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One more time on the course

Marquette's Jurmu takes third at boys Division 1 U.P. golf finals

HARRIS — Back-to-back U.P. Division I golf championships is a sweet payoff for the Escanaba boys golf team,

The Eskymos were the top team again Thursday battling a difficult golf course (Sweetgrass Golf Club), an afternoon heavy downpour rain delay and besting the top boys’ U.P. golf teams.

“The team performed great, said Esky coach Brian Robinette. “You don’t shoot 317 on a demanding course like this unless your players are focused. This course (Sweetgrass) can beat you down if you let it. Our team was tournament tough today.”

Team balance was the key for the Eskymos and the 2018 champions were led by senior Nathan Rosseau’s runner-up individual finish shooting a 41-34–75. Rosseau said he used the rain delay to his advantage.

“It was a momentum change (rain delay). I am happy with how I came back on the back nine to shoot a 34,” said Rosseau. “It is awesome to win back-to-back U.P.s and all our guys were putting up numbers. We played well to win on two tough tough courses at the GNCs and on this course (Sweetgrass). Here you are one swing away from a double.”

Sweetgrass played 6,400 yards for the U.P. D1 championships using the forward tees. And following the heavy rains it was a wet golf course before the sun bake and temperatures into the 80s for the late afternoon finish on the plush Harris layout.

Coach Robinette praised his senior leader Rosseau and his championship team.

“Nathan is a coach’s dream,” said Robinette. “He is always working on his game and he puts in the time and I am very proud of all our team winning again this year.”

Esky golfers Brett McDonough shot 35-44–79 (tied for fifth overall), Trevor Denome carded a 42-38–80 and Jaden Gravelle was the fourth scoring player with a 40-43?–83 for the winners.

Gladstone’s Rudy Peterson was the U.P. tournament medalist firing a 37-37–74 for the individual crown.

“I hit the ball really well today,” said Peterson. “I played probably the best I have in a long time. My driver was good and my wedges were really good today, I only missed three or four greens,” said Peterson who had a double-bogey on his final hole for the two-over par 74.

The Copper Country’s Calumet Copper Kings were the team runner-ups shooting a team score of 322.

Wyatt Tuoriniemi shot a 43-35-78 to lead the second place finishers, placing fourth overall.

Calumet teammate Tyler Johnson scored a 39-40-79 to tie for fifth.

“They (Calumet) have a nice team,” said Esky coach Robinette. “They have four good players and we always battled with Houghton (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 champions) too for years.”

Robinette’s teams have now won three U.P. team titles with the other championship in 2011.

The Gladstone Braves were third in the team championship with a 336 score. Marquette was fourth (340) and Houghton rounded out the top five with a 344 team tally.

Braves’ coach Dane Quigley was disapointed his team did not contend for the team title but happy for individual winner Rudy Peterson.

“Our team is disappointed but we have some four-year players who have been with our program a long time and have done well,” said Quigley.

“At our practice round on Wednesday, Rudy shot a 69 and it carried over to the course today. I am impressed with Rudy’s play all season long for us.”

Marquette junior Jordan Jurma shot a 39-38-77 to place third overall and MSHS coach Ben Smith commented on Jurma’s grit.

“Jordan finished his junior year playing really well today. He eagled number four on a hole-out from 100 yards and chipped in on a par five for an eagle,” said Smith. “He (Jurma) battled back from some penalty shots and bad shots and he hung in there and competed to the end.”

Sweetwater yielded only seven scores in the 70’s and 16 other golfers on the 12 teams competing shot scores in the 80s.

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