Brookfield and Wauwatosa will be well represented at the WIAA State Golf Tournament Monday and Tuesday at University Ridge in Madison.
Individually, Central's sensational senior Jeff Groose, the only player in the history of the Greater Metro Conference to win three Player of the Year Awards, and senior Dane Zachman from Wauwatosa's co-op team not only advanced, but will play together on Monday in the first round.
Central coach Brian Scrobel, disappointed his GMC champs didn't make it as a team, was still thrilled for Groose and couldn't say enough about his performance.
"It was exciting for him," he said. "He was on the bubble. He struggled a little bit on the back nine. On the 17th hole he almost chipped in for a birdie, but got a par. Then he hit it into the water on 18. He looked defeated, but to his credit, he has something inside of him that refuses to accept defeat.
"On his next shot he hit it from about 200 yards right off the green. He then chipped it into the hole and that chip got him into the state tournament."
Tosa coach Terry Teske was thrilled for Zachman, who just missed going to state last year.
"I’m really happy to see Zach make it to state in his senior season," Teske said. "He certainly deserves it. Last year he missed going to state by one stroke. That really stuck in his craw."
The biggest news came from Brookfield East as the Spartans stepped into the postseason spotlight after spending the regular season fighting Marquette and Brookfield Central for the Greater Metro Conference Championship, finishing second in the final standings.
The youthful Spartans took second behind powerful Arrowhead in the Germantown Sectional on May 27 at Blackstone Creek Golf Course and qualified for the WIAA State Boys Golf Tournament on June 2-3 at University Ridge Golf Course.
"We’re very excited," East coach Chris Minchk said. "Our guys had an opportunity and they held their own mentally. Grade-wise they are young, but they have a ton of experience. They’ve golfed a lot of rounds. They stayed with their game playing in some tough conditions. It was great to see."
This is only the fourth time the Spartans have gone to state as a team, having previously gone in 1967, 1997 and 1998.
The Spartans are made up of sophomore Jeb Vachuska, Kyle Henning and Kevin Haack and juniors Mike Herrmann and C.J. Caliendo.
