Oakland County Golf Tournament Winners and What Happened

Winners and What Happened?

Just Some Observations

Marty Gallaher- Lake Orion Coach Marty did a great job organizing the tournament. He was firm with the players on his expectations and was all over the course to make sure everything stayed fine on his watch. He showed an outstanding touch pairing up the four prep champions on the same tee box and it was fun seeing them enjoy a day that will most likely never happen again. Why? See below.

He Has a lot to Smile About

Brad Kozinski- Novi.  I called the Kid ‘Koz’ and perhaps it will be a nickname that sticks as his teammates laughed affectionately with their teammate who always has a smile. Every time I saw him he had a smile on his face and he used his good attitude to turn around his round and shared the biggest tournament victory of his golfing career. ‘Koz’ started on hole 14 in the shotgun start at Pontiac Country Club and wasn’t sure if it would be his day. By number 18 where he made birdie, it was game on and his 73 helped Novi upset more heralded teams and has a medal for himself to remember this day.

Novi- Yes, the other high school located in Novi often plays as the ’little brother’ in high school sports. Detroit Catholic Central has won countless high school golf championships and has an overstuffed trophy case. Make that cases and will undoubtedly win more, but today the Wildcats beat all comers in a big golf tournament.  Something must be in the water in Novi as they had a great week in athletics. Their  baseball coach Rick Green won his 300th game in baseball, the boys and girls won the KLAA Conference track meets and won the County golf championships. Congrats to Novi... the other high school in Novi. 

The up and coming golfers will take the place of a great graduating class of seniors. Check out these low scores.

Brad Kozinski (Novi) 73; Gavin Garris (South Lyon) 73; Mike Murri (Rochester) 75; Nick Vick (Seaholm) 75; Ryan Dykstra (W.L. Northern) 75; Spencer Lendzion (Stoney Creek) 75; Brandon Barrows (Adams) 75; Ben Stowers (Brandon) 76; Tyler Lewis (Brandon) 76; Joey Henba (Catholic Central) 76; Sean Friel (Brother Rice) 76; Alex Waelchli (Lake Orion) 76; Nick Hocker (Oxford) 76; Johnny Walker (Novi) 76
No former state winners scores are in that bunch.

He's Got Game and Keeps Getting Experience

     Brandon Barrows is a freshman at Rochester Adams and this young man already has a golfing resume brighter than most that are graduating from college as Big Ten Players. He finished tied for third at PCC. He has qualified in many Michigan tournaments and is gaining valuable experience. He did not do well at the recent Horton Smith Tournament, but scored well against his peers at a recent AJGA event at Fieldstone. He is getting experience and eventually if he commits even more to improving his game, he will potentially be lights out over the rest of his high school career. Rochester Adams coach Dan Picot seconds that.

Big Four- I called them murderer’s row and for good reason. Max Kollin, (Defending State Division 1 Champion), Griffen Smith (Defending Division 3 Champion), and Aaron Knudson (Defending Division 4 Champion) were all playing together. They also shared the tee box with Zack Preuss of Oakland Christian who was the 2010 State Champion in Division Four. What makes this extra special is these golfers are all from Oakland County. This is rarer than Haley’s Comet as how often does one county crown this many champions at once and have them golf in a tournament with high school eligibility left? I’m sure Elias Sports Bureau couldn’t find this either as I bet this is the one and only time it will happen. What would have happened if Francesco Ruffino, the 2011 Mr. Golf showed up? I do not think it would have been a five some but wonder if…

The Otherwise

Ruffino Didn't Play at the County Tournament

Francesco Ruffino- He didn’t golf at the County tournament and it was a real shame. Mr. Golf from 2011 as I understand it has golfed in several events outside of his high school schedule and during the season this is a no-no. I hope this is not the case. I truly enjoy watching him play as he is a natural. Ruffino, team needs him. Francesco, do you need them? I hope to see you in the State Tournament.

Pontiac Country Club- I really enjoy this course. It plays short and strategic and has a magical history about it and players come from all around to test their game in the Syron Memorial and other golf tournaments. Saying that, I was disappointed by the number of places in the fairway that players could receive relief from due to bare spots that were all over. I believe this is temporary and hope the course looks tip top for the Syron Memorial coming up in early July.