HONESDALE — High school golfers from all over the area gathered at Honesdale Golf Club on a picture perfect autumn day to participate in one of the year’s most popular events.
On Tuesday afternoon, Honesdale, Wallenpaupack Area, Western Wayne and Forest City battled it out at the 2024 Wayne County Commissioners Cup.
The nine-hole tournament is held at the end of each varsity golf season as both a friendly competition and fun-filled farewell to the current campaign.
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Honoring a legend
“It’s one of our favorite events, for the coaches and for the kids,” said Hall of Fame Paupack coach Bob Simons, who is the all-time winningest golf coach in PIAA history.
“I think that the Commissioners Cup is a perfect way to close out the season. The kids have a lot of fun and there’s usually some great golf, but it’s really all about the camaraderie.”
This year’s edition of the event featured both boys and girls brackets and attracted nearly 40 golfers. At stake were local bragging rights for the year, along with trophies provided by the Commissioners.
When the scorecards were all tallied up, senior Jamie Chapman of Western Wayne captured the overall crown with a round of 35.
Honesdale’s Julie Saylor finished atop the girls’ standings. She shot 48 and earned the win via a match of cards with teammate Delaney Rowe, who also finished with a 48.
The future looks bright
Honesdale head coach Gene Hopkins organized and hosted this year’s event since Simons has been battling health issues ever since the end of the Lackawanna League season.
The veteran Hornet coach was thrilled with course conditions, the turnout and the weather. He sees all four local teams bering right in the thick of the championship chase for years to come.
“I think the future of golf at Honesdale, Paupack, Western Wayne and Forest City is really bright,” Hopkins said. “There are some very talented kids here today and they put on a nice show. It was exciting and fun to watch.”
While Chapman was the day’s overall individual champion, Lucas Stephens of Honesdale was the Low Senior with a 39. Western Wayne’s Ryan Schane earned runner-up honors with a 49.
Paupack’s Greg Van Gorder shot 41 to capture Low Junior laurels. Theo Motichka of Honesdale was second with a 46.
The title of Low Sophomore went to Honesdale’s Reed Howell who finished up with a round of 39. He won on a match of cards with fellow Hornet Maddox Johnson who also notched a 39.
Western Wayne’s Max Graci recorded a 43 to claim Low Freshman honors. Wildcat teammate Noah Benson took second with a round of 45.
Taylor and Rowe battled it out for the top spot in the girls’ bracket. Also turning in solid rounds were Forest City’s Aby Plevyak (51) and Kennedy Walker (53), along with Honesdale’s Marley Reynolds (56).
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale Golf Club hosts 2024 Wayne County Commissioners Cup
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