This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield’s Derek Michalski was able to settle down after a pair of tough holes to shoot an 80 and win medalist honors at the sixth leg of the 2015 Wisconsin Valley Conference boys golf tournament Tuesday at a windy RiverEdge Golf Course.
Michalski had a double bogey on No. 8 and a triple bogey on the par-4 ninth hole after finding the hazard on his second shot. He responded with a two-over 38 on the back nine and finished with an eight-over par 80 to best four players who had 82s to win his first Valley meet of the season.
“I ended up paring the first few holes on the back, bogeyed 14 and 15, but I had to grind my last six or seven holes to shoot 80, so it was a good round,” Michalski said.
Matt Tuman of Wausau East, Josh Yang of Wausau West, and Cristian McDonald and Max Bancker of Stevens Point tied for second with 82s.
Tuman holds on to his lead in the overall individual standings, while Michalski remains in sixth with the final leg of the seven-meet tournament set for Friday at Wausau Country Club.
The rest of the Tigers struggled on their home course. Brandon Nikolai tied for 13th with an 89, Jordan Schlinsog had a 90 and Zach Shortess fired a 92 as Marshfield finished with a score of 351 and finished fifth.
The Tigers are tied with D.C. Everest for fourth in the overall team standings. Stevens Point wrapped up its fifth-straight WVC championship with a score of 333 and a first-place finish.
Marshfield will host the WIAA Division 1 regional at RiverEdge next Tuesday.
“I think Derek is getting to where he needs to be right now,” Marshfield coach Paul Foegen said. “He knows he’s capable of shooting a low round like he did at Sparta (a 72 to win tournament on May 2). He was medalist today and was close up at Merrill. I think his confidence level is rising.
“We have to get Zach and a couple of guys back to where they were a week or two ago. Regionals is exciting and we look forward to having it here, hopefully doing well, and going on to the sectional and try to get somebody to state.”
2015 Wisconsin Valley Conference Boys Golf Meet No. 6
May 19, at RiverEdge Golf Course, Marshfield
Team scores: 1. Stevens Point 333; 2. Wausau West 345; 3. Wausau East and D.C. Everest 348; 5. Marshfield 351; 6. Merrill and Wisconsin Rapids 384.
Top 10 individuals and Marshfield golfers: 1. Derek Michalski (MAR) 80; 2. Matt Tuman (WE), Josh Yang (WW), Cristian McDonald (SP) and Max Bancker (SP) 82; 6. Derek Tomczik (DC) and Taylor Thomas (SP) 83; 8. Ben Langlois (WW) 84; 9. Lucas Lindner (DC) 85; 10. Jake Hofmeister (SP), Gabe McGinnity (WE) and Jake Wolfgram (WE) 86; 14 (tie). Brandon Nikolai (MAR) 89; 16 (tie). Jordan Schlinsog (MAR) 90; 20. Zach Shortess (MAR) 92; 32. Grant Michaelis (MAR) 101.
Overall standings through six of seven meets
Team: 1. Stevens Point 41.5; 2. Wausau East 30.5; 3. Wausau West 29; 4. Marshfield and D.C. Everest 24.5; 6. Merrill 10.5; 7. Wisconsin Rapids 7.5.
Top 10 individuals and Marshfield golfers: 1. Matt Tuman (WE) 76.5; 2. Derek Tomczik (DC) 72; 3. Josh Yang (WW) 68.5; 4. Taylor Thomas (SP) 66; 5. Cristian McDonald (SP) 55.5; 6. Derek Michalski (MAR) 46; 7. Max Bancker (SP) 44.5; 8. Jake Hofmeister (SP) 39; 9. Jake Wolfgram (WE) 33.5; 10. Zach Shortess (MAR) 32; 17. Jordan Schlinsog (MAR) 14.5; 21. Brandon Nikolai (MAR) 8.5.