Terrific trio leading MHS golfers to greatness

They’ve known each other for what feels like, well, forever.

Sammy Forslund and Reis Von Ruden went to the same daycare center together. That duo — along with Luke Weiss — played in the same youth soccer programs from the time they were pups.

They finish each other’s thoughts. They hang out on nights, weekends, and every free moment. And they laugh, joke and kid with each other non-stop.

“I’d say we’re best friends,” Weiss said.

More importantly, the terrific trio of Weiss, Von Ruden and Forslund leads Middleton’s boys golf team. And that tremendous trifecta has the Cardinals in pursuit of their first WIAA Division 1 state championship since 2011.

Middleton won the Verona Regional held on May 27 at Edelweiss Country Club. The Cardinals shot a blistering 8-over-par, 296-team score to easily outdistance Verona (307) for the team title. Madison West (312) and Waunakee (317) also qualified for sectionals from the eight-team regional.

Middleton advanced to the Holmen Sectional, which was moved from June 3 to June 4 due to weather. The top two teams at sectionals advance to the state tournament, which will be held June 9-10 at University Ridge Golf Course. The Cardinals, ranked third in the final Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin poll, along with No. 1 Marquette, Hudson, Oconomowoc and DeForest are the frontrunners to capture a gold ball.

So if Middleton can navigate its way through a difficult sectional, it knows big things are possible.

“I think with state being at a course that we know, we’ve always been looking there,” Forslund said. “It’s always been on our calendar.

“We’ve played there. We’ve won the Nevada Bob Showcase (on April 29). I feel like we’re all confident with our games going into the Ridge and it helps that it’s a course that most of these teams haven’t seen. We’ve seen it a couple times. Really, it’s kind of a big time advantage for us.”

Von Ruden agreed.

“Ever since I got into high school, the big thing for me was always state — and we can still get two (titles),” Von Ruden said, referring to Middleton’s sensational junior class that also includes No. 4 player Berrin Reiter. “It’s always the one thing I always wanted to win. I think now is a great time.”

****************

Now certainly seems like the right time for this stellar group of juniors that has gotten better and better since arriving in the program.

Von Ruden has been the Cardinals’ top performer this season, carrying a 74.06 average into sectionals. That’s a dramatic improvement from his mark of 78.0 in 2024 and 78.31 as a freshman.

Von Ruden is tied for the team lead in putting average at 32.0 per round. He shot a 68 at Wild Rock Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells on May 13 and a 69 at regionals.

During Von Ruden’s terrific round at regionals, he carded a 4-under, 32 on the front nine that included an eagle at the par-5, eighth hole, two birdies and six pars. He then played the back nine at 1-over, 37, to cap his magnificent day.

“My iron game has started to get a little bit better,” said Von Ruden, now in his third year on varsity. “The ball is coming into the green softer, instead of harder and it’s easier to stick the greens. Ever since I’ve been able to do that I have less putts, or have two putts for par instead of two putts for bogey. And when I do get them close, it’s nice and easy birdies.”

Von Ruden is long off the tees, and has taken his iron play and putting to new heights this spring. That’s been evident all season as 13 of his 17 rounds have been 76, or better.

“I think his iron shots and approach shots into the green are really good,” Weiss said of Von Ruden. “He always gets ‘em close, so like being in a scramble with Reis would be really nice because no matter what, you’re always close to the pin.”

Forslund has averaged 74.24 this year, just three shots behind Von Ruden heading to sectionals. Like Von Ruden, that’s a marked improvement from his first two years, when Forslund averaged 79.08 as a freshman and 77.12 in 2024.

“I’ve gotten better everywhere in my game — off the tee and my short game’s improved incredibly,” said Forslund, who’s also a three-year varsity player. “Right now, I’d say all I’m lacking is some approach shots, getting them closer and making some more birdies.”

Forslund fired a 68 early in the season at Fyre Lake in Illinois and a 69 at Wild Rock. Forslund has also been remarkably consistent, with no round above a 79.

“Sammy’s consistency is what I really admire,” Weiss said.

Added Von Ruden: “I feel like me and Sammy have a very similar play style. I think he has very unique, like different shot shapes he can hit. I like the way he hits it. It’s impressive.”

It’s certainly impressive to watch Weiss, as well.

It’s been said consistency is the key to success, and Weiss is the embodiment of that saying.

Weiss hits it straight. He stays out of trouble. He has a short game that’s the envy of many in the program. And he knows par is almost always a winning score.

“Luke’s short game is very impressive,” Forslund said.

Von Ruden agreed.

“He’s a really nice player,” Von Ruden said of Weiss. “Puts everything on the green, easy two-putt. He’s hard to play against.”

Weiss played JV as a freshman, but made gigantic strides and averaged 77.35 as a sophomore. This year, Weiss has lowered his average to 76.65 and has six rounds of 75, or better — including a 71 at regionals where he shot 1-under, 35 on the front nine and finished his sensational day with three birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars.

“I’ve been kind of looking for that round of going low, and I did that at regionals, which was good,” Weiss said. “For me, it’s about hitting it straight, staying in the fairway and knocking it on the green. Then it’s just kind of easy from there.”

**********************

While the Forslund, Weiss, Von Ruden trifecta would give any team a leg up, their chemistry and camaraderie have also been a big reason for their success.

Forslund and Weiss belong to the same country club. The three play in many of the same summer tournaments. And if they’re not at a tournament, they play together most days.

“I’d say that’s kind of what sets us apart from other teams is we’re all best friends,” Weiss said. “I feel like every time I’m in a group I hear, ‘yeah, our teammate is so annoying.’ But we don't have that at all. We hang out with each other outside of school, outside of golf.”

Von Ruden added: “The team chemistry is through the roof.”

Forslund agreed.

“We’re so close,” Forslund said. “I’ve known Reis my whole life and met Luke when we were really young. To all be the same age and doing this, it’s unbelievable.

“It’s very special to have a group of guys that are so close. We never fight. It’s always just this friendly competition that drives us.”

******************

Now, what drives these Cardinals is to finish their junior year with a bang.

Middleton lost a playoff to Holmen for the final state berth at sectionals in 2023. The Cardinals qualified for state last year, but didn't play their best at Blackwolf Run in Kohler and tied for seventh overall.

This year, nothing but a state championship will appease this gifted group.

“We’ve got to have the attitude of being the underdog, that we’re not guaranteed anything,” Von Ruden said. “We have to go and take it.”

Playing at University Ridge — a course the Cardinals know well — will undoubtedly help. So will the fact the Big Three have all played at a state tournament before.

Add it all up and Middleton believes it has what it takes for greatness.

“Before the season, we were all like, man, we’re going to be really good this year,” Weiss said. “I think state has always kind of been the end goal. I think we were always focused on each tournament, but we always knew there’s a bigger task at hand, which is state at the end.”

Now, it’s almost here.

And with Von Ruden, Forslund and Weiss leading the way, anything and everything seems possible.