Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JASON JUNO
Hurley — Support for Hurley football remains strong as it moves to the 8-player format, by at least one pretty solid measure.
Golfers came out Friday like they always do for the program’s golf tournament, held each year at Eagle Bluff Golf Club to raise money for the Northstar football program.
“This has been a signature event for our program,” Hurley coach Scott Erickson said, “and I was a little worried going to 8-man, but everybody has been super awesome about still supporting the program.”
The turnout was fantastic, as always, he said, as 158 golfers took part.
“Record number of hole sponsors, a good group of golfers and alumni playing here from the Gogebic Range and from Hurley,” Erickson said. “I think everybody loves the event.”
Mark Bugni and Mark Groves won the Quarterback Club Golf Tournament with a 64. The changeover to 8-player football didn’t discourage them from coming to play this year.
“We talked to some of the players today and they said they were excited. They thought they were going to have a good year because they have a lot of speed on the team,” Bugni said.
Players volunteer at some of the holes, giving golfers a chance to interact with them before the season starts.
“As long as they’re happy, we’re happy,” Bugni said.
Hurley wrapped up its run as an 11-player program by qualifying for its 26th straight WIAA playoff appearance last fall. The majority of teams up north have been making the change to 8-player football, making the travel excessive for Hurley and accelerating their own changeover.
“This is a great program, we always want to help the Hurley Quarterback Club,” said Bugni, who now lives in the Twin Cities. “Scotty Erickson runs a great program, that’s why we come up here and do this for the last 23 years.”
There’s less travel to have to pay for going forward, but the funds raised will certainly still help the program.
“There’s still things to pay for - weight room stuff, uniform things,” Erickson said. “We’ve been pretty good about having new stuff on the kids every year. The school picks up the shoulder pads, helmets and stuff, but this Quarterback Club has picked up all the meals, the new uniforms and those things.”
It’s the kind of club that not too many high school football teams have.
“Not many, I’m pretty sure about that,” Erickson said. “That’s why we feel fortunate because this is a community program, an alumni program. They’re all happy to be here.”
Greg Basom and Jon Wilson finished second with a 66. Erickson and his brother Todd Erickson were third with a 66.
It was a great first title for Bugni and Groves.
Bugni said they hit good drives all day.
“When he had a good shot I didn’t, and when I had a good shot he didn’t, so it just worked out,” Groves said. “He’s definitely a ton better than me.”
It was a picture perfect day, like it is every year for this golf tournament.
“A little windy up here today, but the course played good,” Erickson said.
Football practice starts on Aug. 13 with the first game scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at home against Lake Linden-Hubbell.
Results
Championship Huddle
1. Mark Bugni and Mark Groves, 64
2. Greg Basom and Jon Wilson, 66
3. Scott Erickson, Todd Erickson, 66
First Huddle
1. Chris Edyvean and Matt Korpela, 71
2. Levi Aho and Eli Harma, 71
3. Kohl Manzanares and Jeffrey Tenlen, 72
Second Huddle
1. Nancy Levra and Dan Schill, 74
2. Scott DeRosso and Mike Rubatt, 74
3. Ron Lundgren and Dennis Soderman, 74
Third Huddle
1. Mark Sargent and Larry Barnabo, 77
2. Bob Barto and Tom Ellis, 77
3. Cory Corullo and Franz Aukee, 78
Fourth Huddle
1. Tom Innes and Steph Innes, 80
2. Chris Epplet and Tom McGrath, 80
3. Scott Hewitt and Neil Gilbertson, 81
Fifth Huddle
1. Josh Kretschmar and Tony Saari, 84
2. Todd Zanella and Tate Boho, 85
3. Danny Santini and PJ Santini, 85
