Grafton golfers take back ‘Ryder Cup’ from rival Port

They didn’t qualify anyone for the state meet this season, but the Grafton High School golfers still earned a trophy.

The Black Hawks won the Ryder Cup Rivalry over Port Washington in the third year of the competition and have now won two of three in the young tradition.

The Hawks won, 8.5 points to Port’s 3.5 points.

The coaches played as well, and their points counted.

“It was a great event,” Grafton coach Phil Trottier said.

The event’s format has golfers playing three different formats in six-hole stints, a best-ball scramble, alternate shot after both drives and best ball.

Port Washington coach Rory Palubiski started the event in 2024 for fun and as a break from regular competition. He got the idea from playing that format with his college friends for 25 years.

The Ryder Cup Rivalry at Hawthorne Hills Golf Course in the Town of Saukville is held toward the end of each season. The format allows most, if not all, of the teams’ golfers to participate, forces them to use strategy and offers the chance to coach each other, something not allowed during regular golf competition.

Palubiski even has special cookies made for the event.

“It is nice tradition set up by coach Palubiski. The kids and coaches all enjoy the Ryder Cup format,” Trottier said.

It’s a bit of a friendly rivalry. Palubiski’s son Jaden and Grafton assistant coach Max Bailke — who competed against each other in high school — work at Hawthorne Hills and are friends.