Gremlins Add Title to Record-Setting Run
May 28, 2015
By Dennis Grall
Special for Second Half
IRON MOUNTAIN – The Houghton Gremlins were hoping to defend their MHSAA title while also hitting around 310 Thursday at the Upper Peninsula Division 1 boys golf championship tournament.
They easily achieved their first goal, winning their second straight crown with a 325 that put them 15 strokes ahead of perennial contender Marquette. The next four teams also were bunched, with Escanaba at 342, Gladstone 343, Negaunee 345 and Kingsford 350.
The Gremlins posted a school-best 297 two weeks ago at Houghton Portage Lake Golf Club, but coach Corey Markham warned them that approaching that mark would be difficult at challenging Pine Grove Country Club, which was founded in 1902 and ranks among the top five courses in the Upper Peninsula.
"This is a challenging course. It is really difficult," Markham said of the hilly, tree-lined par 72 layout that stretched to 6,297 yards from the blue tees.
He was more than happy with how his squad attacked Pine Grove, with teammates Gunnar Stein and Brendan Longhini finishing 1-2 with 76 and 79 strokes, respectively. Only seven other players shot fewer than 85, including Houghton's Wyatt Liston, who had 83.
That kind of depth put the Gremlins in good position to turn back any challengers. "They showed up and were solid. They were very impressive," said Markham, whose girls team won its fifth straight U.P. crown.
Markham said the success of both teams is the result of a strong junior program at Portage Lake.
"The key is they get out and play and work on their games," he said. "They chip, putt, hit the (driving) range. They strive to get better.
"We have an awesome facility and Portage Lake caters to our youth. They get to play a lot of golf. That is a big part of our success."
It also helps that the talent level is close. "They strive to beat each other. They're teammates but they still want to beat each other," he said.
Longhini is the only senior on the squad, which bodes well for the future. "They are the biggest golf nuts," said Markham. "You won't find many people out there more often than our kids. They are buddies. They love to play. They compete against each other every day for bragging rights."
Stein, who posted a career-best 70 two weeks ago when the Gremlins carded that 297, is a junior. The Gremlins had a practice round Wednesday and learned some of the tricks to play Pine Grove.
"Hitting the fairways is key," said Stein, who hit nine or 10 to miss his goal of hitting all 14 par fours and fives. He missed Nos. 12 and 17 "by a lot, and I made bogey. Otherwise I missed them by five or 10 yards."
His tee shot on the 531-yard 12th landed on the left side rough and he had to punch out from between two trees that limited his backswing.
Handling the undulating greens was also a key. He didn't sink a birdie but also didn't have any three-putt greens, with solid approach shots a key. "If you one-putt every hole it makes par a lot harder," he said.
Stein said the team's depth is a critical component to the overall success. "We qualify for our spots. It is like a tourney in itself. Qualifying is a tourney atmosphere," he said. "We're used to playing under pressure. You have to embrace it."
PHOTOS: (Top) Houghton golfers stand with their MHSAA championship trophy. (Middle) Gunnar Stein of Houghton chips out of a tough lie between trees on the 12th hole at Iron Mountain Pine Grove Country Club on Thursday at the Upper Peninsula Division 1 Final. Stein was medalist with 76 to lead the Gremlins to their second straight title. (Below) Channing Modschiedler of Menominee blasts out of the bunker on the 12th hole Thursday. He shot 89.(Photos by Dennis Grall.)
Clarkston Everest Continues Reign, Glen Lake's Houtteman Masterful as Medalist
By
Tom Lang
Special for MHSAA.com
June 7, 2025
BIG RAPIDS – The 1-2 punch of seniors Parker Stalcup and Will Pennanen led two-time reigning Lower Peninsula Division 4 champion Clarkston Everest Collegiate to add a third-consecutive title Saturday at Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University.
They were two of only three golfers under par for the tournament’s two rounds – Pennanen at 2-under (71-71-142) to finish individual runner-up, and Stalcup at 1-under for third place. The medalist was Michael Houtteman of Maple City Glen Lake with a sizzling 6-under par (70-68-138).
