Glen Lake senior Michael Houtteman stamped his name into the record book after breaking a school and Northwest Conference record during a jamboree meet at Champion Hill Golf Club in Benzie last Monday.
Houtteman shot an 18-hole score of 66 to capture the victory and records.
“I switched putters the day before and was just putting lights out. I was hitting the ball solidly in the general areas where I wanted it and playing smart golf. I was able to save a few shots, and it turns out it was a lower score than the normal,” Houtteman said.
Glen Lake scored a team best last Monday narrowly defeating Leland 329-334 in a five-person team score.
Houtteman broke the record previously set by Thomas Hursey, a former Indiana University golfer who shot a 67.
3-way tie at NWC jamboree
Northwest Conference boys golf teams descended upon the prestigious Leland Country Club Tuesday for the last regular season match.
At the top of the leader board was a three-way tie between Glen Lake senior Michael Houtteman, Benzie Central senior Christian Westcott, and Leland sophomore Hayden Vansteenhouse with nine-hole even par scores of 36.
Vansteenhouse consistently shot all pars with only one bogey on No. 4.
“I was a little nervous coming into it, but I just focused on playing the hole smart,” Vansteenhouse said.
Both Houtteman and Westcott had to be creative on the tight course. Houtteman started the day with two birdies on No. 1 & 2 before hitting four pars in a row. The senior found trouble, shooting double and bogey on No. 7 and 8, leaving the door open for Vansteenhouse and Westcott. He would recover on No. 9 to shoot (+1) on the course overlooking Lake Leelanau.
“These two are great players. I had a solid start, and then lost a bit, but I needed to refocus. I had fun and enjoyed it today,” Houtteman said.
Westcott shot five straight pars before hitting two bogeys out of the next three holes. The senior had a bounce go his way on No. 9, leading to a one-putt birdie and completing the 3-way tie.
“I played pretty steady ... Had a couple of three putts, but other than that, I hit the ball decently,” Westcott said.
The last regular-season match prepped a showdown on Wednesday, May 21, at Interlochen Golf Course, starting at 9 a.m.
“I’m just gonna come, try to be ready to play and have fun out there. Enjoy it,” Houtteman said.
Glen Lake senior and Frankfort junior Cash Rosum rounded out the top-5 with a 38 and 39, respectively.
“Everything was just clicking today. I felt locked in, putts were falling, the driver was going straight, just everything was clicking good today for me,” Romzek said.
Leland junior Weston Burdda, Glen Lake senior Keaton Lacross, Leland senior Liam Waskiewicz, all tied with 42 apiece. Benzie senior Aidan Erfourth, Frankfort sophomore Sebastian Dunaway, Onekama senior Caden Bradford, Benzie Central freshman David Wenkel, and Frankfort sophomore Jayden Carver all tied with 43 to round out the top-13.
Glen Lake took the team win with a five-person score of 162, followed by Leland (165), Benzie Central (168), Frankfort (170), and Onekama (184).
The Northwest Conference championship will feature a four-horse race that anybody can win.
Last Tuesday, Glen Lake won a five-team tournament with a five-person score of 168 to best Frankfort, Benzie Central, Leland, and Onekama.
Top-10: 1. Michael Houtteman 33; 2. Christien Westcott 39 (Benzie);HaydenVansteenhouse 42 (Leland); Jayden Carver 43 (Frankfort); Liam Waskiewicz 44 (Leland); Sebastian Dunaway 44 (Benzie); David Wenkel 44 (Benzie); Gabe Hazelton 44 (Glen Lake); Carson Bradford 44 (Onekama); Cash Rosum 44 (Frankfort); Ben Romzek 45 (Glen Lake).
