Hillsdale Academy hosts the PGA Reach Invitational at Michigan State University

Chelsea and Flushing tied for first place at the PGA Reach Invitational hosted by Hillsdale Academy with a score of 310.
Hillsdale Academy finished 14th overall, led by Kahle Welden’s 83, while Will Carleton Academy placed 22nd.
The tournament benefited the PGA Reach Initiative, which supports youth and veteran golf programs.

EAST LANSING — The Hillsdale Academy boys golf team was put in the statewide spotlight on Thursday morning when it hosted the PGA Reach Invitational event on the Forest Akers West golf course at Michigan State University. Hillsdale Academy hosted the tournament for the benefit of the PGA Reach Initiative, which strives to grow the game through youth and veteran support.

PGA REACH Michigan is the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Michigan PGA Section, one of the 41 sections in the PGA of America. The three pillars of the organization in which they look to grow the game of golf through are Youth, Military and Inclusion.

The invitational attracted some of the top Division 1 and 2 schools in the state and 24 teams in total. This list includes 2024 state champs Detroit Catholic Central (D1), 2024 D1 runner-up Ann Arbor Skyline and 2024 D3 runner-up Jackson Lumen Christi.

It was a packed competition, and the team score was ultimately won by Division 2 Chelsea with a low total of 310. Division 1 Flushing also tied with the same score. Rounding out the top five team scores was Lumen Christi in third with 313, Detroit Catholic Central with 316 in fourth and Grand Haven taking fifth with a score of 321. Saline took sixth, Lake Orion took seventh, Detroit Catholic Central’s second team took eighth, Marshall took ninth and Parma Western took 10th.

There was a three-way tie for first in individual scoring, led by sophomore Gabe Cooper of Lumen Christi finishing at 71 and one-under par. Also finishing one-under was senior Garrett Morrison of Flushing and senior Brian Tilman of Chelsea. Rounding out the top five was seniors Carson Osborn of Grand Haven and Clark Erwin of Marshal with scores of 73.

Senior Logan Douglas of Leslie finished sixth with a final score of 75. Junior AJ Gaspar of Flushing, junior David Krusinski of Detroit Catholic Central and freshman Parker Westcott of Chelsea all tied with 76. Taking 10th overall was Brandon Kulka of Lumen Christi.

Local Leaderboard

Overall, it was a solid performance for the two local teams that participated in the tournament: Hillsdale Academy and Will Carleton Academy.

Hillsdale Academy finished 14th overall with a final score of 351. The team was led by senior captain Kahle Welden with an 83 overall. The senior had nine pars and one birdie. On the back nine, the senior had just two bogeys, one of which was his final hole of the day. Welden started with just one bogey and subsequently went on to shoot par or better on the next six holes.

“It was a great day, played well,” Welden said. “The weather was cold to start but shaped out to be a pretty good day.”

Welden finished 37th overall in individual scoring. Sophomore Ben Lutz finished 46th with an 85, hitting seven pars and one birdie. Sophomore Lincoln Knirk shot 89 to finish 67th. He had seven pars.

Senior Vincent Reagle finished 83rd with a final score of 94, and not far behind was junior Grayson Young with a 95 and a final placement of 89th.

Will Carleton Academy finished 22nd with a score of 405. Leading the way was sophomore David Maier in 83rd overall with a score of 94. The sophomore had four pars. Senior Will Thielen finished the day in 93rd with a score of 99, earning three pars. Senior Tyler Slade finished 100th with a score of 102 with four pars. Senior Thomas Maier finished 110th with a score of 110. Senior Jacob Gadelkarim shot a 120 and came in 116th overall.

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