Mid Pen Senior Wins Family Matchup, North Central Takes Back Team Title
By
Jason Juno
Special for MHSAA.com
May 30, 2024
ESCANABA – Rock Mid Peninsula’s Bradly VanDamme doesn’t get much better competition than what his eighth-grade brother Christian brings to the golf course.
Last year, Bradly’s only win against Christian came at the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Final. This year, Bradly finished ahead of his brother in every event leading up to the championship tournament, but a second consecutive U.P. title still wasn’t a sure thing as Bradly wound down his senior year.
“We were waking up this morning, and we didn’t really know who was going to get it,” Bradly said. “We’ve been tight all year.”
Bradly came out on top with a 73, and Christian finished runner-up with a 76 on Thursday at Escanaba Country Club.
“It’s sweet,” Bradly said of claiming two straight U.P. Finals titles. “It’s what I dreamed of. Just grinding all summer long, especially all spring and the winter going with my buddies and hitting the simulator. It’s just what you strive for.”
He said he got off the tee well all day.
“I just put myself in some good positions,” he said. “If you can get off the tee well, this course is relatively short.”
His mom, and coach, Earlene VanDamme, said he’s done well in every tournament this season.
“He’s a strong player and he put a lot of development into it this past year, and it’s paid off again,” she said.
His practice and hard work got him where he is, she said. So did a little motivation from his brother.
“I think that is a good driving force,” she said.
Bradly VanDamme said his brother’s game is strong overall.
“He’s got a very bright future,” he said.
Powers North Central won the Division 3 team title with a score of 338, and Lake Linden-Hubbell was second at 349. The title was the Jets' second in three seasons.
“This is kind of sweet,” North Central coach Scott Farnsworth said, while choking up. “Good group of kids. I have 12 kids out, all very enthusiastic, these guys work hard for me all the time.”
He knew they had a good chance of winning going into the event. The Jets lost four times to Division 2 schools in their conference but were close to them each time.
“This whole group, you hear of gym rats, these guys are golf rats,” he said. “We get done with the meet, they’re going to play another 18. They are really nice to have, they get out there, do whatever I ask. They just get out and play. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
North Central was led by Alex Popkorn, who carded an 82 and finished in a tie for fourth individually. Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Bradley Axford was third with a 78 and Cedarville/DeTour’s Drew Moser also tied for fourth with an 82.
PHOTOS (Top) Powers North Central holds up its latest championship trophy Thursday at Escanaba Country Club. (Middle) Mid Peninsula’s Christian VanDamme sends an approach shot on No. 13. (Photos by Jason Juno.)
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.”
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