Drew Kolenda and Elias Marjasalo soar for Falcons at Division 4 golf state finals

By Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Reporter

Pentwater golf has grown accustomed to competing in the state finals, and that was no different when two Falcons qualified for the event. Seniors Drew Kolenda and Elias Marjasalo took part in the MHSAA Division 4 state finals in Battle Creek, June 9-10.

Kolenda was no stranger to the competition, competing in his fourth consecutive state finals. That showed on the course in the first day of competition, as he secured his best initial round finish of his high school career.

With impressive drives that set up nice approaches and makeable putts, Kolenda ended up shooting an 85 on his first 18 holes. That score was made possible by seven pars.

That effort flowed into the second day of competition, as Kolenda started off with four straight pars. Even with some tough drives, Kolenda managed to finish his day with eight pars and two birdies. That allowed him to finish 25th overall.

For Marjasalo, a foreign exchange student this year, the finals marked his first major golfing event, which evoked a few nerves. After a rough couple of holes to start, Marjasalo settled in and notched a string of four pars in a row.

Marjasalo finished day one with five pars in total and a score of 91. Marjasalo stayed consistent