District Golf roundup: Pace boys earn three-peat, Northview girls win by slimmest of margins
Here's a roundup of district golf tournaments involving Pensacola-area teams played on Monday, Oct. 24.
Boys
District 1-3A meet
The Pace boys golf team narrowly missed out on a victory the last time it hosted an 18-hole meet.
That event was the Byron Nathan Tournament, as the Patriots finished just one shot off the pace on Sept. 12. Six weeks later, Pace not only got redemption, but the team locked down a three-peat.
The Patriots captured their third consecutive district title on Monday at the Stonebrook Golf Club. The district streak began with a victory in Class 2A before taking two straight as a Class 3A school.
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Pace had four players record scores below 80, as the squad earned the title with a team score of 297. Niceville (321) picked up runner-up honors while Gulf Breeze (322) was right behind in third.
"This feels great because they've worked hard at it all year," said Keith Kirchharr, who is in his 22nd season as Patriots head coach. "Being at our home course, we'd like to win. And it worked out this year that we won districts here, the most important (meet)."
Kirchharr believed his players were "relaxed" on a course that they know better than anyone. And on Monday, there was no player more comfortable than Pace's Braden Duvall.
The junior was crowned as the individual district champion after ripping through Stonebrook with a 4-under 68. That mark was good enough for a three-shot win over Niceville senior Braydon Moye.
"Just hitting fairways and greens and making putts that I should make," Duvall said was the key to his performance. "I made one bogey, but I think that was the only green I missed all days."
Pace senior Jaden Gray (72) and the Dolphins duo of sophomore Mark Piver (74) and junior Parker Crain (76) rounded out the top-five finishers.
Duvall's lone bogey came on the par-3 fifth hole. However, that one blemish did not derail a fast start.
The junior eagled the second before sinking a birdie putt at No. 3. He finished the front nine with a 33.
"That was the stretch where I kind of got hot on," Duvall said.
Patriots sophomores Judah Talley (78) and Jacob Daw (78) placed sixth and seventh, respectively, to round out the team's fine showing.
As the scores indicated, Pace certainly had an advantage competing at a familiar setting, but producing quality results wasn't so simple.
"There's a lot of pressure playing on your home course," Duvall said. "It makes you feel like you have to shoot and play well because everybody knows you play here all the time."
The Patriots now set their eyes on the Region 1-3A tournament, which tees off at 8 a.m. Monday from the Golf Club at Cypress Head.
The course, which is located nearly seven hours away in Port Orange, was the site of last year's regional meet. Pace fell just short of a state berth last season, but aims for a reversal of fortune in 2022.
"We got a couple days of practice to get ready for it," Kirchharr said. "Last year, we were one team short of getting into the state tournament, so hopefully this year is our year to get in there. A couple of guys have played the course before. ... We've been consistent all year, so hopefully we can keep it going."
Also headed to regionals next week is Navarre's Andrew Ottley. The Raiders senior made the cut as an individual qualifier by shooting an 80 to finish in a four-way tie for eighth.
Boys District 1-3A - Team scores
Pace (297): Braden Duvall - 68, Jaden Gray - 72, Judah Talley - 78, Jacob Daw - 79, Troyce Perkins - 83
Niceville (321): Braydon Moye - 71, Max Burrough - 80, Cannon Stringfellow - 85, Sebastian Woodham - 85, Sam Welde - 87
Gulf Breeze (322): Mark Piver - 74, Parker Crain - 76, Jack Patrick - 81, Ryan Tracy - 91, Weslee Seeber - 92
Mosley (332): Michael Wong - 80, Jack Wong - 82, Hunter Dye - Lucas Monk - 86, Dayton Humphrey - 91
Crestview (343): Alexander Fagan - 80, Jackson Greer - 82, Robert Corthell - 87, Brayden Ruschmeier - 94, William Cadenhead - 97
Navarre (351): Andrew Ottley - 80, Brady Nevius - 86, Ethan Erickson - 92, Will Rivers - 93
District 1-2A meet
West Florida won the battle, but South Walton won the war.
Jaguars junior Bentley Van Pelt birdied the final two holes to win the individual district title at the Perdido Bay Golf Course in Pensacola. He produced a 78 to earn a one-shot victory over Seahawks senior senior Maris Rudzki, who bogeyed the par-4 18th.
However, home of three of the top-six finishers, South Walton won the team district championship after compiling a score of 336, two strokes ahead of second-place West Florida. Arnold was a distant third with a 368.
Those three teams have advanced to the Region 1-2A tournament, which will be back at Perdido Bay on Nov. 1.
Elsewhere, Pensacola High's Wyatt Hart played well enough to return to the course next week. Making par on his last six holes, the Tigers sophomore shot a 82 to finish in a three-way tie for third with Jaguars senior Jason Paynter and South Walton freshman Lars Wiggins.
The last individual qualifier hails from Pine Forest. Eagles junior Reid Shiver earned his spot with a 90.
