The Shepparton Golf Club product last played as an amateur in late 2019, and stood atop the dais for the first time as a pro at Traralgon on Friday.
Despite battling lightning delays and strong winds at the Latrobe City WIN Network Traralgon Pro-Am Classic, Michel carded four-under 68s on both days of the competition to snare success by three shots.
“I'm extremely happy, it was pretty tough across the two days,” Michel said.
“I was just able to get it going and got under par early in both rounds, so when the weather came I was always in a good position and didn't have to push.
“The people behind me were probably forced into playing some shots they didn't want to as they were chasing through the weather.”
Michel carded six birdies, four bogeys and an eagle on the first day to sit one shot behind the leader, but made his move on the first nine on day two.
A birdie on two just before a 40-minute break for lightning gave Michel the lead, with birdies on six, eight and nine — including a chip-in — consolidating his position.
Michel's rollercoaster tournament was not over yet as he managed four bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie on 13 and a timely eagle on the par-five 16th delivered him a great triumph.
“I finished with an eagle on the first day which really put me in a good position,” Michel said.
“The chip-in birdie put me two or three in front and then the late eagle really sealed it.”
Michel now turns his attention to the Gippsland Super 6 tournament after doubling his career earnings with the nearly $5000 purse from last week — having him shoot up the Order of Merit rankings.
“It's always good to get the first one,” he said.
“Last year before everything shut down I finished second or third in a few of these type of tournaments and just couldn't get one over the line.
“I was 23rd or 24th on the Order of Merit and now I'm up to about fourth I think, so it was a big jump. I picked the right one to win I think, it was the biggest tournament we've had for a while.
“It was nice to play well in the big one.”
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