Published: May 07, 2008 11:15 am         

Panthers edge Redskins by 3

The margin for error was very slender during a Northern Lakes Conference high school boys golf showdown Tuesday between the NorthWood Panthers and Goshen Redskins.

NorthWood was just a bit more mistake-free, pulling out a 164-167 victory on an ideal late afternoon at the 47-year-old Maplecrest Country Club course in Goshen.

The more experienced Panthers, with three seniors and two juniors in the lineup, bunched their top four scores between 38 and 43.

Goshen freshman Steven Koronkiewicz was medalist for the day with a one-over-par round of 37 on the Maplecrest front nine.

Senior Eric Hartstein paced the Panthers with a 38, junior Brady Klotz posted a 40, seniors Todd Anglemyer and Jordan Taylor both 43s and junior Austen Burkholder 48.

Taylor had a birdie on the No. 1 hole, Hartstein on No. 2 and No. 3, Klotz and Anglemyer both on the par-five No. 9.

Junior Matt Diller fired a 42 for the Redskins, juniors Collin Chapman and Matt Nafziger both 44s and junior Eric Peters 46.

Koronkiewicz birded the par-three No. 6 hole while Chapman birdied No. 3 and No. 9 and Nafziger No. 6.

NorthWood coach Brad Duerksen said, “We feel fortunate to get this one. The 164 is not a great score, but we were able to hold together. Any time you can get a road win in the NLC, it’s great.

“Jordan Taylor was playing the No. 5 spot for us and his 43 obviously helped. Hartstein was solid all day and Anglemyer stayed in there after a ‘9’ on No. 2. The birdies by Klotz and Anglemyer on No. 9 were huge.

“There will be no easy matches in this conference. Wawasee and Northridge are at the head of the class and the rest of us are battling to stay with them.”

NorthWood hosts both Northridge and Wawasee in a showdown Thursday at McCormick Creek, beginning at 5 p.m.

Northridge is 11-0 overall and 2-0 in the NLC, Wawasee 10-1 and 2-0, NorthWood 8-0 and 1-0.

Goshen coach Brent Randall said, “Overall, I was pleased considering the lack of experience we have on the varsity level. This was the first NLC match for most of these kids.

“What can you say about Steven Koronkiewicz. A freshman shooting a 37 in his first NLC match is outstanding. He was very good around the greens because he hit only four in regulation.

“It was good to play our first conference match at home on familiar surroundings. The kids seemed focus, ready to play and loose.”

The Redskins, 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the NLC, join Concord in visiting the Plymouth Country Club on Thursday.

Goshen’s junior varsity defeated the Panthers, 178-183.

Brandon Doss and Zack Cripe fired 44s for the Redskins, Austin Bender and Peter Martin both 45s, Joey Miller 55 and John Bowser 58.

Mike Bough and Wes Kirkwood both had 44s for NorthWood, Stephen Abel 47, Jesse Morganthaler 48, Brenan Moore 49 and Brian Upkin 52.