Lovelass tops at sectionals
Galway senior overall medalist, one of 18 to automatically advance to state qualifier
Experience and talent won out over unfamiliarity Tuesday as the Section II Class B and C/D golf championships took place at Fairways of Halfmoon.
A first-time venue for sectionals, Fairways proved to be a stern test for the 56 players, but those high on the leaderboards have state tournament pedigree.
Overall medalist Ryan Lovelass, a senior from Galway, shot a 3-over-par 75 under wet, windy conditions. Lovelass made the nine-player Section II state team as a sophomore, but he missed by two strokes last season.
“I’ve played here in the past,” he said. “I didn’t come and play a practice round, but I felt pretty comfortable with the course.”
The top 25 percent and ties in each class (C/D are combined) advanced to the A-B-C-D state qualifier Tuesday at Orchard Creek. Lovelass earned C/D medalist honors over Hoosick Falls golfers Mathew Smith (78) and Ryan Bloomer (79).
“We played a match here this year,” Smith said. “I played a practice round and a couple of other matches in the past year. It was a little windy. Big greens, and they ’re pretty quick.”
Smith and Bloomer both advanced to the state tournament last season. Bloomer also made it two years ago as a sophomore.
“I do like that course a lot,” Bloomer said of Orchard Creek. “(Hitting well) off the tee helps. Hitting the fairways helps a lot.”
Hoosick Falls (252) captured the team title by 28 strokes over defending champion Duanesburg, which was the only school
that fielded a full team last year. The rules were changed so that C/D schools needed only three players to post a team total.
In Class B, where four scores were needed in the team championship, Ichabod Crane (366) won its second straight title, beating Broadalbin-perth (387). They were the only schools able to post team scores.
Ichabod Crane’s Trevor Wolfe, a two-time state qualifier, and Hudson Falls’ Ben Swartz were co-medalists with 81.
A total of five in Class B and 12 in Class C/D earned automatic berths. Others who failed to make the top 25 percent in their class still could advance, pending scores in the Class A championship here Thursday. There are 72 qualified to play in that event.
All qualifiers will play an 18hole round Tuesday at Orchard Creek. The top 20 will return to the Altamont course Thursday for another 18 to determine the nine-player state team.