Yorio, Barrish close season in PIAA final
Carmichaels' Matt Barrish watch his bogey putt on the 16th hole at Tom's Run Golf Course settle into the bottom of the cup in the PIAA Western Regional. Barrish finished 11th in the PIAA Class AA Individual Golf Championship at Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center in York.
Waynesburg Central’s Aaron Yorio reacts as his birdie putt slides past the hole on the 15th green during the PIAA Western Regional at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville. The senior finished 16th in the PIAA Class AA Individual Golf Championship at Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center in York.
One less stroke here, another there, and Carmichaels’ Matthew Barrish has a different experience in his first PIAA Class AA Individual Golf Championship at Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center in York.
Barrish flirted with a top-10 spot on podium, but fell one place short Tuesday afternoon after finishing 11th with a 15-over 157.
“It was a lot better than yesterday,” Barrish said of his 4-over 75. “I was hoping to get into the top 10. I missed it by one stroke.”
The junior opened with an 11-over 82 and said coach Dave Briggs counted 44 putts.
“My putting kept me in it today. I putted a lot better than yesterday,” continued Barrish. “I had the speed a little better. I did not have much difficulty on second putts.”
Barrish had no birdies over the two rounds, but only one score worse than bogey in the 36 holes. He had four bogeys and 12 pars in the second round.
Barrish’s strategy for the second round was “playing conservatively aggressive. I wanted to make as many pars as I could and stay away from big numbers.”
Barrish enjoyed playing in the state final so much he wants to return next year.
“Oh, yes, definitely. I hope to place even higher next year,” added Barrish. “I want to thank my coach (Dave Briggs) and I got to play at Nemcolin. That helped me get the green speeds down.”
Waynesburg Central’s Aaron Yorio finished 16th with a two-round total of 19-over 161 (81-80).
“I had a rough start on No. 1. I was spraying my driver left and right,” said Yorio of his troubles off the tee. “I shot 42 on the front. It was a struggle.
“I put my driver in the bag (after the turn) and hit my 3-wood a little more consistent.”
The senior might’ve been able to straighten out his woes off the tee, but was unable to do so on the greens.
“I didn’t drop that many putts. It was my speed control. I had a lot of good chances for birdie. I didn’t capitalize,” said Yorio. “I hit my irons pretty good, but didn’t chip too well around the green.”
Yorio hopes to continue golfing in college, and will start mulling opportunities with the close of the season.
“I’m not sure where my next mission will be,” said Yorio.
Bentworth’s Christian Sadler, McGuffey’s Hunter Donahue and Notre Dame East Stroudsburg’s William Mirams all had a two-day total of 8-over 150 for a share of the silver medal.
Tulpehocken’s Chase Miller won the Class AA state title with a 5-over 147 (68-79).