TRI-CITY AREA — The 2021 campaign was one which saw Almont dominate the Tri-City Area golf scene once again and the this year’s All-Area squad reflects that well-taken point.
Jacob Rayl, of Almont, hits to the green during a BWAC match this spring.
Here is a look at who made this year’s lineup and the numbers they generated en route to those accolades:
Jacob Rayl, Almont.
Rayl averaged 39 per nine-hole round, leaving him first on the Almont squad and among those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area status.
The senior also posted a 74 en route to second medalist honors at the Timberwood Golf Course-based Evans Gill Tournament; furnished a 78 on the way to third medalist status at the BWAC Tournament hosted by Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; managed an 81 en route to fourth medalist honors at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Invite at Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry; provided an 81 during a Division 3 regional at Washtenaw Golf Club in Ann Arbor; plus supplied a 92 during the Green/Orange Invite at Copper Hills Golf Course.
He also contributed a 168 over 36 holes, paving the way to a three-way tie for 44th at the Division 3 state finals. The Meadows Golf Course, on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, served as the tournament venue.
This was his third year on Almont’s squad.
Rayl ended the 2021 campaign as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team selection, where he also earned League MVP accolades.
Jack Jellison, Almont.
Jellison supplied a 40 average for nine holes this spring, placing him second on the Almont squad and among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
The senior managed a 74 en route to second medalist honors at the BWAC Tournament hosted by Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; managed an 85 at the Timberwood Golf Course-based Evans Gill Tournament; supplied an 86 during a Division 3 regional at Washtenaw Golf Club in Ann Arbor; contributed an 88 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Invite at Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry; and chipped in a 90 at the Green/Orange Invite at Copper Hills Golf Course.
Jellison finished his third year on Almont’s squad as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team choice.
Seth VanHoutte, Almont.
VanHoutte averaged 46 per nine-hole round, leaving him third on the Almont squad and among those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status.
The junior posted an 80 for fifth medalist honors at the BWAC Tournament hosted by Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; provided an 85 at the Timberwood Golf Course-based Evans Gill Tournament; plus managed an 87 during a Division 3 regional at Washtenaw Golf Club in Ann Arbor.
This was his second year on Almont’s squad.
VanHoutte concluded the 2021 campaign as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team pick.
Garrett Earegood, Almont.
Earegood posted a 46 average for nine holes this spring, placing him fourth on the Almont squad and among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
The junior supplied an 84 during a Division 3 regional at Washtenaw Golf Club in Ann Arbor; contributed 90s at the Green/Orange Invite at Copper Hills Golf Course and BWAC Tournament hosted by Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; plus added a 100 during the Dick’s Sporting Goods Invite at Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry.
This was his second year on Almont’s squad.
Manny Goldstein, Almont.
Goldstein averaged 48 per nine-hole round, leaving him fifth on the Almont squad and among those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status.
The freshman supplied an 88 during a Division 3 regional at Washtenaw Golf Course in Ann Arbor; carded a 90 at the BWAC Tournament hosted by Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; furnished a 98 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Invite at Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry; plus added a 102 at the Green/Orange Invite at Copper Hills Golf Course.
Goldstein ended the 2021 campaign as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention selection.
Second team- Cam Bourdeau, Almont; Josh Fuller, Almont; Jacob Burgess, Dryden; Jack Kaplan, Dryden; John Schoen, Capac; and Hunter Tyson, Capac.
Honorable mention- Connor Kovacik, Imlay City; Paul Camire, Capac; and Mike Austin, Capac.
Coach of the Year- For directing Almont to a top finish during the BWAC Tournament at Holly Meadows Golf Course in Capac; a second at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Invite at Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry; a fourth at the Evans Gill Tournament hosted by Timberwood Golf Course; a fifth at a Division 3 regional hosted by Washtenaw Golf Club in Ann Arbor; and a seventh at the Green/Orange Invite at Copper Hills Golf Course, Almont Coach Mark Bone earns Tri-City Times Coach of the Year accolades.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
