By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
James Maney’s recent streak of strong play will hopefully continue when he takes his swings with the state’s best next week at the WIAA Division 1 State Boys Golf Tournament.
Maney shot a 77 May 31 at a Division 1 sectional tournament at Wanaki Golf Course in Menomonee Falls and is Waterford Union High School’s first individual state qualifier in boys golf since 2009.
The Wolverines qualified as a team in 2013 and 2014. Arnie Fitzwater in 2009 is Waterford’s last individual qualifier. The state tournament begins June 6 and concludes June 7 at University Ridge in Madison.
“James has continued to play well over the past month of the season,” Wolverines coach Mike Harmeling said. “The Wanaki sectional was filled with some good teams and individuals.”
The top two teams and top three golfers not members of one of the top two teams advance from the sectional to state.
Host school Brookfield Central won the sectional (306) and Kettle Moraine finished second (320). Waukesha West’s Austin Barr shot a 75 and Maney and Wauwatosa East/West’s Adam Garski each shot 77 and advanced as individuals.
“For the day, James didn’t have any birdies, but had 13 pars and five bogeys,” Harmeling said. “James was consistent from tee to green all day. The only real issue that James had was getting some putts to fall.”
Harmeling said Maney started in the second group of the day and endured an excessive wait before learning if he advanced to state.
Maney advanced to the sectional after winning a Division 1 regional tournament May 25 at Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course in Pewaukee. Waukesha South hosted the regional. Maney paced the field with a 73.
Alan Oliver and Skylar Kitzke each carded 93s and Jake DeCamp finished at 95. Logan Adams shot a 102. As a team Waterford finished seventh with a team score of 354, which is a season low. Waukesha West won the sectional (309).
The top four teams and top four individuals not members of one of the top four teams advance from the regional to the sectional tournament.
“We continued to improve, from a team standpoint, at the end of the year,” Harmeling said. “Our season low team scores got lower for our last five matches. I am sure some of it had to do with the weather actually warming up but, simply put, the kids played better.”
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