HILLSDALE — Hillsdale Academy golf had their eyes set on several goals for their 2023-24 season. The first of which was to have an undefeated season in jamboree league play, and to win their fourth straight SCAA conference championship. Hillsdale Academy accomplished both of those goals this season, closing the chapter on the SCAA on Monday by winning the conference championship jamboree.
It was the type of team efforts that wins teams state championships, which is the main team goal for the MIGCA No. 1 ranked Division 4 Colts. The team shot a staggering team final score of 291. The next closest team in the championship held at Ella Sharp Park was Jackson Christian with a 348-team score.
"This was certainly one of our goals," coach Rolla Frisinger said. "It takes every day griding it, and that was kind of when we had our first meeting of the year. Our goal was that we got to get better every single day. We really focused on the mental side of the game. I think a lot of our players hung in there. When you got it rolling good like they did today, sometimes you start thinking ahead, reading the newspaper. They did a good job staying in the moment."
Several golfers had career-best days during 18-hole round of golf. Senior and Northwood golf commit Rykert Frisinger, son of coach Rolla Frisinger, shot a 63, eight-under par. The senior had seven birdies and parred everything else. This round was two strokes off of tying the overall Ella Sharp Park Golf Course record. It was a career-best over 18 holes.
"It was a good day," Frisinger said. "The team's played (good), as well. We're very excited with where we stand. We are just looking forward to regionals and states ahead. It's just tunnel vision."
Frisinger's final score is in consideration as the new school and league record. Hillsdale Academy could not officially confirm as of the writing of this article if Frisinger's score was indeed a school and league record. The team score from the round is also in consideration to be a school and league record.
The 2023 all-state golfer wasn't the only Colt to have a career best on 18 holes. After earning his first top 10 at an invitational for his career, junior Kahle Welden placed second in the individual standings with a final score of 73. Welden had one birdie and 14 pars to earn the runner-up medal.
"It was a smooth, consistent round and nothing crazy," Welden said. "It's just huge for confidence and a boost that helps me mentally know what I can shoot."
The junior says the numbers gave him confidence in his ability to help lead the team after Rykert and Ridley graduate this season. Welden took seventh at the regionals last season, and he hopes to medal this year.
Taking third overall in the standings was Ridley Fast with a final score of 77. The senior Academy athlete, Trine Commit and former all-state honoree shot two birdies on the day. Fast looks to lead the team to their second-straight regional championship next week.
Freshman Colt Lincoln Knirk took fourth with a 78, shooting one birdie on a par-five on the back nine. Fellow freshman Ben Lutz shot an 86 to take seventh overall. Both freshmen had career-best finishes. Junior Vincent Reagle battled illness during his day but played through all 18 holes for a 96 final score.
"The grittiness of the team showed today, and I'm so proud of them," coach Frisinger said.
WCA places third in Team Standings
Another Hillsdale County team had an impressive effort at the conference championship jamboree. Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy placed third overall with a final score of 358.
Three golfers were scored in the top 10. Freshman David Maier had a final score of 85 to take sixth overall. Junior Tyler Slade took eighth with an 87 overall. Junior Will Thielen tied for 10th with an 89 overall score. Taking 24th was senior Caleb Daniels with a 97. Thomas Maier took 31st with a final score of 103. Elliot Johnson took 37th with a final score of 134.
Hillsdale golf places one athlete in LCAA championship
The Hillsdale golf team traveled out to Tecumseh for the LCAA championships. Senior Jaden Hall was the team's top 10 placer for the event. Hall took fifth overall with an 82 final score. He shot a birdie on hole one of the Hantz Golf Club course and had six pars.
The team took eighth overall. Senior Joseph Miller took 22nd with a final score of 97. Julian Harmon took 35th with a 107 final score. Brahm Gambill took 37th after shooting 109.
Regional Finals Info
Hillsdale Academy will host this year's Division 4, Region 21 championship tournament at the Coldwater Golf Course, one of the team's home courses. The finals will be played on Thursday, May 30.
Hillsdale and Jonesville will compete on Tuesday, May 28 at the Cascades Golf Course in the Division 3, Region 18 championship.
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