Everest Collegiate led by seven strokes after the first day, with a team total 314 ahead of Grandville Calvin Christian at 321 and McBain Northern Michigan Christian sitting at 322. The Mountaineers piled on even more Saturday to win with 631 strokes to Calvin Christian’s 650 and Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep’s 651. McBain was fourth at 652 and Houtteman’s Glen Lake team took fifth at 657.
Pennanen and Stalcup were part of the Finals lineup all four years of their careers at Everest Collegiate, which began with a Division 4 team runner-up finish when they were freshmen.
“It just means a lot because every team is different and each one is very special,” Pennanen said. “We all played consistent. I don’t think it was even our best, but we did what we needed to, to get the win.
“We are very comfortable playing with a lead,” he added. “That’s how it’s been for us. We always have confidence, we’re always prepared and we try not to focus on outside things too much.”
While Finals championships are special, he agreed that team bonding was as good or better.
“We took a lot of trips this year, spent the night at a lot of courses,” he said. “It was just fun being with the guys.
Stalcup was pleased with a top-three finish individually and thrilled with the team title – yet not surprised by it.
“I think we deserved this,” he said. “We put in a lot of work and a lot of time into practicing. We came out here for the two days and played hard, and we took it home. We knew the potential that we had.”
Stalcup – who finished second individually as a sophomore and fourth last season as Pennanen was the medalist – said it would have been tough to get past Houtteman.
“He was really good this week,” Stalcup said. “He shot 6-under and that’s hard to beat, but good for him.
“This is a tough course. I definitely left a lot of strokes out there – but I’m happy scoring under par for two days. Got the team win, and that’s what I’m really happy about.”
Hopes of trying to overcome Houtteman’s edge were dashed when he scored 4-under par on the front nine Saturday, aided greatly by an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
“Yes, I got off to a hot start and was able to stay comfortable which is nice, and I got the job done,” Houtteman said.
On No. 3, Houtteman hit a drive that split the fairway; his second shot was an iron that kicked up to about 20 feet from the hole, and he sank the long putt.
Much has been made this year about Houtteman’s father, Lee, the team’s coach and a member of the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame as one of Michigan's best players who has also done well nationally in PGA of America events.
“Expectations are expectations,” Micheal Houtteman said about what others think about family bloodlines. “I’m never looking too deep into expectations. I just try to go out and breathe, and if I play good, I play good. And if I don’t, I know what to work on. If I play good maybe I can lift some hardware.
“His experience has greatly affected my game (for the good),” Michael added. “He not only knows how to be a swing coach, but he’s a good father and an unbelievable player – he knows all three, which you need to be able to do to be successful. I did not feel pressured to play golf, but I do like fishing. I came out of the womb with a club in my hand just because I enjoyed it. Never felt pressured.”
The Air Force Academy is his next destination. He said part of what pointed him in that direction was his grandfather, a former U.S. Navy aviator.
“The job opportunities are amazing (in the military) and I get to play some high-level golf – that I’m excited for,” he said, while noting that he is looking forward to returning to Michigan for the annual Folds of Honor Collegiate hosted by Michigan State. Houtteman finished runner-up (even par) in a high school event at American Dunes this spring against most of the top teams in Michigan.
“Maybe I can take my (new Air Force) teammates up north a couple hours from there, maybe go fishing,” he said.
As popular as golf is in the state of Michigan, Houtteman looks at it differently than many.
“My favorite part is the break you get in the winter. You’re hitting in the simulator, which is a little different, but it lets you dial in on your mechanics and allows you to come out swinging once you adjust.”
Living in Glen Lake is also a bonus in his mind.
“One thing I enjoy is stepping away from cellular devices and just (being) able to breathe some fresh air,” Houtteman said. “I’m thankful to live in a very natural area up north with lots of trees, and it’s pretty rural. I can see how people who live in cities (want to) go play golf and get away from everything else.”
(Click for more photos from High School Sports Scene.)