Bobcat Golfers Win Western Sub-Regional Team Tournament Class-AA Title, Headed To States

on 6 October, 2023 at 21:46

Above photo by Rick Miller – Bottom (L-R) Tanner Miller and Assistant Coach Dave Breck. Second row (L-R) Lucas Mitrosky, James Keenen, Devon Lauer, Kameron Kerle and Avery Kline. Back Row (L-R) Head Coach Jay Kerle and Assistant Coach Jackie Kerle.

In a true team effort, the Clarion Area Bobcat Golfers won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Western Sub-Regional Team Tournament Class-AA Championship on Thursday, October 5th, on the 6,747 yard, par 72 Silver Course at Treasure Lake.

With the victory, the Bobcats earned their program’s first ever berth in the PIAA State Team Championships, which this year will be held Wednesday, October 18th at Penn State White Course.

**Photo by Rick Miller – Coach Jay Kerle, James Keenen, Devon Lauer, Kameron Kerle, Tanner Miller, Lucas Mitrosky, Avery Kline**

The event’s format was for five golfers to participate for each team, with the four lowest scores to be counted in the team total.

The Cats downed the Central (Martinsburg) Dragons 327 – 341, with each of the Bobcats four best scorers shooting in the low 80’s. Kameron Kerle and Devon Lauer each recorded an 80. Tanner Miller carded an 83 and Lucas Mitrosky registered an 84. Not included in the team total was James Keenen, who shot a 93.

Central’s lowest scorer was Griffin Snowberger, who carded a 75. Nick Baum and Zack Oakes each shot 82. Cody Clapper finished with a 102. Not included in the Dragon’s scoring was Bryton Barns, who recorded a 111.

**Photo by Jackie Kerle – Kameron and Devon walking in after their last hole.**

This was the third straight year the Bobcats played in the Sub-Regional Tournament, falling to Union City 2021 to Union City who had the individual state champion Josh James on their team that year.

2022 they fell to West Shamokin at Ebensburg Country Club.

So this was pretty special!

Coaches Jay and Jackie Kerle shared, “After coming up short the past two years in the subregional tournament, we were finally able to work together as a team and accomplish another one of our goals.

**Photo by Bev Lauer – Kam, James and Devon taking it easy.**

“We are so proud of these young men and their dedication and commitment to this game.

“The key to todays success was making every shot count and never giving up. Mistakes were going to happen, but rebounding and focusing on the next shot was what allowed us to be moving on to the state tournament.”

**Photo by Jackie Kerle – The Bobcats warming up at the driving range.**

State College won the Class-AAA Boys title. They tied Warren in regulation at 326, which necessitated a sudden death playoff. Each head coach chose four golfers to compete. he aggregate score of all four golfers, from each team were tabulated and after the first playoff hole State College sealed the championship, 16 to 18.

McDowell won the Girls Class-AAA championship, with a 271. There was no Girls Class-AA competition.

(Congratulations to the Bobcats!!!! Have a great State Tournament!!!! Have a great tournament State College boys and McDowell girls, also!! Thank you to all who contributed photos!!)