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Evan Standohar leads Girard win
By RYAN W. BUCK
VIENNA
Evan Standohar retreated into the comforts of the Candywood Golf Club clubhouse Tuesday afternoon weary, drenched and carrying several pounds of water in his black Puma cleats.
The strong rains and inclement conditions didn’t faze the Girard junior on the golf course, however, as he took home the day’s individual crown and led the Indians to the All-American Conference National Division and overall team title.
While others struggled in the rain soaking the water-logged course, Standohar battled his way to an even-par 72 to earn the overall medalist honor for the tournament.
“Mentally, you’ve got to be ready to go when you have conditions like this,” Standohar said. “You’ve got to be 110 percent focused, try and block everything out. I thought that if I played the game of golf that I know I can play, then any score that’s good is in play. I did today.”
Newton Falls, with an aggregate 320, finished second to Girard in the National Division.
In the American Division, Poland, under coach Dave Digicomo, scored 316 to win the American Division title, 13 strokes ahead of Hubbard and Austintown Fitch.
Like most of their events, the Girard team performance hinges on the performance of the Standohar family. Evan’s cousin, Jimmy (75), and brother, Mark (82), also posted strong scores, along with Nick Krajcirik’s 86, to clinch the overall team title with an aggregate 315.
“Each team out here always has that one kid that’s always gonna go low or do very well. Every team in our league has a guy or two, but I’m fortunate enough to have three of them,” first-year Girard golf coach Josh Marsh said.
Marsh was very pleased with how his team handled the weather and the course.
“For these guys to get up and know, and not just my team, they’d have to come out here and play in the conditions there are with the rain and the wind; it’s ever-changing in one minute it’s sunny out and the next you’re in a torrential downpour and the next thing, it’s a 20 mile per hour wind to go with it.
“The thing that impressed me the most with my team was how they didn’t let the elements bother them,” Marsh said.
“I went out and made sure the kids had their umbrellas, their rain gloves, all the gear. I told them, ‘Hey, everyone’s got to play in these conditions.’”
Mark Passarello and Dave Shoffstall led Poland with 75 and 78 scores.
“With the quality of competition that’s out here, it’s always nice to win your league,” Digiacomo said. “I was proud of the way the kids persevered today through some pretty tough elements.”
Digiacomo emphasized his players’ concentration on only the shots at hand.
“I think the biggest thing is just to grind it out,” Digiacomo said. “You’re going to hit bad shots, you’re going to have bad holes. If you stay in it mentally, I think you can find your way through it, knowing others are having the same struggles.”
The All-American Conference girls tournament takes place today at Tamer Win Golf and Country Club.