12/06/2025
It’s been 56 years but the Waunakee Boys have a second State Champion. In 1969, senior Niles Bakke claimed the D1 Medalist with a score of 146 at Cherokee CC/ Yahara Hills. In 2025, junior Peyton Albers can add his name to the elite list of state champions as he shot a 140 and won a 3-hole playoff at University Ridge. Peyton started Day 2 in second place and moved up the leaderboard with 3 birdies and 15 pars. His putter never let him down as he made so many must-have putts to keep him within reach of the title. A birdie on the 15th hole moved him into 1st and it took a birdie on the 16th hole from Drake Card of Hudson to catch him. Peyton prevailed on the third extra hole of the play-off. It was an unforgettable two days as Peyton played some of his best golf in one of the strongest state tournament fields and the pressure of playing on the biggest stage in high school golf.
Peyton had an army of supporters cheering for him as family, friends, current and former players were at The Ridge to help him make history. Peyton was an integral part of Waunakee winning its first ever state championship as a sophomore in 2024 and now he makes history as a junior by becoming Waunakee’s 2nd individual state champion. It’s a storied history of Waunakee golfers who have done well at state. KC Nickel (2nd place 2024), Dusty Schwab (2nd place 2005 after losing in a playoff), Max Brud and Zach Gaugert (5th place 2021 and 2012), Max Murphy (8th place 2015) and Sean Murphy (12th place 2017). And now, Peyton Albers moves from 10th place in 2024 to State Champion in 2025.
The Badger Conference has fielded some of the best golfers in the state and it was on full display this year at State as Peyton is the State Champion, Kade Wieland of Milton took 3rd place and Lincoln Hottmann of DeForest tied for 5th place. That’s impressive and Badger Conference Strong!
The State Tournament brings out the best in the Warriors as they finished 3rd in the Badger Large in 2024 and won the D1 State Championship and in 2025 Peyton Albers receives 2nd Team All Conference Honors and is your D1 State Champion! We couldn’t be more proud of you, Peyton!
Thanks to University Ridge and Ryan Wieme for hosting the WIAA State Tournament It’s great to be back at this spectacular venue.
Waunakee Community School District University Ridge Golf Course