Playing a championship round of golf on a challenging course, Marty Jeppesen would take every break he could get.

The biggest one may have come in the misfortune of another player.

The former Saline High School and Eastern Michigan University golfer won the 90th Golf Association of Michigan Championship on Tuesday. He finished the three-round tournament at Barton Hills Country Club with an even-par 212, three shots better than Waterford resident Nick Dennis.

Jeppesen began the par-5 17th hole with a one-shot lead. Dennis hit his drive out of bounds and took a two-stroke penalty, a mistake that gave Jeppesen a chance to relax.

"It made me calm down a bit," Jeppesen said. "You never want to see anyone do that, but it put me in a different mind set."

From there, Jeppesen was able to close out the win with back-to-back pars on 17 and 18.

Mike Ignasiak of Saline shot a final round-best 71 to climb into third place with a 216. (See complete results.)

Jeppesen, who entered Tuesday's final round with a one shot lead over Chris Cunningham of Milford, said he struggled at times with the course because of the demand for pin-point accuracy.

"All the pins had something to it. You had to hit it in the right spots," he said. "It was a lot of fun, it was a true test. I've never seen it play this hard."

Defending champion and Ann Arbor resident Casey Baker -- who finished tied for fifth with a 218 -- agreed with Jeppesen.

"The course set up was good, fair, but it was the hardest I've ever seen it," Baker said. "I'm proud of the way the course held up."

Jeppesen recently graduated from Eastern Michigan and has his sights on a new school. This fall he'll attend the PGA Tour Q-School, the entry level for professionals to get their PGA Tour card.

The chance to live out a life-long dream his exciting for both Jeppesen and his family.

"He's super excited, it's something he's always dreamed of," said Carly Rodenhouse, who served as Jeppesen's caddy for the first time this week. Rodenhouse is also Jeppesen's high school sweetheart, which made the victory all the more satisfying.

Before he heads to Q-School, Jeppesen will enter next week's USGA Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisc. He feels good about his chances.

"With the way I'm playing this summer, it's exciting," Jeppesen said. He also won the Horton Smith Memorial tournament at the Detroit Golf Club in May.

"He's definitely had a great summer," Rodenhouse said.

The GAM Championship began with 84 players on Monday and by Tuesday morning the field had been trimmed to 30 players.

David Graham, executive director of the GAM, was pleased with the turnout and with the experience at Barton Hills, in general.

"Barton Hills is a classically-designed Donald Ross course, it tests the best amateurs," Graham said. "We were very excited to come to this venue."

Other local golfers that played in Tuesday's final round include Ann Arbor's Aaron Peterson (221, tie 10th), Phil Gieseker of Saline (223, tie 17) and Matt Paterini of Saline (226, tie 24th).

Matt Durr covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at mattdurr@annarbor.com or 734-623-2550.