The inaugural Leader Cup Golf Tournament at Orchard Hills Country Club was not without a bit of drama Monday.

The six schools in the Leader Publications coverage area — Brandywine, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Niles got together to play 18 holes of golf.

Each school put up two-man teams, which played nine holes of alternate shot and nine holes of scramble golf.

Edwardsburg, led by medalists Dante Razzano and Bo Thomas, who shot 75, won the inaugural team championship with a 251.

Niles was originally second with a 263, but when it was discovered that one player did not finish a hole, the Vikings were disqualified.

“First of all, I would like to thank the staff and grounds crew at Orchard Hills and Leader Publications,” Edwardsburg coach Jeff Kozinski said. “They did a great job hosting the Leader Cup Tournament. The course is in excellent shape for this early in the season. From the tee boxes to the greens, everything was top notch. All of the players and coaches had only positive comments about the event.

“Winning the inaugural Leader Cup was huge for the Eddies. The setup was nice because we got to compete for 18 holes. With the conference championship and the state tournament around the corner, the tournament was a great way to get the student athletes prepared for the upcoming weeks. Our confidence level definitely moved in the right direction after the tournament.”

“Overall, I think the event was great,” Buchanan coach Amelio Rodriguez, who hosted the event, said. “I think the players enjoyed the two-man format, the weather cooperated, as the rain held off until the last couple holes.”

 

LEADER CUP

At Ochard Hills C.C.

Medalists

Dante Razzano, Bo Thomas, Edwardsburg – 75

 

Team scores

Edwardsburg 251, Dowagiac 267, Cassopolis 297, Buchanan 300, Brandywine 312, Niles DQ.

 

Edwardsburg results

Dante Razzano-Bo Thomas 75, Adam Kozinski-Erik Sterner 83, Ryan Rogers-Billy Dahmen 93.

 

Dowagiac results

David Brogan-Justin Yakim 89, Zach Davis-Mitch Warsko 86, Josh Lamphere-Drew Davis 92.

 

Cassopolis results

Colin Kelley-Garrett Green 96, Hunter Tietsort-Lane Francis 90, Ryan Sutton-Trenton Gless 111.

 

Buchanan results

Ty Lorance-Parker Saladin 88, Jacob Graham-Devin Skwiercz 108, Tristen McCarty-Brixton Adkerson 104.

 

Brandywine results

Jordan Mickiewicz-Sam Burge 94, Will Davis-Matt Probst 90, Jacob Burge-Toby Latislaw 128.

 

Niles results

Riley Delinski-Davin Simpson 84, Drew Rudlaff-Alex Krueger 92, Jared Ham-Ross Lawrence 89.