BATTLE CREEK — To win a state championship in any sport, everything needs to come together at just the right time.
The Charlevoix boys’ golf team was one of the few programs within Division 4 where that was happening and the Rayders entered the weekend’s Division 4 state championships at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek with some high hopes.
But, despite some good rounds and a hot streak of late, Friday and Saturday weren’t the perfect outcomes the Rayders had hoped for.
A respectable fourth place finish still came for Charlevoix with a Friday and Saturday total of 329-328–657.
“Although our last weekend of golf was not what we had hoped for, we had a great year and accomplished a great deal,” Charlevoix coach Doug Drenth said. “We are already looking forward to next year.”
The Rayders did indeed collect in 2023, winning both regional and Lake Michigan Conference titles, before closing the final rankings at No. 4 in Division 4.
The weekend went to Clarkston Everest Collegiate, who earned the Division 4 title with a 315-310-625.
Hillsdale Academy then placed second with a 325-317–642, then Maple City Glen Lake placed third with a 335-315–650.
Remy Stalcup of Clarkston Everest also earned the state title as an individual with a round of 70-72-142, edging his brother, Parker, with a 76-72-148.
Charlevoix’s Sam Pletcher also earned a sixth place finish in Division 4 in his final round as a Rayder, shooting 76-77–153.
Also for Charlevoix, Hudson Vollmer shot 80-81–161; Bryce Boss, 85-85–170; Emmett Bergman, 88-85–173; and Henry Herzog and Jack Herzog combining for 88-92–180.
The rounds for Boss brought him the honor of being the top freshman golfer within the Division 4 finals field by four strokes.
The area also had a trio of individuals qualify for the state finals, with East Jordan senior Jonathan Ringstrom just missing out on a top 10 finish.
Ringstrom shot 85-75-160, placing him 13th overall for the field and third among individual qualifiers.
Harbor Springs’ Carson Chumbler and Olin Alonzi also qualified, led by Chumbler’s 81-82–163. Alonzi shot 90-95–185. Both graduated from the Rams’ program.
“These two seniors will be missed,” Harbor Springs coach Pete Kelbel said. “I hope they have a lot more golf to play. Olin is an Evans Scholar heading to Michigan State University and will have several tournaments to play in. Carson is a walk-on candidate at Hope College, which has a great men’s golf program.”
Pletcher and Jack Herzog graduate as seniors for the Rayders, two within the lineup Drenth knows will be a challenge to replace.
“I’m really proud of Sam, as he had a great last two days of his high school career,” he said. “I would really like to thank him, as well as Jack Herzog, for their commitment to golf the last four years here at Charlevoix.”
In a season that had the Rayders consistently atop matches and competing among the likes of the large Traverse City programs and downstate foes, Drenth also thanked everyone who had a hand in bringing the team along, from coaches, to the courses that opened their doors.
“I need to thank Bruce Beaudoin and Steve Good for their guidance and help throughout the season, as well as the Charlevoix Jr. Golf Program that helps these guys get a great start,” he said. “Our success is directly related to their input and commitment to these boys.
“We are also very grateful to the Charlevoix area golf courses, including the Belvedere, Charlevoix Country Club and Municipal for their support throughout the season.”
Around the MHSAA Golf State Championships:
DIVISION 1
The Meadows (Allendale)
Champion: Northville 300-305–605
Runner-up: Rochester Adams 309-298-607
Of Note: TC Central (6th) 315-311–626
Individual Champ: Peter Roehl, Rochester Adams 72-68–140
DIVISION 2
The Fortress (Frankenmuth)
Champion: Grand Rapids Christian 300-295–595
Runner-up: Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 290-307–597
Of Note: Alpena (16th) 348-326–674
Individual Champ: Lorenzo Pinilli, Brother Rice 64-70–134
Of Note: Kole Putnam, Gaylord (3rd) 73-71–144
DIVISION 3
Forest Akers West (East Lansing)
Champion: GR Catholic Central 306-308–614
Runner-up: Lansing Catholic 333-316–649
Of Note: TC St. Francis (14th) 347-352–699
Individual Champ: Matthew Sokorai, GR Catholic Central 71-70–141
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Charlevoix golf earns fourth place Division 4 state finals finish