Edsel, Dearborn High Golfers Advance to Regionals

It was exactly what golf coach Pete Kotsogiannis had hoped would happen for his squad, and his program. He knew the potential was there, although the regular season didn't pan out like he had hoped.

Nonetheless, as volunteers posted scores after play was complete at the District 10 tournament at West Shore Golf Club on Grosse Ile, the possibility of his Thunderbirds winning the district title grew until finally, it was a reality–by one stroke.

"It's the best we shot all season," Kotsogiannis said. "We were finally able to put it all together. We've got some really talented kids, but we've been hit-and-miss all season. We talked beforehand that if we played our best golf, this is what we were capable of–moving on as a team."

Not only did the Thunderbirds move on to the regional round June 9 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's golf course, but they bested runner-up team Bedford High with an impresive combined team score of 326.

The Thunderbirds had never won a district golf title before Thursday's victory.

"We wanted to win the league championship and we didn't do that this year," Kotsogiannis said. "So, we put that behind us and tried to do the best we could here. The kids were focused and I just couldn't be happier."

Edsel went up against Brownstown-Woodhaven, Dearborn High, Dearborn Heights' Crestwood, Garden City, Lincoln Park, Livonia's Franklin, Monroe, Southgate Anderson, Taylor's John F. Kennedy and Truman, Temperance's Bedford and Wyandotte's Roosevelt high schools.

Edsel's Tommy Prato carded a medalist-winning 71 on the day, and paced the Thunderbirds, while Nick Boileau shot an 83, Greg Barbour and Vince Mercado turned in scores of 86, and Robert Neff finished the round with a score of 87.

"The course was in great condition," Prato said. "And that really made it nice. It was just a great day overall. It really was."

Although the talented junior knew he and his teammates had the potential to play well, he was a bit surprised at the outcome.

"Our goal was to get into regionals," Prato said. "But honestly, it is a bit surprising because we've kind of underachieved all year. But, I knew we had the potential. We just picked a great time to peak, I guess. It's surprising, but it feels great to win it."

also got their ticket to the regional round punches Thursday afternoon.

A team score of 340 was enough for fifth place at the event, and more than enough to get them into the next round of the state tourney.

"It was a great day to play golf," Dearborn High coach Howard Inch said with a smile. "It was really weird to play in nice weather, too."

Although the coach believes his squad could've shaved a few strokes off the scorecard here and there, he's pleased with the end result.

"The goal was to get out and keep playing," Inch said. "We did that today, and now we get to play the University of Michigan's course twice next week. What a great thing for these kids."

Dearborn High's Evan Bowser's 73 was the tops on the squad, followed by Alex Hamm (85), Matthew Januszkowski (90), Oman Mullan (92) and John Marcon (96).

Edsel Ford and Dearborn will face off against District 9 qualifiers Ann Arbor Huron, Plymouth, Livonia Churchill, Saline, Salem, Ann Arbor Skyline, as well as fellow District 10 qualifiers Bedford, Monroe, Southgate Anderson, Brownstown and Woodhaven.

Winners will advance to finals June 17-18.