By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield golfer Mike Field said he felt like he needed to step up for his teammates in the absence of coach Paul Foegen, who missed Friday’s Wisconsin Valley Conference tournament finale for personal reasons.
On his home course of RiverEdge Golf Course, Field did just that, shooting a career-best 74 to finish in a tie for second individually and help the Tigers to a fourth straight fourth-place finish at the seventh leg of the WVC tournament.
Field’s 74 and teammate Michael Josephson’s 80 helped them earn honorable mention all-conference accolades by finishing 11th and 15th, respectively, in the overall standings.
“I felt like I had to step up for the team and be a leader,” Field said. “It helped me focus more. I just really wanted to get a good last round in. I haven’t done as good as I could have in my high school career, but it feels great – this is the lowest round I’ve shot in a tournament in my life.”
Marshfield had a team-best score of 329, finishing six shots behind third-place Wisconsin Rapids. Wausau West shot a 315 to win the tournament and took first in the overall standings. Rapids was second overall, followed by Rhinelander, which was second Friday with a 320.
Josh Willis of Rhinelander won Friday’s tournament with a 73. Josh Sturm of Wausau West won the overall individual title.
The Tigers have improved throughout the season and shooting their best round of the season heading into the WIAA postseason, which starts with Division 1 regionals Monday at Wausau Country Club. Sectionals are back at RiverEdge on June 1.
“Where kind of getting sick of that, sick of losing,” Field said. “I know we’ve worked harder than anyone. The dedication that all of my teammates put in is unbelieveable. They really motivate me to keep going when I have a bad round or a bad hole. I think we have a good shot to surprise some people, definitely.”
Wisconsin Valley Conference Leg No. 7 at Marshfield
Team scores: 1. Wausau West 315; 2. Rhinelander 320; 3. Wisconsin Rapids 323; 4. Marshfield 329; 5. Stevens Point 341; 6. D.C. Everest 346; 7. Wausau East 350.
Top individuals and Marshfield scores: 1. Josh Willis (RH) 73; 2. Mike Field (MAR) and Matthew Sandquist (WW) 74; Michael Josephson (MAR) 80; Jake Plank (MAR) 86; Brandon Brown (MAR) 89.
Overall final team standings: 1. Wausau West 45.5; 2. Wisconsin Rapids 41.5; 3. Rhinelander 35; 4. Stevens Point 29; 5. Marshfield 23; 6. Wausau East and D.C. Everest 11.
All-Wisconsin Valley Conference team (based on overall individual finish)
First team: 1. Josh Sturm (WW); 2. Larry Wetzel (DCE); 3. Aaron Bravick (WR); 4. Matthew Sandquist (WW); 5. Max Goska (WR).
Second team: 6. Joe Ritchay (WR); 7. Ryan Hofmeister (SP); 8. Josh Willis (RH); 9. Alex Schemp (WE); 10. Tyde Terzinski (RH).
Honorable mention: 11. Mike Field (MAR); 12. Tyler Grender (WW); 13. Brady Goska (WR); 14. Sam Stone (WW); 15. Michael Josephson (MAR).
