The North Region is in it’s first semester of competition in the NCCGA. The region contains some members from the Great Lakes Region, as well as a handful of newcomers from around the Wisconsin and Minnesota area. Wisconsin, Marquette, and Michigan Tech lead a region which may be lack NCCGA experience, but will certainly prove competitive throughout the spring.
The Badgers are coming off back-to-back trips to Nationals, having won the Central Region in the Spring of 2013 and earning a wild-card berth this past fall. Led by senior Mike Kenning and sophomores Corey Sweeney and Wei Chean, Wisconsin will look to use their experience to solidify a third consecutive trip to Nationals. A refreshing group of newcomers should help propel the Badgers to New Jersey this Spring.
Michigan Tech and Marquette, coming off their inaugural NCCGA campaigns, will certainly provide a worthy challenge for Wisconsin. The Huskies and Golden Eagles showed great resiliency in their first semester of NCCGA competition, and will use this experience to their advantage this Spring.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Wisconsin-Whitewater lead a strong group of new NCCGA teams looking to make a statement in their first semester of competition. Both schools will look to challenge the savvy NCCGA “vets” and snatch a berth to Crystal Springs for Nationals.
A major storyline that has affected all teams within the region has been the weather. Snow and frigid temperatures have all but eliminated any sort of outdoor preparation for the regional tournaments. The winner of this region could very well be the team that is able to adapt to these less than ideal circumstances. For many of the competitors, the first regional will be their first round since last October.
The action gets underway April 5-6 at Glen Erin Golf Club in Janesville, WI. One week later (April 12-13), the season will conclude and one team will emerge victorious and head to Nationals. The second Regional Tournament will be held at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake, WI, one of the most challenging and prestigious courses in Wisconsin.
Best of luck to all teams and individuals who will be embarking on the #RoadToJersey this Spring!
**Bobby Puchner is the NCCGA North Regional Coordinator as well as the NCCGA Director of Social Media. Contact him on Twitter @NCCGA.
