By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Waterford High School boys’ golf team is playing as it should if the program desires a second straight appearance at state.
The Wolverines are regional champions for the second season in a row after winning the WIAA Division 1 Waukesha South Regional Tournament May 28 at Naga-Waukee Golf Course in Pewaukee. Waterford posted a team score of 313.
“A 313 team total is our low round of the year,” Waterford coach Mike Harmeling said. “Hopefully that means we are peaking at the right time. The weather is warming up so, hopefully, we are, too.”
The Wolverines’ Matt Puetz won individual medalist honors and tied his career low with a 75.
Waterford’s Zach Nash tied for third (78). Garrett Buri tied for sixth (79) and Grant Beck finished 12th (81). James Maney shot a 93.
“Anytime you can finish with three golfers in the 70s and one in the 80’s, you are going to have success,” Harmeling said.
Waterford now advances to the Mukwonago Sectional Tournament June 3 at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend. The top four teams and top four individuals who aren’t members of one of the top four qualifying teams advance from the regional to the sectional meet.
“I can’t say enough about this group of young men,” Harmeling said. “They have accomplished a lot and continue to stay focused and dedicated to their goals.
“Each match it seems somebody steps their game up and exceeds expectations. These kids do all of the little things that nobody sees and that is what makes them successful.”
In team standings at the Waukesha South regional, Kettle Moraine finished second (322), Waukesha West third (326) and Mukwonago fourth (334). New Berlin Eisenhower scored 341, good for fifth. Waukesha South finished sixth (350), Waukesha North sixth (351) and New Berlin West finished eighth (352).
The Brookfield Central regional comprises the other half of the Mukwonago Sectional bracket. Brookfield Central won the Brookfield Central regional with a team score of 322. Brookfield East finished second (331), Menomonee Falls third (336) and Wauwatosa East/West fourth (342).
The field for the Mukwonago sectional is Waterford, Kettle Moraine, Waukesha West, Mukwonago, Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Menomonee Falls and Wauwatosa East/West, plus the four individual qualifiers from each regional.
The top two teams and top three individuals not members of the top two qualifying teams at each sectional tournament qualify for the WIAA Division 1 State Boys’ Golf Tournament June 9-10 at University Ridge in Madison.
Waterford advanced to the state tournament last season and finished 12th in Division 1 with a two-day team score of 653. Cedarburg won the Division 1 state title with a two-day team score of 598.
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