Wolverine Women Start Season Off Right
By Dennis Grall
The Michigan women's golf team opened its 2021-22 season winning the Wolverine Invitational in mid-September by 12 shots. It was the program’s 11th home event title in 24 tries with a U-M Golf Course women's team record 851 (-1) -- the first sub-par tally ever at U-M's home course.
The entire starting five finished in the top 20 individually, including co-medalist Mikaela Schulz, who shot 68-70-72 = 210 (-3).
"To win anywhere is special and meaningful, to do it at home, under the conditions we had, was just icing on the cake,” said U-M head coach Jan Dowling. “We've been knocking on the door several times in the past year.
"What a great win for Mikaela," said Dowling. "She got off to bit of a rocky start but pushed through and really had an awesome back nine in very windy conditions.”
Michigan’s Ashley Lau placed 4th individually with 214 and Hailey Borja took 6th place at 215.
MSU Men Captured Island Resort Intercollegiate Tournament
U.S. Amateur Champion James Piot earned co-medalist honors with teammate Troy Taylor II
Harris, MI – The Spartans dominated the two-day Island Resort Intercollegiate by beating runner-up University of Central Florida by 23 strokes at Sage Run Golf Club in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
James Piot, the 2019 winner of the same event, shared medalist honors with teammate Troy Taylor II with a 54-hole total of 209. MSU also had three other players in the top 10 that had 13 players (including ties). MSU's primary all-sport rival, Michigan, finished third with 880.
Piot, who recently became the first Michigan native to claim the prestigious U.S. Amateur golf championship, said he would have wanted a playoff if a golfer from a different school had claimed a share of first place.
Taylor, whose father Troy Taylor played basketball at Ohio State University, maintained "a good mind-set" in the final round played under balmy conditions with a slight wind.
"It was weird, but I had a blast playing against my teammate,” Taylor said. “I just wanted the team to do well. I enjoyed being in the hunt of things. I knew I had to play good golf because he is the national (amateur) champion."
*Story by DENNIS GRALL, Retired Sports Editor of the Escanaba Daily Press and member of the Michigan Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame.
