Boss Sets Pace as Charlevoix Golf Delivers Memorable 1st-Time Championship
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 6, 2026
EAST LANSING – Bryce Boss admits he wasn’t sure which he wanted more heading into Saturday’s second round of the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Boys Golf Final at Forest Akers West.
"Winning the state title,” Boss said after Charlevoix clinched its first team championship in the sport. “A hundred times out of a hundred. It’s way more fun to win as a team than as an individual.’
The Rayders – who will move to Division 3 next season – rolled with a two-day score of 645 strokes, besting second-place Muskegon Western Michigan Christian by 17.
The championship capped an emotional season for the Rayders, whose season was cut short last year by a vehicle crash that seriously injured several team members and coach Doug Drenth.
“I’m really grateful,” Drenth said, blinking back tears. “Four guys who scored today were in the accident, and how they played today meant a lot. These are fine young men, with fine parents. I’m proud of all of them.”
Drenth achieved a rare double Saturday. While continuing to recover from his injuries this past fall, he coached the Charlevoix boys cross country team to the Division 3 team title.
“I’ve had a lot of help,” Drenth said. “My (golf) assistant, Bruce Beaudion, deserved a lot of credit, too.”
Boss had a chance at that individual championship as well, when Alcona’s Giovanni Paluch three-putted on the final hole of regulation, forcing a playoff.
Both posted scores of 149 heading into the tiebreaker.
But after they tied on the first playoff hole, Paluch prevailed on the second
“I was hitting everything to the left,” Boss said. “Kinda hard to win that way.”
PHOTOS (Top) Charlevoix’s Bryce Boss punches out of a sand trap during his second round Saturday at Forest Akers West. (Middle) Alcona’s Giovanni Paluch putts Saturday; he won the individual championship in a playoff. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
Ontonagon On Target in Repeat Run
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
May 30, 2019
GLADSTONE – It was a great day to be an Ontonagon golf Thursday as the Gladiators retained both ends of the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Finals at Irish Oaks Golf Course.
The Ontonagon boys, placing four among the top 10 individuals, totaled 347 strokes on this sunny and mild day. They were followed by Dollar Bay with 357 strokes and Powers North Central at 370.
"Both teams have a lot of senior leadership which is absolutely helpful," said Ontonagon coach Adam Spaulding of his boys and girls lineups. "We had just three meets coming into the Finals due to poor weather. We had to make up for lost time. Our practices consisted of hitting buckets of balls between two holes. We couldn't get on our course (Ontonagon Golf Club) until about May 15."
North Central freshman Bryson Mercier was boys medalist with a 74. Ontonagon senior Ed Polakowski and Big Bay de Noc sophomore Travis Johnson shared runner-up honors at 82.
"I played real good today," said Mercier. "I had been struggling the past week, but made it stress free today. I was nervous coming in, then I settled down after parring the first hole. It got a little windy and a little hard in the end, although I thought I handled it very well.
“Like any sport, there's always room for improvement. I'm going to practice as much as I can and try to get better."
Ontonagon sophomore Tomas Immonen and Dollar Bay senior Drake Schmitz and junior David Strom shared fourth place at 85. Senior Brad Mhyren shot an 88 to tie for seventh and senior Henry Menigoz carded a 90 to tie for 10th for the Gladiators.
"It was crazy taking it two years in a row," said Polakowski of the team championship. "I didn't think we'd be here again this year. We always stay consistent and play a decent game."
PHOTOS: (Top) The Ontonagon boys golf team is pictured together after winning the Upper Peninsula Division 3 title Thursday at Irish Oaks in Gladstone. (Middle) Powers North Central’s Bryson Mercier. (Photos by Austin Hemmingson.)