Sadler ties for silver in PIAA Golf Championships
Christian Sadler’s honesty in the PIAA Western Regional was rewarded Tuesday when the Bentworth senior worked his way up the leaderboard for a share of second place at the PIAA Class AA Individual Golf Championship.
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).
Sadler had a difficult call to make on himself as his round in the PIAA Western Regional was coming to a close last week when his ball moved (“a 16th of an inch,” as described by Sadler) as he prepared to hit his second shot on his 16th hole. Sadler pondered the situation for a few minutes, took out a tee, marked the ball and took a penalty stroke as he replaced the ball to its original spot.
“(Taking the stroke) was the correct thing. I had to do it morally. It was the good thing to do,” Sadler said of the decision.
Sadler started the second round tied for fifth place after a 5-over 76 in the first round, and entered the second round just hoping to finish in the top 10 and earn a spot on the awards podium. He did a little better than he hoped, though, shooting a 3-over 74 in the second round to move up the leaderboard.
“I was solid from the start,” said Sadler. “I had a bogey on No. 17, but it was a good bogey.”
Sadler carded five bogeys and two birdes, and proudly said, “no 3-putts.”
Sadler had a shaky start when his opening tee shot went left into a fairway bunker.
“After that, I hit it pretty straight,” said Sadler.
Sadler said the difference for him was his course management.
“I thought out a lot of the holes today. What club would be best to hit in the situation,” explained Sadler. “I tried to hit the best shot I could.”
Sadler was unaware of what was happening in the tournament, but figured he was holding onto a place on the podium.
“I was 2-over through 16 on a course like this. I figured I was climbing the leaderboard,” said Sadler.
As with most any round of golf, Sadler figured his score could’ve been a little lower.
“I could’ve gone under par. I missed four or five 12-footers, and had a couple 3-putts. I could’ve easily shot 68 or 69,” said Sadler.
Sadler was also aware Tuesday’s round was his final 18 holes as a Bentworth golfer.
“I talked with my parents Monday night. I decided to just go out and enjoy it, and make the most of the opportunity,” added Sadler.
Carmichaels’ Matthew Barrish flirted with a top-10 spot on podium, but fell one place short 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.”
Sadler and Yorio both want 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.
Both Yorio and Barrish will now trade in their golf shoes and fairways for high-tops and a basketball court.
Elizabeth Forward senior Joe Klingensmith had a tough first day and was unable to recover, finishing in a tie for 31st place in the Class AAA final with a two-day score of 21-over 163. Holy Ghost Prep’s Liam Hart won the gold medal with 1-over 143.
Brownsville freshman Lindsay Sethman was sitting in fourth place with three holes to play, but faltered down the stretch and slid down to seventh place with a two-day total of 27-over 169. The top five receive medals.
Sethman shot 7-over 78 in the first round of the Class AA final, but slipped to a 20-over 91 in the second round. She had only four pars in the second round, with four double bogeys and 10 bogeys.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Abby Zambruno tied for fifth for a spot on the Class AA podium with a 26-over 168.
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic’s Maddie Smithco defeated Rockwood’s Vileska Gelpi on the second playoff hole for the Class AA gold medal.
Uniontown junior Danae Rugola started the second round of the Class AAA final in 10th place and that’s where she finished after shooting a two-round score of 23-over 167.
Pine-Richland’s Lauren Freyvogel won the gold medal with a 147.
“Horrific,” Rugola said of her second round. “It was bad for the entire round.
“My putting, oh my gosh, I couldn’t make a 3-foot putt. The only good thing was my lag putting. But, then I couldn’t make (the next putt).”
Although the temperatures were pleasant, Rugola said “the wind doesn’t stop blowing. It was a headwind. I didn’t know what to do.”
“I fought through the whole thing. It was just not a good round,” added Rugola. “I just didn’t finish the season the way I wanted to.”
Rugola returns to the course in a couple weeks in a tournament in Lexington, Ky.
“I need to buckle down and practice hard,” said Rugola.