HINCKLEY — It felt more like August than October at the Division I boys district golf tournament Oct. 6 at Pine Hills Golf Club.
Did these summer-like conditions mean there would be no drama at district? Anyone who thought so doesn’t know Pine Hills.
Green and Archbishop Hoban advanced to the state tournament with rounds of 298 and 300. St. Ignatius won the district title with a round of 293, and University School also advanced with a 300. Hudson finished one stroke from advancing with a 301.
Silas Kirkpatrick putts on the 18th green at Pine Hills district
Green’s Silas Kirkpatrick won the individual title Oct. 6 at the district tournament at Pine Hills. He goes for birdie on the 18th hole.
Green’s runner-up finish was highlighted by senior Silas Kirkpatrick winning the individual title.
Kirkpatrick overcame a rocky start to shoot a 3-under 68. After shooting a 77 last year at district, Kirkpatrick was enthused about his round.
“I think I was pretty strong from tee to green today,” he said. “I think I was rolling putts for the first time in a while, to be honest.”
“The kid’s pretty special,” Green coach Greg Andrego said. “He works hard at his craft. He has complete control of his golf ball. His biggest strength is his mind. He knows how to play this game.”
Silas Kirkpatrick wins boys golf district tournament at Pine Hills
Green’s Silas Kirkpatrick won the OHSAA boys golf district tournament at Pine Hills with a round of 68. He gives his thoughts after the tournament.
Kirkpatrick gets the chance to play the state tournament on his home course, as the Division I boys tournament will be Oct. 12 and 13 on the North Course at Firestone Country Club. Last time Kirkpatrick played the North Course was at the Ohio Open, where he shot a round of 66.
“I’m super excited to play there,” he said. “Last time I played there, it was pretty strong. I’m hoping I can do it again and go win a state title.”
Green’s Chad Tietz (76), Jackson Keller (77) and Shane Bates (77) also contributed scoring rounds.
Hoban advanced despite losing most of last year’s state team to graduation. Junior Ben Berridge, Hoban’s lone returning golfer, led the Knights with a 1-under 70 and tied Jackson Sommer of St. Ignatius for second place.
Hoban also received scoring rounds from Nick Pollak (74), Ray Koeberle (74) and Ethan Cooper (82).
“It’s been a long, long year,” Hoban coach Quinn Parker said. “I think we had the toughest schedule in Ohio this year. We beat up the kids quite significantly. Our message to the kids was, we prepared all year for this time. They stuck with it today.”
Hoban coach Quinn Parker discusses OHSAA boys golf district tournament
Coach Quinn Parker saw his Hoban boys golf team advance to state via the Pine Hills district tournament. He gives his thoughts after district.
However, Hoban’s state berth came in part because of a nightmare final hole for Hudson.
The Explorers led Hoban and US by two strokes with one hole left. However, Hudson’s Ben Fauver found the trees and then the water on the 18th hole, leading to a score of 8 that stopped the Explorers from advancing. Fauver finished with a 76.
“It happens to usually somebody every year out here. I guess it was just our turn,” Hudson coach Dave Kurtz said. “Fauver [is] hurting. I have no doubt that bigger and better things are in front of him. You make a bad swing on a tough hole and that’s what happens. It happens to guys on TV.”
Hudson will have an individual qualifier at state, as Dexter James advanced with a 71.
Kale Zurakowski celebrates playoff win at Pine Hills district
Walsh Jesuit’s Kale Zurakowski reached the OHSAA boys state golf tournament by winning a playoff at the Pine Hills district tournament.
The final two individual state berths came down to a five-golfer playoff, which included Walsh Jesuit’s Kale Zurakowski and Revere’s Tommy Kinder. Both shot a 73.
On the first playoff hole, Zurakowski nailed a 10-foot putt for par, securing his place at state in his first year of varsity golf, along with Buckeye’s Luca Violi.
“I started with a good drive. Terrible second shot. I knew I should have hit it a lot close,” Zurakowski said. “Great up and down. I knew the putt was in the moment I hit it, so that made it a bit stress-free.”
Contact Michael Leonard at mleonard@recordpub.com.
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