Golf: Matthew Krutsch Invite gets bigger each season; Will Thielen sets WCA school record
HILLSDALE COUNTY — A lot of chip shots have hit the greens after a productive Week 6 for Hillsdale County boys golf teams.
Week 6 was a particular standout schedule for Hillsdale County teams as the Hillsdale Academy Colts hosted the fourth annual Matthew Krutsch Invitational at the pristine Medalist golf course in Marshall, MI. The invitational is named after John Matthew Krutsch, a former Colt student who died in 2019. Krutsch was a 2018 graduate who was an important member of the Colts golf team during two state-qualifying years and the team's first regional title run in 2017.
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The event was initially organized by coach Rolla Frisinger and Matthew's parents, Dr. Matt and Mrs. Karen Krutsch. The invitational raises annual funds and donations for the John Matthew Krutsch Endowed Scholarship at Hillsdale College that has been providing nee-based scholarships to Hillsdale Academy students since 2021.
More: Gallery: Hillsdale and Jonesville track athletes compete for conference medals
The annual invitational continues to attract some of the top state title contending teams in the state, including this year's winner Jackson Lumen Christi. Lumen Christi defeated Grand Rapids Christian in final tallied scores of 325-332. The individual event winner was Lumen Christi sophomore Gabe Cooper, shooting two-over with a final score of 74.
Hillsdale Academy placed fourth as a team with a final score of 339, tied with Jackson Northwest and Holt. Hillsdale Academy senior Kahle Welden placed ninth to medal for the Colts, shooting an 81. Lincoln Knirk finished 17th with an 84, showing just how competitive the top 20 results were this year.
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The Hillsdale Hornets were also participants in the invitational, placing 15th overall. They were led by senior Brahm Gambill, who shot a 91 and took 43rd overall. Hillsdale senior Nice Muangprom and junior Julian Harman tied for 62nd overall with a final score of 97.
Hillsdale Academy boys golf celebrates a successful fourth annual Matthew Krutsch Invitational, led by medalist senior (second left) Kahle Welden's top 10 finish.
Colts take the lead in SCAA play
The Matthew Krutsch Invitational was just one of several successful outings for the Hillsdale Academy golf team in recent days. The team has won three-straight SCAA jamborees to take the lead in the season standings.
This included an SCAA jamboree hosted at the local Hills of Baw Beese course. The Colts won that jamboree with a team score of 167, led by Kahle Welden and Lincoln Knirk tying for the top individual spot with a score of 40. This is the second time the duo has tied in the past two weeks.
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The Colts have dominated the SCAA conference this decade. The Colts are in pursuit of their sixth straight conference crown. The season will come to a close at the SCAA championship in Colon on Monday, May 19. The Colts aren't the only team that has had recent success locally in the SCAA jamborees.
Will Thielen hits new school-record score for Will Carleton Academy
Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy had their own successful outing at a recent SCAA jamboree in Week 6. This included a season-best second-place finish for the team at the SCAA jamboree hosted by Mendon. The team finished just six strokes behind Hillsdale Academy with a final score of 179.
They were led by senior Will Thielen, who tied for first overall with a final score of 40. Finishing just four-over par, he had four pars and a birdie. This was a new school record score for a 9-hole event. Senior Thomas Maier finished ninth at the jamboree with a score of 45.
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The Cougars have now broken two school records this season, one from Thielen for nine holes and another by senior Tyler Slade for 18 holes. The team placed fifth in the most recent jamboree, led by Slade's 47-score to take 13th.
Will Carlelton senior Will Thielen set a school record score for a 9-hole event.
Other Jamboree Leaders
Hillsdale junior Julian Harman had an eighth-place finish at the Week 6 LCAA jamboree, finishing with a final score of 43 to lead the Hornets. He had four pars on the day.
Jonesville freshman Brock Trumper placed fifth in the most recent Cascades jamboree, earning a final score of 48. Junior Cole Trumper took eighth with a final score of 50. It was the second-straight event the Comets as a team finished third in their division jamboree.
Upcoming Events
The Hillsdale Academy will host a state tune-up event in Big Rapids. The invitational will host many of the state contenders for MHSAA D4 boys golf. The event will be held at Ferris State University's Katke Course, which will host the Division 4 state finals this season.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Golf: Matthew Krutsch Invite gets bigger each season; Will Thielen sets WCA school record
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