Cheboygan’s Maybank takes first in U.S. Junior Amateur golf qualifier

ALLENDALE – Two years ago, PJ Maybank III became Cheboygan High School’s first-ever golf state champion with a 10-stroke victory at the Meadows.

On Monday, competing in a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier, Maybank struck gold again by earning individual medalist honors after shooting a two-under 69 on Grand Valley State University’s home golf course.

“Obviously it’s a big, big win,” said Maybank. “Obviously there’s only three spots available – you’re pretty much just trying to win it with how many players there are. There’s probably 80 players playing for three spots, and everyone’s pretty good. (The course) was playing pretty tough today, kind of cold and wet and windy, but to shoot two-under, I’m very happy, and to win it was awesome.”

Monday’s first place showing in the U.S. Junior qualifier was the second in the career for Maybank, who earned co-medalist honors at the 2021 qualifier at TPC Dearborn. On Monday, Maybank finished two shots ahead of Arizona’s Parker Bond, who qualified by carding a 71 and taking second.

Maybank fell short of qualifying when the event was held at the Meadows last summer, but this year’s round was a much better performance from start to finish.

“It’s a challenge,” Maybank said of playing at the Meadows. “If you’re not hitting the ball good, or you’re hitting it in the wrong spots, you can really screw yourself over, but I’ve had some good vibes there over the last couple of years. I didn’t play really good last year in that qualifier, but other than that, I’ve had some really good rounds there.”

The 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur will be held at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., July 24-29.

Maybank’s qualification into the U.S. Junior Amateur comes a week after he competed in a U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Miami Valley Golf Club in Ohio. Though Maybank didn’t qualify for this week’s U.S. Open in Los Angeles, he had the opportunity to compete against several professionals, including Mark Hubbard, his playing partner who took part in the PGA’s Memorial tournament before the qualifier. Hubbard also played in the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday.

“Last week at sectionals, there were so many good (PGA) tour players in that,” Maybank said. “Obviously I wanted to qualify, but it was a great experience. Obviously I was disappointed, but the sun will come up tomorrow and there’s always another tournament where you can change the mojo, and it was really nice to get a win today. It was awesome (playing with professionals last week). They act like you’re one of them. You’re just playing like a regular tournament round with them, like you’re playing with your buddies at a junior amateur event, so it was a pretty neat experience.”

Maybank added the sectional experience will be invaluable as he prepares for future competitions as well as his upcoming college career at the University of Oklahoma.

“I think it’ll help, especially for future U.S. Open sectionals,” Maybank said. “You get the first one under your belt, and I’ve already played in some pretty big events, so it wasn’t really a new feeling to me, but definitely, sectionals is pretty important. I’m sure I’ll have a ton of cracks at that throughout my career, so it’s nice to get the first one done and over with, I guess.”

Next up is a flight to Japan for Maybank, who will represent the United States at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. Maybank will fly out on Wednesday.

“It’ll be awesome,” Maybank said. “I’ve never really played tournament golf outside of Canada or the United States, so to go over there will be fun. I’m not really looking forward to the long flight, but it’s going to be a pretty cool experience. I think there’s 20 or some countries there.

“Anytime you get to represent your country, it’s pretty special.”

In July, Maybank will play in the America Junior Golf Association’s Wyndham Cup as a member of the East team. The Wyndham Cup features the top 10 boys and top 10 girls from the East going up against the top 10 boys and top 10 girls from the West of the country in a team match play format. This year’s competition will be played at Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Calif. Maybank played in last year’s Wyndham competition in Massachusetts.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Cheboygan’s Maybank takes first in U.S. Junior Amateur golf qualifier