iWanamaker Provides MHSAA Golf App

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 7, 2020

The MHSAA is providing live scoring of its Regional and Finals events for the girls and boys golf seasons during the 2020-21 school year via the MHSAA Golf app created and operated by the Wanamaker Corporation and iWanamaker.

Girls Golf Regionals began in the Lower Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 5, and will continue through Oct. 10. Lower Peninsula Girls Golf Finals will be played Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17, respectively.

Those who wish to follow this year’s MHSAA golf postseasons in real time may download the “MHSAA Golf” app, available for both iOS or Android. The app will provide live scoring, leaderboards and scorecards for all MHSAA postseason events.

“We’re excited to work with iWanamaker on a scoring platform that we believe will add to the excitement of the event for fans and the golfers themselves,” said MHSAA assistant director Cody Inglis, who serves as the Association’s administrator of girls and boys golf. “The opportunity to follow how every competitor is faring on the course, after every hole, has the potential to make this a next-level experience for high school golf.”

Schools across Michigan have used the MHSAA Golf app throughout this fall’s girls golf regular season. The app charges for a “ticket” for events to be followed – $5 each for MHSAA Regionals and Finals. Those who have used the app during the regular season may continue to utilize their $90 family season tickets or $30 single season tickets for MHSAA events as well.

The MHSAA Golf app allows golfers to input their scores after each hole in real-time, with that data then viewable by fans and tournament officials. An added benefit, the use of the digital app by individual golfers also eliminates any need to exchange paper scorecards, further minimizing risk as part of COVID-19 precautions.

Live scores from MHSAA tournament events also are available online, linked from the Girls Golf page of the MHSAA Website. “Tickets” from iWanamaker are still required to watch the live scoring on the website.

Mid Pen Senior Wins Family Matchup, North Central Takes Back Team Title

By Jason Juno
Special for MHSAA.com

May 30, 2024

ESCANABA – Rock Mid Peninsula’s Bradly VanDamme doesn’t get much better competition than what his eighth-grade brother Christian brings to the golf course.

Last year, Bradly’s only win against Christian came at the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Final. This year, Bradly finished ahead of his brother in every event leading up to the championship tournament, but a second consecutive U.P. title still wasn’t a sure thing as Bradly wound down his senior year.

“We were waking up this morning, and we didn’t really know who was going to get it,” Bradly said. “We’ve been tight all year.”

Bradly came out on top with a 73, and Christian finished runner-up with a 76 on Thursday at Escanaba Country Club.

“It’s sweet,” Bradly said of claiming two straight U.P. Finals titles. “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.”

He said he got off the tee well all day.

“I just put myself in some good positions,” he said. “If you can get off the tee well, this course is relatively short.”

Mid Peninsula’s Christian VanDamme sends an approach shot on No. 13.His mom, and coach, Earlene VanDamme, said he’s done well in every tournament this season.

“He’s a strong player and he put a lot of development into it this past year, and it’s paid off again,” she said. 

His practice and hard work got him where he is, she said. So did a little motivation from his brother.

“I think that is a good driving force,” she said.

Bradly VanDamme said his brother’s game is strong overall.

“He’s got a very bright future,” he said.

Powers North Central won the Division 3 team title with a score of 338, and Lake Linden-Hubbell was second at 349. The title was the Jets' second in three seasons. 

“This is kind of sweet,” North Central coach Scott Farnsworth said, while choking up. “Good group of kids. I have 12 kids out, all very enthusiastic, these guys work hard for me all the time.”

He knew they had a good chance of winning going into the event. The Jets lost four times to Division 2 schools in their conference but were close to them each 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.”

North Central was led by Alex Popkorn, who carded an 82 and finished in a tie for fourth individually. Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Bradley Axford was third with a 78 and Cedarville/DeTour’s Drew Moser also tied for fourth with an 82.

Click for full results.

PHOTOS (Top) Powers North Central holds up its latest championship trophy Thursday at Escanaba Country Club. (Middle) Mid Peninsula’s Christian VanDamme sends an approach shot on No. 13. (Photos by Jason Juno.)