WALDORF, Md. — A Washington County contingent hoped to bring back what Middletown’s Alex Hoffman did for a second time — a Maryland individual state golf championship.

Smithsburg’s Chris Bushey finished in a tie for seventh place to lead four county golfers following the final round of the state meet at Potomac Ridge Golf Club on Wednesday.

Bushey’s last scholastic meet finished with a birdie on the 16th hole, a par 5 that gave him a 3-over 76. That was a three-stroke improvement over Tuesday’s first round as he ended with a two-day 155.

Smithsburg senior A.J. Minnich shot an 88 for a two-day 171, North Hagerstown freshman Aaron Staley shot an 85-168 and Williamsport senior Zach Weber went 98-183.

But no one could catch Hoffman, who shot a 1-under 72 for an even-par 146 total to win the title by four strokes over Andrew Yakubik of Damascus. It was Hoffman’s second state crown, having won in 2007.

“I had to work hard today,” said Hoffman. “I prepared for this. Putting was the key to winning today.”

While Hoffman had success on the greens, faulty putters doomed others.

“Four three-putts, that was the issue today,” said Bushey. “I just didn’t play good enough to win. The greens were tough and fast. It made you have to control your chipping.”

Bushey went 37-39 on his nines over the 6,200-yard Potomac course, with two birdies and five bogeys, but he wasn’t returning home with a sour taste.

“I wish I would have done better, but as a sophomore I wouldn’t have expected to be here two years,” he said. “I’m proud of what I have done.”

For Minnich and Staley, who played in the same foursome, it was a case of a finishing three-hole stretch that made their rounds somewhat disappointing.

Minnich went 6-8-6 over the last three holes, losing seven shots to par. Staley went 5-5-7, losing four strokes.

“Those three holes just killed me,” said Minnich. “Putting, I just couldn’t find a consistency. I had no pace on the greens. I’m disappointed in the finish but I’m happy I made it to the state again and it was fun. The season went well.”

In his state debut last year, Minnich shot 100.

For Staley, this was the first of what is expected to be many trips he’ll make to the state finals. He hopes everything goes upward.

“I hit only four greens, everything was off,” said Staley. “But I’m happy to have gone through this.”

Maryland State Championship

At Potomac Ridge Golf Club

Par 73, 6,200 yards

Alex Hoffman, Middletown 74-72—146

Andrew Yakubik, Damascus 77-73—150

Bart George, Broadneck 74-77—151

Morgan Hill, Atholton 79-74—153

Ryan Cole, Linganore 76-78—154

Kyle Chittim, Broadneck 80-74—154

Chris Bushey, Smithsburg 79-76—155

Ryan Triller, No. Harford 77-78—155

Randy Callahan, C.M. Wright 78-79—157

Chris DiScuillo, Urbana 78-79—157

Jimmy Harbaugh, Westminster 83-75—158

Sam Oshrine, Pikesville 80-78—158

Alex Rhea, Walt Whitman 79-79—158

Chris Biggins, Atholton 83-77—160

Cody Pestun, Damascus 82-78—160

Cas Dickerson, McDonough 81-79—160

Garrett Brown, Glen Burnie 80-80—160

Brett Myers, Damascus 81-80—161

Connor Tendall, Wootton 80-81—161

Kyler Rose, Urbana 82-80—162

Rob Taylor, McDonough 83-81—164

Conor Flach, Centennial 81-84—165

Evan Hughes, Quince Orchard 84-82—166

James Jaworski, Urbana 83-83—166

Austin Doerr, No. Garrett 83-84—167

Max Dallinger, Urbana 84-83—167

Chris Vidhyaphum, Centennial 82-86—168

Alex Taylor, Glenelg 81-87—168

Michael Moon, Liberty 80-88—168

James Lillie, Walter Johnson 80-88—168

Aaron Staley, No. Hagerstown 83-85—168

Mitchell Buccelli, North Point 85-83—168

Bradley Rotter, Churchill 82-86—168

Charly Choe, Reservoir 82-87—169

Michael Hill, North Point 87-83—170

John Kim, Marriotts Ridge 82-88—170

A.J. Minnich, Smithsburg 83-88—171

Michael Chanaud, So. River 82-90—172

Sean Paul, No. Caroline 79-93—172

Nick Barrett, Liberty 84-89—173

Dylan Luiza, South River 86-87—173

David Anderson, North Carroll 85-88—173

Tyler Silderberg, Wilde Lake 84-90—174

Ricky Meade, Walt Whitman 87-87—174

Brandon Eng, Walt Whitman 88-87—175

Joe Stallings, Huntingtown 84-93—177

Alex Lu, Churchill 91-87—178

Garrett Fogle, Winters Mill 82-97—179

Eric Miller, Walt Whitman 88-92—180

Sean Baker, Marriotts Ridge 92-88—180

Jim Blumenauer, Middletown 93-87—180

Garrett Moyer, Broadneck 89-92—181

Max Shannon, Blake 86-95—181

Zach Weber, Williamsport 85-98—183

Garrett Nicely, Middletown 84-99—183

Chase Main, Middletown 96-90—186