Staff writer
Marion High School golfers had early season hopes of advancing to the Class 3A state tournament, but they were dashed Monday at the Osage City regional, with no Warriors qualifying for the championship tournament.
“The look on their faces as they came off 18 said it all,” Marion coach Thane Schwartz said. “It just wasn’t their season.”
Hogan Lovelady got off to a rough start with a double-bogey 6 on the opening par 4 hole. Lovelady struggled to a 50 on the opening 9 holes, but recovered on the back 9 with a 42 for an overall score of 92. He placed 12th in the field of 38 golfers.
Wiley Lundy found the front 9 challenging as well, scoring 52. He improved four strokes on the second 9, coming in with a 48 and an 18-hole total of 100.
Briana Hall shot an 18-hole score of 138, and Eric Regnier carded a 145.
“Tight fairways and water came into play on almost every hole. Not the place to have a slice or hook — unless you’re fishing,” Schwartz said. “Losing a ball or two in the drink was the difference between staying home or going to state.”
Schwartz gave special recognition to Hall, the only female golfer in the field.
“She stood her ground. There were several times that she had the honors off the tee and outdrove her male counterparts,” Schwartz said.