WOODCOCK TOWNSHIP – Saegertown senior Dylan Flinchbaugh leads all 2A individual golfers with a 74 after day one of the District 10 Boys Golf Tournament at the Country Club.
Flinchbaugh entered the tournament with the aim of winning the whole thing, according to his coach Brian Hanley.
“I told him we were ‘let’s try to make the cut’. Dylan said to me, ‘Coach, I’d like to try to win this.’ That’s what I wanted to hear, ”Hanley said. “I am very proud of him. He put a lot of time and hard work into it. Not only was he so gifted, he works hard and takes it very seriously. It’s big for a child who didn’t want to play golf four years ago. “
After what Flinchbaugh called a bumpy start, he clicked on hole 15.
“I was having a hard time hitting the greens and started with three bogeys in a row, but it turned when I tuned in to 15 for Eagle,” said Flinchbaugh. “I think that got my lap going and built my confidence.
Flinchbaugh’s confidence earned him the best score on day one.
“I think it could have been lower. I have to work a little and see if I can play well tomorrow, ”said Flinchbaugh. “Overall, I’m happy with it.”
Flinchbaugh is two strokes ahead of second place, Union City’s Josh James and Corry’s Max Rimdzius. Last season Flinchbaugh and Rimdzius ended the tournament in a tie for sixth place and got into the playoffs. Rimdzius won the playoffs and stopped Flinchbaugh from participating in the PIAA tournament.
The final round will take place today with a shotgun start at 9.30 a.m. The eight best finishers qualify for the state tournament at the Heritage Hills Golf Course in York.
“I just have to play my game, play smart, and don’t do anything stupid,” Flinchbaugh said. “If I can do that, I think I’ll be fine.”
Another Saegertown golfer, Joe Grundy, will also play today. Grundy shot an 84 and finished 15th on Friday. The cut line was the top 15 spots.
“It’s his first time doing districts and I’m very proud of him too. When you get here, you never know about those nerves, ”Hanley said. “We played here a week and a half ago and it was kind of easy because it wasn’t that important, but when you get to the boroughs everyone knows it’s now or never.”
Also in 2A Golf, Conneaut’s Kole Flint took an 81 to finish ninth and advance to the final lap.
“I’m happy for Kole. These kids work really hard, ”said Conneaut head coach Bob Slevin. “He actually had extra work on the driving range last night. It seems to thrive in print. He averaged 88 or 89 all season but shot an 81 to qualify for the districts and fired an 86 today. . “
Jake Whichck (86) and Cooper Baum (91) both missed the cut.
“It’s unfortunate that you missed the cut, but you have long and promising golf careers ahead,” said Slevin. “I told them, ‘This chapter is over, so it’s time to start a new one.'”
In the team tournament, Union City displaced Mercyhurst Prep with 329 to 331 points to win the title. Record results for the Bears were Josh James (76), Cole DeSimone (79), Tyler Parkhurst (81) and Matt Bennett (93). Shooters for the Lakers were Joe Fugagli (79), Nick Momeyer (81), Lucas Fosco (82) and Corey Morrison (89).
In the Class 3A tournament, Meadville’s Michael Mahoney scored an 80 and is in a three-way tie for third place.
“I wanted to give about 75 or take some recordings. I started well from the top nine, ”said Mahoney. “I couldn’t get the putter rolling at the start, but I had control of the lap up to 12 when I made a 9. From then on it went downhill. “
As a team, McDowell beat defending champions Cathedral Prep with 330-333. For McDowell, Joey DeAngelo (72), Will Neumaier (82), John Ferretti (83) and Greg Berlin (93) met. Trey Thompson (78), Ryan Eastbourn (80), Breckin Taylor (84) and Alex Vahey (91) recorded scores for the Ramblers.
The eight best individual golfers are advanced and will tee off today.
DeAngelo is in the lead with a 72 and Thompson cards a 78 for second place. With Mahoney in third place is Kyle Westfall from Erie and Eastbourn.
The two best results come in the national tournament.
“I have to fix the driver a lot, the driver wasn’t good today. I also have to do putts and give everything a chance. There’s really nothing to lose, ”said Mahoney. “The goal is to shoot for par and try to sneak into second place.”