HOWARD – The Dublin Jerome boys golf team used last season’s disappointing finish as motivation heading into the Division I district tournament Tuesday at Apple Valley.
The Celtics shot a 290, winning the title and advancing to state along with Olentangy Liberty (298) and Thomas Worthington (299). The state tournament is Monday and next Tuesday at NCR Country Club in Kettering, a suburb of Dayton.
Jerome finished sixth at district last season and also failed to qualify an individual for state.
“This is huge,” Celtics coach Brad Sparling said. “Everybody was really disappointed last year, and to come back and win district feels really good.”
Brady Barnum led Jerome, tying Liberty’s Noah Andry for first with a 71 but earning medalist honors by virtue of his score on holes 10 through 18, which OHSAA has established as its tiebreaker. Zach Radtke, Evan Menges and Blake Hartman each shot 73 for Jerome, and Conor Hickey had a 78.
Liberty earned its second consecutive state berth. Noah Mulford (74), Mitchell Corbin (76), Jackson Harris (77) and Trevor Leeds (77) also competed for the Patriots.
“We had a hot start,” Liberty coach Ryan Snivley said. “We got it to 7-under through six holes, and the nice thing was when we went through a tough stretch we started giving strokes back, but we had enough of a cushion. We prepare for this all season, playing in high-level tournaments week after week. The guys were ready and they performed as planned.”
Thomas earned its first state berth as a team since 1997. The Cardinals competed without coach Neil Bittel, whose wife, Jessie, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Georgie Paige, earlier in the afternoon.
Jack Flores and Jack Marsh each shot 72 to lead the Cardinals, followed by Owen White (77), Johnny Connell (78) and Edison Hill (86).
“Neil has had a routine with these guys all year and for the past few years with some of them,” said junior varsity coach Cody Jordan, who shared coaching duties with varsity B coach Tyler Hays. “We didn’t want to break that chain with the routine. As soon as we were done, we were FaceTiming him. He was fired up.”
Dublin Coffman (301), St. Charles (303), Upper Arlington (304), New Albany (309), Big Walnut (312), Grove City (314), DeSales (316), Westerville North (319) and Olentangy Berlin (342) rounded out the field.
Girls golf: Dublin Jerome, New Albany advance to Division I state tournament
Seven-player tiebreaker helps settle individual state berths
New Albany’s Alexander Ritter locked up the first of three individual state berths with a 73, parring the final hole to secure the spot.
“I’m very proud of myself for qualifying for state,” he said. “I started the round off strong, making birdies on No. 1 and No. 2 and then was solid until I hit a rough patch from 13 through 15, and then I just grinded it out. Making a par on No. 18 with all those people watching was awesome.
“I didn’t even know where I stood or where the team stood until I walked off 18 and then my dad (coach Rich Ritter) told me I just made it to state and gave me a big hug. I have had a great season so far and looking to cap it off with a great finish at state.”
The other two spots came down to a tiebreaker among seven players who shot 74, with Olentangy’s John McClelland and UA’s Bric Baird earning the state berths.
McClelland sunk a birdie putt on the second playoff hole and Baird recorded a birdie on the third.
Big Walnut’s Ethan Krebs, Coffman’s Aidan Slawson, St. Charles’ Mikey Pagnotto and Pierce Stealey and Worthington Kilbourne’s Mac Ferguson also competed in the tiebreaker.
