On a roll: Leopards retain share of section lead with win at PVGC
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon’s Seth Tomalski follows the ball in as he eagle putt on the ninth hole comes up short of the pin during Thursday’s Section 8-AA match against Geibel Catholic at Pleasant Valley Golf Club.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Geibel Catholic sophomore Seth Dolan watches as his putt on the ninth green at Pleasant Valley Golf Club just slides past the cup during Thursday’s Section 8-AA match against Belle Vernon.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon’s Jordan Mocello chips from a lie in front of a hedge row onto the sixth green during Thursday’s Section 8-AA match against Geibel Catholic at Pleasant Valley Golf Club.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon’s Rogan Maloney reacts as his birdie putt on the sixth hole comes up short during Thursday’s Section 8-AA match against Geibel Catholic at Pleasant Valley Golf Club.
BULLSKIN TWP. — Belle Vernon retained a share of first place in Section 8-AA with a 203-266 road victory over Geibel Catholic Thursday afternoon at Pleasant Valley Golf Club.
The Leopards improve to 8-1 to retain a share of the section lead with Uniontown. The Gators slip to 1-8.
Belle Vernon’s Seth Tomalski had medalist honors with a 1-over 36, but had a solid chance for an even-par round when his eagle putt on No. 9 came up short.
“That’s not a good look, leaving it short,” a smiling Tomalski said of the eagle opportunity.
Tomalski said he had a steady round.
“This was a harder course,” Tomalski said of PVGC. “My driver was pretty good, my wedges were solid and I had lots of two putts.
“If I have a good tee shot on No. 1, I’d be even. I left only one or two shots out there.”
Tomalski looks to pare a stroke or two in the postseason after missing the county title and a berth into the state tournament last year.
“I want to get to states. If (teammate) Rogan (Maloney) three-putts on No. 18 at Oakmont last year, I would’ve gone to states. But, I didn’t want to tie with a teammate and go to a playoff,” said Tomalski. “Making team states and individual states, that’s the plan for everyone.
“I’ve finished second in the county tournament the past two years. I was one shot behind Connellsville’s Ethan Rice last year.”
Jordan Mocello (39), Maloney (41), Landon Vaccaro (43), and John Bellissimo (44) rounded out the scoring for the Leopards. Jack Edwards’ 46 was not used.
The Gators’ Seth Dolan had a solid round with a 4-over 39. Aiden Holt (59), Mike Miller (51), Cru Kazmierczak (58), and Luke Shumar (59) also counted in the final tally. Stephan Neighbors’ 76 did not count.
John Holt became the Gators coach just days before the start of the season, and is now settling into the position with a look to the future.
“It’s a challenge, but we’ve made some improvement. There’s definitely improvement, overall. As long as they have one good shot, I want them to focus on the positive and have fun,” said Holt.
“I’m hoping to set up something for summer. I encourage them to play over the summer.”
Holt continued, saying, “They need to know what iron goes what distance. You have to know your clubs.”
As far as immediate goals, Holt said, “We’ve improved our score from 277 to 238. How many strokes have we cut? That’s not bad.”