By: Andy Sneddon– CMU and Sarah Turner- OU
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Central Michigan fell to Oakland on Tuesday in the championship match of the inaugural Motor City Matchup at Birmingham Country Club.
The Golden Grizzlies won six matches while the Chippewas captured five. One match ended all-square for a final margin of 6.5-5.5.
The two-day tournament featured a unique co-ed match play format.
“I thought the event went really well,” said CMU women’s coach Ryan Williams, who, along with men’s coach Kevin Jennings, launched the tournament this season. “I think the format turned out to be really exciting and fun. It’s awesome to get mens and womens college players on the course at the same time and in the same groups competing together. It was really special and I think it was a lot of fun.”
The Chippewas’ Alexis Murray, Keith Hunter, Rachel Niskanen, Jeff Andrus and Hailey Katona won their respective matches in Tuesday’s championship match. CMU’s Orlando Coons finished his in a tie.
CMU’s Jeff Sager, Lauren Davis, Nicholas Kilgore, Brooke Morris, Ella Zanatta and Easton Phillips dropped their respective matches.
“When the championship match is as exciting as it was I think it is proof that it was a good event, exciting and entertaining,” Williams said. “A lot of kids got opportunities to hit shots under pressure that you don’t necessarily get when you’re playing a 54-hole stroke-play tournament.
“I think it’ll be a really good experience for them to draw upon later on in the season as they play meaningful tournament golf later on in the year.”
Though it marked the first Motor City Matchup, it was not the first time that CMU has hosted a tournament at Birmingham Country Club. The Chippewa women have for years hosted a tournament at the storied site in suburban Detroit.
“Birmingham Country Club is an amazing golf course, such an amazing facility,” he said, extending a special thanks to hosts Rocky and Traci Ricelli. “It’s a special place to be able to play a tournament and we’re extremely lucky to be able to host a tournament here every year. Rocky and Traci help put on a really great event, they help support us in putting together all the details and that makes a huge impact on everyone’s experience.”
From OU- Sarah Turner
Wins from Olivia Hemmila, Lily Bargamian, Grace Boczar, Nateda Her, Jack Zubkus, Bhavneet Sohal, and Savannah Haque helped propel the Golden Grizzlies to a dominant win against the Titans. Nateda Her finished 36 holes six strokes ahead of the Titans. Jack Zubkus finished the first match-up three strokes ahead of Vinny Levesque. Bhavneet Sohal, Lily Bargamian, and Savannah Haque had a day, all finishing five strokes ahead. Olivia Hemmila finished with an impressive six shot lead on the day. Grace Boczar finished one stroke ahead of the Titans to round out the group.
After a dominant win on Monday, the Golden Grizzlies were set to face off against Central Michigan for a championship match-up. In a very competitive match-up, the Golden Grizzlies stood on top finishing with a team score of 6.50 and the Chippewas finished with 5.50.