Mcgrath shoots low score at Village Green
HICKORY – Miserable doesn’t adequately describe the playing conditions at Monday’s WPIAL Division II, Section 8 golf qualifier at Village Green Golf Course. Drizzle, rain and showers, coupled with gusting winds, provided a challenge for golfers from eight different schools. Geibel Catholic’s James McGrath made it through the rain to fire a medallist score of 2-over par 73, securing one of the 10 berths into next Tuesday’s regional qualifier at Nemacolin Country Club.
“I’m pretty happy with my score,” said McGrath. “You have to give yourself a chance. You just have to grind it out.”
McGrath started strong, going out 2-under through the first four holes. The senior hit a tough stretch with a double bogey on No. 5 and bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7, but he righted the ship to finish with a couple pars to tie for the best round on the front nine at 2-over 37.
As he had on the front, McGrath was 2-under through four holes, but had bogeys on Nos. 14 and 17 to negate the birdies to finish even on the back.
“I wanted to post a score. It gives me confidence coming into next week,” said McGrath. “I just try to play the same game. Just staying dry was a problem.
“The greens were softer and the ball had more spin. I had to take an extra club (because of the wet conditions).”
Jefferson-Morgan’s Chad Kokoska, sans rain gear or an umbrella, persevered through a long, wet day with the second-best score of the day, a 6-over 77. He didn’t card a birdie with a double bogey, four bogeys and 13 pars.
“I just tried not to get any high numbers, not to do anything stupid,” said Kokoska. “You always want to shoot the best you can. After the front nine, I knew if I shot anything in the 30s I’d be okay.
“The greens were so wet, but it was an advantage for me. I was not hitting the ball well today. The greens were inconsistent. You could go for the hole, but on some holes the greens were quick.”
McGrath and Kokoska will see one another this afternoon when the Gators travel to Greene County Country Club to play the Rockets in a key section match. Geibel is tied with Mapletown atop the standings with one loss while Jefferson-Morgan has two losses, one to both the Gators and Maples. Jefferson-Morgan then plays Mapletown on the road at Rohanna’s Golf Course on Thursday.
“We have to win. Either match will be tough,” said Kokoska.
“Jefferson-Morgan plays well (at Greene County Country Club). (McGrath’s teammates) all know what to do,” said McGrath.
The Gators will be well represented in the regional qualifier with Brandon Noonan (78), Philip Lucostic (83) and Edward Spotts (85) also qualifying. Noonan has been down this road before, although the previous time was in Virginia last year when he placed eighth in the state.
“I wanted to play well. I wanted to go with the guys,” said Noonan. “It would’ve been bad as a senior not to make it with all my buddies making it.
“I couldn’t get a grip on my clubs. I needed more club and less swing. I almost lost my club a couple times. I’m pleased with my score given the conditions.”
The Maples checked in with three of the qualifiers, all shooting 85 with Ethan Kovach filling the 10th and final spot. Zach Cumberland and Joel Kovach also made the grade.
“I’m nervous,” said Cumberland as he watched the board to see if he would qualify. “I hoping someone blows up.”
As for his round, Cumberland said, “I had a lot of lip-outs today. My club was slipping a lot. It was tough conditions.”
Charleroi’s Dom Marozza (81) and Washington’s Brett Ross (83) rounded out the qualifiers.
The regional at Nemacolin also includes qualifiers from Division I, Section 2 and 8, as well as Division II, Section 2.
DIVOTS: Jefferson-Morgan’s Matt Kokoska won the playoff for first alternate on the second playoff hole. … Jeff McWilliams had the low round for Carmichaels with a 90 while Josh Saxe had the best score for California at 92. … McGrath had the low rounds on both the front and back with Kokoska matching his 37 on the front. … Geibel’s Philip Lucostic was the only other golfer to break 40 on the front with a 39 while Noonan (38) joined teammate McGrath as the only golfers to do so on the back. … Though they had rough beginnings, Washington’s Mike Damerow and Carmichaels’ Travis Prodan had dramatic turnarounds on the back with Damerow shaving 25 strokes (75-50-125) and Prodan slicing 24 (80-56-136).