Check out Ben Reese’s recap of Monday’s action at the District One Tournament.
By Ben Reese
Limerick — It isn’t unusual to find an upperclassman leading the field after the first day of the District One golf tournament.
But it isn’t often that you find a freshman — that’s a ninth grader — among the leaders. In this case it is Central Bucks South’s Brendan Reilly.
His round contained fifteen pars, two birdies and one bogey for an opening round of 1-under 71. It trailed only Nick Gross of Downingtown West, who shot a 70.
Reilly was one of 13 Suburban One League AAA boys to advance to the second day of competition. Nate Wiseman of New Hope Solebury, the lone SOL competitor in AA, also advanced to the second round.
On the girls’ side, five of the 14 representatives from the SOL have made it to Day 2. Leading the way is another freshman, Elle Lundquist of CB East, who shot a 1-under 70 but trails Downingtown East’s Ava O’Sullivan by four shots.
Molly Young of Springfield was the lone AA girl playing. She shot an 88 and will play the second round without any AA competition. She automatically qualifies for the PIAA Championship at Heritage Hills in York in two weeks.
It was a special day for Reilly, who finished tied for second.
“Everything was going my way,” he said. “I could really just feel my swing and I was putting great. I really needed it and it helped me in some crucial spots.”
So you really like this course?
“Yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “I really got a feel for the course today and I hope that can just continue.”
One SOL golfer who didn’t have the luck of Reilly was Upper Moreland’s Bo Meakim. He finished the day at 3-over 75.
Actually, the day wasn’t a total waste for the Golden Bear senior. He started the day on No. 7 and was even par going into his final three holes, Nos. 4, 5 and 6.
“I was even with three holes left,” he explained, “and I went three-putt bogey, three-putt bogey, three-putt bogey.”
However, he was still very upbeat after his round.
“I started off good but it’s all right,” he said. “I still made it (to the second day of play).
“My goal for the whole season is to make it to Day 2. I think I’ve accomplished that.
“Now it’s just free golf from now on in. States is out there but I think I can get it.”
For Reilly, this whole experience is something new. As a freshman, he has never been able to play in any of the post-season tournaments.
“I don’t have very much experience in this,” he said. “Others like seniors do. But maybe I can win this (districts).”
As for the other qualifiers for the second day of play, besides Reilly and Meakim, 11 AAA boy golfers will be teeing it up at Turtle Creek.
Upper Dublin’s Charlie Kerprich tied for ninth with Kevin Lydon of CB West at 73, Christian Matt of Wissahickon and Upper Dublin’s Alex McCauley tied for 13th at 74.
Meakim was tied with Nick Joyce of Quakertown and Ryan Quinn of CB West for 18th at 75 while Connor Toussaint of North Penn, CB West’s John Lee, Justin Chong of Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn’s Quinn Marett and Zach Holmlund of Upper Dublin were all tied for 26th at 76.
Just missing the cut at 5-over 77 were Council Rock North’s Nick Riscica, Evan Rosenstein of Plymouth Whitemarsh and Springfield’s Adam Fluehr.
On the girls’ side, behind Lundquist were Hayley Ekert of North Penn tied for sixth at 71, CB West’s Abby Lynn tied for ninth at 73, Talia Hoffner of Upper Dublin tied for 12th at 76 and Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Rhianna Gooneratne tied for 14th at 77.
In AA boys, Wiseman was fourth with an 83. Jenkintown’s Jeff Staples leads the AA boys with an even-par 72.
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