LCC takes team, individual honors in Contini Memorial Tournament

BATH TOWNSHIP - One week into the high school golf season and the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds are already in mid-season form.

The Thunderbirds won the Rob Contini Memorial City High School golf tournament at Hawthorne Hills Golf Course with an even-par 288.

LCC was 37 shots better than runner-up Shawnee, which shot 325.  Elida finished third at  361. Spencerville and Bath each fired a 392 while Perry (400) and Allen East (414) rounded out the scoring.

"We played very well," LCC coach Tom Bader said. "We have been playing well ever since we started practice. They play all summer and work on their games."

The T-Birds strong showing left little doubt about which team was the best, but it took a five-hole playoff to decide the medalist between two LCC golfers.

Senior teammates T.J. Sims and John Goetz each shot 70 to lead the Thunderbirds. Sims took medalist honors after his birdie putt on hole 14.

Oliver Holtsberry had a 73 and Austin Stolly and Brandon French each shot 75 for LCC.

"I played pretty well, hit the driver well and hit a lot of greens," Sims said. "Winning this tournament means a lot. It's a tradition and it takes a lot of work."

After Sims and Goetz each hit the fairway with their tee shot on 14, Sims second shot was within two feet of the hole. Sims tapped in to win the medalist honors.

"I knew I had to hit a good shot," Sims said. "I tried for the middle of the green and it worked out. It was the same spot as earlier (in the round)."

Bader said the short game is the difference between shooting in the 70's and 80's.

"The short game is the main part of the game," Bader said. "You have to be able to make the putt and make the chip."

Goetz feels his short game was helped him put up his score.

"I made a lot of four and five footers to score," Goetz said. "I've been playing really well this last week and I didn't want to shoot anything over par today.

Shawnee was led Cody Kopilchack who shot a 77. Elida's J.J. Jackson shot a team-best 74. The Bearcats were led by Trevor Crites, who shot an 84 while Cody McDaniel led Bath with an 89.  Perry's Steven Lynch shot a 90 and Allen East was led by Seth McClintock, who shot a 102.

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