More heartbreak for NC golf, as Green Wave edged again for state title
COLUMBUS ― It was possibly more heartbreaking the second time around for the Newark Catholic boys golf team.
The Green Wave again built a big lead in the Division III state tournament, this time on a blustery, rainy Ohio State Scarlet Course, only to see it slip away late as Warren John F. Kennedy rallied to nip NC by a stroke for the state championship. They were also state runner-up last year and have never won it all.
NC was third in 2021 and made the state tournament in 2020, meaning the team's three seniors made four consecutive state trips.
The Green Wave and JFK went into the final day tied before Newark Catholic started to pull away on the middle holes, leading by as much as 12 strokes. But by the end, JFK totaled 320-328 (648) to NC's 320-329 (649). Youngstown Mooney was a distant third, 21 strokes back at 668. Seven Hills Christian Academy, which nosed out NC last year, placed seventh out of the 12 teams.
Andrew LaPolla, one of three sophomores in JFK's starting lineup, recorded two birdies on the back nine. Meanwhile there were numerous bogeys by the Green Wave including one triple and another double bogey in the challenging conditions. The round was delayed by over an hour.
"Most kids would trade their right hand to finish with two state runner-ups in a row," coach Phil West said. "Yes, the conditions were tough, but (JFK) also played through it, and they beat us by one. It just shows how important every single shot is."
Had the teams tied, the Green Wave would have won as they owned the fifth man tiebreaker 171-182.
"But for the second year in a row, we shot our worst score of the season, on the last day," West added. "The kids didn't try to do anything they shouldn't. They just hit too many shots that weren't good. They were on a mission from the start to win this, and they're hurting right now, because they care. From the first day, there was a lot of pressure, and they handled it well. They wanted to represent the LCL, and their community."
NC nearly won despite suffering a major blow on Monday, when senior Brian Luft, the Licking County League Player of the Year, had to have his appendix removed. But he still tried to make a go of it, even though he was hurting and far from 100 percent.
Classmate Max Vanoy led the Green Wave at 155 (75-80), good for second-team All-Ohio. Sophomore Bobby Kieber finished at 161 (81-80), junior Brogan Sullivan posted 167 (83-84), Luft had 168 (83-85) and senior Nathan Riggleman 169 (81-88).
"Brian showed the type of character he has, and he's a tough kid," West said. "Most kids would have said they couldn't have played. He wanted to be with his brothers. I admire the heck out of the kid."
Luft's teammates appreciated the effort, but were not surprised.
"When he first texted us on Monday, he said he was sorry, that he wouldn't be able to play," Vanoy said. "Then, we got a text back saying that he would. That meant a lot, because obviously he's crucial to our team."
Sullivan said it showed how committed Luft was and how badly he wanted to win.
"Every hole, you could see him holding his side, but he's a fighter," Sullivan said. "He's a wrestler, and he once wrestled with broken ribs."
Luft was a three-time state wrestling qualifier and made All-Ohio this year.
NC's seniors will continue their careers collegiately, with Luft headed to Barton, N.C., Vanoy to Tiffin and Riggleman will play at Findlay.
"They're not only great golfers, but great kids," West said.
Added Sullivan: "They've meant everything to me, and playing with them has been a lot of fun. I would like to play in college as well."
Sullivan, Kieber and Carter Hahn, the sixth man who has shown a lot of improvement, will return to try and lead NC back to the state tournament.
"I think Brogan is going to really light it up next year," Vanoy said. "It will be exciting, to see what they can do to continue our legacy, and I'll be watching them. I can see them getting back here for a fifth straight time."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: More heartbreak for NC golf, as Green Wave edged again for state title
