Portagers stay perfect

ONEKAMA — Onekama extended its early season record to 3-0 Thursday by topping Mason County Central and Manton at in Onekama’s home opener at The Heathlands Thursday.

“I was really pleased with the overall individual scoring as well as the team score,” Onekama coach Mary Jo Zadow said. “It’s nice to be able to shoot a 169 this early in the season. The kids are very happy.”

Another thing the Portagers were happy about was the continually improving weather. “It was a little warmer, a little more sun, a little less wind, and nicer day for a round of golf,” Zadow said. “I think that was also indicated in the scores.”  ~above text from The New Advocate

Congratulations to the varsity golf team for their victories over Mason County Central and Manton last night in action at the Heathlands.  Onekama posted a team score of 169 to beat M.C.C.'s score of 194 and Manton's score of 233. The team's 169 is only 8 strokes off the school record.  Drew Griswold was match medalist posting a 39.  Levi Capper followed right behind with a 40, while both Brenner Johnson and Jake Matthews recorded 45s.  Skyler Kimpel shot a 48 and Cody Sievert a 55.  The team's two managers, Derek Hobart and Quinn Matthews each shot 48s while Alex Welch carded a 51. The team is now 3-0 and will enter WMD League play next Tuesday at Manistee Golf & Country Club when they take on Pentwater. ~Coach Zadow

^ Freshman, Gabriella Bellinger and sister, Tabitha a junior hold their putters over golfing partner junior, Rick Superczynski’s head after putting out on the 13th hole at the Heathlands.  I believe the girls want to have some of Rick’s ability to sink the long putt, rub off on their putters, too.
(Above photo by Coach Zadow)

^The O.H.S. Portager Golf Team gathers near the clubhouse following competition of play against Mason County Central and Manton on April 21, 2009.  Drew Griswold explains how he shot his 39, good enough to earn him the match medalist honors for the day of competition.  Fellow team members listen in an attempt to gain any advantage from Drew’s experiences that might offer them future insight while playing this game of golf.

 

^ Jake Matthews, a junior, receives words of caution against over use of his driver from Coach Zadow.  The Heathlands is one of the shorter courses Onekama plays.  Jake hits his driver in excess of 300 yards from time to time.   Jake tees long off the third hole, which he is standing on and continues on the fourth hole, a hole where Jake would normally put the driver away.  He finds the tees have been moved way back to a position not normally played from during high school competition.  Did he use his driver?

^ Drew Griswold, a senior, demonstrates nice extension following a chip shot onto the 7th green at the Heathlands.  The shot caught the hillside and rolled off the back of the green.  Looking at a questionable par from that position, the seasoned veteran pulled himself together and  proceeded to chip the ball into the hole for his par in front of his on looking parents and coach.

^ Senior, Cody Sievert, Skyler’s playing partner for the match, demonstrates putting skills that have won him a place in the shooting team of six players, as well.  Cody is a senior with new irons this season.  He is looking to refine his game with his new purchase to complete his high school career with a season shooting average in the 40s.

^ Levi Capper, another senior in the shooting six, demonstrates nice follow through after impact with his putt for par on the seventh hole at the Heathlands.  Levi hopes to be a repeat WMD All-Conference First Team player this season.  After earning that award this season, Levi will have completed recognition of that honor for all four years of this high school golf career.

< Shown to the left are several of  the up and coming shooters of the O.H.S. Portager Golf Team.  Pictured are:  Derek Hobart, an eighth grade returning manager, Alex Welch an incoming freshmen, and first time eighth grader manager Quinn Matthews.  All three guys shoot in the mid 40’s to low 50’s.  Competition among team members is strong at this young level.  Each shooter pushes fellow team members to improve their scoring ability in order to maintain bragging rights of their place within the team.

^ Skyler Kimpel, new to the team designated as those shooting to establish a team score against opponents MCC and Manton, addresses his tee shot on the third hole.  Skyler, only a sophomore, demonstrates nice form and positioning over the tee ball.

 

^ Standing, is Paul Cunningham, a sophomore, kneeling in his team blue jacket is sophomore, Mike Swanson, and also kneeling while holding the flagstick from the 17th green cup is fellow sophomore, Mike Mastrianni.  All three played the back nine of the Heathlands for the first time this season.  Paul and Mike Swanson are returners from last years team, while Mike Mastrianni is new to the team this season.  Each golfer works to improve his golfing skills regularly by attending practice and shooting nine holes of play at home matches while teammates compete against rival teams on the front nine.

^ Brenner Johnson, a junior, puts his choice of club away after approaching the green on the fifth hole at the Heathlands.  Brenner is showing his ability to shoot well under the pressure of competition stepping up already this season to post a score of 41.  He will be one of four shooters the team will look to regularly to shot in the high 30’s and low 40’s to make a run at capturing the team’s first conference crown.

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