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BUCHANAN — The Cassopolis boys golf team came out on top to win the Scott Novak Memorial Cup Tuesday at Orchard Hills County Club.

Formerly known as the Leader Cup, the tournament and trophy were renamed in honor of longtime Leader Publications Sports Editor Scott Novak, who passed away in October following a 42-year career dedicated to local sports.

Created by Novak and former Buchanan golf coach Amelio Rodriguez in 2016 as a way to feature the six schools that Leader Publications covers – Brandywine, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Niles – the tournament has become one players and coaches alike look forward to every year.

The Rangers, led by Alan Wegner, Dickson Samadder, William Westrate and Turner Westrate, shot 141. Niles and Edwardsburg tied for second overall with scores of 151 and Buchanan placed fourth with a score of 167. Brandywine placed fifth with a score of 189 and Dowagiac sixth with a 209.

For the Rangers, the medalist pairing of Alan Wegner and Dickson Samadder finished with a round of 68 and the Westrates 73. Cassopolis’ Pflug and Vanphoumy finished with a 93.

“It was the camaraderie, collaboration and communication between the players,” said Cassopolis coach Joseph Westrate. “They love playing and competing against each other and they were able to talk and just played some good golf out there. I was proud of them.”

Niles’ Landon Martin and Blake Hopper shot 75 and Gavyn Luke and Owen Podlin a 76. Carson Wright and Max Rucker fired a 91.

For Edwardsburg, Cody Schaap and Ben Fish shot 70 and Maverick Gates and Brandon Vanoverberghe a 81. Michael Wright and Joseph Wright carded a 83.

The duo of Dean Wegner and Tyler Frame fired a 80 to lead the Bucks and Austin Gregory and Jacob Kuntz 87. Gabe Tompkins and Carson Shelton finished with a 107.

Davis Lotsbaich and Jayden Thomas led Brandywine with 89 and Blake Magyar and Nolan Shaffer tallied 100. Cody Hoskin and Craft fired a 114.

“I think we did pretty well,” said Brandywine coach Max Douglass. “Not the greatest on the direction of where we want the ball to go, but everybody was having fun and smiling so I was happy with that.”

For Dowagiac, James Greene and Bond led with a 93 and Keegan Franklin and Keagan Monroe 116. Hunter Steinman and Cooper Szymczak carded 118 for the Chieftains.

“We’re extremely young,” said Dowagiac coach Bob Turner. Just being here and getting experience was good for us. I couldn’t miss it because today’s all about Scott.”

MORE:

Area coaches reflect on Novak’s lasting impact

GALLERY: Cassopolis takes home Scott Novak Memorial Cup