This week’s notebook highlights several of the golfers who advanced to the PIAA Tournament.
By Ben Reese
In the course of a high school golf season, some golfers get overlooked.
It isn't intentional. There is such an overwhelming number of golfers, matches, scores, etc., that it becomes nearly impossible to talk about or to everyone.
However, three golfers who haven't gotten much if any mention have risen above the rest. They are Springfield's Chris Binet, Lukas Clark of Council Rock South and Central Buck East's Tommy Lewis.
All three advanced through the Suburban One League championships and the District One tournament to the Eastern Regional this past week at Golden Oaks Golf Club. Unfortunately, only two of the three have moved on to the PIAA Championships at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York.
Binet is one of the two who have advanced to states. The Spartan senior finished in a tie for sixth in Class AA at the regionals with a 5-over 77.
The PIAA Championship is something that has been on his mind since he first began competitive high school golf.
"You've got to expect to make it all the way," Binet said. "That's my goal.
"Ever since freshman year, it's been my goal the whole time to make the states. You can't doubt yourself if you want to make it."
But it hasn't been an easy ride for Binet. This will be his first trip to York.
"Last year at leagues, I shot 75 and was really feeling good," he said. "At districts last year, the last eight holes got cancelled at Turtle Creek (because of a heavy rain storm which pushed the first round until the next day).
"I was 8-over and I was pretty much out of it. I was just not happy, disappointed."
But now?
"It's been a good ride," Binet continued. "It's just good to finally put something together.
"I could never put it together but finally it just started clicking for me. It just feels good to have that confidence that you can do something."
Binet also feels that he benefits from being a student at the only SOL school which is considered AA for golf.
"It's probably easier because there's less kids, probably more spots,” he said. "I know last year at districts the cut was lower for AA. You never know what you're going to get in golf.
"You could have kids just lighting it up one day. That's the kind of game we play.
"I just play wherever they tell me to play and hope for the best."
So far, his best has been more than good enough.
Clark, only a sophomore, was just excited to make it to regionals. It will be one more challenge for him.
"It's pretty important (to make it to regionals)," Clark said. "It's everything I worked for this summer.
"Ever since the first day at districts (last year), I wanted to make it, (but I) missed the cut. I'm happy to make it here (regionals) but hope to make it farther."
Which he did. Now he is moving on to the finale for high school golf in Pennsylvania, the PIAA Championship.
"It would be my dream," he said when asked about making states. "It would accomplish what I worked for. I feel that I can play as well as anyone here."
Lewis won't be going to York, unfortunately. The Patriot junior shot a 79, missing the cut by one stroke.
But he wasn't upset about his finish. He was happy with his progression this season.
"It was very exciting to get here," he said about regionals. "I just wanted to go a little bit farther but obviously it didn't work out.
"I played two decent rounds in districts. I'm happy about that.
"I'm happy I got this far. The whole season I was (aiming for states). I'll try again next year."
Lewis does think he got something out of the experience at regionals which will translate into improvement for next year.
"It does help," he said. "It shows me the course.
"It shows me what I need to hit on each shot. It will definitely help me for next year. Hopefully, I'll make it to states."
If he comes on at the end of the season next year as he did this year, states should be in the sights for Lewis.
The Big One: There is only one tournament the elite Pennsylvania high school golfers really want to win. And that is the PIAA Championship.
The eight Suburban One League golfers will get their chance Monday and Tuesday at Heritage Hills. The Upper Dublin boys’ team and the Hatboro-Horsham girls’ team will get their shot at state gold on Wednesday.
On the boys’ side on Monday, Pennsbury's Vinay Ramesh will be the first off the tee, starting off No. 1 at 8:40 a.m. He will be followed in the next foursome by Upper Dublin's Michael Reed-Price at 8:50 a.m.
Binet goes off No. 1 at 9:20 a.m. in the final boys foursome off the first tee. In the next foursome at 9:30 a.m. is Jackie Rogowicz of Pennsbury and Madelein Herr of Council Rock North tees off at 9:40 a.m.
Three SOL golfers will begin their state play off the 10th tee. Clark goes off at 9:10 a.m. followed by Logan Fuglestad of Council Rock North and Jack Melville of Upper Dublin in the 9:20 a.m foursome.
All eight golfers will return to Heritage Hills on Tuesday for the second round of the individual championship.
On Wednesday, the team competition will take over Heritage Hills. The Upper Dublin boys and the Hatboro-Horsham girls will both be competing for their school's first-ever team title. The team competition will be held in a shotgun start.
For the Flying Cardinals, Jack Melville will start in the first foursome off No. 1 followed by Michael Reed-Price in the second group off No. 1. Cole Swiger will be in the second foursome off hole No. 2, David Kim the first group off No. 3 and Matt Amey the first group off No. 4.
For the Hatter girls, Cassidy Gavaghan will lead off in the second foursome off No. 9. Hannah Fireman is in the first group off No. 10, Cameron Fisher in the first group off No. 11, Katie Hartmaeir in the second group off No. 11 and Julia Lyon in the first foursome off No. 13.
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