Lusk shoots 67 at Oakmont, wins WPIAL gold
OAKMONT – Peters Township’s Colton Lusk wasn’t fazed in Tuesday’s final round of WPIAL Class 3A Individual Golf Championship at Oakmont Country Club.
Instead, the senior embraced the challenge by firing a 4-under 67 to win his first district title with a two-round total 2-under 141.
“I didn’t think I’d have to shoot 4-under,” said Lusk.
Baldwin’s Michael Quallich and Pine-Richland’s William Hilton shared the silver medal at 3-over 146. Both golfers shot 72 in the final round.
Lusk played the front 9 in 3-under 33. He scored 1-under 34 on the back nine.
“Everything went as smooth except for one hole and that was No. 10. That was a tough hole. I probably should’ve hit 3-wood instead of 2-iron,” Lusk said of his double bogey-6. “That was a tough shot. Everything else was good.”
Oakmont Country Club has taken down more than one good golfer over the years and Lusk was prepared for the lows and highs.
“I knew there were going to be some ups and downs, so my downs I just let go. The ups, I had a lot of them,” said Lusk, who carded seven birdies. “I felt really in control in holes one through five. On Nos. 15 through 18, I just knew I was going in straight and just make the putt.”
Lusk was in control as the final twosome headed into the final three holes, but he managed to stay focused on the task at hand until the final shots.
“I’ve been here before. I just really wanted to hit my shot and let things go,” said Lusk. “It wasn’t hard (to not think ahead) because there was a backup on No. 17, so I just stood around talking to Carson (Kittsley). It got my mind off of things.
“Then, coming down 18 I just had fun with it.”
Teammate Griffin Hansberry earned a berth into the state tournament after he tied for 12th place with a score of 156.
South Fayette’s Sam Bishop tied for ninth place with a two-round total of 153.
Belle Vernon junior Jordan Mocello had to wait around in last week’s first round at Southpointe Golf Club to see if he would sneak into the final round with one of the 36 berths. The leaderboard did move down to envelop Mocello as one of the last to qualify with an 83 for the final.
Mocello was in a similar situation Tuesday after being the first off the tee. He posted one of the stronger rounds of the day with a 3-over 74, but was on the outside looking in until golfers started to roll in and he moved up the leaderboard.
Mocello was sitting in a tie for the 14th and final berth into the PIAA Championship, and got a boost when teammate Seth Tomalski unfortunately bogeyed the final hole and slipped out of the playoff.
Mocello faced Thomas Jefferson freshman Ty Hartman in the playoff on the first hole after both golfers finished with 14-over 157.
Mocello needed only one hole to extend his season.
Mocello hit his tee shot to the left of the fairway and hit his second shot just off the back of the green. The junior nestled his short chip within 10 feet, while Hartman putted past the hole.
Mocello needed a two-putt to advance, but rolled in the par putt.
“I did what I could do,” Mocello said after he completed his round. “Just keep the driver in the fairways on the holes with the driver and the par-4s, just hit 5-iron and 8-iron, instead of going with the driver and wedge.
“I tried to go no more than double bogey. The holes that I bogeyed I got in trouble.”