Michigan High School Golfer, Coach brought to the hospital after the crash from Van

Six high school golfers and their trainers were admitted to the hospital after their team Van was involved in a frontal collision with a stolen vehicle that was fled from the police in Benzie County, Michigan on Sunday evening.

Head coach Doug Drenth drove six members of the Charlevoix (Michigan) High School Versity Boys Golf Team back to their hotel in Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan after completing the first round of a two -day tournament in the nearby Arcadia Bluff when the accident took place.

Benzie County's office said that one of his officers tried to stop the stolen Ford escape, which was driven by a 32-year-old suspect who wanted to go west for crimes of a 19-year-old woman in Antrim County before the driver fled west against M-115. After about one and a half miles, the SUV crossed the center line and collided with the van of the golf team between Wallacker and Arner Roads in Joyfield Township, not far from the entrance to the resort.

The driver of the SUV died on site. According to the police, the oppressive and his players between the ages of 15 and 18 were brought to the Munson Medical Center with “numerous injuries”.

“This is a terrible crash and it is so unfortunate that this happened yesterday,” said Lt. Ashley Miller from the Michigan State Police. “We use all of our resources of the state police to ensure that this is examined to the fullest. We work together with the offices of the sheriff, Antrim and Benzie County. We would like to make sure we get the right answers.”

A Facebook page for Charlevoix Public Schools published this explanation on Monday morning: “As many of you know, there was a difficult time on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in which members of our Varsity golf team and our trainer were a difficult time in your hotel.

“At this point, we do not share any names of those involved out of respect for your privacy, as this is to be shared, whether and when you want. Please concentrate on the support of our Rayder students, cous and families by continuing to show compassion, friendliness and respect during this time.

“Consultants and social workers will be available all day to support students and employees who may need additional support.”

Drenth is a club house manager of the Charlevoix Golf Club, a 100-year facility with nine holes in Charlevoix, which is located in North Michigan on the landing between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. He also helps to carry out the junior program in the club and to train the high school team, which has won two regional titles in a row in Division 4. Drenth is also the brother of the former athletics in Michigan and Cross-Country coach Walt Drenth, who retired in 2020.

The accident on Sunday evening shook many Michigander who remember the fatal crash, in which 30-year-old golf trainer Jason Potter and 18-year-old Golfer Louis Menard were killed by Grayling High School and four more team members were critically injured. This tragedy took place on April 29, 2013 in Kalkaska County, which is only about 50 miles from Joyfield Township, while Potter drove his team to a tournament in Traverse City.

In March 2022, six members of the University of Southwest Golf were killed in March 2022 together with their head coach Tyler James after the sprinter van James was involved in a frontal collision in Andrews, Texas. The pick-up, which turned over the center line and fell into the van, was driven by a 13-year-old boy who died together with his father, the passenger. Two team members, the Canadians Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill, survived and both compete again.