CALUMET - Jeffers golf coach Jason Koski is presented with an enjoyable little problem at the start of each meet.
How should he fill out his pairing card?
Does he go with Matt Zerbst, who medaled at the Chassell Invite last week, in the No. 1 group? Perhaps he slots Stephen Butina, who finished as the top individual scorer at the Baraga Invite, in the top billing? Or has Tyler Bailey, Ontonagon Invite medalist and maybe the most consistent scorer for the Jets, earned some swings in the leading group?
Article Photos
Jeffers senior Matt Zerbst putts from the fringe at the ninth hole at Calumet Golf Club Monday for the Lake Linden-Hubbell Invite. The Jets won the meet and Zerbst finished third with a 79. (DMG photo by Michael Bleach)
As Koski has not found a clear answer, he choses not to worry about it.
"You can play those three anywhere," Koski said. "It doesn't matter, they are going to do well."
They certainly proved that once again Monday at the Lake Linden-Hubbell Invite (at Calumet Golf Club).
Fact Box
BOYS:
JEFFERS (323) - Tyler Bailey 75, Matt Zerbst 79, Stephen Butina 82, Alex Outinen 87
ONTONAGON (338) - Brandon Jilbert 82, Travis Huotari 84, Joe Pollard 86, Dave Pollard 86
LAKE LINDEN-HUBBELL (364) - Trevor Ongie 78, Brett Poissant 89, Cole Beauchamp 94, Cody Kunnari 103
CHASSELL (399) - Josh Pietila 95, Zack Mills 100, Jordan LaTendresse 101, Dax Durocher 103
BARAGA (NTS) - Dustin Juntunen 109, Bill Mayo 113
GIRLS:
JEFFERS (229) - Brittany Nicholas 54, Shelby Seppanen 55, Alyssa Taavola 60, Lindsay Kin 60
ONTONAGON (237) - Chloe Ashley 56, Abby Domitrovich 59, Erin Majurin 59, Kristie Kioski 63
BARAGA (274) - Rebecca Larson 53, Kellie Massie 71, Donna Powlowski 75, Gabby Mayo 75
LAKE LINDEN-HUBBELL (NTS) - Ciara Larson 55.
Bailey took home the medal with a three-over 75, Zerbst finished third with a 79 and Butina tied for fourth with an 82 as Jeffers posted a team total of 323, good for 15 shots better than runner-up Ontonagon. Lakes sophomore Trevor Ongie finished second on the day with a 78 after he birdied the final hole and Lake Linden-Hubbell came in third with a 364, followed by Chassell at 399.
Jeffers has yet to lose a Copper Country Conference meet this season.
"It's true we haven't lost in the conference yet, but Ontonagon is close on our heels," Koski said. "So the boys have done a good job shooting consistently each meet. We have four sophomores and a senior, so that's not a given."
Not only does the trio create success each meet - plus brothers Alex and Christopher Outinen, who both can shoot in the 80s - they sustain it by maintaining competition among themselves.
Not only are opponents' scores the target, but each teammate's as well.
"There is definitely some friendly competition," Koski said. "Especially when they are leading (a meet) and they want to beat each other. It definitely helps. Any competition is good."
With just two weeks left until U.P. Finals, Koski likes the way his team his swinging heading into the final stretch.
"They are just scoring well right now," Koski said. "Some real low ones. ... Any one of those three guys is capable of winning."
On the girls' tees, Jeffers won as well, but with a closer margin of victory, outshooting Ontonagon 229 to 237. Baraga finished with a 274.
The Jets' girls depth carried them to victory, with Brittany Nicholas (54) finishing second, Shelby Seppanen (55) tied for third and Alyssa Taavola and Lindsay Kin both posting 60s.
"Ontonagon has been right on our heels all year," ?Koski said. "We have been fortunate enough to beat them each meet."
Baraga's Rebecca Larson took home the medal with a 53.
"You know, I think she has shot a 53 almost every time now," Baraga coach Jeff Markham said. "And this time it worked out with the rest (of the field) shooting worse."