At the Ancilla College Invitational on May 2, the Grand Rapids Community College men’s golf team became co-conference champions, tied with Muskegon Community College for the Michigan Community College Western conference championship title.
“We went into the event, down by four to MCC, so I told the guys to enjoy themselves and not worry about scores. It was a good performance, and I’m pretty pleased with the way they’ve performed in the last few months,” said GRCC head coach John Forton.
Both GRCC and MCC shot a 1,538 during the five conference events.
Coming in first place during the Ancilla Invitational at the Swan Lake Resort, GRCC had a 306 team score, while MCC had a team score of 310.
Freshman Conner Oman shot a career best of 72 and was named a medalist. Redshirt-freshman Arie Jackman was second, with his season best of 73 strokes.
“It took four good scores and we got it done. We did what we had to do,” Oman said.
Regarding his recent career best score which aided the team in the conference title win, Oman said: “It was a good time to do it…it was fun.”
“I got off to a slow start, but turned it around on the back end and made four birdies and an eagle. It was pretty cool to celebrate with the guys, knowing that we tied MCC,” Jackman said.
As far as the team’s confidence level about the upcoming regional championship, Jackman said: “I would say it’s super high for me personally and the team. Yesterday was a great day for all the guys – to beat MCC was great. To know that we can go out and beat them is a huge confidence boost.”
Redshirt-freshman Matthew Denhartigh had a five-round score of 372 and was named conference medalist.
“I’m proud of the team,” Denhartigh said. “We’ve been through a lot this season.”
In response to being named conference medalist, “I’ve been working hard for the past three years,” Denhartigh said. “I hadn’t really found my game the past two years, and now I finally figured out what I need to do to play with confidence.”
The golf team will proceed to the MCCAA Region XII Championships on May 9 and 10 at the St. Clair Golf Club in St. Clair, Michigan.
“We’re probably in the top three teams in the MCCAA. Between the Western and Eastern conferences, the top three teams go to the National Tournament,” Coach John Forton said. “I think around this time next Tuesday, we’ll probably have some good news.”
