April 24, 2017 at 1:42 p.m.
Altered Hodag lineup takes last in Medford golf invite
Altered Hodag lineup takes last in Medford golf invite
Zach Olds, Matt Reinthaler and Gunnar Millot were all out of action Saturday, prompting the Hodags to call up three JV players for the final non-conference match before the GNC tournament begins Tuesday at Inshalla Country Club in Tomahawk. The Hodags struggled, posting their highest team score of the year, 407.
"It was a good learning opportunity," coach Adam Schmidt said. "Some guys couldn't come due to prom so we took three freshmen and two of the guys that usually play varsity. We struggled a little bit but, hopefully, for the other three it was just a really good learning opportunity."
Rhinelander's two varsity holdovers were the only members of the team to break 100 playing two loops around Black River's nine-hole, par-35 layout. Nick Twite shot 92 and Will England carded a 99. Both rounds were marked by a couple of misadventures. Twite made a nine on the par-4 second hole and had a triple-bogey seven his second time through on No. 6, his 15th hole of the day. England carded an 11 on the par-4 fifth hole.
"We've just got to get the big numbers down," Schmidt said. "They struggled with putting a little bit today. It was definitely wet with all the rain we got last week, but they struggled with putting. We've got to work on putting a little bit. I think Nick hit almost all the fairways, but he had a lot of three-putts."
Devon Gaber shot 102 and Nick Schiek rounded out the team scoring with a 116.
Thaddeus Heck struggled Saturday, but Schmidt said he liked how the freshman took his round in stride.
"Thaddeus, he shot a high number but, a testament to his character, he wasn't all mad and angry," Schmidt said. "He just smiled the whole time and is just a well-rounded, nice young man. That was one of the cool things. I told him I've never seen somebody shoot a 165 and (have a) smile on their face. That's definitely a testament to his character."
Lakeland shot 331 to defeat host Medford by 10 strokes for the tournament title. Antigo tied for fourth carding a 371. Medford's Spencer Scholl took medalist honors with a 1-over par round of 71. Lakeland's Kyle Bengston was second, two strokes back, with a 73.
Whistle while you work
The Hodag varsity was expected to be back at full strength for a pair of early season matches, the first was the Sheboygan County Christian Invite, which took place yesterday and concluded after deadline. More noteworthy than the competition for Monday's meet was the venue. The teams played in Kohler on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits, the sister course to the Straits Course that hosted the PGA Championship in 2004, 2010 and 2015.
"That's pretty neat that we get the opportunity just to go and play it," Schmidt said Saturday. "It's like $205 to play it (for the general public) so to get an opportunity to play that in high school is a pretty neat opportunity. It's going to fun. It's going to be good for them see what nice course are out there and, hopefully they enjoy it."
Conference opener ahead
Tuesday's match at Inshalla kicks off the Great Northern Conference tournament which will be ultimately decided at Black River on May 18.
Lakeland and Medford have shown good form early in the season, though Schmidt said he's confident his team can still be in the mix during the seven-round tournament.
"We'll find out. I think the kids they definitely know what they've got to work on," he said. "They know what they've got to do. There's a few shots (being left out there). I walked with Nick and Will for a while and if they finish their shots and really focus on their shots, they're fine."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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