The Tyrone Area High School golf team opened up its 2008 season at the Bolton Invitational on Monday, Aug. 18, at the Penn State Blue Course.
There were 120 golfers competing in the boys competition and30 girls for the girls competition. Both team and individual honors were up for grabs.
On the girls side, the Eagles entered freshman Olivia Stever, who carded a score of 86, which was good for a tie for third place individually in the girls small school division.
“Olivia was really struggling with her game, the first two weeks., but she went back to some basic fundamentals, put in a lot of time and hard work and it paid off,” said Tyrone golf coach Greg Freguson. “She will contend inher share of girls championships over the next four years, she deserves this good finish!”
On the boys side, Tyrone finished in second place as a team with only four players, finishing seven shots behind rival Central.
“We took four players and we didn’tplay to our potential as a team,” said Ferguson. “We will get to play Central a few more times this year. I think we will give them a better match, but we will have to play well to beat their seasoned team.”
Leading the way for the Eagles was sophomore Jimmy Ferguson, who posted a one-under par round of 71. That placed him second in the individual overall boys division, two shots behind Radnor High School standout Mark Enders., who posted a three-under par 69.
“I’m pretty proud of Jimmy, he played really well,” said Ferguson, who is Jimmy’s father as well as coach. “He let a couple fundamental errors cost him after being down to a two-under for awhile there. He had a couple nice attempts at close birdies, but it just wasn’t to be today.”
Eric Loose played 16 good holes to record a score of 90 and Kyle Updyke also posted a 90 playing well according to Coach Ferguson, except for exception of a couple of holes.
Sophomore James Russell posted big numbers on his first four holes, fighting off some first-match jitters, then settled in and carded a 97.
“In the big picture, our kids did really well. Eric made some mistakes that hopefully he willbe able to keep from happening in upcoming matches. James and the other boys and girl will be more than ready as the year goes on,” remarked Ferguson. “I’m excited about our chances to repeat as Mt. League champs. We graduated three seniors and we have a couple kids getting their first chance to compete. It will take some hard practice time on the kids’ part, but I believe they will come through.”
