Andy Matthews, Sophie Stevens Win GAM Tournament of Champions

Andy Matthews of Grand Rapids and Sophie Stevens of Highland earned wins in early October in the GAM Tournament of Champions at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club.

Matthews, a 42-year-old former tour professional and reinstated amateur, was the only golfer under par with a 2-under 69 to top the men in the traditional season-ending Golf Association of Michigan tournament. He formerly was a team captain at the University of Michigan, won the 2001 Michigan Amateur Championship and played professionally for 10 years with a notable Mexican PGA win while playing on PGA Tour Canada.

Stevens, the 16-year-old home-schooled junior standout who won the GAM Women’s Championship this summer, shot an even-par 71 to top the female champions. She plans to sign with the University of Florida in November. Stevens said it was a good way to cap a year in which her bad golf improved.

“I didn’t hit everything beautifully, but I would still hit greens and I hit a lot more fairways than I did last year,” she said. “It feels good to win on a good golf course that tests your putting.”