Pirate golfers 7th at sectionals; Speicher advances to districts

By Cort Reynolds

KALIDA – The Bluffton High School boys golf team finished seventh out of 13 teams in the Div. III sectional tournament at Moose Landing Country Club on Thursday, September 26.

Napoleon won the sectional team championship by one shot with 316 strokes. Ottawa-Glandorf was a very close second at 317 strokes, followed by St. Marys in third (321).

The top three teams made it to districts, along with the top three individuals not on qualifying teams.

Pirate ace Evan Speicher finished a strong fourth in the 64-player field with a round of 35-41=76 to qualify for the district tournament. He was the top individual finisher not on a top-three team.

Upper Sandusky’s Brock Montgomery won the sectional individual title with an 18-hole round of 34-36=70.

Bluffton ended up seventh in the tightly-bunched field with 346 strokes. 

Pirate Nick Lovett finished 35th with a score of 45-44=89.  Grady Coonfare was third for the Pirates with a score of 45-45=90. He tied for 37th place.

Ethan Fifer shot a 45-46=91 to end up 39th.

Gibson Meyer carded a 45-51=96 to come in 50th place.  

Team results  (*district qualifier):

1. Napoleon* 316 strokes

2. Ottawa-Glandorf* 317 

3. St. Marys Memorial* 321 

4. Van Wert 324

5. Coldwater 326

6. Liberty-Benton 338

7. Bluffton 346

8. Kenton 350

9. Elida 358

10. Upper Sandusky 360

11. Paulding 363

12. Bath 391

13. Fostoria 522