The White family has been the one to beat when it comes to golf in the state of Michigan. Sarah White won the 2022 Michigan PGA Women’s Open while her brother Brett won the 2022 Tournament of Champions, hosted by the Michigan PGA at Boyne Mountain, and the 2020 Michigan Open Championship. Not only do the siblings win, but when they do, it’s always around the same time.
“It’s like every time my brother wins or I win, it is like the next tournament the other person wins,” explained White. “So last year I won the Michigan Open and then like a week and a half later, during his wedding week, my brother goes out and wins the Michigan Tournament of Champions. When I won the Founders Tribute in 2020 on the Epson Tour, he goes out a few weeks later and wins the Michigan Open. So, I am really hoping to win again soon because that means he will too.”
Now Sarah is heading into her second event in three weeks in Michigan after making the cut at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship. White has massive support in her home state, with friends and family coming out to watch her play whenever they can. Of course, the Grand Rapids native is always looking to play well, especially in front of her loved ones, but there isn’t any added pressure when they are around. In fact, it’s almost the opposite.
“Obviously I want to play well every week, but I really want to do well when I come to Michigan. I kind of have homecourt advantage and I really want to play well with my family here supporting me,” said White. “They all support me in such a phenomenal way that I want to give back to them by playing well. I also know regardless of how I play they are going to love me so that helps keep the pressure off of you while you are playing.”
Now heading into the Island Resort Championship, it seems White is finding her groove back at home. The cut she made in Battle Creek, Mich. resulted in a top-25 finish, her first in six events. This week, she’s going back to a familiar course where she has made the cut the past two years, with her dad on the bag for his annual caddie appearance.
“(Sweetgrass) really favors my game. Then on top of that, I always have a good time up there,” said White. “There is something to be said about having fun on and off the golf course. Every year it is the one event that my dad caddies so that makes it a little extra special. He usually gets in a little Epson Tour Instagram time where he pretends to tell me what to do, which is really fun for us.”
White will look to keep the positive vibes rolling when she tees it up for her first round on Friday, trying to just take it all in.
“There are not many times when you’re on the road that you truly get to be at home. So, it is just a really nice stop for me,” said White. “It just feels so good to be back home.”
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