Mercier Claims 2nd Finals Title, Leads North Central to 1st Team Championship

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

June 3, 2022

HYDE — Bryson Mercier has gotten used to the idea of finishing on top of the leaderboard throughout his high school golf career.

The Powers North Central senior achieved that again here Thursday, shooting an even-par 71 for his third consecutive Upper Peninsula Division 3 Final title on a sunny and breezy day at Highland Golf Club.

Mercier’s achievements were part of an historic day for the North Central boys program, which was crowned U.P. Finals team champion for the first time with 350 strokes.

“I didn’t swing the clubs very well today,” said Mercier, who will play golf at South Dakota State University next season. “I had good drives, but every time I got on the greens I was 30 feet away. I couldn’t get any birdies.

“You just have to stay patient in a round like this. I was three under on the last six holes. I finished strong. I started hitting the ball a little better.”

North Central was the Division 3 runner-up a season ago, finishing just two strokes behind champion Chassell.

Ontonagon edged Watersmeet 397-399 for the runner-up trophy.

Mercier also was the Division 3 individual champion in 2019 as a sophomore. 

“This is great for the kids and the school,” said Jets coach Scott Farnsworth. “We’ve had some decent teams. This is icing on the cake, especially for Bryson as a senior. This is something that was really nice to have. The individual title was nice, but winning as a team was awesome.”

Mercier, who fired a two-under-par 34 on the back nine, was followed by Rock Mid Peninsula junior Michael Englund and Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Marcus Sutherland at 89.

“The course was a little tougher today,” Mercier said. “The wind was little bit of a factor, and the greens were a little slow – although they do a good job keeping this course in shape.”

Alex Pipkorn and Landen Hansen both shot 90 to tie for fourth individually for the Jets. Austin Farley rounded out the champion’s scoring with a 17th-place individual finish.

Will Immonen, Jerald Majurin and Jack Nelson all carded 98 to tie for 12th individually and lead Ontonagon. Miles McGeshick shot a 91 to tie for sixth, and Dari Hazen came in ninth with a 95 to lead Watersmeet.

Ontonagon most recently was champion back-to-back season in 2018-19.

Click for full results.

PHOTO Powers North Central’s boys golf team holds up its first MHSAA Finals championship trophy earned in the sport. (Photo by Todd Rose.)

Be the Referee: Golf Rules Changes

October 10, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains new rules in golf for 2019-2020, including those pertaining to the use of cell phones during play. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Golf Rules Changes - Listen

Even though golf rules are mostly on the integrity of the players, there are several MHSAA-enacted changes that take effect this year. 

One allows for the use of cell phones to call a coach or meet administrator for health and safety issues, the inputting of live scores, to contact a rules official with questions and to use as a distance-measuring device. 

Dedicated distance finder devices will also be allowed for use in MHSAA Tournament play.  

Another new local rule caps the maximum score per hole at 12 strokes in tournament activity.

Past editions

Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen