The Merrill and Tomahawk golfers met up in Friday’s Hatchet Invite at Inshalla, the second event of the year for both teams. The MHS boys ranked third in the nine-team meet, just three strokes behind Lakeland, while THS was fifth.
“The Bluejay golfers are starting to shed their winter coats despite the cold weather and find portions of their summer golf games,” Merrill coach Joe Mertens said. “The third place team finish lifted the confidence and spirits of the players. Senior Mike Pagel led the Bluejays with a fine 81 under very windy 40 degree weather conditions at Inshalla GC. Mike is starting to hit his irons well but the short game and touch around the greens is still coming along. Senior Kevin Lee played quite well despite his score of 88. Kevin made many pars during the round but scored higher than desired due to a few very bad holes. Overall, the boys are optimistic and feel there individual and team scores will only improve with each passing game.”
Pagel placed fourth overall with his 81, while Lee tied for seventh at 88.
THS coach Garth Gerstenberger noted, “My golfers played a lot better than on Tuesday. It sure helped to get in a few days practice this week. Nick Osero played a nice front nine, but he had some troubles with his chipping.”
MHS–Mike Pagel 38-43–81; Kevin Lee 43-45–88, Brett Woller 44-47–91, Ryan Marsceau 47-48–95, Philip Guenther 45-51–96. THS–Nick Osero 42-5-0–92, Mike Lodholz 46-48–94, Chandler Tollison 45-50–95, Andy Tessmer 55-53–108, Andrew Cummings 61-61–122.
Standings–Wausau Newman 340, Lakeland 352, Merrill 355, Wis. Dells 357, Tomahawk 389, Ashland 398, Chequamegon 401, Prentice/Toma 2 414, Three Lakes 530.
Rapids triangular
The MHS golfers kicked off their competitive season at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday.
“A lot of mistakes were made resulting in higher scores than expected, but higher scoring is accepted during the first competitive time out for the team,” Mertens said. “The Bridges course is one that will expose any flaws in your game and it certainly helped the Bluejays identify golf game areas of needed improvement and work.”
Merrill–Pagel 89, Woller 93, Lee 94, Guenther 94.
Standings–Wis. Rapids 348, Merrill 370, Wausau West 384.
GNC #2
Tomahawk picked it up in Monday’s second leg of the GNC in Medford, nearly slipping out of seventh.
“As a team we played better today; we were only three shots out of fifth place,” Gerstenberger said. “Our biggest obstacle seems to be overcoming the blow-up holes. Hopefully we can start turning those 9’s and 10’s into bogies.”
THS–Tollison 45, Mike Lodholz 47, Nick Osero 51, Josh Phillips 51, Michelle Lodholz 61.
Standings–Lakeland 175, Medford 177, Antigo 179, N. Pines 179, Rhinelander 191, Mosinee 193, Tomahawk 194.
Seymour Invite
The Hatchets took an early look at the sectional course in Saturday’s 15-team Thunder Invite in Seymour.
“Casey Myre saw his first action of the year and was our best golfer today,” Gerstenberger said. “He had three pars and played a little better on the back nine than he did on the front. Mike Lodholz made a nice 12-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole.”
THS–Casey Myre 54-48–102, Lodholz 50-53–103, Jacob Schaper 49-56–105, Cummings 55-56–111, Parker Knipfer 59-63–122.
Standings–Pulaski 324, Marinette 325, Bayport 327, DePere 328, Wrightstown 345, Ashwaubenon 352, New London 352, Oconto Falls 370, Sturgeon Bay 372, Kaukauna 376, Lux-Casco 386, Seymour 390, Tomahawk 421, Stockbridge 424, GB East inc.
GNC #1
Tomahawk opened up the season with a seventh-place finish in Minocqua, and didn’t place anyone in the top 12.
THS–Tollison 49-53–102, Mike Lodholz 58-59–117, Andy Tessmer 58-62–120, Parker Knipfer 61-63–124, Michelle Lodholz 57-70–127.
Standings–Lakeland 369, Antigo 374, N. Pines 384, Mosinee 423, Rhinelander 423, Medford 442, Tomahawk 463.