April 30, 2018 at 1:03 p.m.
Hodag golfers tie for first at Whistling Straits
Hodag golfers tie for first at Whistling Straits
The Hodags shot 396 on a cold, blustery day in Kohler as they tied with fellow Great Northern Conference school Antigo for first place in a three-team invite at Whistling Straits.
It was the second straight year the Hodags played at the golf destination along the shores of Lake Michigan. Last year, the team played the companion course on the property, the Irish Course. On Friday, however, the team was on the Straits Course, which has hosted three PGA Championships and will serve as the venue for the 2020 Ryder Cup.
"I told them to not try and go shoot lights out because it's only the second match," coach Adam Schmidt said. "I told them to just go out, enjoy it and just take it all in. I think they did that."
Rhinelander senior Zach Olds cruised to a six-shot victory, shooting a 14-over 86. He made the turn in 45 and played the back in 41, including pars on both demanding par 3s on the second nine - holes 12 and 17.
"Zach definitely played a lot better today," Schmidt said. "He was definitely hitting the ball a lot better. He hit 11 fairways. Anytime you hit that many fairways, it's a lot easier to score. That was definitely key to him shooting 86."
Junior Nick Twite was the only other Hodag to break 100 on the day, bouncing back from a front nine 55 to shoot 43 on the back and come home with a 98. Devon Gaber shot 105, Will England shot 107 and Jacob Mahner finished with 112.
As if the Pete Dye-designed par 72 layout wasn't tricky enough, cold temperatures and high winds gave the golfers a true taste of links-style golf.
"The wind was bad. When we got off the course it was 39 degrees and misty," Schmidt said. "There's small craft warnings on Lake Michigan. There were 3-to-5 footers (waves) on the lake. When we were playing next to the lake they were just pounding into the shore line."
The Hodags were scheduled to play to make up the Ashland Invite Monday, but that meet has been canceled, according to Schmidt. The team will travel to Green Lake Wednesday for an invite at the Links of Lawsonia and will open Great Northern Conference play Thursday at Black River Golf Course in Medford.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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