Clarkston’s varsity golf team saved their best for last this year and finished the season in tenth place at the State tournament, which was held on Oct. 15-16 The team is thrilled with their finish and considered the 2004 campaign a wild success even before they shot a 321 to advance to the second day of the tournament.
“My goal was to make the cut. I realistically knew that to win States something extra-terrestrial would have to happen,” said Clarkston Coach Tim Kaul.
Senior Colin Madole led the Wolves by shooting a 76 on a rainy opening day. Junior Zach McDonald also helped the Wolves? cause by entering the clubhouse with a 77.
“Under the conditions to have two kids under 80 was great,” said Kaul.
The tournament, held at Forest Akers West in East Lansing, did not feature the best weather for golf. Cold winds and rain beat down on the golfers both days and surely added strokes all around.
“One of the most important things in golf is the feel of your hands on the club, and the weather made that tough. No (team) had an advantage, it is just a shame that the kids had to play in very trying conditions,” said Kaul
What shines through the rain clouds now is that Clarkston made the State tournament for the first time since they won States in 1994 and they pulled off a great showing.
Madole led Clarkston at the end of play with a 155. Junior Rob Ronk shot a 161; Senior Mike Fogg and McDonald shot two-day scores of 168; and junior Mike Horn shot a 178. Horn in particular struggled with the elements, having just transferred to Clarkston this year from Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
The icing on the cake for Clarkston was that Rochester Adams, the team that bested the Wolves for the league title, finished well out of contention and did not make the cut for the second day of play. Clarkston was one of 13 teams that moved on to tee off Saturday.
‘I told the kids (going into the second day) that they had to grind it out because you are only as good as your last score,” said Kaul
Considering that early in the season just making States was the goal, the 2004 Wolves varsity golf team will be content with their final scores until next season.
Grand Blanc was crowned State Champion as they shot a 614 over the two days, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Muskegon Mona Shores followed with a 616 and a 618 respectively.