Dearborn’s Elayna Bowser Stays Steady, Wins GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
SAGINAW – Dearborn’s Elayna Bowser likes to know exactly where she is on the leaderboard.
“I’m a leaderboard watcher and I knew I was in the lead,” she said after winning the 28th GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship presented by Stifel Investment Services Wednesday at Saginaw Country Club.
“I like to know where I’m at, what I need to do, and I think it helps me stay more locked in on what I need to accomplish.”
The 2019 Michigan Women’s Amateur champion and 2025 GAM Women’s Player of the Year shot a closing 2-over 73 for a two-day 144 tournament total, four strokes clear of the field. It was her second GAM Women’s Mid-Amateur title in the last three years following a brief professional career and regaining her amateur playing status.
“I love amateur golf,” said the 29-year-old real-estate agent who last summer reached the Round of 16 in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
“I’m very happy with the decision I made to continue playing at this level. At any level it’s difficult to win, and I felt the pressure the last two days and came through it. Back to work tomorrow.”
Caroline Ellis, an assistant golf coach at Michigan State University and Haslett resident, also a reinstated amateur, shot 74 for 148 and tied with two-time winner and 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Kimberly Dinh of Midland, who shot 77 to close. Ellis took home the runner-up trophy by winning a scorecard playoff.
Defending champion Laura Bavaird of Trenton, who shot 71 for 149, and 2022 winner Chelsea Collura of Wyandotte, who shot 80 for 152, rounded out the top five.
The championship also included a Senior Division, an age 19-24 Division and net scoring divisions.
Lori Schlicher of Lewiston, the 2025 GAM Women’s Senior Player of the Year, won the Senior Division title, and Central Michigan University golfer Zoe Dull of Spring Lake won the 19-24 Division.
Schlicher shot a second consecutive 75 for 150 and won by five strokes over Donna Tepper of Grosse Pointe Park, who shot 79 to close.
Marcy Roth of Grand Rapids, who shot 77 for 156, Shelly Weiss of Southfield, who shot 79 for 158, and Julie Massa of Pentwater, who shot 80 for 159, rounded out the top five.
Dull, who had a top 16 finish as a freshman in the recent MAC Championships, shot 73 for 145 to win among the younger set.
Eastern Michigan University golfer Julianna Go shot 71 for 146. Go said she didn’t make the travel group for EMU that made the celebrated run to the final four in the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship on Tuesday, but she was elated to play well and receive the runner-up trophy.
Grace Slocum of Traverse City and the University of Wisconsin shot 75 for 148 and third place, and Mia Melendez of Ann Arbor and Howard University shot 75 for 149.
Bowser’s Mid-Amateur title-winning round featured two bogeys and 16 pars.
“I would say pretty steady from start to finish,” she said. “I had a couple of bogeys early, but I just trusted the process. I keep it simple, hit fairways and greens, and stay with it.”
Bowser said it means a lot to win a second Women’s Mid-Amateur title.
“There are some great players I’m competing against, and I knew that going in,” she said. “I just stayed with my game plan.”
She dedicated the win to her late grandfather, Donald Bowser.
“It was a tough winter, lost both my grandfathers, and my one Grandpa was such a great supporter of my golf career. So, this one is for him.”
RESULTS: On the Golf Genius App or at GAM.org
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