BEVERLY - In a pretty fitting scenario, Wildcat golfer Brandyn Offenberger shot a 69 to medal in the Waterford Invitational Wednesday at Lakeside Golf Course.
"I've just been firing at the pins," Offenberger said. "Then just try to get it on and put it in."
As a team, the Wildcats finished third (329) in the White Division, which consisted of Division III schools. Offenberger led the team, followed by Cam Bosner with 83, Randee Seevers with 88, and Brent Ginther with 89.
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JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times
Warren’s Michael Sams putts during Waterford Invitational golf action at Lakeside Golf Course Wednesday. Warren won and MHS?was runner-up.
"It's great," said Waterford head coach Josh Arnold. "We had an older group last year and didn't do this well. I'm tickled with this performance."
Finishing first was Belpre (313). The Golden Eagles were led by Sam Petty, who shot a 72, the second best individual performance of the day. Alex Perry shot a 77, Brennan Ferrell a 78, and Hayden Plummer an 86. Bishop Rosecrans (320) finished second thanks to a 75 from Tyler Johnston, 77 from Elliot Stark, and an 84 from Jaym Klutsbech and Kaleb Rousch.
In the Green Division, which consisted of Division I and II schools, the Warren Warriors finished at the top with a team score of 301.
"We just talked about getting off to a better start and finishing stronger, and we did that," said Warren head coach Nathan Evans. "My guys are pretty familiar with this course, so I thought we might come here and shoot well."
The Warriors were paced by Michael Sams, who shot a 73. Zach McKenna shot a 75, Adam Lang a 76, and Reece Patton a 77. Steve Farley was Warren's fifth player. Each team only used its top four scores. Farley shot a 79, which would have made the cut for just about every other school.
Sams, whose 73 was the third best score at the tournament, was pleasantly surprised with his individual effort.
"I came in, I thought Zach (McKenna) was gonna out shoot me," Sams said. "I feel pretty good. After six holes I was three under, but then it kinda went downhill a little bit. I was able to pick it back up, though. Coach (Evans) talked me through it and settled me down a bit."
Sams credited a shot on his final hole that helped his score.
"On my last hole, No. 7, I hit a decent drive into the middle of the fairway," Sams said. "It was about 100 (yards) in. I hit a sand wedge within about five feet of the green, and I knew if I could birdie I'd be at a 73, which would be a good spot in the tournament."
The second place team in the Green Division was the John Doughty-led Marietta Tigers. Jared Hammons led the way with a 74. Jeffrey Hensler shot a 77, followed by Nick Thieman with a 78 and Garrett Bertram with an 82.
Although 74 was one of the better scores at the outing, Hammons thought he could have played a little better.
"It's not what I was looking for today," Hammons said. "It is what it is. You can't win 'em all. I just didn't have it today.
While hole 7 was kind to Sams, Hammons did not have as good of an experience.
"It was kind of an unfortunate situation on No. 7," Hammons said. After hitting his drive, Hammons was unable to locate his ball. After a lengthy search, Hammons ended up taking a penalty stroke and teeing off again, shooting a five for bogey.
"I think I showed my maturity," Hammons said. "I was able to make a five. Anytime you lose a ball and shoot a bogey, it's always a plus."
Finishing third in the Green Division was Maysville (324).
The Panthers had Slade Mattingly, Jake Kuhn, and Luke Engle all shoot 80, with Andrew Waters at 84.
The top three teams in each division received trophies.
The top five scorers were named first team all-tournament and the next five were named second team all-tournament.
Named to the first team were Offenberger, Petty, Sams, Hammons and Johnston. The second team was McKenna, Lang, Shon Smith (76) of Fort Frye, Gage Bosson (76) of Coshocton, and Elliot Stark (77) of Rosecrans.
