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| Phil Rietema (Grand Rapids, Mich) |
Calvin senior Phil Rietema saved his best for last, and the result was
a Calvin single-season scoring record. Firing a round of 73 at the final
MIAA outing of the year, Rietema not only captured medalist honors in
the final league competition of his collegiate career, but also established
a new Calvin single-season scoring record in MIAA competition, as the
Grand Rapids Baptist High School graduate finished with a season scoring
average of 76.0.
Rietema's MIAA average broke the previous Calvin record of 76.3, established
in 1994 by Jeff Timmer, the younger brother of current Calvin head coach
Jim Timmer, Jr. Rietema finished second in the final MIAA individual standings,
marking the best individual MIAA finish by a Calvin men's golfer in nearly
30 years.
Most importantly, Rietema's performance allowed Calvin to maintain a
firm grip on second place in the final MIAA team standings. The Knights
had moved past defending MIAA champion Olivet and into second place in
the second-to-last league outing of the year.
Heading into the outing, Rietema carried a season scoring average of
76.5 and needed a round of 75 to break the Calvin single-season scoring
record. Having the comfort of playing on his home course, Rietema was
relaxed in his final MIAA round. "My family has been playing at Watermark
for eight years now, so I'm very familiar with the course," said
Rietema. "I played a lot of rounds here this summer, so that definitely
helped, too. My teammates made sure I knew about the record before I played,
but I wasn't nervous. It felt great to break the record, but I was happier
with the way we finished as a team. We have some very talented underclassmen,
so I would not be surprised to see the record broken in the next few years
again."
Rietema's coach was also thrilled to see his senior leader break the
Calvin record. "I talked to my brother Jeff the other night, and
he joked about not letting Phil golf today so that his record could stand,"
said Timmer. "Seriously, I'm thrilled, and I know my brother is,
too. What a great way for a senior to close out his MIAA career."
Calvin's second-place team finish in the final MIAA standings is its
best league finish since 2000, when the Knights took second place. A philosophy
major, Rietema also sparkles in the classroom, carrying a 3.97 grade point
average. He is unsure of his future plans. |
