Six area golf teams will be in action today as the MHSAA postseason begins at the regional level.

After adding a district round for a few years, the MHSAA eliminated it beginning this season.

Niles and Edwardsburg will travel to Battle Creek for the Division 2 regional which will be hosted by Gull Lake at Bedford Valley Golf Club.

Brandywine, Buchanan and Dowagiac will compete in the Division 3 regional hosted by Comstock at Stonehedge North Golf Course in Richland.

Cassopolis will compete in the Division 4 regional which will be hosted by White Pigeon at Klinger Lake Country Club.

The top three teams, plus the top three individuals who are not on a qualifying team advance to the state finals, which will be hosted by The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University (Division 2), Katke on the campus of Ferris State University and Forest Akers East on the campus of Michigan State University.

The finals will be held June 9 and 10.

 

Division 2

Edwardsburg and Niles will join Battle Creek Pennfield, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Benton Harbor, Charlotte, Coldwater, Jackson Northwest, Marshall, Jackson Parma Western, Paw Paw, Plainwell, Gull Lake, South Haven, St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Sturgis, Three Rivers and Vicksburg.

Eddies coach Jeff Kozinski believes his team will have to shoot 330 or better as a team and 75 as an individual.

“Weather will be a huge factor,” he said. “Bedford Valley is a challenging course. Fortunately, playing in the Wolverine conference, and we see tough courses all year long. Having Four Lakes as our home course will benefit us tremendously. The staff at Four Lakes takes great care of our players when it comes to practices and course conditions. The greens roll true just like at Bedford Valley.”

Niles’ Dan Brawley knows just how tough Bedford Valley can be. He also knows his team will have to play well to move on.

“There are 19 schools in our region and only three will make it to the state finals,” he said. “We will need to go very low for us to have a chance. Seniors Marcelo Balcazar and Jared Ham will have to carry us. They’ve both played well all year.

“The season can be quite a grind. We have played in a lot of tournaments that have helped us prepare for the regionals. The key in most sports, and golf is no different, is to peak at the right time. If we can all put up some of our lower numbers from the year we have a great chance to advance. If we hack it up then the season is over.”

 

Division 3

The Bobcats, Bucks and Chieftains will face the likes of Berrien Springs, Coloma, Comstock, Constantine, Delton-Kellogg, Hillsdale, Jonesville, Lawton, Olivet, Parchment, Quincy, Schoolcraft, Maple Valley and Watervliet.

Dowagiac’s Bob Turner’s team has not had the type of year he was expecting and feels it may be tough for the Chieftains to advance.

“Historically we are much better,” he said. “Finishing ninth in conference is not where we want to be. We did have some positive things though. Our individual averages dropped over the year. We ended with three guys averaging below 50 and for most of the year we did not have anyone below 50. If we are going to get out of regionals we would have to have four guys in the low 80s. Like 82 or below.”

Buchanan coach Amelio Rodriguez says his team will need to shoot below 340 to advance to the state finals.

“Based on the past few years, I think an individual might be able to advance to the state finals shooting 83,” he said. “Anything higher than 83 is going to be tough. While this year’s course is a tougher course than last year, there are birdie opportunities available for the better players.

“I think if he can keep his composure and not let the regional stage become too big for him, Austin Lloyd has a shot as a freshman to contend for one of the three individual spots. But he has to play his game and stay composed.”

 

Division 4

The Rangers will join Battle Creek St. Philip, Bridgman, Bronson, Burr Oak, Centreville, Climax-Scotts, Colon, Eau Claire, Gobles, Kalamazoo Christian, Kalamazoo Hackett, Lawrence, Marcellus, Howardsville Christian, New Buffalo, Lake Michigan Catholic, River Valley Union City and host White Pigeon at Klinger Lake.

Cassopolis coach Jeff Wernette said his team is no stranger to the course they are competing on.

He believes that the Rangers will have to shoot 340 or better as a team or under 80 to qualify as an individual.

“Having golfed at Klinger Lake Country Club twice this year has to be a good thing for us,” he said. “I think a team score in the 340s or an individual score in the low 80s will be required to qualify for state.”

Results will be posted online at leaderpub.com as soon as they become available.