An incredible season came to an ending no one could have seen coming. On day one, the conditions were tough and the Eagles did not play their best, shooting a season high score of 307 which put them in 4th place after day one, 4 shots back of the leader, Gull Lake. Orchard lake St. Mary was 3 shots ahead and well as Brother Rice at 3 shots ahead. 

Undeterred, the Eagle were ready to play on Saturday. They played beautifully. The day before was stressful and challenging just to make that season worst 307, chipping out on seemingly every hole and grinding for every par and every bogey. This second day was the opposite. Determined to play well, the guys hit it great all day, giving themselves chances at birdie on almost every hole. But to score well, you need the ball to roll in a few times, and it would not roll in for birdie very often. The boys were just missing short or lipping out, or curling it around the back of the hole seemingly all day. Even so, pars are good, and the Eagles would play the final 14 holes in a combined +4. By staying level the rest of the day we slowly moved up the leaderboard as others moved down, to be within 3 shots with 3 to play Just where we wanted to be. 

It came down to the last 3 holes for the second year in a row, just where we wanted to be. Much credit goes to Orchard Lake St. Mary who would hit the shot of the tournament on their second to last hole. There number one player, who was struggling that day, was out of position on the par 5 17th hole behind the green in three shots (the worst place to be because of where the pin was), having to make a near impossible up and down for par on a severely down hill, short sided chip shot. Missing the hole would mean he would likely have a 25 foot comeback putt for par and probably make bogey ensuring the Eagle victory. Short story short, 999 out of 1000 times would have resulted in a bogey or worse, but it smacked the pin at full speed and, unbelievably, went in for them (a birdie) a birdie instead of the expected bogey or worse. An incredible shot by that young man, especially for the moment for that young man. 

Even so, the Eagles still had all four players that were scoring for us on the green in regulation on their last hole with a birdie putt to win the tournament. If we made one of those putts, we would have tied OLSM and won with a 5th score tie breaker. But, like almost all the others, none of the putts rolled in. 

When the dust settled, and the scores were finalized, the Eagles shot a 297 for the day and came up one shot short of their second straight state championship. They shot a two day total of 307 & 297 for a 604. Orchard Lake would shoot two great rounds with a 304 & 299 for a total of 603. 

Runner-up is a fantastic result for any team. We never want to take it for granted, but even so this one was hard to swallow as it is easy to guarantee that this team worked harder than any other team. They did things the right way. They were tough all year, carrying heavy expectations from everyone to be the best, in eery tournament all year. They responded to all of that by competing in the top events against the best all yaer and won 15 of the 18 tournaments they were in (finishing 2nd in the other 3). So to come up one shot short after all that was very tough on these boys, their coaches, and their families. 

Thanks to everyone who came out in person to support us. It was awesome to see so many people there getting loud and crazy for these boys as we stormed back. Thanks for a great season, a great run this year, and to a senior class that was part of a remarkable 54 9 or 18 hole victories in their career. Proud of these boys. This team will probably never be replicated, and all Eagle fans and alumni can be proud of how these players represented Christ in the toughest moments, and how they represented Grand Rapids Christian with honor and class! 

Congratulations to the Eagles on their third straight Regional Championship! South Christian played fantastic golf, shooting an excellent 303 to take second place, while Otsego placed 3rd shooting a 311. All three of those teams qualified to play in the state finals next week. John Cassiday won the tournament individually by shooting a fantastic 2-under par 70! Also scoring for the Eagles was senior Dylan Clark (73 - 2nd overall), sophomore Cooper Reitsma (75 - T6 overall), and sophomore Sawyer O'Grady (78). 

The Eagles will play in the state finals next week June 7 & 8 at Forest Akers West Golf Course. Go Eagles!

In the last event for many of the players on the boys varsity golf team, the Eagles came out on top at The Lansing Christian Invitational at Hawk Hallow Golf Course with a team score of 301. Defeating the second place finishers of Mason high school who shot 312 and Saline who shot 321. Leading the Eagles and winning the event individually for the second straight tournament was Senior Nate VanOtteren (72). Also scoring for the Eagles was senior Ford Erickson (76 - T5th), junior Brody Baysore (76 - T5th), senior Nicholas Sherman (77 - 8th), and sophomore Ty Erickson (79). All three seniors were medalists in their last event! Way to go seniors! Way to go Eagles!

