Seven SOL golfers advanced to next week’s PIAA State Tournament.
By Ben Reese
FLEETWOOD – The main objective of the high school golfers who advance from district play into the regional championship is to qualify for the PIAA Championship.
Winning the Eastern Regional doesn't earn anything except a medal and a notation on a resume.
That held true for the ten golfers from the Suburban One League who teed it up at Golden Oaks Golf Club on Tuesday. There were no champions, but the four boys and three girls who will play next week at Heritage Hills Country Club in York for the state title were all winners.
Wissahickon's Jalen Griffin led the way for the SOL players with a 74, followed by Zach Herr of Council Rock North and Central Bucks West's Sean Ebert at 77 and CR North's James Twomey at 78 for the boys. Jackie Rogowicz of Pennsbury led the SOL girls with a 76 while Erica Herr shot a 77 and Madeline Herr a 79.
“It was probably the same thing as Suburbans,” Griffin said of his day on the course. “It was just plodding along, making a few bogeys and a few birdies, just going on hitting the greens, making pars.
“That was my game plan today. That's my game plan coming in especially in these rounds where you have to shoot a certain number.
“The whole time you've got to hit fairways and greens and just plod along from there.”
Griffin must have plodded pretty well, shooting 38 on the front nine and 36 on the back. He finished five shots behind the winner, Craig Hornberger of Manheim Township.
Zach Herr liked his round, even though he finished eight shots off Hornberger's pace.
“I played good,” he said. “I hit the ball as good as I have been.
“I've been working on a new putting routine, and I think I putted a little better today. I just didn't give myself as many opportunities as I would have liked.
“I'm in, so that's all that matters.”
But both Griffin and Herr, as well as all the other golfers, are excited about getting to states.
“I think I can definitely be near the top,” Griffin said. “I just need to work.
“Last year (at states) I had 10 3-putts in two rounds and still shot 78-78. Today I struggled with putting; I definitely need to work on that. But I feel confident though.”
Herr had the same type of reaction to reaching states again.
“I'm really excited for states,” he said. “I'm going to be working hard this week to get the game exactly where I want it to be.
“That way, Monday and Tuesday, I can play as good as I can. What I'm really worried about is the team. I really want to win the team championship.”
Ebert, who could be the surprise of the season, can't wait for states.
“I didn't even make it past Suburbans last year,” the CB West senior said. “It'll be pretty cool.”
Erica Herr will be defending her state title next week. A repeat is something she really wants.
“I do want to win a second title,” she said. “It would be great if I did.
“I don't really have pressure going into it. I'm just going to go out and play.
“I'm also looking forward to our team play. That's exciting.”
Rogowicz is ready for states.
“I feel good,” the sophomore said. “I've been playing pretty good.”
That might be an understatement.
On the ninth hole, which was Rogowicz's tenth hole of the day, she hit her tee shot on the par-3 to within three inches. That tap-in gave her an easy birdie.
Three of the boys didn't advance. That might have been the toughest day for any of them.
Tom Fisher of Hatboro-Horsham shot a 79, which might have put him in states. But three other players also shot 79, so they had to play off for the final spot.
Fisher and two others halved the first playoff hole. But, on the tough par-5 18th hole, Fisher parred while the other two recorded birdies.
Also missing the cut were Central Buck East's Stewart Rickenbach and Upper Dublin's Andrew Carber.
Rickenbach stumbled on his back nine, shooting a 44. He had an even-par 36 on the front and finished with an 80.
Carber might have been in the state field if he could have avoided the 18th hole. He took a 10 and finished at 82.
“I was a little unlucky with the tee shot,” Carber said. “It went right, shot off a tree and actually kicked out of bounds on the left.
“I've never see that before. I guess I hit it hard enough to do that.
“I was 3 over heading into 16 and from there it sort of went downhill. I tried to stay in it all I could, but the golf gods weren't with me today.
“I feel that I deserve to be in the field for states but that's golf. One hole can take you out.”
One of the big factors on the day was the wind. It was a steady force throughout.
“It was really hard to get your approach shots to the green,” said Rogowicz.
When asked if the wind affected her putting she said, “I felt like I was hitting good putts and they weren't going in. Maybe I was reading them wrong or the wind was affecting them.”
The seven players from the SOL along with 20 other boys and nine other girls advance to the state championship. It will be held Monday, Oct. 22, and Tuesday, Oct. 23, for the individual title and on Wednesday, Oct. 24, for the team crown. All rounds will be played at Heritage Hills Country Club in York.
For a complete list of the 2012 PIAA Boys' East Regional Golf Championship, please click on the following PIAA link: http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_PIAA_East_Region_AAA_Boys_Scoreboard.pdf.
For a complete list of the 2012 PIAA Girls' East Regional Golf Championship, please click on the following PIAA link: http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_PIAA_East_Region_AAA_Girls_Scoreboard.pdf
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