Local golfers tee off at today's District 10 tournament at The Country Club

Oct. 2—The 2023 District 10 boys and girls golf tournament opens today at The Country Club.

This year's tournament will span over two days. Today, the boys and girls will each tee off at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start for the team tournament and first part of the individual tournament.

In Class 2A, the top 15 golfers and ties will qualify to play tomorrow for the second half of the individual tournament. In Class 3A, only the top eight golfers will advance to Day Two. The top four golfers after Tuesday in Class 2A girls and the top eight in boys will move on to states. In Class 3A, the top girl and the top two boys advance.

This year's tournament will be different in that the boys and girls team tournaments will run simultaneously. In years past, the girls would play Thursday, the boys would play Friday, then the second day of individual play was Saturday.

The reason for change, according to Mike Ferry, District 10 golf representative and Country Club head golf professional, is two fold.

"The sub regional is Thursday and the teams have to be done before that. We have member events through September," Ferry said. "The course is in great shape and has been the entire year. Tim (Hall), our superintendent, and staff have done a great job all year."

The boys and girls team winners in both Class 2A and 3A will enter into the PIAA Western Subregional Championship at Treasure Lake Silver Course in DuBois on Thursday.

Ferry said the pace of play today should reflect post season golf.

"I am sure it won't be a four hour round, but most of post season golf has been at least five hours," Ferry said. "We will do our part to maintain pace to the best we can. If the kids play ready golf we will be fine."

Some area coaches are concerned about the pace of play, some are not, but the all coaches agreed that the situation will be the same for everyone.

"I'm fine with it and really have no concerns. Mike Ferry does a great job with the district tournament and the staff at the Country Club is top notch," Meadville boys golf coach Fred Garvey said. "I think it may be a little slow, but that's kind of the norm for post season golf. I've had teams at the state tournament several times and a six-hour round there is almost the norm."

Competing for Meadville in Class 3A will be Alex Burgess and Robert Mahoney. Both are are experienced upperclassmen with plenty of knowledge of the course.

"I think both of them have the potential to advance to Day Two and both have an opportunity to win or place at the district tournament. I don't believe they are the favorites, which is a benefit in my opinion. They can just focus on playing their best and we will see what happens," Garvey said. "They are really special young men so I am looking forward to seeing them compete for a district title."

The Meadville girls team, coached by Terry Tidball, will compete for a team title against McDowell in Class 3A. The Bulldogs will have five golfers on the course. Kelsi Hefner, a senior, advanced to the second day of action last year in the individual portion. Teammate, Brooke Hart, was one stroke from advancing. Freshman Taylor Tidball, Bella Ross and Cerese Litzinger will also compete for Meadville.

"I expect my girls to go out there and compete. McDowell has beaten us all year, so we are looking to do the best we can, and improve with every swing," Tidball said. "Kelsi Hefner just had a career round of 84 at the club and her confidence is high right now. Brooke Hart has been super consistent all season and I feel she will do well. Taylor (Tidball) has an outside shot of making the second day. She has been working at becoming better everyday."

Tidball wasn't sure what to expect from the combined day of action, but added that some coaches are concerned about the change.

In the girls portion of Class 2A, Maplewood's Avery Palotas is the only local golfer in the tournament.

In Class 2A, Saegertown will play for a team title today. The Panthers won the Region 3 title and will face Lakeview, Grove City, Oil City and Fairview for the District 10 trophy. The favorites figure to be Lakeview, last year's winner, and Fairview, which has played well as of late.

"The overall expectations are to perform as well as we can and to give a fight to whoever the district champion is as a team," Saegertown head coach Brian Hanley said. "I also hope an individual or two can qualify for the state tournament."

Hanley said slow play is a concern today, but he is holding out hope for a quick round.

"A congested and backed up course that makes play slower is our fear. Me and some other coaches have talked about it and we hope it is a good outcome, but we're skeptical," Hanley said. "At least everyone is in the same boat. We all want to play as well as possible."

The Conneaut boys team will be represented by two golfers — Maxx Feather and Robert Gowetski. Feather had the lowest average score of any individual golfer in Region 4.

"I told both the kids the opportunity is there to move forward. It depends on their ability and preparation," Conneaut head coach Bob Slevin said. "I think they're ready. Saturday was homecoming so that gave them a chance to get away from the game for a day or two. We were at the Country Club last week for a practice round so that prepared them a little bit, too."

Slevin is not concerned about the pace of play. During the team's practice round a college tournament was going on, which held up the group on some holes.

"I tell the kids pace of play is great, but everyone has to deal with whatever the pace is. They have to concentrate on one shot at a time and reflect on what they need to do. Slow play is part of the game," Slevin said. "I think it will work out great. It may be a little slow, but the kids will have to understand that. It is a great course to play. Mike Ferry and his staff do a great job of getting it ready for us."

Alex Topor can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at atopor@meadvilletribune.com.