Griswold Wins 2026 GAM Girls’ Championship

Olivia Griswold of Portage Wins GAM Girls’ Championship

  LINDEN – Olivia Griswold had not had a chance to count her putts for the final round, but she knew it was the key statistic for the day.

  “I think it was 30,” she said seconds before her father confirmed it. “It was good today, especially on the front nine.”

  Griswold shot a closing even-par 72, including a 2-under 34 on the front nine featuring three birdies, and won the GAM Girls’ Championship Sunday at Spring Meadows Country Club.

  A junior at Portage Central High School, Griswold had a two-day final total of 148, two ahead of Saisha Patil of Okemos, who shot 75 for 150, and Lillian O’Grady of Grand Rapids, who shot 76 for 150. Patil took home the crystal trophy for second place in a scorecard playoff. Anika Srivastava of Okemos shot 77 for 154 to round out the top four.

  “Winning the Girls’ Championship means a lot, especially when I see Alena Li’s name on the trophy,” Griswold said. “Alena beat me in the (Michigan Girls’ Junior Amateur) last year, and just being a GAM tournament winner like her and all the super good players from over the years. It’s pretty special.”

  While Griswold garnered her first GAM title in just her third GAM tournament, Hannah Kim of Troy won her third GAM age group title in winning the 15-and-under championship division.

   The 13-year-old middle schooler shot a closing 74 for even-par 144, slipping past runner-up Belen Berishaj of Birmingham, who shot a 76 for 145.

  Bomin Jung of Novi, who shot 77 for 153, and Eleanor O’Grady of Grand Rapids, who shot 78 for 159, rounded out the top four.

  “I was stressed this morning, but I calmed down and just started hitting my drive, then thinking about getting it on the green, and then just putting,” Kim said. “My putting wasn’t great, but I hit some good shots and made enough putts. I’m happy with the way I played.”

  Griswold, a semifinalist in the Michigan Girls’ Junior Amateur last summer, said she surprised herself with her early spring play.

  “I’ve really only been practicing normally, outside on grass, for about three weeks,” she said. “I play basketball and was busy with that all winter, and today, I hit the ball good until the 12th hole, then I had some trouble with my driver, but I was able to make a birdie at 16 and save a bogey on 18 from some heavy (rough).”

  Griswold also garnered Team Michigan points, a first-year USGA/GAM honor. Participating athletes ages 13-18 can earn points toward rankings, qualification standings, and season totals according to the selection criteria.