Oxford, Troy in back of pack at D-1 golf finals
Oxford's Nick Hocker tires to read the green during play at the Division 1 state finals. File Photo.
BY JAY STEPHENS
STUDENT CORRESPONDENT
ROCHESTER HILLS — Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central entered the Division 1 state tournament as the state’s top-ranked school. The Rangers finish the season in that same position.
It marked the second time in three years that the Rangers captured the Division 1 title and they did so by posting a fine two-day score of 593. FHC shot 297 to lead by seven strokes after the first day and its 296 in the second day was third but kept them in the lead.
“I guess you could say that the second title is just as sweet as the first one,” said FHC coach Paul Van Eyck. “There were some great teams her and we had to play good both days. Look at what Davison did (Saturday).”
Davison shot an incredible 284 on Saturday to leap into second place overall at 596. Pinckney was third at 604, with Birmingham Brother Rice at 613 and Muskegon Mona Shores fifth at 617.
Oxford finished 10th at 636 and Troy was 14th at 659 to pace local teams. There were 15 total schools that qualified for the state tournament.
Max Rispler led Forest Hills Central with a 146. Andrew Yeager posted a 148, Brody Fischer a 149, Garret Dewaal a 150 and Adam Decker a 165. Rispler, Fischer and Dewaal all finished in the top 10 overall.
In the individual standings, Max Kollin from North Farmington recorded fine scores of 73 and 71 for a 144 total, the same overall score of Davison’s Kyle Kenkel (74-70). The two dueled on a one-hole playoff with Kollin posting a birdie to pull out the win.
Francesco Ruffino, who hails from Birmingham Seaholm, finished at 145, FHC’s Rispler, Pinckney’s Otto Black and Nick Dennis of Birmingham Brother Rice all posted 146 scores and tied for fourth overall.
Oxford shots close scores of 319 the first day and 317 the second. It was the Wildcats’ first state finals appearance since 1998.
J.J. Lewis and Doug Piesko both finished at 158 to post the best scores for Oxford. Nick Hocker and Josh Hosking both shot 162 and Nolan Chapman had a 172.
Troy finished a distant back with a 659 total, posting a 324 the first day and 335 the second day. James Heicher had a 159 to lead the colts. Christian Harnishfeger posted a 166, John Graham a 168, Anthony D’amico a 169 and Jeff Holmes a 170 for Troy.
(Jay Stephens is part of the www.northoaklandsports.com Student Correspondent Program.E-mailsenior editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com for details).
Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Oxford, Prep Wraps, Troy
