Matt Zerbel of St. Joseph Wins GAM Mid-Amateur Championship

By Greg Jonson

Matt Zerbel of St. Joseph was playing the golf course and the GAM Mid-Amateur Championship for the first time, but he finished like he knew exactly where he was going and what he was doing. 

Zerbel fired a final-round 6-under 65, including a 5-under 30 on the back nine on the Moor course at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, and pulled away to win the 41st edition of the state championship for amateur golfers 25-and-over. 

“It’s great to win one of these things,” said the 28-year-old who works in the family truck brokerage company in St. Joseph. “I just felt calm and played well on the back nine. I’m glad I was able to hold it together and finish strong.” 

Zerbel, who improved 10 shots from a first-round 75 on the Hills course, had a 3-under 140 total for the tournament and was clear of the field by four shots. 

Chet Vandenberg of Portage shot a closing 71 for 144 and the runner-up spot.