Warsaw’s Luke Delp watches his tee shot during NLC Tournament play at Pretty Lake Golf Club in Plymouth. (Photos by James Costello)

PLYMOUTH — Although he’s in his first year as head coach of the Warsaw boys golf program, Rich Haddad was still feeling a little deja vu after Monday’s Northern Lakes Conference Championships makeup.

The Tigers finished second at the tourney, six strokes behind Northridge’s 160, leaving Warsaw in second place in the final NLC standings behind the Raiders a second straight season.

“It seems like a repeat of last year is what it sounds like. A rookie year for me, but the way the guys are talking about it, it feels like deja vu from last year,” said Haddad with a laugh.

Warsaw, Northridge and host Plymouth entered Monday’s tilt at Pretty Lake in a three-way tie for first place in the NLC at 6-1 in the round robin. Led by Luke Morrison’s low medalist round of 37, the Raiders beat out Warsaw by six strokes, while the Tigers edged out NorthWood on a fifth score tiebreaker as Tommy Meier’s 47 trumped Jacob Falk’s 51. Wawasee was sixth with a 189.

The fact that Monday’s make-up was shortened to nine holes after Saturday’s 18-hole tourney was rained out shook up the leaderboard somewhat, and Morrison was the only number one to make the top five guaranteeing All-NLC status.

Warsaw was paced by usual number three Luke Delp, and he, NorthWood two and three Sean Hogan and Taylor Weigand, and Plymouth number four Grant Clady all fired 39s to lock up automatic All-NLC honors.

“He was real steady, hit the ball well,” said Haddad of Delp, who parred seven holes Monday. “He actually had some birdie opportunities, just didn’t convert some of the putts. A very steady round, good progress for him as a junior to be able to… be all-conference this year. We’re very happy for him.”

While Delp played his way to an automatic all-conference accolade, Sam Yeager and Tim Rata were named at-large All-NLC with respective scores of 40 and 43 for Warsaw. Luke Johnson carded 44 to complete the Tigers’ team score.

“I think all five of the guys were playing really steady golf, and the last two rounds — Thursday, today — there were a couple of holes that really cost us. That’s something they hadn’t been doing was having those big numbers, a bad hole or two that really kind of hurts the round,” Haddad said.

“One of the things that we talk about is, number one, maintaining your composure throughout, good or bad. And secondly, is just the effort all the way through because you never know. Whether you’re playing good or bad, you’ve got to play all nine holes or all 18 holes, and these guys never quit so I’m really proud of them for that.”

While Hogan and Weigand both earned top five finishes, number one Caleb Lung shot 44 for NorthWood but was selected for All-NLC Honorable Mention.

“To have three guys between honorable mention and all-conference, that’s a good night for NorthWood,” said Panthers head coach Trevor Shields. “A good night for our team so we’re happy about that and happy for those players.”

Nick Sherk played even with Lung with another 44, while Jacob Falk carded 51 for NorthWood, which was sitting at fourth place in the NLC headed into Monday’s meet and hoping to make up some ground on the top three. The Panthers did just that when they edged out Plymouth by four strokes on the Pilgrims’ home course.

“As a team we came out and played pretty well and tied Warsaw so overall it was a pretty good night for us,” Shields said.

“All things considered I was happy with our team and how we played.”

NorthWood’s Sean Hogan plays in Monday’s Northern Lakes Conference Championships.

Zach Leedy led Wawasee with a 42, while Dillon Drake and Evan Dippon both shot 48, and Cameron Brill turned in a 51. Luke Weisser’s 52 was the Warriors’ toss-out score.

“The front nine we played Saturday, it fits us a little bit better,” Wawasee coach Steve Coverstone explained. “The back nine has a lot of OB right. We’re not used to that; we play on a course that’s all OB left. That gave us a little bit of trouble. But all in all it wasn’t too bad of a day for us.”

Zach Leedy posted the Wawasee’s low score Monday.