Detroit Catholic Central boys reclaim top spot in D1 golf

NOVI — There was no way of downplaying it: Detroit Catholic Central knew it didn’t put its best foot forward at last year’s Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals.

Winning the state title in 2022 with seniors Neil Zhu, Liam Casey and Peter Stassinopoulos leading the charge, the Shamrocks were motivated to show everyone that they could continue what their senior class started.

With five state championships and two state runner-ups to its name since 2010, DCC is known to operate like a well-oiled machine anytime a senior class graduates, but the 2023 state finals showed some vulnerability.

The Shamrocks finished fourth, which is a great finish for the majority of schools competing, but it wasn’t for the golfers in royal blue.

“It hurt us all — even the guys that didn’t play,” sophomore David Krusinski said. “It sucked. We thought we should’ve, or had a pretty good chance, at winning it. There wasn’t one of us that played a good round at states last year. We were angry with that, and we wanted it bad this year.”

On June 8 at Bedford Valley in the 2024 MHSAA Division 1 state finals, DCC reclaimed the top spot in Division 1 golf with an 8-stroke win over second place Ann Arbor Skyline as senior Julian Menser captured the Division 1 individual state championship, beating out a field of 108 golfers.

Weather conditions on day one restricted just about every team from shooting its best, but DCC still took a 2-stroke lead into the final round.

“The first day was, I think, the most difficult conditions in all the years that I’ve coached,” DCC coach Mike Anderson said. “The wind blew steady at 25 miles per hour and gusted up to 40. The ball was doing things that were just crazy. It was extremely difficult. The next day was supposed to be around the same, but it was pretty normal.”

Menser didn’t seem to be phased by the conditions, as he shot a 70 to take the lead in the first round, and he repeated his score in the final round to finish with 140, narrowly defeating Ann Arbor Skyline senior Vibhav Alokam by 2 strokes.

It’s the perfect ending to an incredible high school golf career for Menser, who finished eighth overall in 2022 when DCC captured its first state title since 2017. Menser plans to continue his golf career at Michigan State University.

“He kept the bar high all four years he was here,” Anderson said. “He reminded me a lot of (professional golfer and DCC alumnus) James Piot in that sense, in that they’re just always working. They’re good students and they’re students of the game, but they always were pushing their teammates to be better.”

Menser was one of three DCC seniors to close their high school golf chapters with a title. Senior Carson Lloyd shot a 152 (79 and 73) to finish 13th overall.

Lloyd, who will be golfing at Saginaw Valley State University, emerged this year as one of DCC’s top golfers in its five-man rotation, and he shined in his first state finals.

“The first couple days, it didn’t really set in,” Lloyd said. “From my perspective of it, sophomore year was when I was at states and we won. Seeing the guys from the outside looking in, it’s just a lot different when you actually do it. It doesn’t feel real. It’s so amped up because ever since summer season ended, you just work towards this. This is all we really play for.”

Alongside Lloyd, sophomore Jack Whitmore (23rd) and Krusinski (26th) both turned in impressive rounds while senior Charlie Teed shot an 87 and junior Dillon Che a 73 as the two veterans split rounds.

Anderson was impressed with Krusinski and Whitmore’s play, who will be key returners for the Shamrocks in 2025.

“They’re both incredible talents that will very likely play golf in college,” Anderson said. “They work really hard. You don’t have to ask them to play or practice, because they’re always working on their game.”

Krusinski, Whitmore and Che will be tasked with defending the three majors the Shamrocks focus on each year, which is the Division 1 crown, the Catholic High School League, and regionals.

All three have the experience and talent needed for the job, and Anderson said he has full confidence in his returning trio.

“They’ve had great leadership since they’ve been at DCC, and I have no doubt that they have the skill set to be able to step in,” Anderson said. “They have the respect of their peers, they have a great work ethic, and they’re good young men. I don’t see anything slowing down. They’re going to be difficult to beat.”