Awards Night

It was a pleasure and honor to award seniors Hillary Connors and Eric Rosio their certificates, letters and medal at their senior banquet tonight.  Eric earned all conference.  


Admittedly, I may have been a little long in my presentations, but the way I figure it...we've only gone to sectionals as a whole varsity team three times in about the last 25-30 years.  Golf does not tend to be a high spectator sport in high school sports...though perhaps many do not know they are certainly welcome, even to walk the course from the sides and cheer.  We did have some locals come and support us and our conference teams in sectionals at Pine Valley, which was quite appreciated.  


But, lets just say something as third in regionals and a birth to sectionals is special indeed...worth shouting and singing about...congrats to the whole team...you've been a special bunch this year for sure!

Sectionals Day...

Arrived at 8am...coach's meeting at 8:15...everyone hit the range to loosen up...get mentally ready.  Practiced the putting green...

Course Pro speaks to all the players going over boundaries, rules, drop zones, pace of play..

Teams went in rotation of how they finished regionals.  Since we were third in regionals...they went off in groups of other third finalists, other conferences...in order where our number five varsity player tees off..then, fourth, third...etc.,  here...on deck about to tee off...smiling, but quite chilly...quite cold!!  Winds were crazy...

Stomach is in a knot...each player is announced just like a PGA event...over a speaker system, "Next on the tee...Kim Mentz, from Laona!"  etc.,  Everyone is watching...spectators, coaches...and you know that your round very much feeds off the first tee.   Your confidence is rooted in that...and the worst possible scenario often plagues the mind as it jumbles thru the nerves, reminding yourself to breathe...think...okay, set up, address...waggle the club...hit the ball!!  Its an exciting moment, and one none of the players is likely to forget...

At day's end...Eric had shot an 83....a very good scoring for such a windy day!  So did one other player from private school, Assumption...and it would come down to a playoff between the two for a birth/spot to go to state.  Eric had been hitting very strong...and we sent him back to the range to warm up.  Ready as ready could be...

Again...players have assembled on the 16th tee to watch and cheer on, coaches, spectators.  You know you have played well to be in this position...but dang, just one stroke less than you would have hoped so as not to be in this position.  Again...its nerves.  The air is filled with anticipation...yet quite quiet.  The tournament director is there to announce who will tee off first.  Two other players also teeing off for medals.  The course pro is along to help officiate.  A tee is tossed...and it goes to Eric to tee off first.

It is a par four...from 140 yards in (to the tee) the green elevates.  There is trouble with trees and deep grass to the left, a tall tree intimidates an approach from the right.  Play it safe and just put it out there...or go for it?  Well...Eric has it in mind, that if he smokes his driver down the middle...its game over.  Believe me...as his coach, Eric can deliver and put it into another zip code!!!  There isn't a lot of room for error.  It has to be an ideal drive...but there is wind, there is state on the line...and thus, there is also nerve.

It was a gutsy bold move...but unfortunately Eric pulled the shot, went straight as an arrow to the left side and buried into the trees..an unplayable lie.  Eric opted to drop it in line with point of entree and the flag...no shot to the flag possible...but he pitched a genuis shot to the 100 yard marker.  Unfortunately...a fine recovery, he was already looking at his fourth stroke to the green.  Here Eric chips and the ball airborned.  What is not immediately shown is how this ball nearly dropped into the hole.  Courageous gutsy play...each step of the way!

The result was admittedly discouraging...but we are not disappointed.  Eric gave it his best and did us all proud.   No doubt a good many woulda, shoulda, coulda if only's for some time to come.  


For us on the team, sectionals was nothing short of a fantastic experience.  We will cherish the experiences of this season...our run at regionals and birth to sectionals.  We'll miss our seniors next year, Eric Rosio...and Hillary Connors...with promise of two new freshman boys joining us...who knows, perhaps more.

Kim Mentz had a fantastic run not only at regionals...but at sectionals...besting perhaps 40 other players.  Everyone gave it their all, and left it all on the course.  The wind, the chill would have been enough for any weekend player to cancel their reservations to play.  It was a lot to ask. 

   
As coach...I've seen improvements all season long, and each player just moving ahead...better and better.  Zach...stronger on his irons...putting, Shania perhaps our most improved player.  Each contributing to what would grow into a strong close bonded knit group.  Great young people each of them...fun, whimsical...and proud of what they have accomplished together.  I will certainly miss this group going into next year...but with fresh intrigue what the next year will bring.  Who will step up?  Who will prove the most surprise and growth...

HIllary...it has been a pleasure.  I wish you the best in your ventures, on-going schooling...

Eric, thank you for giving me opportunity to work with you, for bending your ear...for your standard setting effort over and above.

Now...both of you...go out there, and we know you'll make all of us at Laona very proud.

Lastly...thanks to parents for your support.  To faculty and efforts to work around our play schedule...to Joe Gile, assistant golf pro of Ruby Hill Golf Course (California) sponsoring our team match play golf balls...to the Quarterback Club, and a huge thank you to Nicolet Country Club !!!!

Chill-Lax time Sectionals...

Shania...after pinching herself a good one.  "Really????  Going to sectionals?  Me..???  Sectionals???  (psyche...nice face, Sha ney ney!!!)

 Can you say Roadhouse...Texas Roadhouse???  Yummmmmm......

 Chill'laxin' at the hot tub!

 Eric showing his diving skills..."Look...I can hold my breath.."  Zach say, "look out...the side of the pool is only eight feet away!"

...more chill'axin!

Turns out...we'll be playin with only four tomorrow....  (thanks a lot Eric!!!)  Poor Zach....poor poor Zach...

Practice Round- Pine Valley Golf Course...Sectionals

Hot...humid, sweltering...but we did all eighteen today, getting a good look at the course for tomorrow's play...here you see the gang totin' their clubs getting ready to tee off, guys black tees, girls white...

