ESCANABA---Back to back.
That's how Mid Pen Wolverines golfer Bradly VanDamme ended his career on Thursday as the MHSAA Division Three Upper Peninsula Finals were held at the Escanaba Country Club.
The tournment was moved to Escanaba because the Highland Golf Course was flooded from recent rains. But the change didn't seem to effect VanDamme, or his little brother Christian, who again topped the leaderboard just as they did in 2023.
Bradly VanDamme won the meet by shooting a two-over par 73, and his brother, eighth grader Christian, was runner-up with a 76.
Meanwhile, the North Central Jets had the most depth and won the Division Three team championship trophy. NCA won the title with a score of 338, eleven strokes clear of runner-up Lake Linden-Hubbell.
“This is kind of sweet,” NCA Coach Scott Farnsworth told MHSAA.com. “Good group of kids. I have 12 kids out, all very enthusiastic, these guys work hard for me all the time. This whole group, you hear of gym rats, these guys are golf rats,” he said. “We get done with the meet, they’re going to play another 18. They are really nice to have, they get out there, do whatever I ask. They just get out and play. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
The VanDamme boys battled each other for a final time, and older brother came out on top for a second straight U.P. Finals. Last year, Christian beat his brother all season long, but Bradly came through in the clutch. This year, the boys battled each other again in every meet, with Bradly getting the upper hand most of the time.
On Thursday, Bradly came through again, to take his second straight medalist honors.
“It’s sweet,” Bradly told MHSAA.com. “It’s what I dreamed of. Just grinding all summer long, especially all spring and the winter going with my buddies and hitting the simulator. It’s just what you strive for. I just put myself in some good positions (off the tee). If you can get off the tee well, this course is relatively short.”
NCA was led by Alex Pipkorn, who carded an 82 and finished in a tie for fourth individually. Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Bradley Axford was third behind the VanDamme boys with a 78 and Cedarville's Drew Moser tied Pipkorn for fourth with an 82.
NCA JETS FINISHERS
Alex Pipkorn 4th
Brody Mercier 6th
Jake Gorzinski 10th
Nate Pipkorn 11th
