Portagers stall as a team but Hobart and Welch advance as individuals

Posted by Matt Wenzel Manistee News Advocate

BEAR LAKE — A year ago, one spot kept Onekama from advancing to the regional as a team.

Even more painfully, Alex Welch had his season come to the end by the difference of a single stroke.

Neither scenario played out as closely this season, though one ultimately went in the Portagers’ favor.

Although Onekama didn’t advance as a team in a Division 4 district tournament at Bear Lake County Highlands on Thursday, Welch did as an individual and will keep his senior season alive.

“I’m fairly happy and I’m ready to take on regionals,” Welch said of his 15-over 87. “One more match. I’ll take it match by match.”

Welch won’t advance alone.

Junior Derek Hobart also played well enough to move on and will make a second straight trip to the regional.

“To qualify as an individual is nice, but it would have been nice to have the team go along as well,” he said. “(But), me and Alex will be fine.”

The top six teams in the district qualify for the regional, as well as the top six individuals not part of a qualifying team.

“I’m happy to be sending two individuals,” said Onekama coach Mary Jo Zadow. “I’m especially happy for Alex, who avenges a one-stroke difference last year that kept him from moving on.”

Hobart finished first among those not on a top-six team, and seventh overall, with an 8-over 80. “I was happy with it,” he said. “The front nine was a lot better than the back nine.”

Onekama’s Derek Hobart watches his shot on No. 4 at Bear Lake County Highlands. (Matt Wenzel/News Advocate)

Hobart’s group began on No. 12 and he didn’t get off to the best start, finishing with a 43 on the back and 37 on the front.

“Off the start, my tempo was off,” he said. “And, I couldn’t get off the tee at all today. My putting was pretty good. I could have made a couple more birdies here and there, but for the most part I was happy with it.”

Of the 11 teams in the district, Onekama was one of just two that had only four players. Alexis Tribfelner, a first-year freshman player, shot a 114 while Elizabeth Bergren, who plays softball, turned in a 123 to round out the score of 404 that was ninth among teams.

Welch wasn’t particularly happy with his 87.

“Just wasn’t feeling it,” he said. “Just wasn’t hitting the clubs good.”

However, that round is in the books, and it was still good enough for Welch to advance and get a chance to start over, along with Hobart, when the two play at River’s Edge Golf Club in Alpena next Thursday.

“We’ll look for Derek and Alex to hopefully play a little better as we go on to regionals,” Zadow said.

 

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

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