Gabby Yurik of Stoney Creek is Miss Golf-Interview Here First

Oakland County is simply home to many of the best golfers in the State of Michigan and the choice yesterday of Gabby Yurik of Stoney Creek follows Francesco Ruffino of Birmingham Seaholm who won the boys honor this past spring. Gabby took the time to speak with Roy J. (Joe) Akers and talks about her season, her Miss Golf Title and her future at MSU and elsewhere.

RJA: Gabby, how did you get involved in the game of golf initially and when did you start to take the sport serious?

  GY:  l initially started playing golf because my older brother loved it I always wanted to do whatever he did.  Once I played in my first few tournaments, it became more than a hobby and I wanted to be the best I could possibly be (and beat my brother).

RJA: Did you play on any golf tours to hone your game against competition?
   

GY: I played in a few Meijer/Powerbilt events back when that was the name  of the tour and some Top50 Jr. Tour  tournaments, but once I was about 14 I got
into bigger events like the Michigan Amateur and what not.

RJA: You are the Champion Medalist for Division One this year. Did you feel going in you were one of the favorites and how did you prepare for the competition?
   

GY: Going in I felt that it was my tournament to win and that if I prepared correctly no one could beat me.  That's why after playing  one practice round at the Meadows, my dad and I decided to go back and play another to tie up loose ends in strategy and really get the feel.  That wasn't easy because it's three hours to Grand Valley and it basically took up the entire day.  It was absolutely worth it, though, to use that knowledge to my advantage.

RJA: The Stoney Creek golf team was very good as well making the State final at Grand Valley State. What were the team goals going into the season and did you accomplish most of them?

 GY:  Our team goal was to prove that we were still the Stoney Creek from last year and we could beat anyone.  We never accomplished our ultimate goal of winning the State Championship but not too many teams have that good of chance at it two years in a row.

RJA: How was the recruiting process for you? (Meaning...) did you do the chasing and send letters or did you play in tournaments like the AJGA and they saw how you played?
   

GY:  Initially, I got a resume together of all my golf accomplishments and scores and sent that out to a few schools I was interested in but once I established a relationship with the coach or had an unofficial visit, it was more on their end than mine.  All I had to do was continue to play well in tournaments, especially in the summer against older and better competition, but I have never played in an AJGA.

RJA: Do you mind saying some of the schools that offered you a scholarship?

GY: Michigan, Ohio State, Oakland University, and Michigan State of course.

RJA: Why Michigan State?

   GY:  From the beginning it seemed like their program matched up to my personality very well.  They want athletes and understand that a big part of my success is my athleticism.  It's also great to have an awesome coach like Stacy there who plays in tournaments right along side her players and often times beats them.  Of course, having Christine
Meier there is an added bonus; she's an amazing player and good friend of mine.

RJA: Lexi Thompson is tearing up the LPGA tour when she is playing her best and she is still in high school. Would you like to someday play on the LPGA Tour?
   GY:  If I get my game to the point where I think I can do well on the tour I will definitely look into that opportunity, but I take my academics very seriously as well and I'm looking for a career in either business or law at the moment.  My goals are always changing, though, so you never know.

Congratulations to Gabby and the Stoney Creek community.