Down the road at Forest Akers West, the Eagles hosted the Best of the West D2 Invitational at the future state finals location. The Eagles came out on top of that event with a team score of 296, finishing ahead of OK white opponents Forest Hills Central (304), East Grand Rapids (312), and Gull Lake (313 - they played without their number one player), and Forest Hills Eastern (313). Scoring for the Eagles was sophomore Cooper Reitsma (72 - 2nd), junior John Cassiday (74 - 6th), sophomore Sawyer O'Grady (75) and senior Adam Workman (75). Also scoring for the Eagles was seniors Dylan Clark (76) and Max O'Grady (82). 

Of note here is that 10 players shot in the 70s in tournament play on one day. Go Eagles!

The Eagles finished off their third straight OK White Conference Championship by winning all the jamborees and the 18 hold conference championship at Thornapple Pointe by shooting an even par 288. This is the lowest 18 hole score for our team this year, besting last year's low of 289. Earning medalist honors for the Eagles was sophomore Sawyer O'Grady who birdied his last hole to get to 2-under par 70, just edging out his teammate Dylan Clark who shot a 1-under par 71 (2nd overall). Also scoring for the Eagles was John Cassiday (73 - 3rd overall) and Cooper Reitsma (74 - 4th overall). Max O'Grady shot 76 (8th overall) and Adam Workman shot 77 (11th overall). 

With the 18 hole victory, the Eagles won the team championship for third year in a row. Placing second was Forest Hills Northern, and tied for third was EGR and FHC. Six players earned All-Conference honors (top 10 scoring averages in league play) for the Eagles. 
   8th - Adam Workman - 38.38
   7th - Dylan Clark - 37.33
   T5th - Sawyer O'Grady & Max O'Grady - 37.25
   2nd - John Cassiday 35.62 
   1st - Cooper Reitsma 35.33

The Eagles compete in one more event at Forest Akers West on Thursday before starting the post season with Regionals on Monday at Quail Ridge. 

A very challenging golf course, a great day, and tough field made for a fun tournament for the Eagles. We were led by all five players shooting solid scores all in the 70's. The Ealges shot a 301 placing ahead of Division 1 opponents Saline (315) and Parma Western (324). Individually, Cooper Reitsma faced a two shot deficit with three holes to play when he made birdie on 16 and 17 to tie for the lead with one hole to play. Then on 18 he played a smart, and well executed tee shot, setting him up for a par that would give him a 1-under par 71 and win him the tournament as his opponent made a bogey. Also scoring for the Eagles was Dylan Clark (75, 3rd overall), Sawyer O'Grady (77, 8th overall), while Max O'Grady and John Cassiday both shot 78 (T9th overall). 

Eagles play on Monday in the OK White Conference Championship at Thornapple Pointe. 

The Cougars of Catholic Central (Division2) played a fantastic round of golf at the Tom Wilson Invite at Muskegon CC. The Eagles had 5 players shoot in the 70s and shot a 305, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars who shot 302 (and had the Medalist, Will Preston, with a 2-under 70). Scoring for the Eagles was sophomore Sawyer O'Grady who fired 75 (3rd), Cooper Reitsma and Dylan Clark each with 76 (T4), and Max O'Grady with a 78 (T10). Adam Workman also shot a nice 79 (13th). 

Another group of Eagles played at Tullymore Golf Club. They placed 2nd overall (315) with fellow OK White opponent East Grand Rapids winning the day with a 306. Leading the Eagles was Nicholas Sherman (76) and Ty Erickson (76) who both tied for 5th overall. Also scoring for GRC was Brody Baysore (80) and Nate VanOtteren (83). 

The last OK White jamboree of the regular season went the Eagles way as they were able to capture first place at Boulder Creek shooting a 1-under par 143. It was the Eagles fourth Jamboree out of six where they combined to shoot under par this season. Placing second today was Forest Hills Northern (152) and in third was Forest Hills Central (156). 

Leading the Eagles, and taking medalist honors, was junior John Cassiday with a 2-under 34. Also scoring for GRC was Max O'Grady and Adam Workman who each shot even par 36. Cooper Reitsma shot 1-over 37 to round out the scoring. 

The Eagles have one OK White event left on the calendar, the Conference Tournament at Thornapple Pointe on Monday May 20. 

The Eagles hosted the second to last 9-hole jamboree of the season at Quail Ridge yesterday. In a match that remained close throughout, the Eagles pulled away on the last 3 holes to secure the victory firing a 4-over par 148. Finishing second was East Grand Rapids with a 155 and then Forest Hills Northern with a 164. Scoring for the Eagles was Senior Dylan Clark and Junior John Cassiday who fired even par 36 (T2). Senior Max O'Grady and his sophomore brother Sawyer O'Grady both shot 38 (T5). Rounding out the scoring was Brody Baysore (40) and Adam Workman (41). 

