- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,266,087
- Reaction score
- 59
A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined where the Charlevoix boys golf team just finished the 2026 season. That was far from my mind.
I’m sure glad they never lost their dreams, though.
It might have been easy or, understandable even, for members of the team that were involved in that horrific crash in April of 2025 to lose a bit of focus on competition and just be thankful to be alive.
Instead, they used it as fuel, bonded over the tragedy together and it drove them to the sports highest achievement.
It’s remarkable. I still can’t warp my head around the fact that a year ago I was writing about a coach and kids fighting for their lives, only to turn around and write about comebacks throughout the past year and the ultimate triumph this past weekend.
I tried not to write much on the crash over the course of the season. I had the initial article come out early in the year as the complete team and head coach Doug Drenth were all back together again, then I tried to make it all about the sport and their success.
And, they had a lot of it. I expected Charlevoix to be good, too, if everyone returned to form.
Bryce Boss and Landen Whisler each returned from the accident late last season, while it took some time for Joe Gaffney and Maxwell Drenth, along with Doug, to get back to the course.
Gaffney’s recovery has been well talked about and is a remarkable story in itself.
From early on in the spring season, I could tell Charlevoix was going to be a state finals caliber team just from the first few matches.
Boss is a phenomenal golfer, Gaffney somehow took a leap in his game even with a year off and Whisler and Maxwell each contribute some really solid rounds. Blake Boss and Keane Helstrom can also surprise at times.
First came a conference title for Charlevoix. Impressive in a league that sent four teams to state finals between two divisions. Then came a regional title. Again, impressive.
I expected a top 10 finish at states. But, you just really never know. The pressure of the finals has done some crazy things to teams, with rounds fluctuating by five strokes or more, up or down. Across four point scorers, that’s a 20-stroke swing in either direction.
But, as I wrote about in the championship story, this team doesn’t blink under pressure. Not after what they’ve gone through.
I think a lot of it speaks to the leadership and community around them.
Like all of our area communities, Charlevoix is a special place that rallies around its own. Sure, there’s some division like anywhere, but the way the community came together for this team was amazing.
It also speaks to the families and parents of the boys. I know some of them well and have for years. They’re great people and supportive households.
I think more than anything, it speaks to the character of the coaches, the men that Rayder golfers spend most of their spring weeks with, Doug Drenth and Bruce Beaudoin.
As Drenth went through recovery, Beaudoin held the team together a year ago, telling me at the recent regional, “I didn’t want anyone else to screw it up.” That gave me a good laugh.
In the past, I’ve written about how much I appreciate Drenth.
Even if you’ve only just met him and speak briefly, you walk away from a conversation with Drenth thinking, ‘I’m rooting for that guy.’ He’s that genuine.
Drenth has never hid how hard this past year has been through his emotions speaking with me after matches or just during the season. And, I think that’s a big part of how his Rayder team has been able to deal with everything that’s come their way.
Don’t hide it. Feel it. Face it. Use it and be grateful for the next swing on course.
As I write all about this team now, looking back over the season and who Charlevoix became, I think it’s a lot easier to believe what just happened.
It’s remarkable, but when all of the pieces come together, from talent and drive, to motivation, leadership and maybe a little luck, that’s where championships comes from.
And you’re not going to find a better example of each quality than the Charlevoix boys golf team.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected] and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: What a perfect and remarkable finish for Charlevoix golf | Kochanny
Continue reading...
I’m sure glad they never lost their dreams, though.
It might have been easy or, understandable even, for members of the team that were involved in that horrific crash in April of 2025 to lose a bit of focus on competition and just be thankful to be alive.
Instead, they used it as fuel, bonded over the tragedy together and it drove them to the sports highest achievement.
It’s remarkable. I still can’t warp my head around the fact that a year ago I was writing about a coach and kids fighting for their lives, only to turn around and write about comebacks throughout the past year and the ultimate triumph this past weekend.
I tried not to write much on the crash over the course of the season. I had the initial article come out early in the year as the complete team and head coach Doug Drenth were all back together again, then I tried to make it all about the sport and their success.
You must be registered for see images attach
And, they had a lot of it. I expected Charlevoix to be good, too, if everyone returned to form.
Bryce Boss and Landen Whisler each returned from the accident late last season, while it took some time for Joe Gaffney and Maxwell Drenth, along with Doug, to get back to the course.
Gaffney’s recovery has been well talked about and is a remarkable story in itself.
From early on in the spring season, I could tell Charlevoix was going to be a state finals caliber team just from the first few matches.
Boss is a phenomenal golfer, Gaffney somehow took a leap in his game even with a year off and Whisler and Maxwell each contribute some really solid rounds. Blake Boss and Keane Helstrom can also surprise at times.
First came a conference title for Charlevoix. Impressive in a league that sent four teams to state finals between two divisions. Then came a regional title. Again, impressive.
I expected a top 10 finish at states. But, you just really never know. The pressure of the finals has done some crazy things to teams, with rounds fluctuating by five strokes or more, up or down. Across four point scorers, that’s a 20-stroke swing in either direction.
But, as I wrote about in the championship story, this team doesn’t blink under pressure. Not after what they’ve gone through.
I think a lot of it speaks to the leadership and community around them.
Like all of our area communities, Charlevoix is a special place that rallies around its own. Sure, there’s some division like anywhere, but the way the community came together for this team was amazing.
It also speaks to the families and parents of the boys. I know some of them well and have for years. They’re great people and supportive households.
I think more than anything, it speaks to the character of the coaches, the men that Rayder golfers spend most of their spring weeks with, Doug Drenth and Bruce Beaudoin.
You must be registered for see images attach
As Drenth went through recovery, Beaudoin held the team together a year ago, telling me at the recent regional, “I didn’t want anyone else to screw it up.” That gave me a good laugh.
In the past, I’ve written about how much I appreciate Drenth.
Even if you’ve only just met him and speak briefly, you walk away from a conversation with Drenth thinking, ‘I’m rooting for that guy.’ He’s that genuine.
Drenth has never hid how hard this past year has been through his emotions speaking with me after matches or just during the season. And, I think that’s a big part of how his Rayder team has been able to deal with everything that’s come their way.
Don’t hide it. Feel it. Face it. Use it and be grateful for the next swing on course.
As I write all about this team now, looking back over the season and who Charlevoix became, I think it’s a lot easier to believe what just happened.
It’s remarkable, but when all of the pieces come together, from talent and drive, to motivation, leadership and maybe a little luck, that’s where championships comes from.
And you’re not going to find a better example of each quality than the Charlevoix boys golf team.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected] and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: What a perfect and remarkable finish for Charlevoix golf | Kochanny
Continue reading...
