Belle Vernon advances to Class 2A golf finals
Jim Downey | For the Observer-reporter
Carmichaels’ Liam Lohr blasts from a greenside trap on the second hole at Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Monday’s WPIAL Boys Class 2A team semifinals.
Belle Vernon's Seth Tomalski plays from just off the cart path on the second hole at Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Monday's WPIAL Boys Class 2A team semifinals.
CONNELLSVILLE – The Belle Vernon boys posted the low score Monday afternoon in the WPIAL Class 2A team semifinals at Pleasant Valley Golf Club to roll into the district championship.
The Leopards finished with a team total of 399 for a berth into Thursday’s WPIAL championship at Cedarbrook Golf Course’s Gold course.
Sewickley Academy finished second with 411. Greensburg Central Catholic and South Park tied for third at 418.
South Park edged Greensburg Central Catholic in the playoff, 17-18.
Belle Vernon’s Patrick Bush and Rogan Maloney shared tournament medalist honors with Carmichaels’ Mason Lapana at 5-over par 75.
Bush felt he could’ve had solo medalist honors.
“There were strokes left out there,” explained Bush. “I didn’t hit my driver great, but it didn’t put me in bad spots.
“I feel I putted well. I two-putted from where I had to. The greens were rolling and the pins were in tough spots.”
Bush had birdies on Nos. 7, 8, 11 and 17, and two double bogeys.
“I had to come in with a good 70 round,” said Bush.
Mark Toth finished with 81 for the Leopards. Seth Tomalski shot 82, and Jordan Mocello closed out the scoring with 86. Jack Edwards finished with 87.
“I couldn’t make a 5-foot par putt to get up and down,” said Tomalski. “I hit a beautiful drive on No. 15. I hit a spinning wedge and it didn’t spin. I made a good two-putt for par.
“I couldn’t find a groove. I had birdie on No. 7 and then on No. 8, I turned around and make a bogey.”
Tomalski added, “I just didn’t play good.”
Waynesburg was only two strokes away from earning a berth into the final after totaling 420.
Braden Benke paced the Raiders with 6-over 76.
“Everything clicked. My putts fell. I was reading the greens pretty well. My wedges felt good,” said Benke. “I didn’t use my driver off the tee. I used my 3-wood and used safe play.”
Mason Switalski (86), Chase Phillips (85), Dom Benamati (87), and Trent Stephenson (86) also counted in the final total.
Lapana’s 75 led the way for the Mikes, who finished sixth with 425. Liam Lohr (84), Dustin Hastings (85), Dom Colarusso (83), and Patrick Holaren (98) rounded out the scoring.
Lapana also said he left a few shots on the course.
“I had birdie putts on about every hole. I three-putted a few, but not too many,” said Lapana. “I think my bogeys were three-putts.
“I could’ve been way lower.”
Lohr said he had four tough holes.
“I had bad holes on Nos. 2, 10, 12 and 14. I had a triple and three double bogeys. I was 5-over on the other 14 holes,” said Lohr. “It was a different round the last six holes. I was 2-over on the last six holes.
“I hit a bad shot and I’d one putt. I’d hit a good shot and I’d three-putt. I had one or two three-putts. Otherwise, I putted good.”
Fort Cherry placed eighth with 451. McGuffey was next with 467 and Hopewell closed with 499.