Benda places eleventh for Superior at state golf

SUPERIOR - Josh Benda and Luke Boyce were studs for Superior golf all season, and were invited to play in the state tournament with the best-of-the-best of Class-C schools from around the region.

Benda routinely averaged a swing total of under 100 at many golf meets this season. Although Benda and Boyce qualified for state this year, each player didn’t play as particularly good as they hoped.

Benda placed eleventh overall at the end of the two-day tournament.

On the first day, he shot a respectable 84, but fell to a 91 on the second day for a total of 175.

Although Benda’s numbers seem a little high, the senior had an average swing in the low 80s, and on a good day was even as low as 71 during the regular season. Eleventh place is still decent considering more than 50 players came from various schools within the conference.

Boyce had a 93 and 113 for a total swing of 206 and didn’t place.

Even though both didn’t place higher, May 20 at Double Arrow Golf Course in Seeley will always be one to remember.

“I know that both boys who went to state were disappointed in how they played, but we had a very successful season,” said Superior Golf Coach Seth Kuhl.

The weather didn’t appear to be a factor as the course was highlighted with abundant sun and minimal clouds. Golfers had sweat on their brows, no doubt, and a squint to shield their eyes from the penetrating light, just to attain the best swing. Regardless, they were playing with the big boys now. No time for excuses. There was only one top spot and even though Superior didn’t get it, placing one player is good enough to keep their heads up on the bus ride back home.

Looking back on the season, Benda won a few tournaments and hardly fell below the top ten, where Boyce placed above the tenth spot several times.

However, Taryn Vervaris, a freshman, also played well for Superior this season and Kuhl expects him to improve on a yearly basis.

Benda and Boyce will return next season as seniors, and are expected to be back on the team, according to Kuhl. Considering both players were high placers at many tournaments, Kuhl thinks there will be some improvement in their game looking forward to next spring.

“It’s hard to look back and see what we have accomplished with the smallest team I ever had, but the destination is only part of the trip,” Kuhl said.

Practice doesn’t always make perfect, as the state qualifiers had a week off before the tournament to prepare.

Despite not taking top honors at the finale, Superior golf looks sustainable for the near future. Their top two players will return for one more stellar season, Vervaris had a promising rookie year and may be the next cornerstone of the team after Benda and Boyce graduate next year.

“Things seem to be looking up for Superior golf regardless of how this last tournament went,” Kuhl said.