CHARLEVOIX, Mich. – Gregg Bonamici of Grosse Ile Township, Michigan, had never won a Golf Association of Michigan tournament, though he had played in many since his junior and college golf days 40 years ago.
He also had not been paired with his former Central Michigan University teammate Mitch Wilson of Portage, even though both had played years of competitive golf in the same state and sometimes same tournaments.
Then both happened.
Bonamici, at age 62, won the recent GAM Senior Championship at historic Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix – with a dramatic birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff – to make a little history both in his golf and personal life.
“I had the opportunity to play with my college golf roommate Mitch Wilson today,” he said minutes after accepting the championship trophy and topping John Barbour of Grand Rapids with a fast-rolling 25-footer.
“It was fantastic. He inspired me because I know he’s very accomplished and he’s won everything. I set out today to try and play my best and impress him because I haven’t spent any time with him in the last 40 years. I think I did it.”
He did. Wilson, who earlier this summer won his second GAM Senior Match Play Championship title in the last five years, was among the leaders heading into the final round and ended up paired with a familiar face.
“That was kind of unique – getting to watch him win when you are paired with him and you are trying to win and then you realize he is going to win,” Wilson said. “I was frustrated out there because I didn’t play well in that position, but it was so cool to see Gregg win and to get acquainted again during a round of golf. It was strange and great at the same time.”
The two golfers had never met when they showed up on the golf team together at CMU, but soon became good friends and roommates. Also on the team was Randy Lewis of Alma who went on to become one of Michigan’s most-decorated amateur golfers, including winning two Michigan Amateur Championships and the 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at age 54. The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member remains the oldest ever to win that title, and it earned him the invitation to the 2012 Masters Tournament.
Lewis didn’t enter the championship this year because of injury. Each of the three former teammates had played in some of the same Michigan Amateur Championships presented at Belvedere, which has hosted the state championship an unprecedented 40 times, just never in the same pairing.
Bonamici said he would tell people he was teammates with Lewis following his accomplishments over the years, and Wilson said he and Lewis have stayed in touch, played golf with each other, and competed many times in various state and USGA tournaments.
“Back then you are just enjoying playing college golf,” said Wilson, who is the head men’s golf coach at Kalamazoo College.
“I even recruited Gregg’s son for a little while,” he said. “We just had not played together since college, and I just see Randy more and have played with him and lost to him in tournaments.”
Bonamici, who said his last win was about five years ago in the Senior Club Championship at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club, said the stars seemed to align for him at Belvedere, including having Wilson inspire him. He shot a first-round 74 in windy conditions on his 62nd birthday to land among the leaders in a field of 156 golfers, and then won the next day in similar wind.
“It’s my first GAM title, and after 62 years, so it feels awesome,” he said. “I really enjoyed my two days here at Belvedere. It’s a great golf course. We all grew up playing here at Belvedere in the Michigan Amateur all those years, so having an opportunity to spend two days playing this great course was enough. Certainly winning is icing on the cake.”
Bonamici turned back Barbour in the playoff after shooting a closing 1-under 71 in regulation play for 145. Barbour shot a final 73.
Due to fading light conditions the twosome played the par-5 No. 9 hole twice in the playoff. They each made bogey 6 the first time they played it, and then Bonamici made his long putt and Barbour missed a 15-foot birdie attempt.
“I had no idea I was going to make it, and I was pretty shocked it went in,” he said. “It went in a little bit swift, too. I feel fortunate, very fortunate. Like I said, things just lined up for me today.”
Wilson stuck around to watch the playoff and had a great talk with his friend afterward. They promised to stay in touch and play golf again together before another 40 years pass.
“It was just great to see the guy, and fun to play with him in the same group,” Wilson said. “Then to see him get his first win like that. It was special for him and me, too.”
