Depth and consistency have put Clarkston, ranked No. 6 in the state in the latest coaches association poll, into the state finals for the second year in a row. But a well timed hot streak could catapult the Wolves atop the leader board at the conclusion of the state tournament played Oct. 14-15
A practice round at the Forest Akers East Golf Course on the campus of Michigan State University, where the Division I tournament is set to commence, has Clarkston’s players excited about their chances.
?(The course) is very scorable. All of our guys played well. All of us can shoot under 74,? said senior Rob Ronk.
Ronk, along with fellow seniors Mike Horn and Zach McDonald, helped Clarkston finish 11th in the state tournament last year.
The experience gained in last year’s tournament helped them throughout the year as Clarkston won the OAA Division I title, went undefeated in dual match play and won the Eccentric tournament.
A luxury for Clarkston going into the state tournament is Horn’s play of late. He shot a 72 to lead Clarkston at regionals, giving him the second best score on the day. Ronk’s 75 helped the Wolves cause as well. At the end of the day at regionals Clarkston finshed with 308 points to champion Grand Blanc’s 299.
‘Horn really carried the torch for us. Rob did a real solid job and the other kids did enough for us to win,? said Clarkston Coach Tim Kaul.
Horn’s hot shooting at regionals was a continuation of his play at the district tournament on Sept. 30, where his 73 led the field.
‘I have been paying a lot of attention to my mental game. Trying to stay focused over a four-hour round,? said Horn of his recent run on the sunny side.
At the state tourney, all eyes will be on No. 1 Muskegon Mona Shores.
?(Mona Shores) has been number one in the state all year long and they deserve it,? said Kaul.
Before focusing exclusively on the state tourney, Clarkston had the Oakland County Tournament to think about on Oct. 11, which finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.
With the County tourney behind them, Kaul wanted his team to have an abbreviated session on Oct. 12 followed by an extensive range session on Oct. 13.
‘Thursday we’ll have a real good range session and touch all the bases,? said Kaul.
The state tournament begins play on Oct. 14. With the addition of the district tournaments this year, the field in the state tourney was cut down from 21 teams last year to 15 this year. Unlike last year, there will be no cut and all teams will compete on both days for the state title.