DOWAGIAC — Although Dowagiac and Edwardsburg are playing for much higher stakes this weekend at the Division 3 and Division 2 state finals, their approach to playing in the tournament will remain the same as it has all season.

The Chieftains were the runners-up at the Division 3 district at Olde Mill Golf Course in Schoolcraft last week, while the Eddies finished third at the Division 2 regional they hosted at Four Lakes Country Club last Thursday.

The top three teams advance to the state finals.

Dowagiac is heading to Big Rapids to play on the Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University, while the Eddies are heading to East Lansing to play on Forest Akers West at Michigan State University.

“We are approaching the state tournament a lot like we have our season,” said Dowagiac coach Bob Turner. “We need to concentrate on what we can control, and that is blocking out the distractions and making each shot a solid one. You can’t keep trying to make up for a bad shot by hitting a great one. Just make the next shot a good one so you don’t string together bad ones.”

While golf is a team sport, individuals can also medal this coming weekend even if their team does not.

“Our main goal is to enjoy the experience,” Turner said. “I’m sure everyone has a number in their head that they want to shoot. I would be very happy if we shoot what we shot to qualify. The course will be harder and the atmosphere will be more intense, so if we could manage to come close to what we did at the Regional we would be happy.”

Edwardsburg is going to the state golf finals as a team for the first time in Jeff Kozinski’s 20 years of coaching the Eddies.

He understands what this means and the pressure it brings. He is hoping there will be safety in numbers.

“I have been blessed to have three former players make it to state,” he said. “There is a great deal of pressure when you are just one guy in a field of 100 players. Having all five of my players representing our school and community lifts some of the pressure. We have learned to rely on each other. Again, I believe in these young men. They have been working hard since 2018 to prepare for this chance to make a statement. I’m proud of Satch, Brayden, Garon, David and Cody. I’m gonna be saying a lot of prayers asking the Lord to be with us as we compete.”

Like Turner, Kozinski knows that each individual player has a goal in mind.

“Each player has an idea of what they are capable of,” Kozinski said. “My job as a coach is to get the players to do their best. Satchel is capable of shooting under par. If he brings in one of the low scores at the state finals, it will not be surprising. Brayden and Garon are capable of shooting in the low to high 70s. David and Cody have also brought in some good rounds this season. We shot a 313 at regionals and left some shots out there. I believe our team can compete at the state championship.”