News Summary
Ian Masih from Okemos claimed the individual title at the Michigan High School Division 1 Boys Golf Championship, finishing with an impressive score of 138 after two rounds. Securing his win with three birdies on his final five holes, Masih’s victory marks him as the third boy from Okemos to win this championship. He will proceed to play golf at Grand Valley State University, joining past champions from Okemos.
Okemos – Ian Masih, a senior golfer from Okemos, claimed the individual title at the Michigan High School Division 1 Boys Golf Championship on June 7, winning the competition held at the Forest Akers West Golf Course located on Michigan State University’s campus. Masih finished the tournament with an impressive total score of 138, comprised of two rounds of 69, which is three under par.
Masih’s victory was a hard-fought one, as he secured the championship by recording three birdies on the final five holes. He broke free from a four-way tie with a crucial birdie on the par-5 17th hole and maintained his lead by finishing the tournament with another birdie on the 3rd hole. Holding his nerve, he saved par on the final 18th hole after sinking a key birdie putt from approximately 7 feet on the 3rd hole, which ultimately clinched his win.
Masih finished just one stroke ahead of Jack Whitmore from Novi Detroit Catholic Central, who ended the tournament with a score of 139 (69-70) to secure second place. Other notable finishes included Julian Sinishtaj from Warren De La Salle at 140 (69-71), Grant Ofield of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern at 141 (69-72), and Connor Fox from Lake Orion at 142 (68-74). Nick Smith from Rochester Adams and Anthony Sancimino from De La Salle were among the only two golfers to finish at par or better.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Masih, making him the third boy from Okemos to win an individual state championship. He joins the ranks of past champions Bobby Albers, who won in 2005, and Bob Fossum, who secured the title in 1979. Following this championship win, Ian Masih has announced his commitment to play golf at Grand Valley State University.
Masih’s intimate familiarity with the Forest Akers course played a vital role in his success, having grown up playing there despite being a recent member at Lansing Country Club. His experience on this course helped him navigate its challenges effectively during the championship.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central led the team competition after the first round with a total team score of 5-under, finishing with a cumulative score of 587 over 36 holes. Rochester Adams followed in second place with a total of 594, Brighton took third with 601, and both Forest Hills Northern and De La Salle tied for fourth at 602. Catholic Central’s coach emphasized the team’s strong culture and depth as critical factors in their overall performance.
Jack Whitmore of Catholic Central expressed pride in achieving the team’s goal of winning the state championship, marking their third title in four years. The team roster consisted of ten players competing for the top five spots, fostering a competitive environment that improved their overall performance.
In addition to Masih’s individual victory, it is worth noting that Okemos girls’ golfer Alena Li had previously won the girls’ individual state championship in the fall, culminating in a sweep of individual titles for Okemos this year.
In terms of other notable results, Lansing Catholic finished in 15th place with a score of 694 while St. Johns improved their performance to finish 16th. The upcoming Division 1 state championship in 2026 is anticipated to feature returning players from this year’s successful Catholic Central team.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Detroit Sports Spectacular Returns to Novi
J Batt Takes New Role as Vice President of Athletics at MSU
2025 Detroit Sports Spectacular Set to Showcase Legends
Michigan State Basketball to Compete in Fort Myers Tip-Off
Dearborn Hills Golf Course Reopens After Major Renovations
Detroit to Host 2025 Sports Spectacular Featuring Legends
March Celebrates Social Work Month: A Tribute to Social Workers
Travis Pointe Country Club Set for Major Renovation
Michigan Golf Show Returns to Novi with Record Attendance
Brighton Community Honors Daniel William Heard
Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press
- Lansing State Journal
- MHSAA Story
- WLIX News
- Lansing State Journal Round One
- Wikipedia: Michigan High School Athletic Association
- Google Search: Michigan High School Golf Championship
- Google Scholar: High School Golf Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: High School Golf Michigan