PORT HURON — He couldn’t have known it at the time, but on April 15, Kyle Whymer agreed to a bet that would later result with the most significant haircut of his coaching career.
Earlier that day, his Port Huron Northern boys golf team had won the Blue Water Spring Tune-Up.
“The guys shoot a 308 and they’re pumped,” Whymer said. “They’re feeling themselves, like, ‘If we shoot a 308 at regionals, we’ll go to the state finals.’ I was like, ‘Let’s pump the brakes here a little bit. If we shoot a 308 at the regional, I’ll buzz my head.’ “
Fast forward to May 27, the day of the Huskies’ MHSAA Division 1 regional.
Not only did they shoot a 308 — guaranteeing a cosmetic change for Whymer — they also made some history in the process.
“They did something that we haven’t done since 2009,” Whymer said.
Seventeen years and one haircut later, Northern qualified for the MHSAA boys golf state finals, thanks to a top-three finish at regionals. The Division 1 finals begin Friday, June 5, at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.
“It was very emotional,” said Northern junior Draven Rogers, who shot the second-lowest score (70) of more than 100 regional participants. “(Bryce Rossow) had to make a putt on the last hole (for us to advance). It was a really cool moment for everyone to experience.”
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard at all,” Rossow said. “So I really didn’t know what our team was at … when I look at the leaderboard, it kind of messes with my head. So I just stayed away from that.”
The Huskies finished in a three-way tie for first along with Rochester Adams and Troy. Officially, Northern placed third after losing the fifth score tiebreaker.
In addition to Rogers and Rossow, the qualifying team also featured Romen Ruiz, Robbie Mossett and Cameron Pruett.
Whymer referred to the regional as “emotional rollercoaster” for the Huskies, who grabbed a five-stroke lead early in the round. While the sizable advantage didn’t last, they survived with clutch play on the final few holes.
“We got it done,” Ruiz said. “That’s all that matters.”
“I’m just proud that they didn’t let the moment get too big for them,” Whymer said. “They could’ve had a couple bad holes and (started to panic) … and they just kept battling the whole time.”
Northern doesn’t believe the battle is over. Sure, the Huskies are the feel-good story heading into the Division 1 finals. But they aren’t going this far just to show up.
“We’ve already proven it to ourselves that we can play with (these teams) for 18,” Whymer said. “That’s going to be my message to (our players). Let’s not be happy just to get there, let’s go put our best effort forward one shot at a time again.”
“I’m just looking forward to the competition,” Rogers said. “It’s the best (teams) in the state … so it’s nice to see where we’re at. I think if we can get at least a top-five (finish), that’ll really put ourselves on the board for next year.”
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: A buzz cut and state finals trip helping build PH Northern golf for the future
Reporting by Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
