Stephens to golf at state meet as the lone Raider

The Raider boy’s golf team traveled to New Richmond on Wednesday, May 21, for the first-round regional tournament as the No. 2 seed out of eight teams.

On a warm, sunny day the Raiders had trouble putting together a good round. The team posted its highest score of the year with a 338 to finish in fifth, two strokes and one place out of fourth — and a chance to move on to sectionals. Sam Stephens led the team with an 82 to advance to the next postseason round as an individual, followed by Jimmy Hutchings with 84, Korey Kenall 85, Jake Miller 87 and Zack McFarland 88. “It was not a real good team performance and quite a disappointment for the players. We had high hopes after finishing second in the conference last week,” said Coach Bill Schaub. “Hudson had beaten all the teams at the tournament several times this year, but it wasn’t their day. It is not often that all five of the players struggle on the same day.”

Eau Claire Memorial won the tournament with a 326, Chippewa Falls was second, River Falls third and Menomonie fourth. Those four teams move on to the sectional tournament.

Stephens and his coaches will travel to Wausau to practice on Monday, and tee off at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for a chance to advance to the state meet the following week. The top two teams and three individuals move on to state out of the sectional tourney.

“This team is one of most talented I have coached in many years. Our top 10 players were very close in talent, as showed with our almost undefeated season for the JV team,” Schaub said. “I am looking forward to another great season next year with many good players returning.”

Schaub said it is unfortunate that Hudson will lose two senior starters, especially four-year starter and state top-five finisher Jimmy Hutchings. “Hutchings has the best season scoring average in the past 10 years here at Hudson,” Schaub said. “We will miss his solid, consistent play, and great attitude. Jimmy always was always having fun on the course no matter how he was playing. He was great to watch.”

Tags: sports, hudson, golf, boys