Michigan High School Golf Team Hospitalized After Van Crash

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On Sunday evening in Benzie County, Michigan, six high school golfers along with their coach were admitted to the hospital following a frontal crash involving their team minivan and an automobile that had been taken without permission. The driver of this car was reportedly evading law enforcement at the time of the incident.

Head coach Doug Drenth was transporting six members of the Charlevoix (Michigan) High School varsity boys golf team from Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan, where they had finished the initial day of a two-day competition at nearby Arcadia Bluffs, when the incident happened.

According to the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, an officer tried to halt a stolen Ford Escape that was reportedly being operated by a 32-year-old individual who had been charged with felony assault against a 19-year-old female in Antrim County. The vehicle sped away heading west on M-115 after the attempt at interception. Approximately a mile and a half later, as the SUV veered across the center line, it crashed into the van carrying the golf team somewhere between Wallacker and Arner roads within Joyfield Township, close to where the road leads up to the resort entrance.

The operator of the SUV passed away at the location. Drenth along with his team members, ranging from 15 to 18 years old, were taken to Munson Medical Center due to "multiple injuries," as reported by law enforcement officials.

This is an appalling accident, and it’s terribly unfortunate that this happened yesterday," stated Lt. Ashley Miller from the Michigan State Police. "We are employing all available state police resources to ensure a thorough investigation takes place. We are collaborating with both sheriff's departments in Antrim and Benzie counties to guarantee that we obtain accurate information.

The Charlevoix Public Schools Facebook page issued the following statement on Monday morning: "Many of you may know about the severe car crash that occurred on Sunday, April 27, 2025, affecting several students from our varsity golf team along with their coach when they were en route to their accommodation. These past days have been challenging for our school community, and we remain steadfast in keeping all those affected within our thoughts and prayers."

As a sign of respecting their privacy, we aren’t disclosing the identities of those involved right now since they have the choice to do so whenever they wish. Let’s concentrate on backing our Rayder students, coach, and families by maintaining empathy, courtesy, and dignity throughout this period.

Throughout the day, counselors and social workers will be accessible to help students and staff members who might require extra assistance.

Drenth serves as the clubhouse manager at Charlevoix Golf Club, an historic nine-hole course established over a century ago in Charlevoix, situated in northern Michigan along the isthmus separating Lake Charlevoix from Lake Michigan. Besides managing the clubhouse, he assists with running the junior golf program and coaches the local high school team, guiding them to consecutive regional championships in Division 4. Additionally, Drenth is related to Walt Drenth, his ex-track-and-field and cross-country coach sibling from University of Michigan State, who stepped down in 2020 after a long career.

The incident on Sunday evening shook numerous residents of Michigan, particularly those recalling the deadly crash that took place on April 29, 2013. This tragic event claimed the lives of 30-year-old golf instructor Jason Potter and 18-year-old golfer Louis Menard from Grayling High School, leaving four others severely injured. The accident occurred around 50 miles away from Joyfield Township when Potter was transporting his team to a competition in Traverse City within Kalkaski County.

In March 2022, tragedy struck when six members of the University of the Southwest golf teams lost their lives alongside their head coach, Tyler James. This occurred during an accident involving a sprinter van he was operating near Andrews, Texas. A pickup truck crossed over the median line and collided with this van; it had been driven by a young 13-year-old boy accompanied by his father as a passenger. Both perished at the scene. However, two athletes from the team—Canadians Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill—survived the crash and have since returned to competition.