Got to our motel...getting ready now to take off for Texas Roadhouse...for din din.. 8)

Sectionals...Here We Come!!!!

Laona Kelly Golfers came thru tonight...finishing third in a field of ten school varsity teams, and they did it in style...Kim Mentz having her best round yet this year, Eric Rosio winning medalist.  Four teams advance, and three top players not of teams advancing...so, Pine Valley in Marathon, here we come.  Next Tuesday, May 29th...

(left to right) Coach Seiler, Shania Simonis, Kim Mentz, Hillary Connors, Eric Rosio, Zach Reeves

Our scoring results...3rd

As coach, it has been so much fun driving this bunch around, the vehicle often filled with laughs, back and forths...just very good spirited. 

 

  

Hills hitting in the 40's front and back tonight was a special moment and accomplishment.  Way to bring it on!!!

Kim shot the best round of her season, tying a couple others in the Regionals, an "85"...way to strike 'em Kim...

I don't know if Eric felt it...as coach I did, the pressure of repeating as medalist...first in the Pre-Regional...but last hole, we could hear Eric whistling some cheery song all the way down the cart path, thru the fairway and to the side of the green on the 18th...and we knew he had sewn up a great score.  Proud of ya, Eric...you've worked dang hard...everyone has, and we're all Sectionals bound!!!

Here Eric and his assigned group of number ones, read out scores to each other and make sure any issue is resolved before signing cards...

So, Crandon wins the Regional Championship...congratulations to Crandon and to coach Dave Ferk...

Here...we see coach Ferk congratulating Eric for his outstanding medalist round!!!
 

So...in the excitement of the moment, trying to sense the bigger picture of it all...we could not remember the last time the whole varsity team went to sectionals.  Talking back and forth with former varsity coach Bruce Decorah tonight, I learned that Connor, Jay and crew under his coaching tenure went to sectionals twice.  Talking with former and retired coach Tom Giles tonight...its been well over twenty years before our recent histories that the whole varsity team has gone to sectionals.  

Mr. Decorah asks me to pass his congratulations along to the Laona Kelly Golfers, and the best of luck at sectionals.  It is a moment to remember...!!!!  It is also time once more for us to make the most out of practice times together preparing for this...so, we'll soak it in, enjoy what is well deserved, but then its time to get serious real quick here once more!!!  With the possibilities of being state bound!!!!

Proud of all of you...and truth be told, think gathered in the clubhouse the team had some fun watching me (Mr Seiler...) come unglued a bit...nervous and on edge.  Its really something watching that leader board and the scores.  Can't say how many times I bit my lip!!!  How fun...!!!


Pep assembly to send off golfers to sectionals last 15 minutes of afternoon classes in the gymnasium...and also cheer on the Laona Ladie's softball team. 


Golfers will be leaving the parking lot at Laona at 8:30am Monday morning, the 28th...a two hours drive to Pine Valley Golf Course, Marathon (east of Wausau off hwy 29)...where we have an 11:20am tee time for sectionals practice round.  Staying overnight at a lodge...play begins early next morning, Tuesday May the 29th...

Pre-Regional... Eric Rosio Wins Medalist!

This afternoon was perfect weather for golf, and the Pre-Regional 18 hole event held at Laona Nicolet Country Club...and eight different school districts participated in the event.  This event gives some schools a look over our course here at Laona for Regionals being played on the 22nd of May...and a feel for the competition.  That means roughly 45 athletes in competition this afternoon...which makes Eric Rosio's besting all scores to earn medalist a proud and deserving moment.  Congratulations Eric!!!

 Golfers from Florence, Crandon and Three Lakes took second, third and fourth medalist awards.

We also took our team photo tonight prior to the meet...a tradition required by WIAA in the event of regional advancement...

 (left to right)  Zach Reeves, Kim Mentz, Shania Simonis, Hillary Connors, Eric Rosio

Routinely, as coach, I help each athlete set goals for their matches which gives them opportunity to earn Kelly logo stickers for posters featuring each of them. Certain number of fairways hit in regulation for the round, number of two putts, pars, birdies, etc.,  Notable here is also Kim Mentz score showing her continuing consistency in lowering her scores...a 44 and a 46 for a total of 90...which is OUTSTANDING!!!  Yeah Kim!!!

Also what can be gleaned from this scoring...is Eric's hitting Eagle on hole number nine!

All in all fine preparation for the Regional coming on the 22nd.  Tomorrow night...Laona is host for a conference meet, then Thursday we are off for the day for eighteen holes at George Young, Iron River...!!!

Elcho host- Pickeral Maplewood Golf Course

Tuesday night, (May 8th) held our skepticism on route to the golf course as to whether or not the match would be played.  The sky was foreboding, darker clouds both sides of our drive, rain squalls seen in the distance.  However...other than stronger winds, a bit of rain here and there the weather did not prove enough concern to thwart play.  Playing held its challenges, the rain slowed the greens down quite a bit causing a good share of three putts for all participating district teams.  The wind another factor...

I started my walk as coach following the number ones...here, Eric Rosio has committed his pit to the flag, another green reading his line...and nice swing follow-thru form.  Note in these photos the threatening nature of the skies!

Hillary Connors targets in on a par 3, just off the back of the green...

Shania Simonis commits to her putt...
 

Zach Reeves bears down on a ball in the deep stuff...
 

...followed with a nice follow-thru...
 

Kim Mentz had a pretty remarkable round, but for one hole...and, *side...we golfers know how that goes.  Kim closing in on an approach shot to the green...

Scores overall were pretty high by all golfers, four medalists tied at 42...and we came in a dissapointing fifth of seven teams this night.  Still...fun had by all...