ARGYLE — The spring golf season, like many varsity sports, has seen its share of postponements due to inclement weather. With WIAA regionals less than two weeks away, there is a lot of golf left to be made up.
“This week was a crunch week. We had five matches in five school days,” Argyle-Pecatonica coach Chris Holcomb said after his team’s third-place finish at the May 2 SWAL mini-meet at Yellowstone Golf Course. “This happened last year. Everything gets condensed into a two-and-a-half week stretch. It gets to be a lot of golf for everybody.”
The Orioles (195) finished four strokes ahead of Cuba City-Southwestern (199). Barneveld was second (183), Darlington fifth (215) and Mineral Point was the meet champion (177).
“We were steady. Nothing spectacular,” Holcomb said. “I was just glad we didn’t have rain or wind, which is what we’ve had in matches these past few weeks.”
Justin Carlson was the top-scorer from Argyle-Pecatonica, carding a 45 on the par-36 course. Ben Figi had a 47 for the Orioles, while Zack Eaton shot a 48 and Luke Kuberski a 55. Jeff Saether, normally one of his team’s top golfers, struggled with a 57 on his home course.
“He didn’t golf tonight, but my No. 1 is Jeff Saether,” Holcomb said. “When he was a freshman, he had a terrible swing. To see the swings progress from the raw talent as a freshman — sometimes they bloom. This year I’ve got young guys coming up shooting better scores. That’s what I enjoy about coaching, is the whole cycle of four years with these kids.”
Darlington was led by Cody Crist’s 43. Cole Roelli shot a 47, and Atticus Stauffacher finished with a 60. Mineral Point’s Simon Mitchell was the medalist with a 40.
“Cole has been our most consistent performer this season and his leadership has been very valuable,” Darlington coach Brent Tuescher said.
At Darlington Country Club May 3, Mineral Point again took team honors with a 177. Argyle-Pecatonica was second (193) and Darlington was fourth (215) behind Barneveld (200).
Crist had a 46 for the Redbirds, while Roelli shot a 52 and Ethan Schuchart carded a 57. Noah Krahenbuhl carded a 44 for Argyle-Pecatonica, while Figi shot a 48, Eaton a 50 and Saether a 51 on the par-35 course.
“I was very happy with the progress made my Cody Crist, Cole Roelli, and Ethan Schuchart. Cody ran into some adversity in the beginning of the week at Cuba City and Dodge Point, but bounced back quickly at House on the Rock, Argyle, and Darlington,” Tuescher said. “I think this was a huge confidence boost for him, especially since he is now within striking distance of second-team all conference. My hope is that he can ride this confidence into the post season.”
Cole has been our most consistent performer this season and his leadership has been very valuablDarlington coach Brent Tuescher
Mitchell was again the medalist with a 38. He has won five of the six SWAL mini-meets. Krahenbuhl is sixth in individual scoring despite missing the home meet.
“As a whole the conference is down this year. There’s not as much talent as we’ve had in the past,” Holcomb said. “But guys are trying, trying hard and getting in a lot of practice.”
With just one meet to go, Mineral Point has already clinched the conference title. The Pointers (41) hold a 7-point team score lead on Barneveld (34). Argyle-Pecatonica (29) trails Barneveld by five points, with CC-SW in fourth (27), Darlington fifth (14), Fennimore sixth (12) and Iowa-Grant seventh (11).
Beloit Invitational
BELOIT — Monroe was eighth and Brodhead 12th at the Beloit Invite May 3 at Krueger Haskell Golf Course.
Noah Becker shot a team-best 77 for the Cheesemakers. The Monroe junior recovered from a triple-bogey on the par-4 second hole with birdies on three, four and six. Becker had 10 pars in his round, including hitting eight of nine straight holes. Becker tied for fifth place. Madison Memorial’s Silas Pickhardt won the meet with a 3-over-par 73.
Jack Rogerson shot an 82 for Monroe, while Connor Allen had a 94. Adam Buri rounded out the Cheesemakers scoring with a 116. Rogerson had four pars and three birdies (Nos. 6, 12 and 15).
Brodhead’s Dayton Oliver led his team with an 86, which included five pars. Onni Oliver carded a 100, while Derrick Oborne shot a 111 and Wyatt Visger had a 113 for the Cardinals.
Madison Memorial won the team title, beating Lake Geneva Badger by two strokes, 315-217.
