The Spartans jumped out to an early lead in the race to nationals through the midwest with a dominating performance at Eagle Eye.
Michigan State won the tournament by 84 strokes over Ferris State. The Spartans shot a 806 (422-384) followed by Ferris State’s 890 (474-416) and rounded out by University of Michigan - Flint (483-429). Overall, Matt Chalberg, competing as an individual from Hillsdale was the medalist with a 153 (81-72) followed closely by Payden Meyers of Michigan State’s 154 (83-71).
Scores dropped significantly from day 1 to day 2 with an improvement in conditions and a few rules adjustments. Eagle Eye was just able to open for us, and we were the first players onto the course for the year with snow piles still sitting next to some greens, so as is to be expected, things were slow and wet. To top it off, temperatures hovered around freezing with driving winds at the shotgun on Saturday. Conditions, combined with a tough course playing rather long led to plenty of lost balls and balls seemingly disappearing after plugging in the middle of fairways. Matt Chalberg’s 81 proved to be low round on the course after all was said and done.
On Sunday, the wind died down and tees were moved up, along with adding lift-clean-and place. Along with higher temperatures, this led to much faster and better play, with multiple players making the turn at or under par. Payden Myers posted the low round of one under 71, but it fell just short of catching Chalberg, who fired a 72 of his own. Although the weather warmed up, most of the ponds on the course were still frozen, leading to some funny scenes of multiple golf balls sitting on the ice just short of their green.
The region will now turn its sights to Lake Forest, where Regional two will be played this upcoming weekend, April 8-9.
***Connect with RC Andrew Hartman on Twitter @NCCGACentral.
