Kim Kester wins the 13th GAM Mid-Am halting a six-year winning streak by Stacy Slobodnik-Still
BRIGHTON, Michigan (Aug. 18, 2011) -– Kim Kester (Ada) had a very limited tournament schedule this summer. The one and only tournament on her agenda was the 13th GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur at Oak Pointe Country Club this week. Kester made the most of her single tournament appearance winning the 2011 Championship and breaking Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll’s six-year streak.
“I didn’t even realize that she had won so many times because I’m just not one to look back at the history and see who won in previous years,” said Kester. “I think the world of Stacy as a teacher and as a person and I have learned so much just being paired with her this week.”
Kester has not played much competitive golf the past two years because she is at the University of Toledo working toward a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is due to graduate in December and set to do her student teaching this fall. But with exams, term papers and the like, Kester just has not been very active on the tournament circuit. She went into the Mid-Amateur just hoping to have fun.
“I am a very competitive person, but when you don’t play as much, you have to be realistic,” said Kester. “My plan was to just play and hope for the best.”
Often, Kester’s putting is her nemesis but this week it was stellar. She had no three putts in the first day of competition and only one three putt in the final round. She shot 69-71—140 and was steady both days.
“I drained quite a few necessary putts and that boosts your confidence,” said Kester. “Plus I was striking the ball well for not playing a lot this summer. I’ve always been a streaky putter; it’s either good or mediocre and this week it was good. I also chipped one in today so that also helped.”
Kester can’t say that any one putt was better than the next. But she managed three consecutive birdies on the back nine which helped her to pull ahead of runner-up Slobodnik-Stoll who finished 70-72 – 142.
“Those were huge putts,” said Kester. “Nothing really stuck out, but it was great that I made them. On the last par 3 I landed two feet away from the hole and made birdie. I just played conservative the last couple of holes which I was able to do because of the birdies.”
After winning the Women’s Mid-Amateur, Kester headed toward Toledo to prepare for the start of classes on Monday.
“This year I’m one and done but the nice thing about being a school teacher is that I will have summers off so I hope to be getting back to more tournament play next year,” said Kester.
Maureen Whitehead (Charlevoix) was the winner in the Senior Division with a 70-76—146. Net winners were Erin Boroweic (South Lyon) in the Mid-Am Division and Shelly Weiss (Southfield) in the Senior Division. For complete results, go to the GAM web site at www.gam.org and go to “championships” on the toolbar. Egypt Valley Welcomes Father & Son TourneyThe popular GAM Father & Son tournament visits the west side of the state for the first time in many years. Egypt Valley will host the event on Monday, Aug. 15 in what promises to be a great day of golf for all competitors.
The format is a modified chapman and there will be prizes awarded for all four flights based on net scores. The four flights are: Century Division (combined ages exceed 100 years), Classic Division, Parent-Child, or Professional Division (at least one member is a registered professional). It is always a great competition and a great day of fun!
About the GAM Women's Mid-Amateur
Must be a GAM member. 36-hole stroke play event open to women mid-amateurs (ages 25+) and seniors (50+). Gross and net competitions.
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