Testing schedule doesn’t help Cape in state tournament

Schedules are funny things. Sometimes you just have to keep to them and see what happens as a result.

Senior Devin Medd earned First Team All-Conference honors for his fine individual record for the 2011 Cape Henlopen High School golf team.

Based in large part on the contributions of Medd and Second Team All-Conference selection Shane Ghigliotty, Cape’s 10-4 season qualified the squad for the two-day state high school golf championship, held May 31-June 1 at Cripple Creek Country Club in Ocean View.

This being high school and not professional golf, however, some schedules just couldn’t be accommodated for the 36-hole event. Medd was unable to miss a critical test in one of his courses, and so he was unavailable to play in the May 31 opening round.

“The teacher, the athletic director, and the guidance counselor were talked to,” head coach Dave Inglis said. “Once we confirmed Devin couldn’t play, we were able to add Nate Griffith as a substitute.”

When Inglis and I talked on the evening of June 1, he was in a pretty sunny mood, all things considered.

“It was a very fun day. We set two records - highest score, and most money spent on drinks and snacks at the concession stand,” Inglis laughed.

On the first day’s round, senior Nick Purnell shot an 85, best among the Vikings. Unfortunately, Ghigliotty had some personal difficulties during his first round and withdrew.

His withdrawal put added emphasis on the remaining Vikings golfers. James Fenstermaker, an honorable mention for the Henlopen Conference, followed Purnell with a 90. Matt Dernoga shot a 100 for his first-day score, while freshman Griffith played his first state tournament in the scorching heat, finishing with a 126. Michael Johnson shot a 127, but his fifth-place finish among the Cape golfers made him miss the cut.

Cape finished the first day in 15th place out of 15. Things didn’t improve for the team as a whole on the second day.

“Purnell had that good first round, but then blew up a bit in the second,” Inglis said. “Fenstermaker did really well, however, shooting an 89. “

Dernoga followed his 100 with a 106 for the second day, but Griffith made the biggest improvement of them all.

“He shot a 101, 25 strokes better,” Inglis said. “He played very well and very solid. Nate was very happy, and he should be.”

Casey Bittner and other Vikings golfers helped Inglis with a near constant golf cart shuttle in the second round. “It was really hot. The event was well run, but there just wasn’t enough water and snacks out on the course. We brought water out to all the players, no matter what their shirt colors were,” Inglis said.

As for the team’s finish, Inglis said, “The kids shot about what I expected they would. We did have a great teaching experience. I was able to take the kids back on the course, show them what other golfers were doing, and then explain what would happen.”

Inglis felt the season was a success, despite the scheduling snafu. “The kids showed a lot of improvement, and a lot of enthusiasm for playing golf. All these kids have the potential to be solid citizens, and I enjoyed coaching them,” he said.

Local club tournament results
Shawnee Country Club held its annual Memorial Day mixed event May 30, and Barbara Derue and Bob Burd were the low net winners in the first flight. Don and Kathy Brown won low gross honors. Current women’s club champion Lisa Hutchins won the closest-to-the-pin prize on the 13th hole.

The Kings Creek Country Club Ladies 18-hole group played a low net format tournament May 26. Cory Warther won first place overall, followed by Mary Mezger. Beth Magnus took first place in the first flight in the game of the day, with Jane DelGaudio in second.

In the second flight, Melanie Pereira was the overall winner, with Gail Petren in second. Annisa Brandt won the second flight for the game of the day, with Rita Musi right behind her. Beth Magnus won closest to the pin on the 11th hole.