Par for the course
THS’ Prieskorn shoots an even 144 to earn medalist honors
Texarkana Country Club may have been the big winner in Jay Brewer’s eyes, but San Antonio Alamo Heights and Texas High’s Matt Prieskorn might beg to differ.
Alamo Heights got two birdies from its top two players to beat Marcus in a one-hole playoff to win the annual McLarty Ford/Texas High Tiger Classic. Both schools posted 36-hole totals of 605 in the 16-school field.
Prieskorn was the first round leader with a 2-under-par 70, but had to survive a slow start in Saturday’s final round and Pleasant Grove sophomore Braxton Watkins to win medalist honors with an even par 144 total, one stroke better than Watkins.
“Scores were lower today, but overall I thought the golf course won,” said Texas High’s veteran coach Brewer. “It was a strong field with sixteen schools, we’re going back to
twelve next year. The weather was perfect and the course was great.
“I’m proud of Matt (Prieskorn). It was high first high school tournament win, and I’m sure he’ll have a bunch more. Grayson (Jones) also bounced back a little today.”
While Marcus had more balance, Alamo Heights has Levi Valadez and Mac Meissner, heroes on the playoff hole. Valadez finished low for his team at 146, while Meissner shot 149. John Kellum followed at 153 with Parker Ray the fourth man with 160.
Riley Kovach and Robert Garcia both shot 150 for Marcus, with Alex Clouse at 151 and Bryce Osborne next at 154.
Nobody finished under par, Prieskorn the closest at even par.
“I probably got off to the worst start I could imagine,” Prieskorn said. “I was hitting the ball all over the place, and had of three-putts, too. I had to take a deep breath and say to myself, ‘I haven’t lost it yet.’
“I was four-over on the day after five holes. I made a couple of birdies (16 and 17), and also had a couple of up and downs for par. I birdied the second hole and parred out. I knew going to the last hole that Braxton and I were tied. He had a bad tee shot, and I two-putted for a par to get the win. This course is always tough, but it was a little easier today. Still, scores were not as good as I expected.”
Senior Grayson Jones posted a 74 in the final round for a 155 total. Zayne Madden rebounded with a 76 for 164, Austin Pinkham finished at 160 and Cole Prince 171.
Braden Young was second to Watkins in the Hawks’ lineup with a 73 and 155 total. Tyler Sutherland shot 77 (157), Trevor Edmondson 86 (164) and Jaythan White 88 (176).
The Tigers’ final fall event will be in Denton next week.