First trip to the Michigan Amateur Matchplay pays off for golfers from White Lake

McCoy Biagioli of White Lake may have a new friend with him when he returns to Ferris State University for his sophomore year.

The Staghorn Trophy could accompany him to Big Rapids.

Biagioli claimed the top prize of the Michigan Amateur Golf Championship after defeating Jimmy Dales of Northville 3 and 1 in the championship match on the Heather course at The Highlands at Harbor Springs on Friday.

“I think it shows that I can compete with the best,” said 18-year-old Biagioli.

With the victory, Biagioli not only won the Staghorn Trophy, but also received an exemption for the US Amateur tournaments next month at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.

His previous victories came in high school and on the junior tour of the Meijer Tour.

“Nothing big, nothing like that,” Biagioli said. “Actually, I didn’t know anything about the U.S. Amateur until two weeks ago. I guess winning was the goal this week, and then (the U.S. Amateur) is kind of a bonus.”

Biagioli, making his third Michigan Amateur appearance, reached match play for the first time. He won the championship match by winning three holes in a row starting on hole 13 to take a 3-to-1 lead.

Dales, a University of Wyoming graduate who plans to turn professional at the end of the summer, lost in the semifinals last year to eventual champion August Meekhof.

The Heather is one of his favorite places in Michigan.

“My dad (Jim) played in the Kircher Cup (Boyne Invitational) for many years and we have a lot of great memories here,” he said. “(Biagioli) is a nice player.

“He hit some nice shots and made some good par saves.”

Biagioli won his semifinal match 1-0 against Matt Zerbel, a produce broker from St. Joseph, when he holed an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.

Dales won the first hole in his semifinal against Michigan State-bound Drew Miller of East Lansing and never trailed in a 3-2 victory. He was 3 under par through 16 holes and made no bogey.