By Mike Phillips
Contributing sportswriter
Returning to the golf course under conditions that could only be described as brutal, the three-time defending Class 1 state champion Sacred Heart Gremlin golf team went 2-1 in their season-opening quadrangular Monday afternoon at the Sedalia Country Club.
Perennial state contender Tipton, who lost four times to Sacred Heart in 2012, won the match with a 175. Sacred Heart was 18 strokes back with a 193. Cole Camp finished third with a 196 and Lincoln was fourth with a 220.
Senior James Lucchesi, the only returning golfer from the last three state championship teams at Sacred Heart, led the Gremlins with a 10-over-par 45. Patrick Hoffman carded a 48, Michael Hohne a 51 and freshman Devin Grose had a round of 52.
“Conditions were a little tough,” said first-year Gremlin golf coach Steve Goodwin, who switched over to golf after leading the Gremlin baseball team for the past 14 seasons. “With better conditions, I’m hoping those scores drop. Overall, it was a pretty good opening day for us.”
Deceivingly sunny skies were shrouded by cold temperatures and a brisk wind that roared out of the north at 30 to 35 miles an hour. The cold conditions didn’t allow any of the golfers to get solid grips on their clubs and the wind played havoc with the accuracy of their shots throughout the match.
David Martin led Cole Camp with a 9-over-par 44. Mathew Von Holten carded a 47, Karston Luchini a 51 and Zack Esselman a 54. Alex Pritzel’s round of 59 did not count toward the Bluebirds’ team total.
Sacred Heart, 2-1 on the season, travel to Marshall Thursday to take on Marshall and Warrensburg in a triangular at Indian Foothills Park. Photos by Randy Kirby, Sedalia News Journal.
