back Cooper Reitsma of Ada 3 and 1 in the final match. Reitsma, a Grand Rapids Christian High student, was the 15-and-under stroke play medalist earlier in the week.  

Preston’s week included knocking off overall stroke play medalist Lorenzo Pinili of Rochester Hills 3 and 1 in the second round, while Fox knocked off defending champion Max VanderMolen of Richland in 20 holes in the second round.