Williamsport's Scott Drury tees off on No. 12 on Tuesday during the 1A/2A District 1Tournament at Black Rock Golf Course. (By Ric Dugan/Staff Photographer) |
Four Washington County prep golfers turned a damp, drizzly morning into a bright, sunny afternoon on Tuesday at Black Rock Golf Course.
Smithsburg’s Kyle Huntzberry, Christian Grosh and Shane Fritts and Williamsport’s Scot Drury each had a passing grade as individuals in the Maryland 1A/2A District 1 Championship, allowing each to qualify for the state championships on Oct. 25-26 at the University of Maryland.
“It would be a lot more fun at states if we would have made it as a team,” said Huntzberry, who posted a 5-over-par 77 (40-37).
Grosh came in with an 80 (42-38) and Fritts had an 81 (39-42), but the Leopards couldn’t get enough to make it as a team as Jordan Tapley shot a 93 and Logan McSherry posted 100.
That left the Leopards with a team score of 331, three strokes off the team qualifying total for the state tournament. North Carroll was the only team to qualify, shooting a 324 aggregate.
Drury made it a quartet of qualifiers, posting an 80 (41-39) for a trip to College Park.
Williamsport shot 350, Boonsboro 417 and Clear Spring 450 to round out Washington County’s teams.
Huntzberry fought off a 5-over par stretch in five holes on the front nine to come in with a 1-over 37.
“Except for a three-putt on 12, I was more steady, consistent on the back nine,” said Huntzberry, who will prime for his third state appearance. “I hit the ball well and didn’t get mad with the front nine. I knew I still had the back to go.”
Huntzberry had a birdie on No. 1, his opening hole in the shotgun format, and then recorded another at 14, a 533-yard par 5 when he hit a 240-yard 3-metal to within 4 feet of the pin and two-putted.
“I had to find a way to make the states, I’m ready,” declared Huntzberry.
Grosh carded four double bogeys for his 8-over, including two on par 3s. Other than that he played what he termed “satisfactory golf” as he will get ready for a second state appearance.
“I’d really be satisified if I could drop the doubles,” said Grosh, who also had three birdies along the way. “I knew I would be along the cutline, but I came through under pressure.”
Fritts will also make a second trip to College Park.
While Huntzberry birdied 12, it nearly became the undoing for Fritts, who had a triple-bogey.
“I survived it,” Fritts said with a smile after his round.
Drury’s sigh of relief ended three previous years of frustration in trying to qualify.
Sitting at 6-over through eight holes on the front, Drury chipped in from the fringe on No. 9 for a birdie.
“That got me playing a little bit better,” said Drury. “I wasn’t swinging the club that well and had to get it figured out. I had to take one last chance at making states.”
Prep Golf
Maryland 1A/2A District 1
at Black Rock, par 72
Team scores: North Carroll 324, Smithsburg 331, Manchester Valley 336, Century 340, Liberty 340, South Carroll 346, Middletown 348, Williamsport 350, Walkersville 351, Winters Mill 353, Fort Hill 358, Oakdale 364, Catoctin 365, Southern Garrett 367, Francis Scott Key 370, Northern Garrett 375, Mountain Ridge 379, Boonsboro 417, Brunswick 418, Clear Spring 418.
Local results
SMITHSBURG
Shane Fritts 39-42—81
Christian Grosh 42-38—80
Kyle Huntzberry 40-37—77
Logan McSherry 47-53—100
Jordan Tapley 45-48—93
WILLIAMSPORT
Devin Blackman 46-46—92
Ryan Corgard 47-48—95
Ryan Crabtree 45-38—83
Scot Drury 41-39—80
Matt Stemper 52-46—98
BOONSBORO
Eli Willems 56-46—102
Hunter May 50-55—105
T.J. Shadoan 51-57—108
Ryan Walsh 56-57—113
David Wilbraham 53-49—102
CLEAR SPRING
Trei Commer 51-49—100
Eric Martell 54-61—115
Ethan Moats 61-74—135
Kyle Shanholtz 48-52—100
HANCOCK (Individuals only)
Kyle Kerns 53-55—108
Cody Trunkle 47-48—95
