News

By Ryan Schlehuber, MCC Sportswriter

The Montcalm Community College Centurions men’s golf team took first place at the Delta College Invitational, Friday, Sept. 26, doing so without its best player. 

Despite not having its No. 1 golfer, sophomore Mason Blair (Holt, Mich.), who missed the invitational owing to family reasons, the Centurions were able to win out in the 12-team tournament, scoring 308, beating out Delta by two strokes (310), and Mott Community College by six strokes (314). 

MCC was led by freshman Joey Mario (Battle Creek, Mich.), who scored 74, which was good for a four-way tie for first on the individual board. Following him on the team were sophomore Ryan Clingenpeel (East Lansing, Mich.), with 75; Spencer Denney (Battle Creek, Mich.), with 76; Evan Munoz (Battle Creek, Mich.), 83; and freshman Chase Couchman (Holly, Mich.), with 83. 

Three MCC golfers also competed individually and performed well, with sophomore Kenny Mitchell (Cedar Springs, Mich.) scoring 75, followed by freshmen Landon Elder (Louisville, Ky.), 78; and Ethan Wempen (Hartsburg, Mo.), 79. 

“Had we had Mason with us, and he reached his usual scores, we could’ve fielded two teams and we would’ve gone first and second in this meet,” Centurions’ head coach Doug Harkema said. 

One MCC player that has been coming on strong lately is Clingenpeel, according to Harkema. As a returning player from last year’s successful team, Harkema was hoping to lean on Clingenpeel’s experience and leadership with this year’s team. 

“He was just rock solid at Delta,” Harkema said. “He’s been very consistent and consistently good. It was a nice 75 for that day.” 

Harkema was impressed with his team being able to perform at a high level without its best player and praised the work of his young freshmen, who have provided much depth for the team this year. 

“A lot of guys played well in this one,” Harkema said. “I’m really excited about our youngsters (freshmen). They’re coming along and they’re playing consistent.” 

Harkema is working on getting his freshmen to focus on the preparation side of practice instead of just playing several holes before a meet. Getting properly prepared will be crucial in the next couple meets, as MCC gets ready to compete in the Wayne County Community College Invitational, Friday, Oct. 3, and then will participate in a two-day tournament at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich., Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6-7.  

“We’ll play 36 holes on Monday and then 18 on Tuesday, so we’ll have everyone playing in that one,” Harkema said.  

About the only major issue Harkema’s team is battling is what he calls “self-inflicted anxiety,” in which his freshmen players know competition to make it onto a scorecard for an upcoming meet is high, considering the level of talent that is on this year’s team, and put undue stress on themselves. 

“The team is just so strong, so they need to perform in the top five to play on the team in a tournament,” Harkema said. “I just want them to learn to just focus on the next shot.” 

DELTA COLLEGE INVITATIONAL TEAM SCORES 

Montcalm 308 

Delta 310 

Mott 314 

SC4 315 

Schoolcraft 317 

Oakland 322 

Jackson 323 

Henry Ford 326 

Muskegon 327 

Wayne 329 

Kirtland 331 

Glen Oaks 341 

UP NEXT: MCC was scheduled to compete at the Schoolcraft College Invitational, Monday, Sept. 29, however, that meet was cancelled. The Centurions’ next meet will be at the Wayne County Community College Invitational, which will be held Friday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Lakes of Taylor Golf Course in Taylor, Mich. The meet at Egypt Valley on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6-7, was recently added. Tee-off time has yet to be announced.