Eaton, Shawnee boys close out golf season

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DAYTON — On Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 28-29, the Eaton and Preble Shawnee boys’ golf teams finished out their seasons in the Division II sectional tournament held at Pipestone Golf Course.

Seventeen teams participated in the post-season event. Eaton finished 10th, while Preble Shawnee took 16th.

The first day of sectionals on Wednesday was canceled due to the weather. The participants got in eight to nine holes before the storm hit. The event was continued on Thursday.

Senior Trevor Pittman placed in a six-way tie for 17th, with a score of 82 for Eaton. Sean Hodges, a junior, tied for 33rd with an 88. Junior Kasey Wilkens of Eaton finished in 39th with a 90, while Seth Bristow (59th) and Andrew Collins (71st) scored a 100 and 110 respectively.

“I thought the boys played about where we expected of them,” said Eaton coach Randy Titkemeyer. “Pittman came out slow on the front nine, but I thought he would make the field individually. But it took a 78 to do it. As our only senior, I’m glad he finished as well as he did.

“Hodges and Wilkens improved throughout the season for us,” Titkemeyer continued. “Bristol and Collins played in sectionals for the first time — Bristol, a junior, moved up from the JV for us. We had a lot of young players this year, we had some really good moments and some learning experiences on the season. There was some really good competition here, this is the toughest sectional in any division. Many schools that didn’t make it here would have qualified anywhere else.”

For the Arrows, the top scorer was junior Michael Fritts, who carded a 99 on the day, good for 56th. Freshman Luke Woodard took 67th with a 106. Jordan Dobbins, Jarod Barnes and Dakota Keeler finished 76th, 77th, and 78th with individual scores of 124, 132, and 153 respectively.

The medalist was awarded to Peyton Wheat, of Oakwood, who shot a 72. Oakwood won the team sectional trophy with a 317 team score. Second place was Alter with a 318, while Fenwick and Clinton-Massie rounded out third and fourth place with a 325 and 339 respectively.

Only the top four teams advance to the district tournament, set for Wednesday, Oct. 5. In addition, the top four players whose teams did not advance to districts qualify to compete as individuals.

Unfortunately, none of the boys from Eaton nor Preble Shawnee qualified.

“Out of 79 players, the boys did well,” said Shawnee coach Roy Lucas. “The weather had a lot to do with the scores. If it was sunny and 75 out, we would have seen scores under par.

“Fritts had a good season filling the number one spot,” Lucas said. “This was a challenge to him and made him improve daily. I thought that was real good only being his second year playing golf. Woodard had a good season only playing golf for a year. As a freshman you would think he would be intimidated by the older well-experienced players he played against. That was not the case. He will develop into the golf player every coach would want.

“The last three players, Dobbins, Barnes, and Keeler — these golfers have just started this year and their games have improved,” Lucas said. “They all stressed to me they are going to work hard on their golf game during the off season. I look forward to next season and the goal of winning league.”

The season is now over for both Eaton and Preble Shawnee’s boys’ teams. Eaton finished the regular season with a 4-6 record in the Southwestern Division, while Preble Shawnee closed out with a 1-10 record in the Buckeye Division.

By Oliver Sanders

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Reach Oliver Sanders at 937-683-4062 or on Twitter @osanders_RH

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