Galion freshman Jack McElligott fired a 37 to win the match medal and lead Galion to victory over North Union in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference boys golf action on Wednesday at the Galion Country Club.
The Tigers defeated the Wildcats by 43 strokes, 175-218.
“Tonight (Wednesday), was a much needed win,” said Galion head coach Bryce Lehman. “We have lost by 10 or less strokes in several matches this season. This was a make-up match with North Union and I kept stressing to my men to play against the course and they did so for the most part.”
McElligott recorded a birdie on No. 10 and followed that up with a long chip for par on No. 16, which drew praise from Lehman.
“I am really impressed with Jack’s 37 tonight,” said Lehman. “He played holes 12-16 at even par which is a difficult stretch of holes. He is really playing well the second half of the season and he’s only a freshman. The nice thing is he had some much needed support tonight, too.”
Three other Tigers ended their rounds in the 40s against North Union. Nick Kruger shot 43. Brevin Owens finished at 47 and Mitch Dyer carded 48.
“Nick has the potential to shoot upper 30s to low 40s every time he tees it up,” Lehman stated. “Brevin and Mitch played to their averages to help in beating North Union tonight. All four of those kids can go low if they just stay focused.”
Sam Rigdon shot 53 and Colton Skaggs shot 54 against North Union.
Blaine Keckler led the Wildcats with a round of 52.
In a home match played Tuesday against Fairbanks and Cardington-Lincoln, Galion finished second. Fairbanks won the match after shooting 170. The Tigers carded 179 and the Pirates finished at 218.
Todd Crowe of Fairbanks won the match medal with a round of 38. McElligott finished with a 41 for Galion. Austin Yake was Cardington-Lincoln’s top player, shooting 44.
Kruger and Dyer each finished at 44 for the Tigers. Rigdon and Owens each carded 50 and Kaleb Harsh shot 62.
“Tuesdays loss was a tough one to swallow against our league opponent Fairbanks,” Lehman said. “We had three scores below 45 which was excellent for us. The problem we had was once again not being able to finish a nine-hole round.”
Lehman said the Tigers were 19-over par on holes eight and nine. Fairbanks finished at 6-over par on the final two holes.
“Galion Country Club is our home course and those last two holes are not that difficult,” Lehman noted. “If we can someday reach our full potential, we will be shooting lower scores obviously, but also we will be able to pick up some more wins. We picked up the non-league win against Cardington but picking up a double tonight would have been sweet.”
The Tigers open postseason play Oct. 1 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, which features a par-71 course measuring 6,700 yards. The rest of the field features Bellevue, Clear Fork, Clyde, Edison, Oak Harbor, Ontario, Port Clinton, Shelby, Upper Sandusky, Vermilion and Willard.
“We will certainly have to stay focused at Sawmill if we are going to have a chance of advancing to districts at Red Hawk Run,” Lehman said. “The potential is there, but it is up to my guys to seize the day.”
