Boy’s Golf At Districts (10/01/2018)

Josh Craig

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  Bobcat golfers Josh Craig, Jackson Fox, and Lake Staub were among the 53 competitors participating in the first round of the District IX AA Boy’s Golf Championship at Pinecrest Country Club on Monday, Sept. 24. The top sixteen players from Monday advanced to the second round on Saturday (Sept. 29), with the six individuals carding the lowest two-round scores then moving on to the PIAA West Regional.

Under chilly, breezy, and damp conditions Craig navigated the 5,746 yard, par 70 course in 89 strokes, good enough to make the cut and garner a spot in the second round.

Assessing his round, Craig said, “Today was a little rough. The greens were really fast and I only had about two one putts so that’s not as much as I wanted. I couldn’t hold any of the greens, all my chips were rolling off long. My drives were pretty bad to begin with, but it started to come together at the end. Just some bad holes here and there.”

Jackson Fox

Clarion was the only KSAC school other than Clarion-Limestone (C-L) to have more than two golfers competing. Fox (95) and Staub (105), both making their district tournament debut, were unable to shoot low enough to fall within the cut line and saw their seasons come to an end.

“The course was tough, wet. The greens were hard to putt on. But overall I coulda done better with the short game, but I’m happy with what I had. My irons were good,” said Fox in a critique of his round.

In summing up Craig’s, Staub’s, and Fox’s performance, Bobcat head coach Jay Kerle said, “It was cold and windy out there. The guys weren’t used to playing in those type of conditions. Josh shot an 89 and is moving on to the next round. Lake and Jackson didn’t make it, but they played the best they could. It was their first time at districts so hopefully they take a lot out of it and know what to expect next year. I expect all three of those guys to come back next year and hopefully compete as a team and do much better.”

Lake Staub

Other KSAC golfers joining Craig in the second round were C-L’s Ian Callen (85), Hayden Siegel (86), and Hayden Callen (89), as well as Moniteau’s Nathan Tack (85).

On Saturday Craig was a bit off his game and fired a 94 for a two-day total of 183, missing the cut to move on to regionals.

Craig was somewhat critical of his performance, saying, “Today was a lot like the first round. Couldn’t hold any greens, missing a lot of putts I should have made. I just lost focus a little bit. The ground was pretty wet, I was chunking a lot my wedges.”

Despite this setback Craig was pleased with his season and looking ahead, saying “I like how my season turned out. I took third in the KSAC, which I was pretty happy about. Always looking to improve that though. Next year I’m definitely going to focus on my putting and chipping game a lot more. Hopefully our team can do good next year, we’re all looking to improve so hopefully we can take a team to districts.”

Kerle added, “Josh played alright, didn’t have his best day. But overall he still had a good season. I’m looking forward to him coming back next year and trying it again.”