Michigan Golf Journal June 2019

played in Cimini’s tournament but was one of the state’s top-ranked teams that jumped on board that very moment. “The bare bones of it all is that golf is a game of integrity, so I support people who support integrity,” McIntyre said. “Val is an individual who’s been committed to promoting golf, he’s been the salt of the earth type of man. He’s never had a great deal of success in terms of never winning a regional or a state title, but he comes back year after year and puts his heart and soul into the game, in trying to make it the best environment for his kids as possible.” Once the word spread, other first- time teams that couldn’t wait to play in the invitational included Bloomfield Hills (which was left out from going to states last year due to Anchor Bay’s and L’Anse Creuse’s controversial posted scores at the regional), Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Detroit U-D Jesuit, Davison, and Madison Heights Lamphere. “Quite frankly, the director (Val Cimini) called me and said that ‘we dis- invited three schools’ and with that I said we’d be happy to come,” said Bloomfield Hills coach Scott Hayes, knowing which three schools he meant. “That was the only impetus for us coming out here. In a sublime way we were supported for the disappointment, agony, whatever you want to call it, for our graduated seniors from last year that did not get the chance to potentially compete in the state finals last year, along with Rochester Adams.” In all, 40 teams tried to get into the invitational, double the number that had ever played in it until this year’s 26 teams competed on May 10. Clarkston, ranked No. 1 in Division 1, successfully defended its title from the prior year. Warren DeLaSalle also played, ranked No. 4 at the time. No. 3 Rockford couldn’t make the long trip on a school day. “I’ve had coaches and other people come to me, congratulate me for the integrity (of what we’ve done here) and say what best friends they are to me now, because I stood up for something, and what is right,” Cimini said with gratefulness in a humbled tone. He is saddened by the damage the 2018 Div. 1 Regional results did to the national reputation of high school golf in Michigan, which he said has been affected, “Big time.” We can only hope time – and potential lessons learned – heals all wounds. 27 June 2019 www.michigangolfjournal.com