By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
This past Friday, children of all ages participated in the annual Dale & Audrey Zentner Merrill Junior Golf Tournament. From children younger than nine years old getting their first taste of golf, to teenagers honing their skills, everybody participated in either four, nine or 18 holes.
The boy’s four-holer division completed their sets first and right away something unusual happened: there was a three-way tie. Konner Waid, Maddox Lammerding and Wyatt Lyon all scored 38. An impromptu putting contest was arranged to get a winner and Maddox ended up putting the ball closest to the hole for first. Wyatt got second and Konner got third.
For the girls four-hole division, Peyton Smith won first with 38 and Maria Malinowski took second with 40. For the boys nine-hole division, ages 9-11, Jack Weisenberger was first with 46, Jaylen Anderson took second with 54 and Logan Fike took third with 55. In the 12-14 age category Tyler Skogstad won with 51, Ian Resch was second with 52 and Kole Gechas placed third with 54.
Russ Dettmering placed first in the 18-hole division, ages 12-14, with an 85. Kaeden Nomm got second with 85 and Ansen Nomm got third with 88. For the girls 18-hole division, ages 12-17, Jasmine Yang won shooting with a 92. Allie Maschke got second with 149 and Macie Jo Weix got third with 158. For the boys 18-hole division, ages 15-17, Robert Johannes won with 76. Hunter Wallace placed second with 87 and Kolton Craft took third with 89.
Regardless of who won, everybody had a great time. It was a beautiful day and both children and parents enjoyed spending time at the golf course.
The Merrill Junior Golf Tournament has been happening for many years but four years ago it was renamed to honor Dale & Audrey Zentner. A trust in their name has been set up to fund the tournament and trophies.
Mark your calendars for Friday, Aug. 12 as the Merrill Golf Course will host the WVGA Junior Tour of Champions. Tee times will start at 9 a.m.
