WALWORTH - It took just three shots for Monroe senior Caleb Pagel to win a playoff and punch his ticket to sectionals, chipping in for birdie on a par four to cap an exciting day for the Monroe golf team at regionals on Tuesday, May 21.
Pagel, who finished the day with an 89, will join Monroe junior Eric Timm (83) and sophomore Matt Miller (86) as individual competitors at the Evansville sectional on Tuesday, May 28. In addition to the three Cheesemakers, Brodhead senior Tyler Welsh qualified for the sectional.
The Cheesemakers also narrowly missed out on an opportunity to compete at the sectional as a team, finishing fifth out of nine teams at regionals. Monroe was edged by fourth-place Big Foot by just two strokes, 352-354.
Monroe coach Braden Rindy said he didn't expect to be in contention for one of the top four spots but was disappointed for the team that they all couldn't make it sectionals. That said, he was happy to send three individuals.
"We struggled and Big Foot had a good team last year, and I talked to their coach and he said they were putting up some big scores," Rindy said. "So we knew it would be close. It came down to two strokes.
"I'd like to see the whole team go, but it was nice to see the three go. And I was happy to see Caleb go because he's a senior."
Pagel finished tied with Brodhead's John Rudyanski after 18 holes, with just one spot remaining for a trip to sectionals. The two then entered a sudden death playoff, with their teammates and coaches comprising the gallery.
On the first hole of the playoff, a par four, Rindy said both players hit good tee shots. Pagel's second shot came up just short of the green, and Rudyanski put his second shot in the bunker. Pagel said Rudyanski had a solid shot out of the bunker, though, so the pressure was then on Pagel to follow suit.
"My opponent went in the bunker but he had a nice shot, so I knew I would need to put it close," Pagel said.
He did that and more, chipping in for birdie to win the last spot in the sectional with his teammates, who rushed over to congratulate him.
"It hit the flag stick. I did the Tiger roar ... where I screamed a little bit," Pagel said. "It was the biggest crowd I've ever played in. I had a lot of emotions going.
"My main goal was to make the sectionals. I'm really excited. Last year I shot an 83 at regionals (at Evansville), so I'm feeling pretty good about going to Evansville."
In addition to the entire team having played Evansville earlier this season, Rindy said Timm, Miller and Pagel will also benefit from another week of preparation in what has been an otherwise jam-packed schedule.
"I think it will be much better since we have some time," Rindy said. "I think it's definitely going to help us."
Division 3
HAZEL GREEN - The Pecatonica-Argyle boys golf team finished fourth at the Division 3 Southwestern regional to qualify for the sectional as a team.
Lancaster won the regional title 328-352 over Parkview. Southwestern finished third (358), which was just four shots ahead of Pecatonica-Argyle (362). Darlington tied Cuba City for sixth (376) and New Glarus was 10th (424).
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Christopher Severson shot a 78 to pace the Vikings. Freshman Mitchell Steiner carded an 89 and senior Jacob Melvin had a 95. Junior Zach Shilling rounded out the top four with a 100.
Darlington senior Alex Schulte shot an 88 to lead the Redbirds.
Junior A.J. Brandt shot a 91 and senior Chase Tuescher shot a 98. Junior Kyrin Halverson carded a 99 to round out the top four for the Redbirds.
New Glarus senior Dallas Anderson shot a 93 and senior teammate Taylor Nealis shot a 95 to lead the Glarner Knights. New Glarus senior Peter Gabriel finished with a 109 and freshman Peter Johnson carded a 127.
Pagel, who finished the day with an 89, will join Monroe junior Eric Timm (83) and sophomore Matt Miller (86) as individual competitors at the Evansville sectional on Tuesday, May 28. In addition to the three Cheesemakers, Brodhead senior Tyler Welsh qualified for the sectional.
The Cheesemakers also narrowly missed out on an opportunity to compete at the sectional as a team, finishing fifth out of nine teams at regionals. Monroe was edged by fourth-place Big Foot by just two strokes, 352-354.
Monroe coach Braden Rindy said he didn't expect to be in contention for one of the top four spots but was disappointed for the team that they all couldn't make it sectionals. That said, he was happy to send three individuals.
"We struggled and Big Foot had a good team last year, and I talked to their coach and he said they were putting up some big scores," Rindy said. "So we knew it would be close. It came down to two strokes.
"I'd like to see the whole team go, but it was nice to see the three go. And I was happy to see Caleb go because he's a senior."
Pagel finished tied with Brodhead's John Rudyanski after 18 holes, with just one spot remaining for a trip to sectionals. The two then entered a sudden death playoff, with their teammates and coaches comprising the gallery.
On the first hole of the playoff, a par four, Rindy said both players hit good tee shots. Pagel's second shot came up just short of the green, and Rudyanski put his second shot in the bunker. Pagel said Rudyanski had a solid shot out of the bunker, though, so the pressure was then on Pagel to follow suit.
"My opponent went in the bunker but he had a nice shot, so I knew I would need to put it close," Pagel said.
He did that and more, chipping in for birdie to win the last spot in the sectional with his teammates, who rushed over to congratulate him.
"It hit the flag stick. I did the Tiger roar ... where I screamed a little bit," Pagel said. "It was the biggest crowd I've ever played in. I had a lot of emotions going.
"My main goal was to make the sectionals. I'm really excited. Last year I shot an 83 at regionals (at Evansville), so I'm feeling pretty good about going to Evansville."
In addition to the entire team having played Evansville earlier this season, Rindy said Timm, Miller and Pagel will also benefit from another week of preparation in what has been an otherwise jam-packed schedule.
"I think it will be much better since we have some time," Rindy said. "I think it's definitely going to help us."
Division 3
HAZEL GREEN - The Pecatonica-Argyle boys golf team finished fourth at the Division 3 Southwestern regional to qualify for the sectional as a team.
Lancaster won the regional title 328-352 over Parkview. Southwestern finished third (358), which was just four shots ahead of Pecatonica-Argyle (362). Darlington tied Cuba City for sixth (376) and New Glarus was 10th (424).
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Christopher Severson shot a 78 to pace the Vikings. Freshman Mitchell Steiner carded an 89 and senior Jacob Melvin had a 95. Junior Zach Shilling rounded out the top four with a 100.
Darlington senior Alex Schulte shot an 88 to lead the Redbirds.
Junior A.J. Brandt shot a 91 and senior Chase Tuescher shot a 98. Junior Kyrin Halverson carded a 99 to round out the top four for the Redbirds.
New Glarus senior Dallas Anderson shot a 93 and senior teammate Taylor Nealis shot a 95 to lead the Glarner Knights. New Glarus senior Peter Gabriel finished with a 109 and freshman Peter Johnson carded a 127.
