BUCYRUS — Other high school golf programs have occasional rebuilds.
Galion reloads instead.
If the results of the Bucyrus Elks Invitational are any indication, the Tigers’ beat goes on in 2024 — and beyond.
Led by a pair of 78s from Nate McMullen and Chase Dininger, the Tigers won the trophy with a team score of 318 at the Golf Club of Bucyrus on Monday. Galion edged second-place Wynford, which came in with 333.
Veteran Tigers’ coach Bryce Lehman is not surprised.
“The kids put in a lot of work this summer, with tournaments and just playing every day, practicing every day,” Lehman said. “I think all of these guys played tournaments this summer.
“The tournament experience is where it’s at,” Lehman continued. “Not just the heart of Ohio Tournament but playing two-day tournaments and traveling to see some of the better competition.”
The program has made several trips to the state tournament in recent years and that precedent has kept the interest in golf high in Galion.
“I think the blueprint that guys like Jack McElligott and Mitch Dyer (set) — the first year we went (to state),” Lehman said. “We get 15 or more every year in the junior high program. Kids are just itching to play/ It’s fun to watch.”
After his team’s rough start to the season, Wynford coach Michael Powers was pleased with his team’s progress to finish second.
“Our first tournament of the year — the N10 Shootout — disappointing was about the nicest word you can use for that,” Powers said. “We were all upset about getting fourth to start the year. But we bounced back at Buckeye (Central), shooting our best round in three years, 318.”
The coach was particularly pleased with the consistency of his team.
“We had five scores, all in the 80s,” Powers said. “If you aww that, you’re not going to go home mad.”
That meant that the Royals’ drop score was an 87 by Briar Ridge. Wes Prenger led the way, firing an 80. Wynford had a second team in the 14-team field which finished ninth with a 383.
Upper Sandusky’s Brock Montgomery was medalist with a sparkling two-under-par 70, leading the Rams to a third-place finish with a 338. Chase Smith of River Valley was next with 77.
“Bryce has those guys every year. It’s the same team,” Powers said, alluding to Galion’s recent consistency. “I was joking around with him. ‘I thought this was a rebuilding year.’ That’s not the case. It never is over there, it seems like.”
“These guys take it serious,” Lehman said. “We have our fun, but it’s a pretty serious group. They just go out and let the scores speak for themselves.”
Team scores
- Galion 318
- Wynford 1 333
- Upper Sandusky 338
- Ontario 359
- River Valley 374
- Northmor 374
- East Knox 374
- Colonel Crawford 379
- Wynford 2 383
- Seneca East 399
- Buckeye Central 415
- Bucyrus 439
- St. Peter’s 454
- Plymouth 492