Lohr advances to boys Class AA golf championship
BEALLSVILLE – Carmichaels’ Remmey Lohr advanced to the WPIAL and PIAA girls golf championships last year, while her older sister Delaney just missed the cut in the boys’ section qualifier.
The two reversed places this time with Delaney Lohr, a senior, playing in the girls section qualifier Wednesday and Remmey, a junior, seeking a berth out of the boys’ Section 8-AA qualifier.
Remmey Lohr sliced out a piece of history when she not only earned a berth into next week’s Class AA championship, but did so as medalist at Nemacolin Country Club with a 6-over 78.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Kyle Clayton needed to one-putt the final green to hit the target score of 81, and the junior did just that to join Lohr in the WPIAL Class AA Boys Individual Championship at Allegheny Country Club on Sept. 25.
“It’s more of a big deal. No girl has qualified in the boys qualifier before,” said Lohr of this year’s qualifier.
Lohr went out in 1-under after closing the front nine with a bogey and par save. She had three birdies and two bogeys.
Lohr kept rolling on the back nine until she reached No. 15.
“I took an eight on No. 15. I was hitting my driver so straight and I hit into the woods,” said Lohr.
Lohr recovered to finish with a 7-over 41 on the back.
Lohr was third in WPIAL Class AA Championship last year and 14th in the state. Lohr entered the qualifier as just a round of golf at Nemacolin Country Club.
“I had no expectations,” said Lohr. “I made states last year.
“I think (the WPIAL championship) is just gravy for me. From then on, whatever I do, I do.”
Clayton was in great position after 14 holes, sitting at 3-over after back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12 and 13. But, things went astray on No. 15.
The junior then started adding up the numbers.
“I was doing the math in my head and that was not a good thing,” explained Clayton. “I was thinking too much. I was a little worried after No. 15.”
Things continued to turn for the worse for Clayton when he took a double bogey on No. 16.
“I had three strokes and two holes to play,” said Clayton.
Clayton really pushed the math on the finishing hole when he hit his tee shot out of bounds.
“I pulled my hybrid out of bounds and had to retee,” said Clayton. “I hit a tree (on his approach shot) and got a break.”
Clayton chipped down hill across the green for an uphill putt.
“Below the hole gives you a chance,” said Clayton.
Clayton had an idea of what he wanted to accomplish in the qualifier, especially knowing what he had to shoot.
“I wanted to get into the top five,” said Clayton. “(The target score) makes it a little more difficult. I was thinking too much on what I had to shoot.”
Now, his next individual round of golf will be for a WPIAL championship.
“My coach (John Curtis) said (Allegheny Country Club) is nice. I’ve never played it.”
Waynesburg’s Ray Behm missed the target score by one stroke, finishing with an 82 (41-41). He had a couple of unfortunate putts not fall, including one on the seventh green that dipped into the cup, but horseshoed out.
Charleroi’s Zach Summers and Carmichaels’ Bradley Walker both shot 85 on the par-72 course.
In other boys section qualifiers:
Section 2-AAA – Three Belle Vernon golfers advanced to the WPIAL semifinals out of the qualifier held at Victory Hills Golf Course. The Leopards’ Patrick Bush was the medalist with a 73. Teammate Jake Caldwell shot 74. Tyler Mocello was right on the target score of 80 for a berth into the semifinals. Seth Callaway, from host Ringgold, shot a 77 for his first trip to the semifinals.
Section 7-AAA – Six Peters Township golfers advanced to the semifinals and South Fayette’s Luke Lestini was medalist at the sectional held at Lindenwood Golf Club. Lestini shot 4-under 68 to win by four strokes. Peters Township advanced Christian Schreiber (75), Andrew Poon (76), Nick Luniewski (77), Ellian Ascencio (79), Logan Shaw (80) and Mason Takacs (82). Advancing from Trinity were Andrew Ciotto (79) and Milan Molinari (80). James Cavrak (80) will join Lestini as South Fayette’s representatives in the semifinals.
Section 4-AA - Chartiers-Houston teammates Jack Hritsko and Spencer Kane qualified for the WPIAL championship by finishing 1-2 at the sectional held at Chippewa Golf Course. Hristko finished first overall with a 77 and Kane followed with a 78. They were two of three who advanced from the sectional.
Sports editor Chris Dugan contributed to this story.