State of Grace: Grace Wang Wins Michigan Girls’ Junior

By Greg Johnson

Grace Wang of Rochester Hills made some long putts to stay in front and fought off a late comeback attempt by Sophie Stevens of Highland to win the 44th Michigan Girls’ Junior State Amateur at Forest Akers West Golf Course.

Wang is 16 and going into her senior year at Rochester Adams High School. This is her first GAM title, first state title and called it her biggest win.

“It’s amazing,” she said after holding off the 16-year-old Stevens 1-up in the title match and accepting the Wright Memorial Trophy. “I see that my hard work has been paying off. For a moment in my summer, I was struggling a little bit, but to be able to get this win really boosts my confidence.”

It was a championship final day filled with grace, pun intended. The 15-and-under division state title was won by Grace Slocum of Traverse City (St. Francis). She turned back Ava Wisinski of Ada 4 and 3 in the title match.

Wang earned her spot in the championship final match with a 3 and 1 win over Kate Brody of Grand Blanc in a morning semifinal. Stevens, the stroke play medalist in the championship the last two years and the top seed, rallied from behind to beat Adie Maki of Canton 1-up in the other semifinal.

“My driver was not the best this week, but I was able to put it in the fairway and my irons were okay, so I was able to put shots on the green, but the key was my putting and chipping,” Wang said. “I was able to save pars and make some birdies that way, and those long putts today were really key.”

Wang, the daughter of Dahai Wang and Angelo Guo, said she has worked on her short game a significant amount this summer and she thanked her coach, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who teaches at Kendall Academy in Ypsilanti.

“He has helped me in all part of my game and keeps me confident,” she said. “He is always there to support me, and he even texted me this morning and said congrats and stay strong. He’s always there to encourage and support me, so I love it.”