Super soph Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest golfer takes individual title By Christian Davis Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest sophomore Zach Preuss started the second day of the Division 4 golf state final, held June 12 at Eagle Crest Golf Course on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, down four strokes. Basically, he had the competition just where he wanted it. “I wasn’t expected to win at that point, so it give me a chance to go out there and play,” he said. “I knew going into the second day that if I played well, then I had a chance. I thought if I could just post a number. I guess it was good enough.” Preuss shot 71, which followed his 77 the first day and gave him a 148 total for 36 holes — one better than Jon Christ of Kalamazoo Hackett. “It was probably the best I hit the ball all year,” Preuss said. Coach Mark McLoughlin said he spoke with Preuss before the second round about being more aggressive if he wanted to make a run at the title. “He was tied for seventh after the first day. At that point, to know the strokes he was back and the competition that was there, that was a huge gap to make up,” he said. “He had to assert himself and couldn’t hold back; he had to take a couple chances if they presented themselves. But the round just came to him, and he played solid all day and the score reflected it.” Playing solid has been status quo for Preuss. McLoughlin said he averaged 37.5 for nine holes this season and finished undefeated in dual matches. “He’s not big, but he still hits the ball well,” the coach said. “He’s a thinker, but what I appreciate the most about him is that if he does have a mis-hit, he’s able to put that behind him. Just his maturity, for being a sophomore, is very evident.” The next time he takes the tee box in a prep match, Preuss will be a junior and the defending state champion. “That’ll be kind of cool,” he said. “I’m very excited for it.” You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.
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