Struggle and tenacity are the very best phrases to explain the hassle by the Saint Ignatius Golf crew on Saturday, and this season.
Chilly October circumstances hampered the Wildcats early on Day 2 of the State Match, resulting in larger scores and the evaporation of the crew’s two-stroke Day 1 lead. However the Golf Cats saved combating and practically erased Archbishop Hoban’s robust begin.
The hassle was not sufficient ultimately, because the Wildcats couldn’t catch as much as the Knights, ending because the runners-up on the 2020 OHSAA State Golf Match in Columbus with a two-day whole of 609 after capturing 307 on Day 2.
Whereas not the Wildcats’ aim, a silver runner-up trophy is actually a pleasant prize for the boys of PJ Myers ’99. The Wildcats final claimed second place on the state match in 2010.
“It’s an exceptional milestone that validates the onerous work since we’ve put in since final October,” stated Myers. “Ending runner-up is a illustration of plenty of onerous work and dedication to the method of getting higher bodily and mentally. In the event you have a look at what we’ve been in a position to accomplish on and off the golf course, it speaks volumes for not solely the management of our captain Andrew Martin, however the character of our gamers to deal with adversity with COVID-19 and to carry out so effectively.”
The Wildcats’ 2020 runner-up trophy is the third silver medal within the Saint Ignatius Golf trophy case, becoming a member of {hardware} from 1998 and 2010. In the event you look intently on the report board, you’ll see Myers’ identify from the 1998 crew.
It’s possible you’ll search for at that report board and take a peek on the two state championship groups in 2001 and 2002. How’s this for a outstanding truth: The Wildcats’ two-day rating of 609 is best than each of these state championship-winning tallies. In actual fact, the Wildcats’ 2-day effort this weekend is the very best at school historical past.
“It’s a byproduct of how the sport is altering on the professional degree, and the standard of gamers and athletes now all through the state,” Myers stated. “We gotta stick with it. For us to perform what we did beneath these circumstances it’s a must to smile and say that was fairly darn good.”
And it’s fairly darn spectacular on the state degree, too. The Wildcats’ 609 now ranks third in state historical past, behind the Knights’ 606 rating this weekend and Dublin Jerome’s 607 a pair years in the past.
Whereas Piesen performed the anchor on Day 1 with a 70 and a Gap-in-1, Topher Reed carried out the starring position on Day 2.
The junior loved an impressive day on the Scarlet Course. After a few bogeys within the first two holes, Reed didn’t have a gap above par the remainder of the day. Reed tallied a 37 on the entrance 9, aided by back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes. On the again 9, he performed unbelievable golf, matching his Day 1 again 9 whole of 35. Reed hit par on each single gole from Holes 8-18, a outstanding feat not achieved by some other golfer on Day 2.
Reed completed the match because the runner-up with a two-day tally of 146. Jackson Gilkison of Springboro received medalist honors with a 143, three strokes forward of Reed thanks to 3 birdies within the ultimate seven holes. Reed’s end is indicative of his unbelievable expertise and potential. He’ll be again subsequent yr, higher than ever.
“Each single spherical of golf he performs amazes me,” stated Myers. “I’m all the time impressed by how effectively he competes and the way gifted he’s. I’m excited for him subsequent yr and past.”
Whereas he didn’t lead the crew on Saturday, Piesen’s efficiency on the course is nothing in need of stupendous.
After an unbelievable rating of 70 on Day 1, Piesen’s tally dipped to 77 on Day 2, partially as a result of powerful luck with some bogeys early on. The sophomore marked down a 43 on the entrance 9 earlier than catching hearth on the again 9. Piesen hit par on Holes 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 earlier than a outstanding end. Piesen tallied a birdie on Gap 17, the opening on which he tallied his Gap-in-1 on Friday, together with a birdie on the 18th. For the day, Piesen completed with a 77, equaling a two-day whole of 147, tying for third place with Archbishop Hoban’s Jack Vojtko.
“For Nick to have the lead after day 1 and have a Gap-in-1, you possibly can depend available the variety of instances that’s occurred within the final 60 years that’s occurred,” Myers stated. “His third place general end is wonderful. He performed phenomenally for a child who simply turned 16 a number of days in the past.”
Each Reed and Piesen claimed First-Workforce All-State honors, the primary Wildcats to take action since Kevin Duncan and Harrison Vonderau in 2014. Saint Ignatius had not had two first-teamers since 2002 when Ben Smith received medalist honors and Matt Busa aided the Cats’ state title efforts. Additionally, Reed and Piesen each bested the old-fashioned report for lowest two-day particular person whole (beforehand 150) by 4 and three photographs, respectively.
