The two main priorities Justin Steinman had for his senior year were doing his best and having fun.
The DeWitt golfer succeeded in doing both. And in the process, he finished his career in the best way possible.
Steinman became the first boys golfer at DeWitt to win an individual state title when he finished as the medalist at the Division 2 state finals at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University on Saturday, June 6. Steinman emerged as the champion after winning in a playoff.
The moment was still sinking in for Steinman a day after finishing as the state champion.
“It’s just an unbelievable experience,” said Steinman, who helped DeWitt finish sixth as a team. “It was so much fun. I’ve never been in a playoff before but have always wanted to. I play well under pressure. It was just so much fun being out there and actually having a chance to be able to win it on my own. It was a ton of fun for sure.”
Steinman, who is signed to play at Saginaw Valley State, ended the weekend 1-under par with a two-round total of 141 while finishing tied with East Grand Rapids’ JP Levan after 36 holes. He clinched the title on a second playoff hole.
“I was a little nervous, but I was also really excited too knowing I had a chance to win it all,” Steinman said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Steinman gave Greater Lansing an individual boys golf champion for a second straight year after Okemos’ Ian Masih finished as the Division 1 medalist in 2025. Steinman became the first area golfer to finish as the Division 2 medalist since Mason’s Alex Jordan in 2018.
For Steinman, the only other comparable accomplishment to his state title was finishing in the top 10 at the Golf Association of Michigan Championships at Radrick Farms last August. Steinman said the state championship gives him a boost entering the next stage of his golf career.
“This sets me up great,” Steinman said. “This gives me a ton of confidence and (shows) what I can get done next year (in college). It’s a whole new chapter in my life and a whole new level of golf. I’m pretty confident going in there (to college). It’s being able to believe in myself and I feel like I’m able to compete at a high level.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: State title a boost for DeWitt golfer Justin Steinman entering next stage
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
