Rocks rule Wildcat Invitational; $1,000 raised for injured golfers

Fueled by two top-five individual finishers, including medalist Dominic Chaput, Salem’s golf team captured Friday’s Wildcat Invitational by two shots (310-312) over runner-up Clarkston.

Chaput, a senior, fired a spectacular round of 73, edging Novi’s Colin Riehl and Takumu Yoda, who both carded 74’s.

Senior Nolan Kaminski, who was named Michigan’s Mr. Hockey earlier this spring, tied for fifth with a round of 76.

A greater cause

The tournament donated $1,000 to members of the Charlevoix High School golf team, who were injured when the van that was carrying them was involved in a head-on crash April 27 in Benzie County.

The golf team’s van was hit by a suspect fleeing police in a stolen vehicle. All seven occupants in the van, including head coach Doug Drenth, were hospitalized.

As of May 12, Drenth and one golfer are still hospitalized with serious injuries.

A GoFundMe account for the golf team has raised over $270,000.

Rocks’ roster deep with talented golfers

Salem was also bolstered by strong rounds from Luke Creighton (80) and Jacob Erickson, who shot an 81.

Rounding out the top-five team finishers were Warren DeLaSalle and Novi (320); and Dexter (326).

Canton placed ninth with a 337 total while the host Wildcats finished in a tie for 15th with a score of 352.

In addition to the pair of Salem and Novi players, KLAA golfers represented in the individual top-10 was Livonia Stevenson’s Ashton Higham, who tied for fifth with a 76.

Rocket breaks 80

Westland John Glenn’s Brennan Wilson shot a stellar 79, earning him a tie for 13th.

Northville placed three in the top 30: Luca Vitalone (81), Benjamin Zaremba (82) and Trevor Royston (82).

Canton’s top finisher was DJ Gorski, who carded an 81, which was good enough for a 23rd-place tie.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.