Sometimes in golf, playing to avoid big mistakes is the best strategy.
Archbishop Hoban followed that strategy in tough conditions on Day 2 of the Division I state golf tournament and claimed its second state championship in four years.
Chris Pollak led the way for the Knights, winning the individual title.
Hoban didn’t have its best day Tuesday at NCR Country Club’s South Course in Kettering. However, the rest of the field suffered worse than the Knights.
Hoban shot a round of 300 Tuesday, which was low score of the round, to finish with a two-day total of 595 (35 over). The Knights won the state title by 17 strokes, as day one leader Olentangy Liberty shot a round of 320 to finish runner-up at 612.
“The golf course was extremely firm. Today, the temperature dropped and we had some rain,” Hoban coach Quinn Parker said. “We had a pretty good game plan going into the day. We wanted everyone to focus on their own game. We told them to block out that noise and we’d let them know what they needed to do down the stretch.
“It’s a really special group. We have four seniors in the starting five. They knew they were going to get the job done. They carried us for two days. Today its about honoring our seniors.”
As one of those four seniors, Pollak exemplified Hoban’s approach.
Pollak shot 71 for a second straight day to finish as tournament medalist at 2-over 142.
“They said their only goal was concentrate on winning the team title,” Parker said. “Chris is one of the hardest working kid I’ve ever met. It couldn’t happen to a better person. He worked harder than anyone I know. He played an amazing round of golf.”
Kent Roosevelt’s Liam Curtis finished as state runner-up. He shot 73 and finished at 4-over 144, one stroke ahead of Round 1 leader Michael Spanaro, Bellbrook’s CJ Scohy and Thomas Worthington’s Jack Flores.
Spagnaro of St. Xavier shot 77 to finish with Scohy and Flores at 5-over 145 after leading the field by three shots after Day 1.
Hoban benefited from none of its scoring golfers finishing above 80 in the second round. After a tough first day, Ray Dress shot a 72 and finished at 149. Hoban also got a 150 from Braden Herstich, a 154 from Brett Bagatti and a 159 from Ben Berridge.
Hudson went through a rough second round, along with the rest of the field, and shot 324 to finish at 631 (71 over).
Sam Fauver closed out his high school career with second straight round of 76 to lead Hudson at 152. Ben Fauver was two strokes behind at 154 (74-80), while Hudson got 163s from Jerry Du and Adam Ruffer and a 168 from Barrett Atchison.
Rounding out the boys tournament, Revere’s Tommy Kinder tied for 29th individually at 159. He improved by one stroke from his first round with a 79.
OHSAA high school state gole: Hoban boys second, Highland girls third after Day 1
Highland’s Elizabeth Coleman takes runner-up at girls state golf
Meanwhile on the North Course at NCR, Highland closed its season with a fourth-place finish in the girls team standings.
Highland shot a round of 328 Tuesday to finished with a score of 643 (83 over). New Albany overtook Highland for third place late on Day 2, shooting a round of 322 to finish at 641.
“It just drizzled all day. It was cold. It was kind of miserable, but we went out there and battled,” Highland coach Mary Becker said. “I think our team overachieved and performed all season. I think we surprised a lot of people this year. Our girls really stepped up and worked hard in the offseason.”
Magnificat ran away the Division I girls title, shooting a round of 310 to finish at 618, beating runner-up Dublin Jerome by 16 strokes.
Junior Elizabeth Coleman led the Hornets by tying for second individually. Coleman shot 75 to finish at 146 (6-over). She tied with Olentangy’s Meadow Tian for second.
“Elizabeth wanted to win,” Becker said. “She was our only kid that had ever played at NCR. She pulled our whole team together before the round and then led by example once we started playing. It’s an amazing result. She’s got another crack at this next year.”
Cincinnati Sycamore’s Eva Becerill claimed the girls individual title thanks to the best round of the day, male or female. Becerill shot 68 to finish at 143.
Highland’s other scorers were Avery Albright (74-79-153), Kendall Sprutte (82-86-168), Mirabella Shelton (88-88-176) and Miley Tylicki (92-97-189).
Walsh Jesuit finished in 10th as team at 699 (351-348).
Walsh was led by Sarah Vojkto at 160 (82-78), followed by Yumi Kohara (170), Gianna Rodenhauser (181), Vivian Eich (189) and Colleen Stadler (190).
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hoban, Chris Pollak win OHSAA boys golf state championships
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