PT golf settles for 2nd, 3rd
YORK – The Peters Township boys golf team found an opponent it couldn’t beat Thursday – Mother Nature.
Playing on a windy, rainy day at Heritage Hills Golf Course was just enough to slow the previously unbeaten Indians and allow Radnor High School the opening it needed.
Radnor shot a 312, one stroke better than Peters Township, to win the Class AAA PIAA championship.
“Frustrated,” said Peters Township head coach David Kuhn. “Some of the conditions we were up against were challenging. We didn’t play terrible, but we didn’t play our best, either.”
Making things even more difficult than the weather was the fact only the top four scores counted for the Indians. Peters Township dominated opponents in the regular season thanks to a deep roster in which any of eight to 10 players could be part of a winning effort on a given day.
The Indians could only have five players compete Thursday, negating their depth.
“Playing five and scoring four hurt us,” said Kuhn. “There’s no doubt.”
Senior Alec Stopperich carded a 5-over 76 to lead the Indians, who also got a pair of 78s from senior Connor Schmidt and junior Tanner Johnson. Senior Jake Sollon’s 81 rounded out the scoring.
Brynn Walker had a 73 for Radnor, while Michael Sydnes shot 77, Jake Calamaro 79 and Gabby Kim 83.
Walker and Kim are both female competitors and got to shoot from the women’s tee box.
The Indians’ girls also competed and finished third overall, also by the most narrow of margins.
While North Allegheny ran away with the title, shooting a 353, Peters Township was edged for second by one stroke by Mt. St. Joseph. The Indians shot a 377.
Mia Kness carded a 7-over 79, while Brooke Hilden and Synclaire Kuhn both shot 98. Peyton Schaffer shot 102.
“In the big picture, to do what we’ve done with the boys and girls programs, we’re pretty happy,” said David Kuhn. “We’re on the map. We’ve done what we set out to accomplish. The kids should hold their heads high.”