There's nothing remotely flashy about Matt Paterini's golf game. He's not extremely long off the tee or consistently deadly with his irons.

But give the University of Michigan sophomore and former Saline High School standout the chance, and his steady style of play will put him into contention.

Whether he's maintaining a lead, playing from behind or surviving a 6-hole playoff like he did in last weekend's Miles of Golf Ann Arbor City men's championship, his approach never changes.

Hit it straight and then chip and putt.

Simple as that.

And that works just fine.

"You just have to keep playing - whatever it is, whatever it's for, if you hit a bad shot, you deal with it," said Paterini, who erased a 3-stroke deficit en route to his tournament championship.

"You just have to stay with it and stay patient with each shot."

While playing from behind last Sunday, Paterini's willingness to wait paid dividends. His calm demeanor forces his opponents to manage their own games, allowing Paterini to remain true to his hit it straight, chip and putt mentality.

But when he needs a big shot, Paterini knows when to dial in his intensity.

Patterini needed a downhill 10-foot putt on the second playoff hole against Ann Arbor's Aaron Peterson, who led by three entering the final round. And after rolling in the playoff-saving putt, Paterini allowed a fist pump to escape before returning to his mild-mannered style.

And after staying even with Peterson for five playoff holes, Paterini was finally able to close out the tournament championship on the sixth hole when Peterson found trouble off the tee.

Paterini said he has a knack for wearing down his opponents with his steady play, including last weekend when he sensed Peterson growing frustrated as the lengthy playoff continued.

"I knew it was a battle within my own head," Peterson said of his final round playing with Paterini. "This is an ongoing thing with me where I am trying to shake things with my head game."

After finishing his prep golf career in 2008, Paterini's competitive schedule is limited to his summers. During the school year, he focuses on his coursework at Michigan, where he hopes to attend dental school after his undergraduate studies are complete.

In addition to the city men's tournament, Patterini will attempt to qualify for the United States Amateur at Prestwick Village in Highland at the end of the month.

The only other competitive event he will participate in this summer will be the club championships at Travis Pointe Country Club.

Last weekend's victory provides Paterini with a confidence boost after placing eighth in last year's city tournament.

"(The city championships) and the club championship are the two (tournaments) I focus my summer and my practice around," he said. "So (winning last weekend) was big for me."

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com