Golfers post best state finish ever
The Hudson boys’ golf team moved up three spots on the second day of the WIAA State Tournament last Tuesday in Madison to take fourth place.
- Raider golfers at the State Tournament
The Hudson boys’ golf team moved up three spots on the second day of the WIAA State Tournament last Tuesday in Madison to take fourth place.
After winning their first sectional title a week earlier in Wausau, the Raiders traveled to University Ridge Golf Club in Madison on Sunday, June 5, for the practice round and preparation for the 36-hole state tournament.
The temps were going up as the players finished their practice on Sunday and head coach Bill Schaub reported the team was nervous but well prepared and ready to go.
The team teed off at state on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with the temps rising, but we were finishing before the heat became very difficult and played consistent on the day.
Luke Burbach struggled in the beginning but settled in with a long stretch of pars to lead the team at 79. Jeremy Salentine started with a 40 on the front and finished with a 41 for an 81 total. Ben Lewis also struggled early but settled down on the back nine to card an 81. Matt Grayes shot 42 on the front and battled with a 43 on the back for an 85.
The team finished with a 326 score and was in seventh place after one day. The team combined to shoot 7-over par on hole 8, and that was the difference between fourth and seventh place after the first day.
On Tuesday the heat continued to be a major factor. The course was playing well, but the temps were expected to be in the mid 90’s. The Raiders teed off at 12:30 p.m.
The front nine went well with Burbach carding birdies on holes two and three. Lewis also played well early and was even-par through the fourth hole. Jack Holland started strong, going even through the first five holes after struggling the day before. Salentine bogeyed the first hole, but got on track and finished the front nine with a chip-in birdie and a score of 39.
Burbach continued his strong play with a 38 on the front nine while Lewis lost a few strokes on the front to finish with a 40 after nine holes. The team shot a good score of 154 on the front and moved up to fifth place.
On the tight back nine Salentine led the way going even through six holes with several birdies mixed in with some bogies.
“Jeremy struggled some in the end but shot 2-over 38 for a 77 total and Hudson’s best score of the day,” Schaub said.
Holland also struggled down the stretch with some three-putts and shot 43 for an 80 on the day. After shooting well on Monday, Grayes struggled throughout the day and shot 90. Lewis played even through five and even birdied 16, but struggled some on the last two holes to shoot 39 for a 79.
Burbach also struggled early but settled down in the end. He had a four-putt hole on 15, then went birdie, birdie, par to finish the tournament in style and shoot a 78 for the day.
That finish by Burbach allowed the team to move up to fourth place with a second-day total of 314, giving them a two-day total of 640.
“This was the best state tournament finish in Hudson school history,” Schaub said. “I am really proud of this team. The strength of the team was that any of the five players could play well on any given day to help the team win this year.”
The fourth place finish at state capped a memorable year for the Raiders that included their second straight Big Rivers Conference championship as well as regional and sectional titles.
The team won numerous tournaments including the Tartan Invite, Hudson Invite, Hayward Invite and Rice Lake Invite.
“Finishing fourth at state was like frosting on the cake,” Schaub said. “I was very proud of all the players and the work they put in last summer and the off season to be prepared to compete like this. Seniors Luke Burbach, Jack Holland, Matt Grayes, Jeremy Salentine, and Travis Hall will be missed next year. Junior Ben Lewis, will be the only player back from this year’s varsity. Brody Belland, David Kein, Jordan DeLao, and Pat Bowers will be back from a real strong JV team. I am looking forward to see what they can do next year.”
Other players that played in matches for the Raiders this year were Jake Quade, Thor Hanson, Derek Omman, Nick Schmidt, Chase Becker, Henry Brose, and August Nuutinen.
“We look forward to another great year in 2012,” Schaub said.
Tags: sports, golf, raiders, prep
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