Balanced Bobcats win second jamboree

by Matt Wenzel, Manistee News Advocate
April 24, 2012

BEAR LAKE — Under a new format, West Michigan D League jamborees are up for grabs for any of the five schools.

So far, that’s proved to be the case with two different winners in the first two jamborees as Brethren prevailed on Tuesday at its home course, Bear Lake County Highlands.

“Anything can happen in a meet like this,” Brethren coach Tom Anderson said. “I’m happy it turned out the way it did.”

The Bobcats, who co-op with Bear Lake, finished first with a 177 total, while Pentwater was second (189), Onekama third (200), Manistee Catholic Central fourth (203) and Mason County Eastern fifth (231). MCC’s Zack Bialik shot a 3-over 39 to earn match-medalist honors.

Brethren’s six players were so balanced that any combination would have still resulted in a win.

“I’m happy with the balance that our team has,” Anderson said, “but we still have to bring it down.”

Bryson Waller led the Bobcats with a 41 on the front nine that featured a birdie, a pair of double bogeys and a couple bogeys.

“I would have been happy if I wouldn’t have doubled those two holes,” he said. “I had a couple more birdie chances. It would have been nice to make them.”

Dan Kasarskis and Alex Ringel both shot 45 for the Bobcats while Colton Podbilski’s 46 rounded out the score and Joe Riggs’ 48 and Samantha Mullet’s 49 weren’t a factor.

“We’re trying to improve all the time,” Anderson said. “I’m sure some of them feel they should be able to shoot a little bit lower, but we’re at where we’re at right now. … I’m really happy with the way Sam and Joe Riggs came in. They’re both improving and putting up good, balanced scores.”

Onekama finished third for a second straight jamboree and was led by Derek Hobart’s 40.

“I’m happy with Derek’s round, especially after watching him struggle in practice last night,” said Onekama coach Mary Jo Zadow. “To turn it around and shoot 40 is a good reflection on his ability to right what he was doing wrong yesterday.”

Hobart scuffled at the end of his round and finished with back-to-back bogeys, but wasn’t too disappointed. “I was satisfied with it,” he said. “Just those last couple holes were the two that screwed me up.”

 Alex Welch shot a 43, Elizabeth Bergren a 54 and Alexis Tribfelner a 63 for the Portagers.

Onekama’s Alex Welch tries to coax in a par putt on No. 7 at Bear Lake County Highlands on Tuesday. (Matt Wenzel/News Advocate)

MCC, which finished last in the first jamboree while Pentwater was first, moved up a spot and down 22 shots.

“We’re pleased,” said MCC coach Pete Solwold. “We just want to keep improving every week.”

Bialik was named match medalist for the first time of the season, one day after a 2-over round that featured just one par.

Brethren’s Bryson Waller watches his tee shot on No. 7 at Bear Lake County Highlands during a jamboree on Tuesday. (Matt Wenzel/News Advocate)

“Not too bad,” he said. “A little up and down, but not as up and down as yesterday.”

Bialik had one double, two bogeys and a birdie.

“Other than (the double), I hit the ball pretty well,” he said. “I was satisfied with the putts I hit.”

Gabe Toczynski turned in a 44, Jaime Sierra-Nielsen a 53 and Jeremy Bigalke a 67.

Solwold said the goal is for his team to shave off about 10 shots per match and ideally get into the 180s.

After Tuesday’s round, the coaches decided to move the next jamboree to Manistee Golf & Country Club on May 1, where the race for first will continue in its new format, instead of the old head-to-head setup.

“I kind of like it,” Anderson said. “It’s a lot more fun than playing against just one team.”

L to R: Alex Welch, Elizabeth Bergren, Derek Hobart, Alexis Tribfelner, Randy Fraley, Coach Zadow

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