Terlesky ties for ninth in state golf tournament

October 23, 2016 at 12:07a.m.

Brian Terlesky admits he was a little disappointed on Friday when the Division I state golf tournaments were reduced from two-day events to 18 holes on Saturday. Friday’s blustery weather forced the Ohio High School Athletic Association to rain out the first half of competition.

“Having only one day is kind of a bummer,” the Boardman High School junior said of playing only one round on Ohio State University’s Scarlet Golf Course. “You want to play two days in a row with your teammates.

“It’s good feeling when your team [starts well] and is on a run.”

Saturday, Terlesky shot a 76 to tie with six other golfers for ninth place. In team competition, the Spartans finished sixth, shooting 318, 15 strokes behind state champion Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Two of Terlesky’s teammates — junior Cade Kreps and sophomore Cole Christman — shot 79s to tie for 30th. With 84, junior Bryan Kordupel tied for 48th while Bobby Jonda tied for 59th with an 87.

In the girls tournament on OSU’s Gray Course, Boardman senior Jacinta Pikunas shot a 78 to tie for 15th place with eight others. Canfield sophomore Hannah Keffler was three strokes back to tie for 24th place.

A year ago, Pikunas finished state runner-up. She said going to one round “definitely changed the dynamic of the tournament” but immediately added that’s not an excuse.

“Personally, I prefer a two-or-a-three-day tournament,” Pikunas said.

Last year, she was three strokes behind after the first day.

“I had a lead to chase,” she said of her comfort zone.

Terlesky and Pikunas said conditions were not what you hope for on the final day of golf season.

“It was a grind,” said Terlesky who added he is sporting “a little windburn. There was some sun today, but it was so cold. Some of the gusts were 30 miles per hour.”

For Pikunas, the biggest difference was the condition of the greens, explaining that Ohio State’s Gray “is known for having the fastest greens. “They usually are the quickest greens I play all year,” she said.

Friday’s rain saturated the putting surfaces.

“They were very, very wet,” Pikunas said. “I struggled on the greens. They were so opposite of [normal].

“It seemed like I was leaving everything short of the hole,” said Pikunas who will play for the University of Akron next year. “But getting the ball to stay on the greens was easier.”

A year ago, the Boardman boys finished seventh and Terlesky tied for 15th place.

“It’s progress,” Terlesky said. “Obviously, it’s not what we wanted.

“We’re gonna get better for next year.”

Terlesky said he felt “pretty good” as his round progressed.

“What hurt me is I did not make any birdies,” Terlesky said.

His round started off with two bogeys in the first four holes.

“That’s not the most ideal start,” Terlesky said.

Eventually he made eight straight pars which boosted his confidence.

“Every time you make par, that’s one battle down,” Terlesky said. “Pars are your friends out there.”

Pikunas closes her varsity career with four trips to the state tournament.

“I feel blessed to make it all four years,” Pikunas said. “Competing at state is great experience. Last year’s second place was incredible and I was hoping to top it.

“But I’ve learned [from this],” she said. ”It’s taught me a lot and I have so many good memories.”