HARBOR SPRINGS — Hudson Vollmer has played enough golf with the Charlevoix boys’ golf team to know it’s not about how you start, but rather everything in-between that first drive and final putt.
And everything that followed that opening drive, to Vollmer’s final putt Tuesday at Harbor Point Golf Club in Harbor Springs was probably his favorite of his playing career.
Not because that putt was a 30-plus foot, up hill birdie, but because it was the culmination of a school record round for his Charlevoix team, a cap to a team Division 4 regional title and a career low and individual title for himself.
“I was just trying to get it close to the hole, then it started tracking and I thought, ‘That’s got a chance,'” said Vollmer on that final putt. “It feels great. It’s good momentum going into states, so we’re looking forward to it.”
While that long par-three putt on No. 5 to wrap the day and a state finals trip was nice, it was everything in-between that brought him to the even-par 71 and regional title.
For many, opening the biggest round of the season with bogeys is a perfect recipe for a collapse in the biggest moment.
But, not for Vollmer.
“I went bogey, bogey to start and then I was like, ‘Alright, I’ve got to figure this out.’ The swing was feeling smooth and I wasn’t thinking about everything too much, just playing everything smooth, hitting to the center of the green and getting some run with some putts. It all just worked out today.
“I’ve had a few rounds this year where I didn’t start out so hot, but you know the birdies are coming. You’ve just got to keep putting and not give up on yourself. You’ve just got to keep digging.”
Vollmer wasn’t the only Rayder that turned things on to top a deep field, with Charlevoix shooting a low of 309, 10 strokes better than second place Maple City Glen Lake.
“We were down for a long time today,” Charlevoix coach Doug Drenth said. “We were down two to four shots the majority of the front nine, but we also felt really confident in where we could finish.
“They felt it and you could see the momentum and guys started to play well and with confidence. It was something you could see coming. I’m just extremely proud of them.”
The top three teams advance out of the regional, along with the top three individuals not on a qualifying team.
Charlevoix’s 309 led a 319 from Glen Lake, while Suttons Bay also advanced with a 339. The Norsemen actually tied Harbor Springs for third, then the tiebreaker went to the fifth golfer’s score. East Jordan’s 359 also placed them fifth.
The round for the Rayders comes as one of the lowest shots on the opening day of MHSAA regionals, regardless of division.
“It’s just great to see them come together like this today,” said Drenth. “You always want it to come together when the state tournament comes and for them to do it, I’m just proud and happy for them.
“When something great happens like this in sports, you know there’s so many people involved, too, like Bruce Beaudoin, Steve Good and the other coaches that meet with us every day. They deserve all the credit too.”
Vollmer’s 71 led all, then was followed by Glen Lake’s Blake O’Connor and Michael Houtteman with 75 each. Nathan Schaub of Suttons Bay and Carson Chumbler of Harbor Springs also each shot 76.
Chumbler led the group of individual qualifiers, which also included East Jordan’s Jonathan Ringstrom with an 81 and Olin Alonzi of Harbor Springs with an 84.
Also for Charlevoix, Sam Pletcher shot 77, Emmett Bergmann carded 79; Henry Herzog, 82; and Bryce Boss, 89.
The hole everyone talked about on the day, including his own teammates, was Vollmer’s eagle on the par-five No. 14. Vollmer hit a three wood off the tee, then sent a shot up the hill from 182 yards out with an eight iron and placed it within a foot of the hole.
“That was big,” Vollmer said. “I impressed myself on that one. I didn’t think it was going to be that close.”
Drenth heard others within his lineup excited about Vollmer’s play, including the lone senior within the lineup.
“Sam Pletcher with a shot to go, he says, ‘Do you see what Hud is doing?’ Just all excited,” said Drenth. “To see that leadership out of a senior, it’s great for him. Hudson is such a capable young man, but to do it when it really matters is really cool.”
Along with the qualifying pair for Harbor Springs, Chase Lafaive shot 86, Mitchell Caron, 93; and Jacob Piper, 95. The 339 for the Rams was a season-low round.
For East Jordan, Ty Burks shot 89; Alex Rodgers, 94; Scott Lyons, 95; and Steven Anderson, 100.
Mackinaw City was led by Jeffrey Siebigteroth with 100; Tanyon Pierce shot 120; Carter DeWitt, 126; Jared Wiertalla, 131; and Kyle Valot, 142.
Ben Hanes of Harbor Light Christian shot a 90, Wolverine’s Trent Millay also shot a 99 and Evan Perreault led Inland Lakes with a 100.
The Division 4 state championships will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 9-10 at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek. Charlevoix will try to beat a fifth place team finish from last season.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Vollmer’s career day leads Charlevoix golf to regional title