Waller settles for 2nd place at Heritage Hills
For the second consecutive season, a PIAA golf championship eluded Lauren Waller.
Last year, it was a sluggish second-day performance that was void of birdies. This year, it came in the form of a playoff.
Waller, a senior at Canon-McMillan High School, pushed Brynn Walker of Radnor to a 37th hole in this two-day event but a poor drive led to a par while Walker birdied the hole. So Waller, who sliced away Walker’s two-stroke lead over the final three holes, settled for second place in the PIAA Girls Class AAA Golf Championships at Heritage Hills Country Club in York Tuesday.
“It was a little bit emotional, not because she lost but because she’s a senior,” said C-M coach Justin White. “Her journey is ending here, but it’s really just beginning for her.”
Waller was one of seven local golfers in the event. Peters Township’s Mia Kness shot an 8-over 152 to finish tied for third in girls Class AAA.
Hunter Lecker of Burgettstown and Tyler Kuntz of Beth-Center tied for ninth at 15-over 159 in boys Class AA. Kuntz is believed to be the first golfer from Beth-Center to play in the state tournament. Cody Dobbin of Burgettstown finished 33rd.
In boys Class AAA, two Peters Township golfers competed. Alec Stopperich was tied for 18th with a 159 and Ben Morgret finished tied for 21st with a 161.
Vinay Ramesh of Pennsbury won the boys Class AAA title on the third playoff hole over Ryan Dornes of Manheim Township. Jason Li of Sewickley Academy was the boys Class AA winner with a 3-over 75. Olivia Zambruno of Greensburg Central Catholic won the girls Class AA crown with a one-shot victory over Joey Walz of Sewickley Academy.
Waller shot a pair of 1-over 73s on the 5,375-yard course at Heritage Hills Country Club in York.
Waller trailed Walker by two strokes with three to play but she made those strokes up with a pair of pars on the par-4 16th and 17th and birdie on the par-5 18th. Walker bogeyed 16 and 17 and birdied the 18th.
“Going into 16, I was two strokes down,” said Waller. “I felt good that I could come back and grind it out. I was glad I had the chance.”
The playoff started on No. 9, a 305-yard par 4. Walker’s drive stopped about 40 yards shy of the green while Waller hit a popup that floated left.
“Walker can really hit the ball well,” said White. “She got close to the green and chipped to within (2 feet).”
Waller’s approach left her a 25-footer for birdie. Walker sank hers and Waller left it short.
“She was having a real good day putting,” Waller said, “so I knew she’d make it.”
Waller had three birdies on the round, including a 7-iron shot that she nearly holed out on the 155-yard par 3.
Waller will continue her golf career at Penn State, where she accepted a full scholarship. But she will fondly remember her high school career.
“As I began playing, I didn’t think about it (being the last high school event),” she said. “After it was over, I did. And it was a little sad.”
Waller was coming off two impressive performances in the postseason, winning the WPIAL championship with a season’s-best 4-under-par 68 at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo and taking a second-place in the regional tournament to Kness at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville.
Waller finished tied with Erica Herr of Council Rock North for third place in last year’s state event, shooting a 7-over 151.