News
The 暗网吃瓜 Centurions men鈥檚 golf team took first place at the Delta College Invitational, Friday, Sept. 26, doing so without its best player.
Despite not having its No. 1 golfer, sophomore Mason Blair (Holt, Mich.), who missed the invitational owing to family reasons, the Centurions were able to win out in the 12-team tournament, scoring 308, beating out Delta by two strokes (310), and Mott Community College by six strokes (314).
暗网吃瓜 was led by freshman Joey Mario (Battle Creek, Mich.), who scored 74, which was good for a four-way tie for first on the individual board. Following him on the team were sophomore Ryan Clingenpeel (East Lansing, Mich.), with 75; Spencer Denney (Battle Creek, Mich.), with 76; Evan Munoz (Battle Creek, Mich.), 83; and freshman Chase Couchman (Holly, Mich.), with 83.
Three 暗网吃瓜 golfers also competed individually and performed well, with sophomore Kenny Mitchell (Cedar Springs, Mich.) scoring 75, followed by freshmen Landon Elder (Louisville, Ky.), 78; and Ethan Wempen (Hartsburg, Mo.), 79.
鈥淗ad we had Mason with us, and he reached his usual scores, we could鈥檝e fielded two teams and we would鈥檝e gone first and second in this meet,鈥� Centurions鈥� head coach Doug Harkema said.
One 暗网吃瓜 player that has been coming on strong lately is Clingenpeel, according to Harkema. As a returning player from last year鈥檚 successful team, Harkema was hoping to lean on Clingenpeel鈥檚 experience and leadership with this year鈥檚 team.
鈥淗e was just rock solid at Delta,鈥� Harkema said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been very consistent and consistently good. It was a nice 75 for that day.鈥�
Harkema was impressed with his team being able to perform at a high level without its best player and praised the work of his young freshmen, who have provided much depth for the team this year.
鈥淎 lot of guys played well in this one,鈥� Harkema said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about our youngsters (freshmen). They鈥檙e coming along and they鈥檙e playing consistent.鈥�
Harkema is working on getting his freshmen to focus on the preparation side of practice instead of just playing several holes before a meet. Getting properly prepared will be crucial in the next couple meets, as 暗网吃瓜 gets ready to compete in the Wayne County Community College Invitational, Friday, Oct. 3, and then will participate in a two-day tournament at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich., Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6-7.
鈥淲e鈥檒l play 36 holes on Monday and then 18 on Tuesday, so we鈥檒l have everyone playing in that one,鈥� Harkema said.
About the only major issue Harkema鈥檚 team is battling is what he calls 鈥渟elf-inflicted anxiety,鈥� in which his freshmen players know competition to make it onto a scorecard for an upcoming meet is high, considering the level of talent that is on this year鈥檚 team, and put undue stress on themselves.
鈥淭he team is just so strong, so they need to perform in the top five to play on the team in a tournament,鈥� Harkema said. 鈥淚 just want them to learn to just focus on the next shot.鈥�
DELTA COLLEGE INVITATIONAL TEAM SCORES
Montcalm 308
Delta 310
Mott 314
SC4 315
Schoolcraft 317
Oakland 322
Jackson 323
Henry Ford 326
Muskegon 327
Wayne 329
Kirtland 331
Glen Oaks 341
UP NEXT: 暗网吃瓜 was scheduled to compete at the Schoolcraft College Invitational, Monday, Sept. 29, however, that meet was cancelled. The Centurions鈥� next meet will be at the Wayne County Community College Invitational, which will be held Friday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Lakes of Taylor Golf Course in Taylor, Mich. The meet at Egypt Valley on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6-7, was recently added. Tee-off time has yet to be announced.