MHS golfers enjoy memorable week
The WIAA Division 1 boys state golf tournament is just more than a month away.
And Middleton has clearly established itself as the frontrunner to capture the school’s first WIAA Division 1 state championship since 2011.
The top-ranked Cardinals received a major test at the 32-team MACC Fund Invite held at Erin Hills on May 2. Middleton held off all challengers, though, and shot a 300 to edge No. 2 DePere and No. 3 Waunakee, who both shot 304.
Homestead and seventh-ranked Arrowhead tied for fourth with 306s, while No. 9 Kimberly was sixth with a 311. Oconomowoc was seventh (312), while fifth-ranked Kettle Moraine (314), Marquette (314) and Badger (315) rounded out the top-10.
In many ways this event — which also included a 32-team tournament at Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc — is far superior to the state tournament next month. Virtually all of the top teams and many of the elite golfers across the state were represented in a ‘Who’s Who’ of Wisconsin golf.
Each team brought just four golfers instead of their usual five and all four scores counted. Middleton’s foursome of seniors Sammy Forslund, Reis Von Ruden, Luke Weiss and Berrin Reiter all carded 75s during remarkably impressive rounds.
“The field was likely stronger than those teams at the state tournament due to how sectionals work by eliminating many good teams,” said Middleton coach Tim Cabalka said, whose team won its first-ever MACC Fund Invite. “Although we were down after the front nine, the team showed great determination to battle back.”
Middleton shot 154 on the front nine found itself in fifth place, seven shots back of first place DePere (147). Waunakee also carded a 148 on the front, while Homestead (151) and Arrowhead (153) were also ahead of the Cardinals.
Middleton began its journey back, though, as its fabulous foursome combined to play the back nine at 2-over par, 146.
Forslund shot a blistering 1-under par, 35, on the back nine after posting a 40 on the front. Forslund made back-to-back birdies at No. 11 and 12 — a pair of par-4s — then made six straight pars coming home.
Von Ruden played the back nine at 1-over 37 that was highlighted by a birdie at the par-5, 14th hole. Von Ruden also made six pars and two bogeys on the back.
Weiss also played the back at 1-over, 37, that included a birdie at the par-5, 18th hole. Weiss added six pars and two bogeys on the back.
And Reiter had a roller coaster back nine that saw him finish at 1-over, 37. Reiter’s back nine included three birdies — at No. 11, 15 and 18 — four bogeys and two pars.
“Finishing with a team score of 300, with all four scorers posting a 75, was amazing,” Cabalka said.
DePere, meanwhile, shot 157 on the back nine and Waunakee posted a 156. Homestead carded a 155 on the back, while Arrowhead notched a 153 on the back.
That was the highlight in a week that also saw the Cardinals win the Nevada Bob’s Showcase on April 28 and the two-day Quad Cities Invitational at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., on April 29-30.
“Three big events, three big wins, and a crew of very satisfied, exhausted and happy boys,” Cabalka said. “This will be a week to remember for them for a lifetime.”
Here’s a recap of those tournaments.
NEVADA BOB’S SHOWCASE
Middleton shot a sizzling 296 team score and won the 18-team invite held at University Ridge Golf Course. Madison West was second at 301, while Waunakee (303), Milton (303) and Oregon (305) rounded out the top five.
“We circle this event on our schedule every year, and winning it was valuable experience on the state championship course we hope to return to in June,” Cabalka said.
MHS senior Sammy Forslund fired a 3-under-par, 69, to lead the Cardinals. Forslund’s big day included two eagles, four birdies and he finished fourth individually.
Forslund made an eagle-3 at the par-5 ninth hole. He also had three birdies on the front nine and made the turn at 3-under, 33.
Forslund has another eagle at the par-5, 16th hole and a birdie at No. 11 and shot even-par on the back.
Middleton senior Luke Weiss was ninth individually with a 75 that included three birdies — all on the front nine. Senior Berrin Reiter shot a 76 that included four birdies and 38s on both sides. And fellow senior Reis Von Ruden added a 76 that included 12 pars and a birdie at No. 1.
“Having all five players score in the 70s was very impressive,” Cabalka said. “On any given day, any of our guys can be the low scorer, and they are proving that consistently.
QUAD CITIES INVITATIONAL
Middleton shot a two-day 623 and won the eight-team Quad Cities Invitational. The teams played both Frye Lake Golf Club in Sherrard, Ill., and TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., on April 29-30.
Homestead was second at 646, while Germantown (672), Sheboygan North (678) and Menomonee Falls (685) rounded out the top five.
Middleton seniors Sammy Forslund, Reis Von Ruden and Luke Weiss were the top three finishers. Forslund fired a 152, Von Ruden shot a 154 and Weiss carded a 156.
Senior Aaron Gepner was seventh individually with a 161.
“Despite the three-hour drive and fatigue, the guys rallied to play well,” Cabalka said. “Both courses were hit with high winds, making scoring difficult, so having Sammy, Reis, and Luke sweep the top three individual spots was very impressive.”
Forslund made 14 pars and shot a 4-over par, 74, in his opening round. He then made two birdies on his way to a 78 in Round 2.
Von Ruden shot a pair of 77s, while Weiss fired a second day 75 after an opening round 81. Gepner’s tournament was highlighted by a first day 79.
May 2
MACC Fund Invite
Team scores: 1. Middleton, 300; 2 (tie). Waunakee and DePere, 304; 4 (tie). Homestead and Arrowhead, 306; 6. Kimberly, 311; 7. Oconomowoc, 312; 8 (tie). Kettle Moraine and Marquette, 314; 10. Badger, 315; 11. Xavier, 316; 12. Hartford, 328; 13. Notre Dame, 329; 14. Eau Claire Memorial, 330; 15. Menomonee Falls, 331; 16. Hamilton, 332; 17. Mukwonago, 333; 18. Muskego, 334; 19. Slinger, 335; 20 (tie). Cedarburg and Brookfield Central, 336; 22. Arrowhead 2, 337; 23. Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 339; 24 (tie). West Allis Hale and Germantown, 342; 26. Sheboygan North, 345; 27. Pewaukee, 346; 28. Ellsworth, 351; 29. Nicolet, 372; 30. Brookfield Academy, 407; 31. Medford, 419; 32. Madison Memorial, INC.
Middleton scores: Sammy Forslund 75, Reis Von Ruden 75, Luke Weiss 75, Berrin Reiter 75.
Quad Cities Invitational
April 29-30
at TPC Deere Run
Team scores: Middleton 623, Homestead 646, Germantown 672, Sheboygan North 678, Menomonee Falls 685, Sussex Hamilton 690, Green Bay Notre Dame 703, Brookfield Central 710.
Middleton scores: Sammy Forslund 152, Reis Von Ruden 154, Luke Weiss 156, Aaron Gepner 161.
Nevada Bob’s Showcase
April 28
At University Ridge Golf Course
Team Scores: Middleton 296, Madison West 301, Waunakee 303, Milton 303, Oregon 305, Edgerton 316, Edgewood 318, DeForest 322, Monona Grove 326, Verona 326, Stoughton 326, Sun Prairie West 328, Mount Horeb 343, Madison Memorial 343, McFarland 344, Sun Prairie East 351, Janesville Craig 353, Madison LaFollette 377.
Middleton scores: Sammy Forslund 69, Luke Weiss 75, Reis Von Ruden 76, Berrin Reiter 76.
