By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
With a superb 301 team total, the Waterford High School boys’ golf team won the WIAA Division 1 regional Tuesday held at Rivermoor Country Club in Waterford.
The 301 total was 11 strokes better than the team’s previous low score this year, and 18 strokes better than the second-place team, Kettle Moraine.
“The regional performance we put forth today was quite impressive,” head coach Mike Harmeling said. “The kids really rallied today to show that they deserve to be mentioned with some of the best teams in the state.”
“Individually speaking, Dakota Maney continued his stellar play this season and won medalist honors with a 72,” Harmeling added.
Maney shot a two-over 37 on the front nine and even-par 35 on the back nine.
“David Zahn had an outstanding day by carding a 73, which included a two-under-par on the back nine,” Harmeling said.
Zahn had a 40 on the front nine.
Kyle Pagac and Garrett Buri had identical 78s, with both shooting a 36 on the front nine, and a 42 on the back nine.
Andrew Schultz, the Wolverine’s fifth golfer, fired a 90 (40-50). That score did not count toward the team total.
As the winner of the regional, the Wolverine boys will compete as a team in the WIAA Division 1 sectional to be held Tuesday, May 29, at Morningstar Golfer’s Club in Waukesha.
Other teams which advanced out of the Waterford regional were Kettle Moraine (319), Waukesha West (328) and Waukesha North (338).
Burlington
Although their team did not qualify for sectional competition, two Burlington High School golfers individually advanced following regional action Tuesday.
Freshman Brian Dankle and junior Roger Haluzak will be competing in the WIAA Division 1 sectional on Tuesday, May 29, at Glen Erin Golf Club in Janesville.
Dankle carded a 79 (38-41) and Haluzak an 80 (42-38) on the Oak Ridge Golf Course in Milton at the WIAA Division 1 regional.
“Brian didn’t have his best stuff off the tee, but made up for it with great play around the greens,” head coach Bill Berkholtz said. “His 38 on the front nine included just 10 putts.”
“Roger was steady all day,” Berkholtz added. “His round included an eagle on the par-5 11th hole.”
As a team, Burlington was sixth out of nine teams with a team score of 334. The top four teams advance, plus the top four individuals who are not members of a qualifying team. Dankle had the second-lowest score of individuals not from qualifying teams, and Haluzak the third lowest.
Other Demons who competed Tuesday were Ben Geiger with an 84 (44-40), Tony Stang with a 91 (46-45) and Josh Ketterhagen with a 94 (44-50).
“I was pleased with the effort of the entire team,” Berkholtz said. “We scored 12 strokes better than any meet this season.”
Union Grove
Bronco golfer Ben Spiering emerged from the WIAA Division 1 regional Tuesday as one of four individuals from non-qualifying teams to advance to the WIAA Division 1 sectional next week.
Spiering carded an 86 to lead the Union Grove High School boys’ golf team. He fired a 40 on the front nine at Ives Grove Golf Links, and a 46 on the back nine.
“Ben really had a great round,” head coach Eric Swanson said. “He has gotten off to a slow start all year, but today he avoided that and a shot a 40 on the front nine. The key for him was his ability to avoid trouble off the tee. He has really worked hard on his game over the years, so I am very happy to see him put it all together and qualify for sectionals.”
As a team, the Broncos had a score of 376 which was seventh out of eight teams.
“As a team, this wasn’t our season low, but it was one of the better rounds we’ve had,” Swanson said. “It’s sad that the season is over for the team, but it was nice to see us play better towards the end.”
B.J. Henderson shot a 91 (46-45), Alex Wall a 96 (45-51), and Tom Kwon and Brett VanVreede each with a 103. Kwon fired a 53-50, while VanVreede had a 50-53.
“Overall, we played pretty well, outside of a few holes,” Swanson said.
Sectional competition will take place Tuesday, May 29, at Oakwood Golf Course in Franklin.
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