Michigan Golf Scene

The Oakland County Golf Champions has determined their 2012 Medalists and Team Titles and we will have highlights later this evening but do have interviews with the winning coaches and with one of the co- champions below.
http://www.miprepzone.com/oakland/results.asp?ID=7244

Winning Team Interview
 In the Online Oakland Press and Archived @ You Tube.
 http://youtu.be/pKpS3w5ERMk

Coaches Interviews   Nuss (Novi) and Bumpus (Brother Rice)

http://youtu.be/Ks6mvvHq6BI

Written Story of the tournament by Keith Dunlap is below with pictures and can also be found on M I Prep Zone at the Oakland Press.

By KEITH DUNLAP
Of The Oakland Press

Zach Pruess of Oakland Christian, tees off on the 14th during the Oakland County boys golf tournament at the Pontiac Country Club in Waterford. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

Alex Waelchli of Lake Orion, putts on the 13th green during the Oakland County boys golf tournament at the Pontiac Country Club in Waterford. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

Aaron Knutson of Notre Dame Prep, tees off on the 14th during the Oakland County boys golf tournament at the Pontiac Country Club in Waterford. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

Griffin Smith of Cranbrook, tees off on the 14th during the Oakland County boys golf tournament at the Pontiac Country Club in Waterford. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

WATERFORD TWP. — Just like most coaches usually like to do when commemorating a significant anniversary, Novi boys golf coach Brad Huss has been trying to put together a reunion.

It’s been almost 10 years since Novi won its first and only golf state title in school history, but it’s been difficult for Huss to organize a reunion since members of that 2002 team that won the Division 1 state title by one stroke are scattered across the country.

Whether or not he can bring those players back together, it’s likely members of the 2002 team will be getting in touch with the current group of players pretty soon after what they pulled off on Wednesday.

For the first time since that magical year of 2002 that ended in a state title, Novi captured the Oakland County Boys Golf Tournament at Pontiac Country Club, shooting a tournament-best score of 309.

Birmingham Brother Rice was second at 311 while Novi Detroit Catholic Central was third with a 312.

“Some of those guys I’m sure will send some these guys a Facebook note or something,” Huss said. “We call it Novi nation. Like a lot of schools, we still stick together.”

Of course, it’ll be a stiff challenge to duplicate the 2002 team by also winning a state title, but winning the county title can only give a boost to the Wildcats with the most significant tournaments of the season around the corner.

What’s more, Novi outlasted Brother Rice and Catholic Central, two teams it’ll have to beat if it’s to qualify for the state tournament and then do well at should the Wildcats qualify.

“They can beat anybody they play against if they play the way they did today,” Huss said.

Leading the way was junior Brad Kozinski who shot a 73 to share medalist honors with South Lyon junior Gavin Gorris.

Senior Johnny Walker shot a 76, and sophomore Garret Buckley and junior Mike Wenzl each added an 80 to give the Wildcats four scores that no other team could beat.

The scores overall were a bit higher than usual for a county tournament, but that was due to high winds that gave many players some trouble.

“Coming into today, I thought a sub-70 round would win it,” Kozinski said. “But it was playing tricky. The wind was blowing and the greens were tough to putt on. A 73 ended up coming through. It was surprising, but it felt good.”

Gorris shared in Kozinski’s surprise that a 73 was good enough to win medalist.

“I expected some scores to be in the 60’s today with all the good players,” Gorris said. “I didn’t expect 73 to win. I’m pumped about that. It was my best score all year and a great time to do it.”

Five players — Rochester’s Mike Murri, Birmingham Seaholm’s Nick Vick, Stoney Creek’s Spencer Lendzion, Walled Lake Northern’s Ryan Dykstra and Brandon Barrows of Rochester Adams — shot a 75 to tie for third.

Seven players shot a 76 to add to a crowded top of the leaderboard.

In an interesting twist, one foursome featured players that had won individual state titles in all four Divisions over the past two years, those being Max Kollin of North Farmington (79), Griffin Smith of Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (82), Aaron Knutson of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (77) and Zach Preuss of Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (78).

Players will now have two more weeks of the regular season before district tournaments will take place around the state. The top-6 teams at districts advance to regional tournaments, where the top-3 teams will qualify for state tournaments in four Divisions that’ll be held on June 15-16.



E-mail Keith Dunlap at keith.dunlap@oakpress.com; Twitter: @kd2578

Last Updated: 5/16/2012 4:34:10 PM EST