On Monday, May 15, the JV boys golf team faced off against Lowell High School and Northview High School in the last competition of the season at its home course, The Mines. Winning this competition was of paramount importance to the Rangers. For one, ending the regular season on a win is always the best way to close it. Plus, with conference just around the corner, the Rangers could use a quick morale boost from winning.

The Rangers knew this. They came out swinging at a golf course they know so well, something that Lowell and Northview forgot to take into account. The Rangers got an early lead and did not look back. They beat both Lowell and Northview without a second thought. They were ruthless out there, the exact mindset needed for playoffs.

On Thursday, May 18, the JV boys golf team teed up for the last time this season, in the conference tournament at Boulder Creek Golf Course. As it was the conference tournament, every team from the OK White Conference was there: FHC, Greenville, Byron Center, Lowell, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Christian, Forest Hills Northern, and Northview. All teams were competing to see which was the best.

Since this is a JV sport, the team only has the conference tournament to end the season. Unlike varsity sports where the conference tournament is important but has no effect on the playoffs, this is the only playoff JV gets, so it is truly winner takes all. Bragging rights, honor, and the ability to leave the course knowing you are the best athlete were all at stake here.

Sophomore Jacob Elliott and freshman Nolan Timmer had this point in the back of their minds all day. Nolan Timmer tied for sixth with a final score of forty-four, an exceptional score for his first year out on the course for the Rangers. Although Nolan stood out amongst the pack, Jacob Elliott was the brighter star during conference. He one-upped Nolan’s forty-four with his own score of forty-one. Both of these athletes came into their own during this tournament, and hopefully, they will bring performances like these to the varsity team next year.

Unfortunately, despite these performances from Nolan and Jacob, the Rangers only finished in a tie for fourth. Even worse, they tied with their rivals: Forest Hills Northern. To be fair to the team, fourth place is not too bad in an eight person tournament. Only three teams were better than FHC, and the team’s record helps show it. At the end of the season, the team finished with eleven wins and five losses. Although this is not overly dominant, it is not anything to shake a stick at and should be considered a great achievement for our boys JV golf team this year. Hopefully, all of the athletes that come back next year will have improved their games over the offseason and will be able to surprise the competition that is ahead.