By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

Mona Shores golfer Andrew VanAelst shot a second-round score of 72 and captured the Adams Tour Championship title at Forest Aker Golf Course on the campus of Michigan State University on Friday.

VanAelst, who was tied for sixth after the opening round on Thursday, cashed in on Friday with six birdies, one bogey and two double bogeys. He nipped runner-up Nicholas Mitter of Brighton by one shot. Mitter shot a 69 on Thursday.

First-round leader, A.J. Varekois of Rockford, did not finish the second round. He shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday.

It’s been a solid season for VanAelst on the Adams Tour. He also won an event at the University of Michigan on July 11-12 and finished in a tie for second at MSU back in June.

Other area golfers in the tournament included Hailey Hrynewich, Kelsey McKinley and Valerie Muyskens on the girls’ side and Mitchell White for the boys.

White finished finished tied for seventh after Friday’s round of 75. He finished with a 148 and moved up five spots in the standings.

Hrynewich, despite shooting six shots higher than Thursday, moved from seventh place into a three-way tie for fifth. Hrynewich finished with a two-day total of 160.

McKinley, who was tied for third after the opening round, shot an 88 and finished in a three-way tie for eighth.

Whitehall’s Valerie Muyskens shot another 85 for a two-day total of 170. She finished in a two-way tie for 15th.

The overall winner for the girls was Frankenmuth’s Kaitlyn Watkins, who shot rounds of 76-75 for a three-shot victory.