Mona Shores finishes runner-up in Division 1 regional headed for state finals next weekend

By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

TWIN LAKE—The Mona Shores Sailors boys golf team had to settle for the runner-up position at the Division 1 golf regional on Thursday afternoon played at Stonegate Golf Club as they shot a round of 309 just one shot off the pace set by regional champion Forest Hills Northern who shot 308 on the day. Portage Central finished in the third position with a round of 314.

With the 2^nd place finish the Sailors are headed to the MHSAA state finals next weekend, June 10-11, which will be played at Katke on the campus of Ferris State University in Big Rapids.

“It was kind of a glass half full and half empty kind of day, said Mona Shores golf coach Scott Volkmann.

“Very happy for our guys for qualifying for the D 1 state finals against a tough region. I’m excited to spend another week with them.”

Other Team Results Included:

Hudsonville (315)

Caledonia (322)

Grandville (330)

Byron Center (334)

Forest Hills Central (335)

Rockford (342)

West Ottawa (358)

Grand Haven (358)

East Kentwood (358)

Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (360)

Jenison (370)

Portage Northern (370)

Individual scoring for the Sailors included Nico Taylor who shot a round of 71. He was followed by Chase Knowlton (76) while Owen DeLong and Jeff Lenartowicz each shot rounds of 81 and Alex Eckerman finished the day with a round of 84.

“We need to improve over the next week,” Volkmann said.

“We made four triples and three doubles on the back nine and it cost us the tournament. I think we will play more relaxed at states. We will prepare hard for next weekend. We are hoping to put ourselves in a spot to be in contention on the back nine Saturday. We are not simply showing up for the free bag tag.”