09-05-2025
The Michigan high school golf team that was in a van crash returned to action this week
The Michigan high school golf team that was in a van crash returned to action this week
CHARLEVOIX, Mich. — Before they even set foot on the Belvedere Golf Club course in Charlevoix Wednesday afternoon, the members of the Charlevoix boys golf team were winners.
For the first time since a tragic accident that hospitalized much of the team and their head coach for days, the Rayder golf team was back on the links for competition.
Wednesday's round at Belvedere included three members – Bryce Boss, Jackson Crouse and Landon Whisler – who were in the van that night.
While there were, of course, scorecards filled out and winners at the end, Wednesday's round was about so much more.
Elk Rapids earned the win with a round of 329, but right behind was Charlevoix, leaning on the likes of Boss, Whisler and others to shoot a round of 340. The Rayders were then followed by Grayling, 355; Boyne City, 359; Cheboygan, 375; Kingsley, 495; and Kalkaska, 504.
Boss finished second overall with a round of 77, trailing only Elk Rapids' Blake Springstead with a 74. Boss birdied the par-3 No. 14 at Belvedere, while recording 11 pars during the round.
Whisler then contributed an 80, Crouse shot 85; Keane Helstrom, 98; Doug Morgridge, 108; and Ryan Glass, 112.
Charlevoix Column: Kochanny: News of Charlevoix boys golf team's crash one of my biggest fears
In other good news regarding the Charlevoix boys golf team, the final hospitalized Charlevoix athlete, Joe Gaffney, was released from Munson Medical Center Tuesday evening and moved to the Mary Free Bed rehabilitation facility at Munson in Traverse City.
Gaffney, an all-state basketball player as well, spent 10 days at Munson Medical. Charlevoix head coach Doug Drenth remains hospitalized in Traverse City.
Charlevoix golfers Brady Warchol, Max Drenth and Emmett Bergmann continue to be sidelined from the sport, though of course heavy on the minds and in the hearts of many.
The Charlevoix community, and Northern Michigan as a whole, continue to show their support for the Rayder team and the long road they face ahead.
Golf teams from across the state of Michigan have also shown their support, pioneered by the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association and Golf Association of Michigan (GAM).
The GoFundMe set up for the Rayder golf team has also eclipsed $269,000 in donations, with an initial goal of $100,000.
Along with the Rayders this week, Boyne City's Cameron Little placed third overall in Charlevoix with a 79 and was then followed by teammates Connor Uy, 90; Mason Vadnais, 93; Tommy Dobbelaer, 97; Tanner Sigulinsky, 99; and Dylan Stefanic, 105.
Cheboygan's Tristan Stead also shot 79 and Jacob Pluszczynski shot 84.
The next match for Northern Shores Conference teams, including Charlevoix, is the Grayling Golf Invite at Forest Dunes on Tuesday, May 13. The NSC championship round will also take place next week at Harbor Point Golf Club in Harbor Springs at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 15.
Petoskey Invite
HARBOR SPRINGS — Along with the teams of the Northern Shores, Petoskey took to the course this week with its annual hosted invite, though things looked a bit different.
Rather than welcoming teams to the Petoskey-Bay View Country Club, the Northmen had to switch plans due to construction and host at The Highlands of Harbor Springs' Moor Course Wednesday.
Freeland earned the overall win with a 304, tying Traverse City West, though the fifth golfer score was lower for Freeland. Gaylord then placed third with a 315, followed by TC Central, 317; DeWitt, 319; and Mason, 325.
Petoskey carded a 355, placing 15th, while led by Gavin Galbraith's 85.
Luke Licata also shot 89 for Petoskey, Caleb Loe, 90; Madden Pateman, 91; Simon Licata, 92; and Luke Bailey, 103. Greyson Kneeshaw also shot 95 and Riley Sargent fired a 99 for Petoskey's second team.
Harbor Light Christian's Vaughn Henagan also took part and shot an 84.
Petoskey will next head to the TC Central Invite at A-Ga-Ming in Torch Lake on Wednesday, May 14.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