The Eagles also sent a team to Spring Lake Country Club for the Annual Bitner Invitational. Led by guest coach and Eagle Golf Alumni Mike Sherman (his son is Eagle senior golfer Nicholas), the Eagles were able to capture a first place finish with a 302 (Tied with Forest Hills Eastern) by 5th score tie-breaker, where Adrian Evenhouse's 87 beat out the Forest Hills Eastern player's 5th score of 89. The Eagles were led by Cooper Reitsma shot a 2-under 70 (2nd place). Also scoring for the Eagles was Ford Erickson (75, T9), Nate VanOtteren (78), and Nicholas Sherman (79). 

The Eagles played in a very competitive event at The Loop at Forest Dunes Golf Resort. The Eagles entered two teams into this event and both teams scored well in a very deep field. Placing in first place was the team of Cooper Reitsma (70 - 3rd), John Cassiday (71 - T5th), Max O'Grady (74), Sawyer O'Grady (75) and Adam Workman (76). The top 4 scores combined to shoot 290. Second place was Traverse City with 294, and Brighton with 295. The Eagles second team was led by Nathan VanOtteren's 73 (9th), Ford Erickson (75), Dylan Clark (77), Nicholas Sherman (79) and Ty Erickson (81). This team finished with a 304 and in 7th place. Great job by both teams!

The Eagles have a few busy weeks coming up on the schedule. 

The Eagles traveled to Arrowhead Golf Course to play in their fourth Jamboree of the conference season. The Eagles played well and won the event with a 1-under par team score of 143. Finishing second was East Grand Rapids with a 158 and Forest Hills Northern with a 160. Leading the Eagles was Cooper Reitsma who stayed hot shooting a 4-under 32. Also scoring for the Eagles was John Cassiday and Max O'Grady who both fired an even par 36. Wrapping up the scoring for GRC was Adam Workman with a 39. 

On a day with swirling winds and a great test of a golf course at the beautiful Oakland Hills Country Club North Course, the Eagles came up just short after starting the day slow going +12 as a team after 5 holes. The Eagles would finish the day at +17 as a team, crawling all the way back into a tie for 1st place with 2 holes to play. But Gull Lake, a division to opponent, was able to outlast the Eagles on the last two holes to hold on to victory and put the Eagles in a T2nd finish with South Lyon East. 

The comeback was led by sophomore Cooper Reitsma who accomplished something I have never heard of anyone accomplishing as he birdied a remarkable 8 holes in a row on the back nine on his way to a school record 6-under 64. For the day Cooper had 9 total birdies. John Cassiday shot 3-over 73, Sawyer O'Grady shot 8-over 78 and Adam workman shot an 82. 

Congratulations to Cooper on breaking his own school record of 5-under 67 last year at Spring Lake Country Club with this incredible performance at Oakland Hills Country Club. The Eagles play today in an OK White Jamboree at Arrowhead Golf Course. 

The Eagles took to American Dunes in The Corporal B. tournament presented by the Folds of Honor on Friday, April 26. It was a very challenging field on a windy day at a very tough golf course. The Eagles started well and stayed tough all day, outlasting their opponents to win the event shooting a 301. In second place was Detroit Catholic Central (306) and in third was Traverse City West (316). Pacing the Eagles was sophomore Cooper Reitsma who birdied the last hole of the day to also win the Medalist honors with a 1-under par 71. Also scoring for GRC was junior John Cassiday with a 74, senior Adam Workman with a 77, and senior Dylan Clark with a 79. 

More important than golf was that the event honors American Heroes. On Friday we were honored to play for Dale Clark (US Navy - pictured), grandfather of Dylan Clark who flew up from Florida to be with us for the day, and for James Workman (US Army - in memoriam), Adam Workman's grandfather. We were honored to play for these great American heroes. 

The Eagles had the opportunity to compete on a warm and windy day at Watermark Country Club in their 3rd Jamboree of the season. Playing a smart and determined round today the Eagles combined to shoot a 1-under par 143 to win the Jamboree over the home team Forest Hills Central (156), East Grand Rapids (166), Lowell (172), Northview (173) and Greenville (176). 

The Eagles were led by John Cassiday, Max O'Grady and Sawyer O'Grady who all shot a 1-under 35 (T1). Also scoring for the Eagles were Dylan Clark or Adam Workman who both shot a 2-over 38 (T5), while Brody Baysore competed in his first varsity jamboree finishing 15th overall with a 42. 