Boys District 1-2A - Team scores
South Walton (336): Maris Rudzki - 79, Lars Wiggins - 82, Ashton Brennan - 85, Grayson Gibson - 90, Britt Cotton - 91
West Florida (338): Bentley Van Pelt - 78, Jason Paynter - 82, Kasim Khaled - 89, Jaxson Cramer - 89, Jaiden Patel - 90
Arnold (368): Quin Hoyt - 86, Ethan MacGregor - 92, Brady Lent - 95, Gavin Plunkett - 95, Xan Sisk - 98
Fort Walton Beach (394): Jackson Geno - 95, Palmer Lindsley - 95, Aydin Ozdogru - 100, Miller Lindsley - 104
Booker T. Washington (396): Jared Meisenzahl - 96, Sammy Tucker - 97, Jack Floyd - 101, Anderson Lenga - 102, Nic Herman - 117
Choctaw (404): Joshua Kelley - 88, Jacob Monroe - 94, Blake Holguin - 108, Talan Schmidt - 114, Keegan Hindel - 121
Escambia (418): Brighton Collins - 98, Chandler Gither - 104, Edgardo Estrada - 104, Blake Clonts - 112, Issac Dalton - 129
Pine Forest (421): Reid Shiver - 90, Zach Beaver - 97, Conner Baer - 114, Allan Beasley - 120, Taivyn Anderson - 121
Girls
District 1-3A meet
Led by seniors Holland Davidson and Mia Hobbs, the Gulf Breeze girls golf team claimed second place from The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre.
The Dolphins totaled a team score of 383, 66 stokes behind winner Niceville. Davidson put up an 18-hole mark of 90 to finish tied for seventh. Hobbs was two shots back in 10th.
The Eagles topped the leaderboard with four of the first five finishers. Niceville junior Gracie Grant was the low medalist after shooting a 77, two strokes ahead of teammates Peyton Maraman and Mariane Johnson, who were tied for second.
Pace's Bella Ortiz recorded the area's best individual performance, turning in a 88 to place sixth. The sophomore helped the Patriots take third overall with a team score of 405.
By virtue of their top-three finishes, Niceville, Gulf Breeze and Pace can turn their attention to the Region 1-3A meet. The event will be played on Nov. 1 from the Hawkstone Country Club in Gainesville.
Two additional area golfers qualified for regionals. Tate sophomore Talia Smith is bound for Gainesville after putting up a 91 to place ninth. Milton junior Gabriela Wright will join her after shooting a 93 to take 11th.
Girls District 1-3A - Team scores
Niceville (317): Gracie Grant - 77, Peyton Maraman - 79, Mariane Johnson - 79, Camryn Lux - 82, Cloe Rich - 90
Gulf Breeze (383): Holland Davidson - 90, Mia Hobbs - 92, Riley Bounds - 99, Claire Smith - 102, Gabby Branning - 106
Pace (405): Bella Ortiz - 88, Marissa Skechak - 101, Ania Calbough - 104, Alex Williams - 112, Maddie Davidson - 119
Tate (415): Talia Smith - 91, Adyson Illian - 97, Eva Grissom - 97, Lillie Hardy - 130, Jordan Smith - 142
Mosley (449): Kayleigh Young - 82, Linda-Taylor King - 109, Payton Lueckemeyer - 121, Addie Genelin - 137, Tinsley Johnson - 146
Navarre (484): Hailey Netro - 105, Kelsey Knighten - 118, Ava Schreckengost - 120, Jayda Pandes - 141, Lillian Robertson - 145
Crestview (499): Gracey Reeder - 103, Olivia Kimbrough - 125, Paige Dietz - 135, Gabrielle Green - 136, Olivia Green - 153
District 1-1A meet
One shot separated Northview and Holmes County at the top of the field. But thanks to the play of Anna Kunkel, the Chiefs celebrated a district title from the Eagle Springs Golf Course in DeFuniak Springs.
Northview was victorious following a team score of 421, besting the Blue Devils' mark of 422.
Kunkel was the catalyst for the Chiefs' triumph as the freshman shot a 69 win take low medalist honors. She finished three strokes ahead of Holmes Country sophomore Savannah Goodman, who finished second.
Sealing the team's victory with a birdie on No. 18, Kunkel ended her day with seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. The freshman was the only Chiefs player to shoot under 100.
Pensacola Catholic junior Rose Langston shot just above the 100-mark, but her score of 101 was good enough for a fifth-place finish. The junior earned a spot in the Region 1-1A meet, which tees off at 8 a.m. Monday from the Marsh Landing Country Club in Jacksonville.
District 1-1A - Team scores
Northview (421): Anna Kunkel - 69, Kendall Alavre - 106, Chloe Ragsdale - 112, Riley Dawson - 134, Payton Daw - 142
Holmes County (422): Savannah Goodman - 72, Maycee Rhea Flanary - 106, Lyndsey Pilcher - 120, Kaylee Bowen - 124, Katelynn Riddell - 147
Baker (447): Briana Forte - 100, Roxy-Parker Fountain - 104, Summer Cunningham - 112, Madalyn Snyder - 131, Raegan Prytula - 166
Pensacola Catholic (451): Rosie Langston - 101, Elizabeth Owens - 107, AnnaBelle Jacobson - 109, Sophi Clark - 134, Ginnie Myers - 135
Walton (504): Rhiannon Fountain - 85, Avan Price - 117, Chloe Appel - 144, Julie Laviolette - 158
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: District Golf: Pace boys take 1-3A title, Northview girls survive in 1-1A
