SHELBY, Ohio — It was just a matter of time until Claire Korbas took up golf.
The game runs in her blood.
A Shelby sophomore who picked up the clubs for the first time just three years ago, Korbas will join All-Ohio teammate and reigning medalist runner-up Alexis Jones at the Division II state tournament Friday and Saturday at Ohio State’s Gray Course. The trip to Columbus should stir memories for Korbas’ father, Tim, who helped lead Shelby to the Class AA state title on the adjacent Scarlet Course in the fall of 1980.
“My dad was either the fourth or fifth scorer on that team and he had a par average,” the affable Korbas said Wednesday at Shelby Country Club. “That team was all par or under.”
The 1980 Whippets stand as arguably the greatest boys golf team in Richland County history. Coach Ken Terman’s team was 23-0 in dual matches and didn’t lose a tournament. The Whippets won the sectional title by 28 strokes, captured the district crown by 21 strokes and fired a team total of 662 in tough playing conditions to easily outdistance runner-up Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary for the state championship. Shelby’s winning score was 13 strokes better than Class AAA champ Wooster.
Shelby’s Jamie Elliott was the individual medalist with a 157, while teammate Doug Ingram was runner-up with a 159. Tim Korbas carded a 176.
“My dad has always been into golf, so that’s how I got started,” said Claire Korbas, whose cousin, Tyler, qualified for the state tournament in 2009. “I’ve grown up around golf. Dad got me started, but after about five days I realized I wanted to be a good golfer, which makes a difference.”
It turns out Claire is a quick study. She shot an 80 at the district at Sycamore Springs after shooting an 83 at the Valley View sectional.
“Claire has really improved her game,” Shelby girls coach Brad Ruminski said. “She has gotten better each year.”
Of course it helps to have one of the state’s premier golfers as a practice partner. Jones finished one stroke from winning a state title last year and is among the favorites to reach the top of the podium this weekend.
“She has been a mentor to me through everything. I can always ask her questions,” Korbas said. “We are good friends and I know her family really well. I just love her to death.
“She has taught me so much.”
The lessons evidently paid off. In a dual match against Lexington earlier this season at Shelby Country Club, Korbas shot a 1-over 37 while Jones carded a 2-over 38.
“It was only once, so I can’t get a huge head about it,” Korbas said. “It made me feel like I have the ability to be a great golfer. It made me feel capable of playing to her level.”
While Jones expects to challenge for a state championship, Korbas has more modest goals in mind for this weekend.
“I just want to do my best and enjoy it,” Korbas said “I know that I’m very fortunate to be here and I’ve worked hard to get here. I just want to have fun.
“I’m never going to have a sophomore year state golf experience again.”
