Photo by Seth Staskey
St. Clairsville’ Andrew Able hits a drive during the second round of the Buckeye 8 Championship.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The final round of the Buckeye 8 Golf Championship proved to be rather anticlimactic Tuesday afternoon.
St. Clairsville came into the final round at soggy Belmont Hills Country Club with a 39 shot lead. The Red Devils won the second round by 56 shots and posted a total score of 647, which was 95 shots clear of runner-up Union Local.
“We did the work during the first round at Cadiz and (Tuesday) had to just maintain,” St. Clairsville head coach Ryan Clifford said. “We were pretty confident coming into (Tuesday), but with the (weather) conditions as they were early and to shoot three shots better than we did at Cadiz says something about our kids because they played well.”
The players teed off early in the morning in the rain, which came down steadily for the bulk of the round. However, with that rain came softer greens, which was to the players’ advantage.
St. Clairsville sophomore Andrew Abel took advantage of it. He posted an impressive 1-over round of 73 to come from three shots back to win the Buckeye 8 championship by six shots.
“Honestly, I think the weather and wet greens are the reasons I was able to shoot so well because I was able to attack (the pins),” Abel said. “My mindset coming in was just to stay smooth and not let anything else bother me. Part of you is always wondering how everyone else is doing, but the most important thing is yourself and your own round of the green.”
Abel had posted a round of 79 a couple of weeks ago Cadiz and trailed teammate Evan Fix by three shots and was just one shot ahead of teammate Brodi Foster.
“Winning this (tournament) means a lot to me,” Abel said. “I know my dad’s going to be super proud of me when he finds out and that’s pretty much what I am most excited for.”
Foster’s 78 was the second lowest score posted during the round and he edged out Fix for runner-up medalist with a two-round score of 158.
Fix checked in with an 83 and a two-day score of 159.
Talented freshman Olivia Baker rounded out the scoring for the Devils with an 88 and a total of 178.
“We’ve played pretty well, but I don’t think we’ve played our best yet,” Clifford said. “I think we might have peaked a little bit too early last year. We played better (Tuesday) than we’ve been playing the last week-and-a-half or so. Our kids put in a lot of time and it’s no secret. The more time you put in, the better you’re going to be.”
Union Local, which came into the final round in second, finished in that same spot. The Jets were led by All-Buckeye 8 performer Beezer Porter, who fired a round of 85 and finished with a two-round score of 168.
Indian Creek’s Noah Tweedy finished fourth overall with a score of 164. He followed up his opening-round 81 with an 83.
Harrison Central’s Nash Roberts, who trailed only Fix after the first round, finished sixth overall with a score of 170. He had shot a 77 on his home course in Cadiz, but posted a round of 93.
Wheeling Central def. Frontier
WHEELING — The Maroon Knights topped Frontier 302-348 on Crispin Golf Course Tuesday.
Central’s Justin Doerr was the match medalist, shooting 68. He was followed by teammates Tice Curtis led Frontier with a 73 to finish second.
Oak Glen and Brooke Tie
NEW CUMBERLAND — Oak Glen and Brooke tied with identical team scores of 185 at a tri match at the Mountaineer Woodview Golf Course Tuesday. Toronto finished third shooting 200.
Colby Vega led the Golden Bears with a score of 43 while Preston Cole shot 45. Logan Weekley shot 47 and Brady Chaney’s 50 rounded out OG’s scorers.
Brooke was led by Henry Anderson’s 43. He was supported by Nick Cipoletti (45), Colton Haught (48) and Owen Petrella (49).
Toronto’s Ty Suffoletta and Noah Karaffa both shot 41 to tie for medalist honors.
Oak Glen will be back at Woodview next Thursday to host Edison, East Liverpool and Indian Creek.
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