St. Francis student, Maumee native takes 1st place in junior golf championship

5/19/2009

St. Francis de Sales High School junior and Maumee native Corey Cone shot a 2-over 73 and took first place in the Ohio Optimist International Junior Golf Championship May 9 at Delphos Country Club.

The top 11 finishers from this district advance to the Tom Frazier Memorial State Championship at the Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio, June 14. All qualifiers needed to have a score of 78 or lower and finish in the top 25 percent of the field of boys ages 16-18.

The conditions were brutal, Corey said. No ball went straight or stayed still when putting. Winds were [blowing[ about 40-50 [mph] at times. When I addressed the ball on the green the ball would just wobble. The course was not too difficult, but the wind made it tough. On some holes the wind was so hard you had to lean into it to stand or walk. The tournament was very fun to play in, and I knew a couple of the players from around the area.

Corey began golfing in high school at the encouragement of St. Francis coach Dick Nowak.

Cone is very talented and works hard at his game, Mr. Nowak said.