Have Clubs, Will Travel: Boys, Girls State Golf Preview

Katie Botsis, OHSAA Sports Information Intern, October 07, 2009 2:07 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of the OHSAA)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With sectional and district action underway, the top high school golfers in Ohio are playing to keep their state championship dreams alive. Five teams and five medalists will again be crowned this year at the state tournaments that take place later this month. The girls Division II, along with the boys Divisions II and III tournaments will be held next weekend (Oct. 16 and 17), while the Division I titles will be handed out the following weekend (Oct. 23 and 24).

The first weekend will feature two tournament sites. One will continue its storied history with the OHSAA, while the other will play host for the first time.

The Ohio State Golf Club, renovated under the direction of the legendary Jack Nicklaus in 2005 and 2006, will once again host four of the five championships this season.

"Golfers work all year long, aiming to play at the Scarlet and Gray courses," said Jim Brown, tournament manager for the Ohio State Golf Club. "Ohio State provides two competitive courses that often produce very exciting finishes."

With the addition of the girls Division II tournament last year, a second course was needed to host one of the championships. Northstar Resort in Sunbury will be that course this season, playing host to the boys Division II tournament. The 320-acre course features five sets of tees and can play as long as 7,531 yards, making it one of the longest courses in Ohio. For the state tournament this year the course will play at 6,796 yards.

Last year's tournament featured two schools winning their first state championship in girl's golf. Poland Seminary won the first ever Division II state title, while Mason took the Division I title, tying a state record in the process. Mason's team score of 630 tied the mark that Dublin Coffman set back in 2000.

In the boys divisions, Sugarcreek Garaway won its second-consecutive Division III title and third in the last five years thanks once again to individual medalist winner Kevin Miller. Hunting Valley University School won its third consecutive title in Division II, while Cincinnati St. Xavier won the Division I title for the first time since 1995.

This year the tournaments will be played almost a week later than last year, and when golf is being played late in October, weather is always a concern.

"You always hate to have a championship decided in poor conditions, but this year we're very optimistic about the weather," Brown said. "We make sure to set the course according to the weather, so that the best team will win."

Admission for the tournaments will be $9, and golfers will tee off at 9:00 A.M. at all locations.