Golf enters post-season play
By Lenny Sementi
Claire Ring and Lainey Banta advanced to the second round of the IHSA post season thanks to a big effort this past Tuesday, Oct. 2 a few miles south at Charleston Country Club. The duo represented Tuscola’s girls’ golf team well, both placing in the top ten individually allowing them to advance to the Auburn Sectional and just one step shy of state tournament qualification.
Both moved on as individuals despite the Warriors’ inability to score as a team, lacking a fourth scoring golfer. Three teams move out of the regional and the top ten performers, not on one of the advancing teams, take the next step toward a state berth, as well.
Ring shined on the 6,200-yard par 72 course taking sixth overall and second as an individual qualifier in a regional that boasted some of the top teams in the state. The senior is making the most of her final year in the black and gold on the links firing a 93. Banta ended her day in 15th overall and eighth individually, carding a 112 and securing her spot at the Auburn Sectional. They will both take on the Edgewood Country Club in Auburn on Monday, Oct. 8 for a chance to continue their season. Once again, the top ten individually that are not on a qualifying team will move on to state. Whitney Root was close, ending her day in the top 20 individuals out of more than 80 golfers.
The boys teed it up one last time one day earlier on Monday, Oct. 1 at the Windsor Regional at the 6,152-yard par 71 Fox Prairie Country Club. They ended their day in ninth place overall as a team. Leading the way was sophomore Mathew Erickson who took 14th as an individual, finishing a few spots short of sectional qualification penciling in a 97, firing a 47 on the front nine and a 50 on the back. Classmate Tyler Bialeschki was next up ending his day in the field’s top 20 individually with a 107. Brody Good was the third scorer for coaches Doug Bauer and Toby Ring, while Cory Dunn was the fourth. Landon Banta and Coulson Poffenberger served as alternates if needed.