The Eagles will compete on Friday at American Dunes in the Folds of Honor event against some of the top competition in the state of Michigan. 

On Friday, the Eagles competed on the Mountain Ridge course and placed first overall for that course with a 312! Max O'Grady led the Eagles with a 2-over 74 earning the top score in the event that day. Also scoring for the Eagles was Dylan Clark (77), Ford Erickson (79) and Nathan VanOtteren (82). 

On Saturday, another group of Eagles played in the Hamilton Invite, winning the tournament with a 302. The Eagles were paced by Cooper Reitsma's 2-under 70 (2nd overall). Also scoring for the Eagles was John Cassiday (76), Sawyer O'Grady (77) and Brody Baysore (80). The Eagles narrowly beat Unity Christian (312) whose #1 player shot a 3-under 69 to win the event. Two other Division 2 teams tied for third in Allendale and St. Joseph both shooting a 318.

On another warm and windy day, the Eagle held on by one stroke to beat a Forest Hills Northern team that played some excellent golf. The Eagles shot 149 while the Huskies shot 150 behind a 4-under round of 32 from Will Pollack, a pair of 37s from two other players and a hole in one from their #4 player! It was tied with one hole to play and Sawyer O'Grady birdied his last hole to help the Eagles win by one shot. 

The Eagles were led in scoring by Cooper Reitsma, John Cassiday, and Sawyer O'Grady who all shot 37 (T-2nd). They also had scores from Dylan Clark and Max O'Grady who shot 38 (T-5th), and Adam Workman who shot 39 (T-10th). Some great scores from the Eagles. 

This weekend the Eagles will have the seniors competing in an event at Crystal Mountain while players that will return next year will compete at The Hamilton Invitational at Diamond Springs. 

On a beautiful windy day at Railside, the Eagles posted a 2-under par 142 to win the first OK White Jamboree of the season over EGR (160), Lowell (165), Northview (171), Byron Center (173) and Greenville (184). The medalist (low round) of the day was sophomore Cooper Reitsma who fired a 4-under par 32! Also, scoring for the Eagles was junior John Cassiday who shot a 1-under par 35 (2nd overall), sophomore Sawyer O'Grady with a 37 (4th overall), senior Adam Workman with a 38 (6th overall), and seniors Max O'Grady and Dylan Clark with a 40 and 42, respectively. 

The Eagles will play today in Greenville at Jamboree #2 at Brookside Golf Course. Go Eagles!

The Eagle golfers chose who would play on each of the two teams we entered into the Kent County Invite. They were careful to balance the teams as best they could. The weather was a challenge, but the teams persevered through it all. 

The team of Cooper Reitsma (73 - 1st overall), Adam Workman (74 - 2nd overall), Dylan Clark (75 - T3rd), Nate VanOtteren (85) and Ty Erickson (81) shot a team total of 303 and took first place! The team of John Cassiday (77 - T8), Max O'Grady (84), Sawyer O'Grady (77 - T8), Nicholas Sherman (80), and Ford Erickson (77 - T8) shot a team total of 311 to take second place. 

Finishing in 3rd place was Catholic Central with a score of 318, 4th place was Forest Hills Northern with a 323, and rounding out the top five was Rockford with a 327.  

The Eagles will start the OK White league season next week with Jamborees on Monday (@ Railside) and Tuesday (@ Brookside) before playing in a tournament over the weekend. Go Eagles!

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The Eagles got off to a strong start by winning the Forest Hills Invitational at Egypt Valley for the third consecutive year. This year they set a new tournament record with a 5-over 293 score. Highlighted by the Solar Eclipse during the middle of the round, and some great play by the guys throughout the entire day. Placing second in the event was OK white conference foe Forest Hills Northern with a fantastic score of 308. Following FHN, and sharing 3rd place, was GR Catholic Central and South Christian each shooting a 320. 

The Eagles were paced by John Cassiday (T-1) and Cooper Reitsma (T-1) who each shot a 1-under 71. They tied for first place and John won the playoff for individual champion in a three hole playoff. Also scoring for the Eagles was Max O'Grady (75 - 7th overall), Dylan Clark (76 - T10th overall) and Adam Workman (77 - 13th overall). 

The Eagles are entering two equally split teams to the Kent County Invite on Thursday at Thornapple Pointe to defend their 1st and 2nd place finish there last year. Go Eagles!