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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Michael Thorbjornsen continues to make his mark on the golf world at the young age of 15 after winning the 2017 Massachusetts Pre-Junior Amateur Championship on August 2 at The Orchards Golf Course in South Hadley (ages 14 and 15).
The Wellesley resident shot 214 overall across three rounds, posting a one-over par (72) in both the first and second rounds to enter the final day with a one shot lead over Jack O’Donnell. Thorbjornsen got the strong finish that he so desperately craved by shooting a one-under (70) on the final day, securing himself a five-stroke victory after O’Donnell shot a +3 (74) on the day three.
Thorbjornsen’s efforts were enough to place him eighth overall in the regular Amateur Championship standings.
In July, Thorbjornsen tied for eleventh place in the Ouimet Memorial Golf Tournament held at Brae Burn (Newton), The Country Club (Brookline), and Woodland (Auburndale), despite being the event’s youngest participant for the second consecutive season. Thorbjornsen shot a final score of 214 with a 71 at Brae Burn, a 71 at The Country Club, and a 72 at Woodland.
On July 21, Thorbjornsen finished tied for sixth out of 208 who qualified at the IMG Sponsored Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California.
Heading into his sophomore year at IMG Academy in Florida this fall for golf after winning three tournaments as a freshman in 2016-2017 (Junior Honda Classic, Celebration Golf Club Championship, Rio Pinar Club Championship), Thorbjornsen will look to keep up the success he’s had this summer down in the Sunshine State.
