Willie Mack III
(July 19, 2011)–Willie Mack III is no push-over on the green.Never has been. Never will be. And, now, the strong-minded 22-year-old has gained the distinction of becoming the first African American in history to capture the Michigan Amateur Championship.
Mack says, “All of this feels pretty exciting.” Now the bar has been set and there’s no turning back for this player who has paid his dues to overcome adversity, tremendous barriers and top players in his field. “My aim is to be the best player that I can,” says a confident Mack.
The Championship has a 100-year-old history and Mack, with his brilliant swing has finally cut through the gates at lightening speed with a 4 and 3 win over defending champ Joey Garber.
Mack is the kind of player who sets his eyes on the prize and does not stop until he has put every muscle in his body to work.
And work he did, using his years of training to overcome the competition while making all of those from his hometown of Flint, Michigan, very proud — up to 300 of his buddies were in the gallery rooting for him during the tournament.
Mack during the round had three birdies in his first eight holes, and had a 2-up lead. The shot he had been waiting for found him after he executed a perfect swing to remove a plugged lie in the back bunker of the 7th hole, making par.
Talented, smart and determined, -with a plan-Mack has spent the last four years playing for Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fl, winning 11 collegiate tournaments and making a name for himself as many theorize as the next BIG thing!”
His win at the Michigan Amateur makes him the sixth flint-area player to capture this glory.
At 5-foot-6 and 148 pounds, the fellow is lean and mean on the course. When he is off the greens, it’s his warm personality and gentle smile that can completely make you unaware of his fierce competitiveness. “I know that there are a lot of good players out here, and that is what has helped me to become as good as I am,” he says.
Mack plans to turn pro later this summer and he is looking forward to updating his resume.
