BIG RAPIDS – Detroit Catholic Central clawed its way back Saturday to claim its third-consecutive Lower Peninsula Division 1 boys golf championship at Ferris State’s Katke Golf Course.

The Shamrocks finished with a score of 590 over the two-day 36-hole tournament.

“We started the day nine strokes back,” said Detroit Catholic Central coach Mike Fras. “We had to chase Brighton and Brother Rice, and we know how good they are. Everything really worked. We felt the pressure, but we handled it.”

DCC’s top placer was senior Jack Whitmore, who finished with a two-round 145. He shot a 69 on Saturday, with an eagle on hole 18 during the second round.

“I holed out from about 65 yards for eagle,” said Whitmore. “It was crazy. … We have won it in the past, so we knew we had it in us. We knew that we needed a low one today. All day the vibes were high.”

At the end of the second round, Whitmore was congratulated with high-fives and hugs from his teammates and coaches. He said winning a third-straight team championship is an indication of the program’s consistency.

“We practice all year long,” Whitmore said. “We are all friends and have team camaraderie. I think we are the strongest team out here bonding-wise.”

All told, the Shamrocks had four seniors competing at the Finals who had all made appearances in last year’s tournament, including David Krusinski, who shot a 79 on the first day and improved by four strokes Saturday. Collin Davis shot 146 and Luke Slankster finished with a 149.

The Shamrocks’ only freshman, Sal Camalo, ended the tournament with a 150.

Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice took home the second-place team trophy with a score of 592. Senior Rocco Iacobelli was Rice’s top golfer with a 145 after carding a 71 on the final day. Teammate Joseph Karoutsos finished with a 150 and shot a 70 on the second day.

The Warriors shot a 292 on the first day and 300 on Saturday.

“We set out today to replicate what we did yesterday,” Brother Rice assistant coach David Sass said. “But we had a couple guys fall short. I am still proud of them. Nobody quit. I have to hand it to CC, if you shoot one-under on the day – that is pretty good – they deserve it.”

Brighton took third with 595, while Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern shot a 602 for fourth and Rochester Adams was fifth at 604.

The top individual golfer was decided in a playoff between three on hole 10.

Rochester Adams’ Ben Vento, Flushing’s AJ Gasper and Midland Dow’s David Han ended the first 36 holes tied at 142.

All three golfers had strong drives to begin the playoff hole, all well past the 150-yard mark down the middle of the fairway.

On their second shots, Vento and Gasper each chipped onto the green coming within three feet of the hole. Han also landed on the green, but missed his 30-foot putt to stay in contention for the top spot.

Vento was next up and sank his short putt in front of a large crowd of fans and golfers who gathered to watch.

“I think this is the biggest tournament I have ever played in,” Vento said. “I don’t think I have ever experienced a crowd like that. I think it was like 100 people. I was shocked that they all came out. My team was cheering pretty big for me. I really appreciated it.” 

Gasper was the last to putt, but he narrowly missed the hole giving the Rochester Adams freshman the win.

“I kind of blacked out on all of my shots,” Vento said. “On my drive, I just swung as hard as I could. The chip was pretty good and the putt caught the left edge of the hole.”

Vento finished with a 70 on the first day and a 72 during the second round. He noted he had “good wedges all day.”

“My approach play was good all tournament, but I struggled off the tee,” he said. “Thanks to my coach for replacing my driver halfway through.”

Vento discovered a crack in his driver head, and after checking with officials they allowed him to replace it during the tournament.

“My coach came through clutch for me,” he said. “I hit the ball right down the fairway on the playoff hole.”

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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Catholic Central’s golf team poses for a photo after completing its championship victory Saturday. (Middle) Adams’ Ben Vento lines up a putt. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)