The phrase ‘time is money’ is generally associated with managing one’s time in order to maximize profits.

For Grand Valley State’s men’s golf team, patience and careful course management allowed the Lakers to hit on the money during the NCAA Midwest Regional No. 4 at the Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville, Ind. GVSU finished just two strokes behind Indianapolis with a 9-over 585, better than 29 other teams in the two-day tournament. 

Composure was key for the Lakers.

“Having patience helped a lot with the wind this week,” said junior Tyler Polulak, who finished in a tie for ninth place with a 1-over 145. “We were able to get up and down and we’re being more consistent.”

Finishing alongside Polulak was freshman Domenic Mancinelli, who posted his third top-10 finish of the season. Mancinelli said keeping attention away from mistakes and maintaining focus helped GVSU.

“We stayed in the moment better,” he said. “We are a long-range team though, and we need to take advantage on the par 5s.”

Redshirt senior Jack Rider tied for 26th with a 4-over 148.

Meanwhile, junior Chris Beltzer shot a 7-over 151 to finish in a tie for 51st.

As for areas of improvement, GVSU is focusing on its short game as the spring campaign progresses. Greens play and shots within the 100-yard mark have been an area of difficulty for the team.

First-year coach Gary Bissell said the Lakers have let teams gain ground around the greens. Mancinelli said they need to work on making more putts in the 4-to-15 foot range. Polulak agreed.

“Once we can see more birdie putts we’ll be a tough team to beat,” he said. “We need to get the putters hot.”

Even with a weaker short game for the time being, the team has proven that a strong long game can earn wins. Bissell said the team’s mapping of shots and angles during practice rounds have been a huge asset because it lets the Lakers play to their strengths.

“We’re ranked number one right now in the Midwest which is great,” he said. “But that’s not that important because we want to be number one in the nation. The next step is working on our short game.”

The Lakers have the resolve and work ethic to make it happen, but utilizing the strong points in their game will be essential moving forward as they attempt to secure a super regional birth.

They won’t have much time to work with, however. 

GVSU hits the links next on Saturday in Nashport, Ohio for the GLIAC South Invitational, the final tournament before the NCAA Midwest/Central Super Regional takes place from May 4-6 in Chicago, Ill.

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