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)
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^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?
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^ 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. |
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< 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.
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^ 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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