The MHS golf team sent two members to last Tuesday’s sectional, and while neither could come up with a state-level score, they capped off the season with decent rounds.
Mike Pagel shot a 42-42–84 to rank 24th overall, while Kevin Lee hit a 47-47–94 to end up 41st of 48 participants. The Eau Claire Memorial Sectional was staged at Wild Ridge G.C.
“Both boys played hard and never gave up,” MHS coach Joe Mertens said. “The course was a very long and challenging track up in the hills.
“Mike played steady, never making major mistakes, but too many subtle miscues cost him bogies. Mike and Kevin knew that a score in the high 70’s would be the target for advancing to state and fought hard all the way. Mike was also able to make birdies on holes 13 and 15, but could not gain the ground he needed. Although disappointed, Mike felt his 84 was a good score for him on that day.
“Kevin’s day went somewhat differently. He started strong but made a 10 on the tricky par 4 fourth. Kevin will attest that it was hard for him to keep the spirits high from that point on knowing so much of his chances were lost on that hole alone. Despite that, he played hard all the way shooting 47 after that 10, and 47 on the long and wind-swept back nine.”
River Fall’s Garrett Loomis was the final individual qualifier after shooting 78 and winning a playoff.
Merrill closed out its season at the meet, after tying for sixth in the WVC series.
“As for the year, the team overall finished tied for 6th in the valley conference, not the showing we were hoping for, but we did stand strong at our home course events, finishing third in our hosted conference meet and in our Bluejay Invitational,” Mertens said.
“Mike Pagel achieved the Most Valuable Player award, and Philip Guenther had a hole-in-one on the 17th hole during our invitational. Freshman Cody Vonderheid received the Most Valuable JV Player award. I look for him to play top 5 varsity next year along with varsity veteran Brett Woller. Sophomore Tanner Pettit received the most improved player award.
“Our JV squad did fairly well this year during the 10 meets they had. They won three events which is always a good sign of the depth of a team.”