Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
It was a weekend for the private schools at the MHSAA golf tournaments, as all four state titles were won by private schools.
In Division 1, Brother Rice won a close victory for the title at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University. Brother Rice turned in a score of 298 on Saturday, which proved to be the difference, as the Warriors edged Lakeview 602-603.
Individually, Lakeview’s Matt Garland won medalist honors with a two-day total of 141.
From mid-Michigan, Grand Blanc finished in 11th place and was paced by Michael Engelman’s 153. Midland Dow placed 13th overall. Chris Dinh led the way for Dow as he placed seventh as an individual with rounds of 75 and 75 for 150 total.
In Division 2, Cranbrook Kingswood dominated play at Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University. After posting a 299 on the first day, Cranbrook Kingswood came back the second day and shot par golf, posting a 289 team score to finish with 588 total. DeWitt placed second with 615, while Big Rapids was third with 621, and Haslett was fourth with 622.
Other mid-Michigan teams that qualified for the D2 state meet included Mason (9th, 635), Mt. Pleasant (13th, 658), and St. Johns (15th, 672).
DeWitt’s Tyler Polulak tied with Hamilton freshman Nick Carlson for medalist honors with scores of 139. Carlson then won the individual title on the second hole of a playoff.
Blaze Hogan of Big Rapids tied for fourth overall with 144, while Chris Beltzer of Haslett tied for ninth with 147. Jason Brandt led Mason with 149, while Colin Ridley led Mt. Pleasant with 157.
Jackson County Schools dominated Division 3 action at Forest Akers East at Michigan State University. Lumen Christi won the title with a two-day total of 596, while Hanover-Horton was second with 602.
Mid-Michigan area schools were well represented, as Lansing Catholic was fifth with 618, followed by Powers Catholic (7th, 623), Williamston (8th, 627), Ithaca (9th, 631), Lakewood (10th, 643), and Central Montcalm (13th, 653).
Sam Weatherhead of Grand Rapids West Catholic took medalist honors with rounds of 69 and 67 for 136 total.
Jacob Johnson of Lansing Catholic placed eighth overall with 148 total, while teammate Brent Marshall shot a 151.
Ithaca was paced by the talented trio of Garrett Miniard (151), David Brown (155), and Luke Rayburn (156). Keaton Foote and Darryl Wait led Williamston with rounds of 153, while Alec Cramer led Powers with 153, and Jared Cilibraise led Central Montcalm with 155.
Competing as individuals from mid-Michigan were Jagger Richards of Laingsburg (155), Cameron Lippoldt of Swan Valley (155), and Seth Studer of Garber (159).
In Division 4 at Forest Akers West, Lake Leelanau St. Mary won the team title with 624. Hackett Catholic Central placed second with 629, while Nouvel Catholic Central was third with 632. Fowler placed sixth with 679, while New Lothroop was eighth with 685.
Ted Rider of Hackett won medalist honors with 142, while Dave Buko of Nouvel was second with 147 and Nouvel’s Brody Schiller was sixth with 153.
Fowler was paced by Keegan Bengel and Andy Birchmeier, who both totaled 167. Steven Chapelle and Mike Much led New Lothrop with 169 each.
Competing as individuals from mid-Michigan were Ryan Wilcox of Portland St. Patrick (157), Dylan Parks of Bath (163), and Ben Schilling of Sacred Heart Academy (169).