2010 Boys Golf State Champions

The 2010 State Champs are:  (L to R: Davis DeKorte, Brendan Ward, Alex Jones, Coach Dave Koenigsknecht, Ryan Carey, Tyler Polulak; team members not pictured are Chris Hardy, Mitch Overway, Eric Pratt and Stephen Smith)

After three top ten finishes in the 1980s, including a Class C State Runner-up performance in 1988, the DeWitt boys golf program won its first state championship in 2010. Head coach Dave Koenigsknecht took the helm in 2008 and guided a talented group of freshmen who quickly made their mark with a fifth-place finish and then a tie for fourth in 2009, setting the table for the breakthrough performance. Led by several underclassmen, the Panthers took home league, district, and regional titles in 2010. The depth, especially in the junior class, provided a healthy level of competition on a daily basis as players knew that regular challenge matches would determine the starting lineup for upcoming competitions. The Division 2 state championship tournament was played at Forest Akers West in East Lansing. After the first day of competition, the Panthers were tied for the lead, but their poise and focus eventually carried the team to a 10-stroke victory. Ryan Carey finished tied for seventh in the individual standings with a 149 for the tournament. Alex Jones was one stroke outside the top ten with a score of 151. In the end, it was the depth that pulled through for DeWitt as none of its top four players scored higher than a 78 all weekend. Tyler Polulak and Davis DeKorte finished with scores of 153 and 154 respectively. The Panthers brought home additional awards, including Jones being named to the Lansing State Journal (LSJ) “Dream Team,” while Carey, DeKorte, and Polulak all received Division 2 All-Area honors. Koenigsknecht was named LSJ “Dream Team” Coach of the Year and Division 2 Coach of the Year. The 2010 Boys Golf State Champions included the following members: Ryan Carey, Davis DeKorte, Chris Hardy, Alex Jones, Mitch Overway, Tyler Polulak, Eric Pratt, Stephen Smith, Brendan Ward and Head Coach Dave Koenigsknecht.