CB West’s John Lee and PW’s Dylan Gooneratne tied for the top spot at Tuesday’s SOL Championships. Photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
By Ben Reese
WARMINSTER -- It is difficult to determine if it is because of the way this year of 2020 has gone or if it is just the norm for the Suburban One League boys’ golf championship at Five Pounds Golf Club Tuesday.
Why? Because it was windy and it rained. At times very hard.
And, while it could be argued that the weather affected the scores more than it should have, it really didn't.
Two players matched par for the day, including the defending SOL champion Dylan Gooneratne of Plymouth Whitemarsh. Joining him at 71 was Central Bucks West's John Lee.
Three golfers were two strokes back: Jack Dunsmore of CB East, Milo Jezzeny of CB West and Wissahickon's Christian Matt. Three more were tied at 74.
According to both Gooneratne and Lee, the weather wasn't a factor.
"I'm thankful the front nine stayed pretty calm," said Gooneratne. "Just a little rain and wind so I was able to score pretty well there. On the back nine, it got a little rougher but I was able to keep my drives in the fairway and that's what helped me."
It must be noted that the Plymouth Whitemarsh senior played his final three holes in a driving rainstorm.
For Lee, it was pretty much the same.
"The weather wasn't too bad," he said. "The wind wasn't too bad and the rain was just kind of a little drizzle. It wasn't anything that affected me too bad. The fairways were a little more wet, the greens were a little more receptive."
However, though both did play even par golf, they did admit to having some problems.
"I only had two blemishes," Gooneratne said. "I played pretty consistent golf which I am happy with." He double-bogied the eighth hole and bogied the other but followed both with birdies.
For Lee, it was a misstep on the first hole.
"After the first hole, I three putted, but I kind of got myself back together," he said. "I hit my clubs good. Off the tee, I put myself in great position."
He bogied the first hole but then he birdied six and finished with 16 pars.
Jezzeny felt he could have turned in a better score than his 73. He finished second in 2019 at SOLs with a 74.
"It could have been a lot better, but I threw away a few shots on the back," he said. "But it wasn't too bad."
In his opinion, the rain didn't do much to help the golfers.
"I thought it would soften up a bit more but it played pretty consistent," Jezzeny said. "It was less windy and a little softer (than last year), which made it a little easier. (The greens) didn't soften up a lot especially on the short shots, but it was a little softer for the long shots."
Both Gooneratne and Jezzeny advanced to districts last year and Gooneratne reached the state tournament. Both, as well as Lee, are taking it one day at a time.
"I'm happy that I did that,” Gooneratne said of tying for medalist. "But now we have districts and that's going to be tough so I have to practice for that."
"I wasn't thinking too much of the score," said Jezzeny. "I think I had a good chance (to win) but it's fine. Just advance.
"I'm looking forward to (to districts with no regionals). I think the top 12 at districts move on so I should have a good chance at states this year."
"I came in today just wanting to qualify for next week," said Lee.
For all three and the 35 other golfers, they will all have another day on the course.
For the first time, the Suburban One League will have a pair of representatives in the AA field. Nate Wiseman and Evan Menz of New Hope-Solebury both shot 81 to move on into next week's districts. The NHS team also advanced to district play.
SOL AAA District Qualifiers
John Lee CB West 71
Dylan Gooneratne Plymouth Whitemarsh 71
Jack Dunsmore CB East 73
Milo Jezzeny CB West 73
Christian Matt Wissahickon 73
Ryan Reardon Pennsbury 74
Stephen Butler Souderton 74
Austin Maggioncalda Springfield 74
Kevin Lydon CB West 75
Parker Farnell Hatboro-Horsham 75
Jackson Tappen Wissahickon 75
Dom Della Penna North Penn 76
Evan Rosenstein Plymouth Whitemarsh 76
Charles Feraco CB West 77
Jack Quinn CB West 77
Dan Fitgerald CR North 77
Charlie Kerprich Upper Dublin 78
Chris LaRosa North Penn 79
Blake Stewart Pennridge 79
Brendan Bauer Pennridge 79
Christopher Myers Pennsbury 79
Joshua Cicco Pennsbury 79
Andrew Beiter Wissahickon 79
Alex Feraco CB West 80
Nick Taylor CR North 80
Quinn Marett North Penn 80
Brady Gallagher Quakertown 80
Will Dunsmore CB East 81
Kevin Roberts CR North 81
Aditya Gaba Pennsbury 81
Andrew Saglimbeni Quakertown 81
Will Lovocare CB South 82
Bryce Mithoefer CB West 82
Noah Sim Hatboro-Horsham 82
Justin Pileggi North Penn 82
Brennan Diamond Pennsbury 82
Finn Coll Springfield 82
Josh Kim North Penn 83*
*Qualified on match of cards
SOL AA District Qualifiers
Evan Menz New Hope Solebury 81
Nate Wiseman New Hope Solebury 81
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