Hupf aces ninth hole at Black River

There’s no better way to end a golf practice than how Medford’s Brady Hupf ended it on May 19.

The Raider senior, who joined the golf team for the first time this spring, nailed a hole-in-one on the ninth hole at Black River Golf Course, capping a practice round of 42, according to his scorecard from that day.

“I’ve kind of come close before, maybe 5 to 6 feet from a hole but never within like 2 feet,” Hupf said.

Teeing it up from the white markers, which made it about a 143-yard shot, Hupf used a 9-iron. He was golfing with a group of JV teammates, but many of the varsity guys were also there watching. He said the pin was set in the center of the green up toward the front.

“When I hit it, I knew it was a good hit,” Hupf said. “I saw it hit the front of the green and take a couple bounces and stayed on line, so I was thinking, ‘OK, good chance for a birdie putt.’ I knelt down to pick up my tee and somebody yelled that it went in. I couldn’t believe it.

“The varsity guys ran over to check it out and, sure enough, I had my first-ever hole-in one.”

A three-sport participant at Medford who was the goalie on the WIAA statequalifying soccer team and a secondteam All-Great Northern Conference performer on the 24-3 basketball team, Hupf said he’s spent many hours golfing both the Black River and Tee-Hi golf courses in town with friends. In April, he decided to make a spring change from track and field to golf. He’s played a handful of JV rounds and was a varsity extra during the GNC meet held at Black River Golf Course May 17.

“I love it,” he said. “I love golfing every day. I’m glad I made the switch.”