By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Traverse City St. Francis is back on top as the Division 4 state boys golf champions in Michigan.
The Gladiators finished in the runner-up slot each of the last two seasons. But Saturday at Michigan State University, St. Francis, located in the northwest corner of the state's Lower Peninsula, won the Division 4 state title at Forest Akers West Golf Course.
St. Francis was one of four state golf champs crowned after two-day tournaments of 18 holes on Friday and 18 holes on Saturday. The Gladiators shot a four-player team score of 330 the first day and then wound up with with a 304 the second day for a total of 634 strokes, well ahead of second-place Saugatuck with 666 and third-place Grand Rapids North Pointe Christian with a 667
“You never expect to win by 32 strokes,” St. Francis Coach Jim Hornyak said. “We knew we had a good team. We had good scores from our top golfers. But the middle part of our lineup also did well.”
St. Francis was led by Patrick Colburn with a 79 and 69 for 148 and Mike Dendrinos with an 82 and 73 for 155. Andrew Walukonis had an 82 and 75 for 157.
The Division 4 medalist with a 72 and 74 for 146 was Jackson Koert of North Pointe Christian.
St. Francis hopes to be a contender next year also.
“We'll have most everyone coming back next year,” Hornyak said. “We only had one senior in our lineup.”
Considering Traverse City typically doesn't have good golf weather until late April, Hornyak said it's remarkable St. Francis performed as well as it did.
“Our first event of the season wasn't until April 19 and was in the Lansing area,” Hornyak said. “But most of my guys play in tournaments. They would go to Florida and other warm weather states. They're well-seasoned.”
Division 3
Big Rapids was ranked No. 1 in coaches polls for Division 3 all season and lived up to that billing by winning the state tournament Friday and Saturday at MSU's Forest Akers East Golf Course.
It was Big Rapids' first golf state title. The Cardinals were sixth last year and third 10 seasons ago.
When the 36-hole tournament ended, Big Rapids was tied with Lansing Catholic at 618. But the Cardinals won the tiebreaker with its fifth player having a lower score by three strokes. Five golfers play but only the four lowest scores count unless the fifth is needed for a tiebreaker.
B. Addison Monfils led Big Rapids with scores of 74 and 75 for a 149. Patrick Duda of Lansing Catholic had scores of 71 and 75 for a 146 and won a playoff with Eric Gandy of Midland Bullock Creek for Division 3 medalist honors.
“We had a lot of balance on this team. Addison and Curtis Hanba (who shot a 152) did well,” Big Rapids co-coach Howard Strom said. “The rest of the kids helped out. We play in a lot of tournaments and travel a lot to play, and that has helped us.”
Golfers had to deal with stiff winds and temperatures near 90 the first day.
“It wasn't as windy on Saturday as it was Friday,” Strom said. “It was a good day for us.”
It would not surprise Strom if Big Rapids won another title next season.
“We lose our No. 1 and 3 players,” Strom said. “I think next year we'll be OK. You don't know what you'll get.”
Division 1
Grand Blanc reigned supreme as Division 1 champs at the Meadows Golf Course at Grand Valley State University with scores of 316 and 313 for a 629, to defeat Saline, which had a 635 for second place.
Jake Worthington had a 156, Michael Coriasso a 157 and Jason Kalo a 160 to lead Grand Blanc. Saline was led by Phil Gieseker and Matt Paterni with 155s.
Jackson Davison of Rockford had scores of 74 and 72 for a 146 to take medalist honors.
Division 2
Battle Creek Lakeview took the Division 2 championship at Eastern Michigan University's Eagle Crest Golf Course. The champs had scores of 308 and 315 for a 623, beating second-place Dexter, which had a 633.
Lakeview's Matt Thompson led his team, as well as all scorers with 18-hole totals of 72 and 73 for 145. Luke Sniegowski of Ludington was second with 74 and 72 for 146 to tie Chris Mory of Haslett, who had a 75 and 71. Lakeview also netted a 155 from Kory Roberts with scores of 78 and 77.
This marked the first spring season for boys since 1971. Last year, the state changed girls golf to the fall and boys to the spring under a court-ordered gender-equity change.
“This was a challenge to the boys because they hadn't played in a year and a half,” Strom said.