10/21/2006

Norsemen lead Glads by 6 shots

Northern Michigan teams dominate first round

from staff reports

ALLENDALE — Drew Palmer went from No. 5 to No. 1 in one day.

As a result, Suttons Bay was No. 1 after the first day of the Division 4 golf state finals at Grand Valley State University's The Meadows.

Palmer, the No. 5 player for the Norsemen in Monday's regional, shot a team-best 76 as Suttons Bay grabbed a six-shot lead over St. Francis on Friday.

The Norsemen fired a 319 and St. Francis a 325. Harbor Springs, the regional winner, is third in the 15-team field with a 327.

"It was a great day," Norsemen coach Todd Hursey said. "I think we're proving that there are some good teams in northern Michigan."

Palmer is tied with St. Francis sophomore Tony Casciano for the overall lead at 76.

"Drew came up big," Hursey said. "Even though he's our 5 man, he's done this before. He's had a couple tournaments in the mid-70s."

Nate Kelly shot a 79 for the Norsemen, tying him for sixth overall. Charlie Olson added an 81 and David Tropf an 83.

Suttons Bay qualified for the state finals by finishing second to St. Francis in the district and tying the Gladiators for second in the regional.

"Our concern after the district and regional was that if players two through five (after Kelly) didn't get the job done we wouldn't be able to contend for a state title," Hursey said, "Drew, Charlie and David did the job today."

Hursey called Friday's conditions "difficult." Although it did not rain, it was cold and breezy — and the course was wet.

In addition to Casciano's 76, Andrew Walukonis shot a 79, Mike Dendrinos 83 and Chris Dendrinos 87 for the Gladiators, who were without Blaine Casciano on Friday. He'll be back in the lineup today.

Still, St. Francis coach Jim Hornyak said Suttons Bay is in the driver's seat.

"Suttons Bay will be tough to catch, but it can be done," he said. "Our goal was to be in the top three after today and we did that. We'll see what we can do (today)."

Kyle Sanderson paced Harbor Springs with a 78. Teddy Griffin fired a 79, Duke Dyksterhouse an 80 and Jordan Lechowicz a 90.

"This showed how tough our regional was," Hornyak said. "Our fourth-place regional finisher (Rudyard) would be in the top 10, maybe top 5 here."

Suttons Bay, meanwhile, is seeking its third state title since 2000.

"I like to have the lead," Hursey said. "I'd rather be up six than trying to figure out a way to make up six."

Grosse Pointe University Liggett is fourth at 329. After that, it drops off to North Muskegon at 337. Defending champion Saugatuck is eighth, 30 shots out at 349.

"Right now it looks like a four-team race," Hursey said.

Brent Vizina of Inland Lakes shot an 84 as an individual qualifier. Traverse City Christian's Matt Yeiter carded an 86 and Manistee Catholic's Zach Smith a 93.

After the first day of the Division 3 final at Forest Akers West in East Lansing, Elk Rapids shot a 353. The Elks are tied for 14th.

Flint Powers Catholic leads with a 315, three ahead of Jackson Lumen Christi and five ahead of Kalamazoo Christian.

Tyler Cody led the Elks with an 84 while Andy Paulosky carded an 87. Jason Gray and Aaron Mayes each shot 91.

Playing as an individual in the Division 2 final at Forest Akers East is Petoskey's Tad Garber, who shot a 76. Garber is just two shots out of the top 10.

Haslett leads after day one with a 301, five shots clear of Haslett and seven in front of East Grand Rapids.