Local golfers in contention after first day of MHSAA championships
When Pioneer High School golfer Davis Ransdell finished the 18th hole on the first day of the Division 1 state championships on Friday, his performance was drawing comparisons to Rory McIlroy.
Considering McIlroy’s domination of the US. Open so far, you’d think it was a compliment.
It was. Sort of.
![davis-ransdell-pioneer-golf.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/06/davis-ransdell-pioneer-golf-thumb-275x414-80225.jpg)
Pioneer's Davis Ransdell is just two strokes off the lead at the Division 1 golf state finals.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Ransdell had just shot a 1-over-par 73 at Katke-Cousins Golf Course at Oakland University. But the comparison came from Ransdell double-bogeying the 18th hole, as McIlroy did at Congressional Country Club on Friday.
McIlroy still has a six-stroke cushion. Ransdell is two strokes off of the lead and in a five-way tie for fifth place.
“We were joking about (McIlroy) because everyone had their iPhones out and was following,” said Pioneer coach Brian Miller. “(Ransdell) played very solidly. Birdied the first hole, a par three, and was very, very steady from there.”
Ransdell said the double bogey finish was a bit frustrating, but he knows he’s in good enough position to have a shot at medalist honors.
“I’m hoping I can put a good round together, give myself a chance to win (Saturday),” Randsell said. “The double bogey, I wasn’t too disappointed because I got lucky in some other spots, so it all balances out.”
Saline’s Keith Long is just one stroke behind Randsell despite bogeying the first and last two holes.
![Thumbnail image for Keith=long-mug-online.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/05/Keith=long-mug-online-thumb-125x188-77534-thumb-125x188-77535.jpg)
Keith Long
"If he can get that start and finish cleaned up, he'd have really nice round," said Saline coach Debbie Williams-Hoak. "He just needs to come out (Saturday) hungry and not be satisfied with where he's at because he's obviously got some work to do to have a chance to win it."
Saline is in 11th place with a 320 team score. Also scoring for the Hornets were Jackson Lambert (79), Collin Strauder (82) and Caleb Wittig (85).
"Both (Strauder and Wittig) weren't happy with themselves and we'll be looking to get in the high 70's low 80s out of them then I think we can easily get a top 10 finish," Williams-Hoak said.
Regional and district champions Huron sits in last place as a team after shooting a 334.
“I would probably say that part of it was nerves, it was the first time for four out of five guys,” said Huron coach Dee Drake. “The other part was fast greens that I don’t think we ever adapted to.”
Despite the difficult greens, Randsell -- competing as an individual qualifier -- had just 32 putts on the day and hit 11 of 14 fairways.
“We talked all week about not getting ahead of yourself," Miller said. "He was able to do that and a great round unfolded.”
Like it has been all season, Dexter had very little variation in its scores at the Division 2 finals at Michigan State's Forest Akers East. The Dreadnaughts’ low scorer,Ryan Sikorski, shot 76 and their high score was 81.
Unfortunately for Dexter, conditions played favorable to much lower scores than its 312, which put them in ninth place after one day.
DeWitt posted a 292 with all four scorers shooting 75 or under.
Chelsea's Mason Wagner, an individual qualifier, shot a 72 and is in seventh place. Chris Noble of Niles sits atop the individual leaderboard after shooting a 68.
Manchester senior Nik Stetler shot an 83 at Forest Akers West and is 15 strokes off the lead.
Greenhills sophomore Henry Do was over par for the first time this postseason, shooting a 2-over 74, which put him in a two-way tie for fourth place. Zack Bialik of Manistee Catholic Central leads the field at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University with a 69.
Travis Hindle (76) and Curtis Heisel (77) are also in the top 10 for the Gryphons, who sit in third place in the team standings.
Comments
tater
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
The locals might not be doing as well as they would like, but hey: it's golf. At least the ball isn't trying to hit them back.