Fairport golfers win RDGA Junior titles, and their summer success doesn't end there
Connor Kiel and Harper Dittman have a few things in common.
Both are rising golf stars for Fairport's varsity team. Each even won their first Rochester District Golf Association Junior Championships last week at Wild Wood Country Club in Rush.
Kiel and Dittman also shared the same thoughts on what they've improved on the most to obtain the recent golf titles. And it had little to do with their swings. Both golfers credited their improved mental game for their recent successes, from the NYSPHSAA tournament to the RDGA.
"I'm getting better at it," Kiel, 16, said. "Last few years I've gotten down on myself. Now I'm able to turn it around. I won't let a bad shot effect me."
"One thing my coach helped me work on is my mental game," Dittman, 13, said. "I'm proud of how much better it's gotten. I used to recover slow after bad holes."
More:Meet the 2022 All-Greater Rochester Boys Golf Team
Section V officials consider Kiel and Dittman as up-and-coming stars. Both golfers advanced to the high school state championships last season, and will return to Fairport as All-Greater Rochester selections.
Kiel overcomes 'shaky' ending
Kiel led early on his way to winning the boys title.
Fairport's rising junior used four birdies to shoot one-over-par 72 in the first round. He hit his fairways and stayed out of trouble. Tuesday, though, was "shaky" for Kiel. He had two birdies, but a triple bogey on the third hole helped runner-up Tyler Stark catch up.
Thanks to his strengthened mental game, Kiel put his nerves aside and played well the final 15 holes. He finished the second round four-over-par 75, chipping in a "huge" birdie putt on 17 to clinch the title by one stroke at five-over-par 147.
"I think it's about reinforcing yourself that you're a good player, and you know what to do," Kiel said. You can't think ahead and take it one shot at a time."
It's been a year of milestones for Kiel. In June, Kiel — whose father Mike is the head pro at Midvale — won the WNY PGA Junior Tour event back at Wild Wood Country Club. On Wednesday, Kiel tied for fifth at the 80th New York State Boys 18U Junior Amateur Championships at Soaring Eagles Golf Course in Elmira.
Kiel will also participate in The Williamson Cup next month in Washington D.C. alongside Section V stars Stark and Owen Corby.
More:Meet the 2021 All-Greater Rochester Girls Golf Team
Dittman's short game saved the day
Dittman was steady in capturing the girls crown.
Fairport's incoming freshman shot six-over-par 78 both days to total 156, four shots ahead of runner-up Ava LaBelle. Dittman led by just one stroke through the first round. She double bogeyed that round, but she also made her only birdie of the tourney when she nailed a 20-foot putt.
"Putting is definitely something I've struggled with," Dittman said.
Dittman tried not to let her one-stroke lead impact her play. She used her refined mental game to focus more playing well than how many shots stood between her and LaBelle. An hour rain delay in the first round made the course wet. It was tough for Dittman adjust.
"I was striking the ball well. Not the best I've ever hit, but not super bad. My short game really saved me," Dittman said.
Dittman's summer didn't end there. She placed 23rd at the 59th New York State Girls Junior Golf Championships, and she has some big Hurricane Junior Golf Tours coming up, like an August event at Turning Stone.
Other young athletes were crowned at the RDGA Junior Championships.
Barrett Paolini, 14, shot 11-over-par 153 to win the Boys Sub Junior Championship. His 10-year-old sister, Reagan, shot an 88 to win the Girls Pee Wee Championship. Twin sister, Reese, was the runner-up.
Emily Zigrossi, 12, shot an 18-hole score of 89 to win the Girls Sub Junior Championship by eight strokes. Maksym Babak, 10, shot a 74 to win the Boys Pee Wee Championship.
Berl strikes again
Victor's Jack Berl is still golf on a high level.
Berl, the two-time All-Greater Rochester Golfer of the Year, won the 80th New York State Boys 18U Junior Amateur Championship on Wednesday. His birdie putt on 18 clinched the title. He shot one-under-par 141 to edge Jacob Dantonio by one shot.
Brody Burgess, Berl's Victor teammate, placed fourth.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Fairport golfers Connor Kiel, Harper Dittman win RDGA junior titles
