Green Bears in 2nd place in state golf tourney
10/16/2010SUNBURY, Ohio — Ottawa Hills put the disappointment of not making it to the Division III state boys golf tournament a year ago behind it in a big way during Friday's opening round at NorthStar Golf Resort.
Led by a strong round from senior Ethan Haigh, the Green Bears are second with a 324 heading into today's final round behind Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (316).
Haigh is tied with Minster's Craig Purpus for fourth with a 76. Gilmour Academy's Alex Andrews, the defending champion, is first with a 72 and Sugarcreek Garaway's Ryan Troyer and Centerburg's Garrison Myles each are at 73.
“All a coach could ask for is after the first day to be in position to win,” coach Jim McGill said. “Ethan Haigh has been playing really well lately, and a 76 in these conditions is really a great day for him.”
Senior Reed Silverman shot 81 and is tied with Lima Central Catholic's Austin Stolly for 12th. The top five make first-team all-state and the next five make the second team.
Also competing for the Green Bears are senior Andrew Jamieson (83), freshman Ben Silverman (84) and junior Cameron Sundvold (87).
Ottawa Hills finished sixth in 2008 during its last state appearance, and Reed Silverman and Jamieson both competed at state that year at Foxfire.
“Last year was sort of disappointing that we didn't make it to state,” Haigh said. “If we play the way we're capable of [Saturday], we have a shot at it. We've just been doing everything together and we've been playing with confidence.”
Haigh didn't play at state in 2008 but traveled with the team as its sixth player.
“I chipped the ball well and I drove the ball really well today,” Haigh said. “I didn't get a lot of long drops to fall but my driving was great.”
Also competing in the D-III state tournament is Van Buren, which is 10th (353).
Junior Zeke Wiechart shot 85 to lead the Black Knights, followed by senior Jude Palmer (86), senior Colin Stacy (90), freshman Sawyer Junge (92) and senior Josh Bishop (101).
The last time Van Buren made it to state was 2004.
“It's exciting,” coach Eric Heitkamp said. “They've been working really, really hard. We finished fifth the last two years at district, so our experience helped us.”
Competing individually are Fostoria St. Wendelin senior Duncan Campbell (87) and Fremont St. Joseph sophomore Connor Dudley (79).
Dudley is tied for seventh. “I'm content with it I guess,” Dudley said. “I would have liked to have played a little bit better.”
COLUMBUS — The Division II boys and girls state tournaments will hold their final rounds Saturday at Ohio State.
Napoleon is eighth with a 354 in the boys tournament on the Scarlet Course. Defending champion Dayton Oakwood is first (331) and Hunting Valley University School is second (333).
Junior Brandon Lambert leads Napoleon with an 84, followed by senior Colton Barnes (87), junior Andrew Taylor (91), sophomore Zach Hoops (92) and senior Chad Cramer (95).
In the girls state tournament, Woodmore sophomore Mikayla Baer shot a 77 on OSU's Gray Course. She is tied for seventh, six strokes behind leader Morgan Ransom of Gahanna Columbus Academy.
YPSILANTI, MICH. — Bedford (346) was in fourth place, 16 shots behind leader Saline (330), after the first round Friday of the Michigan Division 1 girls state golf tournament at Eagles Crest Golf Club.
Heather Gonring led the Mules with 83. Becca Porter shot 86, Ametta Roe 87, and Gabbie Melnyk a 90 for the 346. Alexis Scott shot a 91.
Rochester Stoney Creek was second with 335 and Holt (340) third.
Bedford finished second at the regional to qualify.