As anticipated, Bradley Chill, Jr. improved from Day 1. After his rating didn’t depend on the preliminary day, Chill improved by a whopping 7 strokes. The short learner scuffled a bit within the early goings, however notched par-five holes in a row to even out. Chill penciled in a 40 on the entrance 9 and remained even keel on the again 9 for a rating of 39 on the again 9. His birdies on the third and sixteenth holes had been notably necessary.
Chill’s rating of 79 helped tremendously. It can’t be understated that Chill has outstanding expertise and has the makings of greatness. Bear in mind, he’s solely a freshman, so he’ll be again within the years to come back, and he’ll be even higher.
Connor Malicki additionally showcased his abilities effectively on Saturday. The sophomore sensation’s rating didn’t depend, nevertheless it was nice nonetheless. Malicki turned in an 82 for the day, with equivalent scores of 41 on the entrance 9 and the again 9. Malicki did effectively all through the day, and his good play was highlighted by a birdie on the eighth gap.
“Connor and Bradley grew so much this weekend,” Myers stated. “In the beginning, they’re nice youngsters. They’re nice golfers who can be nice for us sooner or later, as effectively.”
And naturally, we can not overlook Nick Longano.
Longano is the personification of the expansion the Saint Ignatius Golf program has skilled prior to now few seasons. Longano made his third state tourney look this weekend, and made probably the most out of it.
The senior once more supplied a really good rating for the Wildcats. Longano rounded up a 41 on the entrance 9 on Saturday and ended properly with a 38 on the again 9, together with an enormous birdie on the tenth gap. Longano accomplished the day and his Saint Ignatius profession with a 79.
“Take a look at what Nick Longano was in a position to do in his 4 years,” Myers stated. “He was a three-time state qualifier. His rating counted each single spherical we performed. He’s a gamer, and when he competes, he’s able to go. He fights to the end.”
On the most important stage, you possibly can’t underestimate the ability of veteran management. Andrew Martin and Sean Hoagland supplied it in spades.
“As an alternate, Sean was an exceptional religious presence and an emotional chief,” Myers stated. “With Andrew Martin, he didn’t have the play he wished on the course, however from a captain standpoint, his presence was wonderful. It was like having a third coach. I’m so pleased with him.”
While you have a look at the achievements of the crew and the entire information damaged, it’s fairly astounding. A complete of 12 match wins. New marks for lowest rating on Par 71 and Par 72 programs. Two All-Ohioans. Two Holes-in-1. It’s outstanding.
However simply as commendable is the way in which the Golf Cats grew as folks.
“To start out the season, we had 2 fundamental targets: 1. Win a state championship, and a pair of. Mould these guys into higher human being to have the instruments to succeed past this program,” Myers started. “We received actually darn near Objective #1. In the event you have a look at the tip of what we did each days, within the final 3-4 holes, we had been 13-14 photographs again, however they don’t hand over. We don’t have championship trophy to validate it, however they stroll away with their heads held excessive. And Objective #2, they blew it out of the water.
“With the preparation it took, to come back collectively in two-and-a-half months, it’s nothing shot of fantastic. They constructed a household and relationships that can final a lifetime. They grew and matured into males. It began with captain Martin and getting us again on the sphere, and it bled into the management of fellows like Nick Longano, Topher, and Nick Piesen, they stepped up in an enormous manner. They dedicated to the idea of household. There made recollections that can final a lifetime. There have been a number of tears yesterday. There was a little bit of unhappiness that it didn’t finish the way in which it wished to, however the basis is robust. Rome wasn’t inbuilt a day. Now we have the muse for an amazing quantity of success within the years to come back.”
Certainly, the longer term is vivid as ever for the Wildcats. 4 of the 5 Wildcats who competed this weekend will return subsequent season – Reed, Piesen, Chill, and Malicki. Longano’s spectacular 4-year profession concludes in Columbus, and he has loads to be pleased with. Longano’s management and efforts on the course won’t quickly be forgotten, as he helped to determine a tradition of excellence.
“Of the 4 guys coming again, nothing can exchange enjoying within the state championship,” Myers stated. “I couldn’t be extra excited for this group of youngsters. And there are 4-5 guys developing who’re simply as able to serving to out at this degree. The sky is the restrict.”
Earlier than closing the ebook on 2020, Myers and the Wildcats have some of us to thank.
“We wish to thank the entire alumni and supporters of this system,” Myers stated. “It takes a village. To get on the golf programs, now we have native membership professionals who’ve ties and are invested in this system who assist the boys prepared. Now we have plenty of former golf alumni assist. What these guys constructed from the late Eighties and on are nice, and so they’ve caught by us and continued to assist present sources for the varsity. And naturally, a thanks to our dad and mom, particularly the dad and mom of our seniors for the whole lot they’ve carried out all through the years. They’re wonderful folks.
This trophy is for Ignatius, nevertheless it’s additionally for all of our supporters, dad and mom, buddies, and alumni of Ignatius.”
