University of Tennessee Athletics
Nagy Wins Michigan Jr. Amateur
August 03, 2012 | Men's Golf
Aug. 3, 2012
FLINT, Mich. -
Incoming Volunteer freshman Michael Nagy won the 34th annual Michigan Junior State Amateur Golf Tournament on Thursday at Flint Golf Club in Flint, Michigan. Nagy beat out Otto Black 3 & 1 to capture the victory. Nagy entered the tournament as the 5th seed.On Thursday, Nagy trailed Black by two, but on the back nine came alive. By the 12th hole, Nagy had pulled even with Black and by the 14th hole Nagy had taken the lead.
"I was down by three at one point and then on 10, I made a 30-foot birdie putt," Nagy told the Golf Association of Michigan. "Having your opponent be 2-up is a lot different than him being 3-up so I think that putt gave me more confidence and made me feel like I had a chance to come back."
Nagy used the birdie on the 10th hole to spark momentum that would ignite a beautiful stretch of play. With the match tied up, Nagy made par on the 13th hole and then birdied the next two holes to take the lead 2-up.
This is the third time Nagy has played the Michigan Jr. Amateur, but the first time he has made it past the first round of match play. "I think this time I tried to focus more on playing the golf course than worrying about my opponent," said the future Vol. "Personally, I still like stroke play better, but I've learned that you can be more aggressive in match play and I did that today."
Earlier in the day, Nagy defeated the tournament's top-seed, Sam Weatherhead, 2 & 1 to advance to the final.
Nagy, a member of head coach Jim Kelson's 2011 signing class, is a graduate of Manistique High School in Manistique, Michigan and will attend the University of Tennessee in the fall.
Players Mentioned
