Reeths-Puffer golf coach Matt Pallett likes to enter his team in tough events at the start of the season, to challenge his players right away.
The R-P boys team opened the 2025 season by competing in the Forest Hills Invitational on Monday at the Egypt Valley Country Club, which has a very tough course.
The Rockets got their feet wet, finishing 22nd with a 388 score in a field full of good teams. Grand Rapids Christian won the event with a 308.
Kristian Brown, who was the top R-P golfer on Monday.
Junior Kristian Brown was the top Rocket, leading the team with a 93. Aiden Waggoner shot a 94, followed by Kaeden Benner (98), Aiden Hartzell (103) and Jamie Neel (113).
Forest Hills Northern's Will Pollack took first place with a 71.
“Golf can be a humbling sport and today as a team and as individuals we were humbled," Pallett said. “Egypt Valley is a tough course, especially if you are not playing well. I purposely challenged our team by putting us in a tough competition on a tough course for our first event. This event will make us better. All of the players mentioned things that they can get better at.”
The Rockets will compete in their first O-K Green conference match on Wednesday.