Brighton’s consistency produces a first at state boys golf finals

EAST LANSING — Brighton finished third in the state Division 1 boys golf tournament for the third time in four seasons, but this year’s group set itself apart.

The Bulldogs shot rounds of 294 and 307 to place third in the Division 1 finals Saturday at Forest Akers West, Michigan State University’s home course.

It’s the sixth time in program history that Brighton has placed third in the state tournament, five of those finishes coming since the MHSAA expanded the finals to two rounds. This was the first time that all five Brighton golfers shot in the 70s both days.

On the other four occasions, Brighton had six of its 10 rounds in the 80s at both Forest Akers courses in 1996, four of 10 rounds in the 80s at Forest Akers West in 2009, five of 10 rounds in the 80s at Katke Golf Course in 2022 and four of 10 rounds in the 80s at The Meadows in 2023.

Even Hartland’s 1997 state Class A championship team had three rounds in the 80s on the same course the Bulldogs played this weekend.

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Brighton also took third in 1970 when the finals were one round. The Bulldogs’ best finish was second place in Class B in 1967.

Brighton began the final round in second place after shooting 294, but dropped to third with a 307 that was fifth in the field Saturday.

Brighton junior Adam Forcier was the top Livingston County golfer, shooting 70 and 76 to finish tied for 10th.

“He hit it really well,” Brighton coach James Dewling said. “His maturity’s starting to show on the course. He’s had success recently qualifying for the Michigan Am. It’s another good week of golf for him. Any time you’re in the top 10 at a Division 1 final, you’ve golfed pretty well for two days.”

Senior Jacob Daavettila shot 74 and 77 to finish 19th, senior Jackson Frelich shot 74 and 78 to finish 26th, and junior Brandon Lovejoy shot 77 and 77 to finish 30th for the Bulldogs.

“I’m tremendously proud of the players,” Dewling said. “It’s a testament to their toughness. Over two rounds as a team, you play 10 rounds basically and we had no scores in the 80s.

“It’s tremendous maturity sticking to a game plan. State championship have a lot of pressure. You have to manage that well. There’s a lot to be proud of this season with these players and how far they’ve progressed and the success they’ve had.”

Howell shot rounds of 306 and 316 to finish eighth with an all-senior lineup. It was the best state finish in program history, surpassing ninth-place finishes in 1996 and 2005. Howell was 11th last season.

Rory Sturos shot 73 and 79 to finish 26th, Zach Spencer shot 75 and 81 to finish 36th, Derek Kantola shot 78 and 79 to finish 39th, Gavin Hill shot 80 and 79 to finish 51st, and Luke Downing shot 81 and 79 to finish 57th for the Highlanders.

Detroit Catholic Central won with a 587, seven shots lower than Rochester Adams.

Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan