PHS Golf Team Finishes Season Well

Jon Snellenberger is in his nineteenth year as coach in Portland High School’s boys’ golf program.

The team has enjoyed a good 2025 season and has learned much from it.

“We are in our fourth year of rebuilding the team since our last league champion status in 2021,” said Snellenberger. “Our top man this year was sophomore Joe Nobis.  Max Weller and Carter Peake have come in as second and third men, while Lincoln Higbee, Carter Higbee, Cody Hengesbach, and Trent Durant have also contributed positively to our season.”

Snellenberger said that the team has had relatively consistent scoring this season despite much bad weather which effectively prevented low scoring.

“The bad weather raised scores,” he said. “We have been an average ‘380’ stroke golf team for eighteen holes.”

Snellenberger said that a highlight of the season was the opportunity to play some of the finest golf courses in the Mid-Michigan area, including Forrest Acres West at MSU and Hawk Hollow in Bath Township.

“In the course of the season we have also had the privilege of facing some of the finest teams in the area, including Charlotte High School and Lansing Catholic Central,” he said. “These teams finished first and second in the league.”

PHS finished in fifth place out of the eight teams in the league.

“Our goal this year was to finish fourth,” he said. “So we came very close to achieving our goal.”

Top man for PHS, Joe Nobis, has proven to be an extremely consistent scorer with an 89 average for eighteen holes. Second man Max Weller averaged 92.

“Third man junior Carter Peake came on like a powerful stallion during the last three weeks of the season,” said Snellenberger. “He will have an important presence on the team next year, as will Joe, Max, Cody, and Lincoln.”

Snellenberger is looking forward to a fine season in 2026.

“Everyone on the team is improving,” he said. “I expect that we will advance in the league next year.  But high school golf in not only about winning tournaments. We’re learning discipline and teamwork. These are two of the most important aspects of high school sports. Learning these things will help these young men as adults. We’re also having a lot of fun.” he added.

The Portland High School golf team will resume play next year with an improved team and with a positive attitude.

Courtesy Photos:

#1 East Lansing, L to R Lincoln Higbee, Max Weller, Carter Peake, Joe Nobis, Carter Higbee and Trent Durrant

#2 Belding & CM, L to R Lincoln Higbee, Max Weller, Carter Higbee, Carter Peake and Joe Nobis

#3 Belding & CM, L to R Lincoln Higbee, Joe Nobis, Trent Durrant, Coach Snellenberger, Carter Higbee, Carter Peake & Max Weller

#4 2025 PHS Varsity Golf Team, L to R Caden Lockwood, Trent Durrant, Joe Nobis , Max Weller, Carter Higbee, Cody Hengesbach, Jayden Miller, Lincoln Higbee & Coach Snellenberger (Missing Carter Peake)