FINDLAY — The golf course Clear Fork encountered Thursday was nothing like the one the Colts played during Wednesday’s practice round.
It was much tougher.
Clear Fork shot a 346 at Red Hawk Run in Findlay to finish fourth at the Division II district tournament.
Bellevue won the event with a 327 while Lima Bath was second at 332, earning the two state qualifying spots up for grabs. Rossford (337) was third.
“We came up and played a practice round (Wednesday) and when we got here today the conditions were completely different,” Clear Fork coach Jeff Gottfried said. “The wind was really blowing. The course played really tough.”
The Colts were led by No. 5 Jake Smith with an 83. Dakotah McClain carded an 84 and Devon Shortridge shot an 88. Luke Watson had a 91 and Nick Schoonyan shot a 96.
“It’s hard to convince young kids that even though they shot a 42 on the first nine, they are still in contention,” Gottfried said. “They think unless they are in the 30s, they are out of it. You’ve just got to keep playing.”
Clear Fork will lose two seniors in Smith and Schoonyan. Thursday’s experience should serve the Colts well.
“For our younger guys, playing in the district was a great learning experience,” Gottfried said. “When they got on the first tee, I could tell they were nervous. They said, ‘Yeah, coach, we were scared to death.’ If they get back here next year, they will have a different feeling standing on the first tee.”
Galion’s Evan Huggins competed as an individual at Red Hawk Run. Huggins shot a 90.
