Canfield’s Timko returns to state golf tourney

A junior, he competed the first two years for Warren JFK before transferring.

By GREG GULAS

Vindicator Correspondent

CANFIELD — If the old adage, the third time is the charm, is true, then expect Canfield High’s Boo Timko to draw attention this weekend at the Division I boys golf tournament Columbus.

A junior, Timko will make his third consecutive trip to the state tournament and his first representing the Cardinals.

His first two trips, as a member of the Warren JFK team, drew mixed reviews from his harshest critic, himself.

He said he learned a lot in the two previous tournaments.

“Your goal is always to try and make it to the state and once you get there, you just hope to do well while keeping yourself in striking distance as the tournament winds down,” he said.

“Two years, ago as a freshman, it was a really great experience despite playing in such cold weather. Last year I didn’t fare as well overall as I would have liked to, making a few bad decisions and taking a few too many risks.

“This year, however, the key will be to just play smart and see how it pans out over the two-day competition,” Timko said.

Twelve teams and 12 individuals qualified for the 36-hole tournament, which will be played at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course, beginning Friday and concluding Saturday.

Timko qualified by carding a 72 at Brunswick’s Pine Hills Golf Course, earning top honors at the district tournament.

That total was just two strokes off the pace of Mount Vernon’s Charlie Phillips (70) and a stroke in back of Korey Ward (71) of West Chester Lakota among the 12 individual qualifiers.

The Cardinals were 16-4 overall this season, capturing the All-America Conference Red Division championship.

Canfield coach Mike Murphy said his first-year player has had a positive impact on the team.

“We work out all year, starting in January twice a week at the Golf Dome while lifting weights on the other days,” he said.

“Boo has meant a great deal to us this season; the way he plays the game; his high golf IQ and his course management.

“He hits the right clubs off the tees, is well-schooled and the other players on the team watch his quiet leadership.

“He’s the most fundamentally sound player that I have seen. You don’t shoot the scores that he has shot without being fundamentally sound,” Murphy said.

Timko shot an even-par 72 at the sectional tournament at Candywood Golf Course.

At the district meet, which featured 20 teams and 100 golfers, he rallied from an early hole to finish atop the leader board.

“On a day with a 32 degree wind chill factor and some very tough playing conditions, Boo started the day 3 over par on the first four holes,” said Murphy. “[He] went 3 under par on the next five holes to pull even and then finished with nine straight pars to secure top honors.

“That’s total determination and heart. As I walked with both Herb Page, the head golf coach at Kent State and Donnie Darr, the head coach at Ohio State, both agreed that he is one of the top high school juniors in the state; possibly the top-ranked junior this year,” Murphy added.

The Scarlet Course is a very challenging course.

Murphy likens the course to Avalon Golf Course, calling it a real 7,000-plus yard challenge.

“It is one of the finest collegiate courses in the country, no doubt about it. Jim Brown, the former Buckeyes golf coach, specifically sets it up to challenge the players in order to identify the best golfers.

“It’s a very tough course but after Boo’s practice round [today], he should be ready to go,” Murphy said.