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 !!!!