ROCKFORD ATHLETICS I HOME OF THE RAMS

The most premier tournament in the state takes place at American Dunes each season and this year the Rams got an invitation. The event is part high school golf event and part fundraiser for Folds of Honor. The event raised about $3000 for this organization. The event boasts all the best teams in the state and it was nice to see the Rams compete right there in the mix with all the best teams from the east side. The event is steeped in tradition. Each team submits a bio and picture to honor a service member from their community, ours was our very own high school teacher Tina Shutich who served in the Air Force before becoming a teacher. At 1300 hours everyone stops on the course, takes their hat off as taps plays followed by 13 chimes of the bell. Finally, every player tosses a nickel at the base of a white cross on the 18th. "A nickel in the grass saves a pilots ***" :) With a 9th place finish we were right in the middle but really we were just three strokes back from a 6th place finish overall. With the conditions as they were on a course that is already very challenging, as Jack Nicklaus intended, a score in the 70s is pretty solid. Owen Wilson shot a 77 and Jack Reum shot a 79. Just a few strokes back from them with a pair of 81s was Austin Helsel and Coen Beickman. Connor Vanos shot an 82. It was a really fun day and all the guys got to leave with some pretty sweet gifts!