Licking County junior golfers seeking consistency as high school season looms

JOHNSTOWN — Olivia Jones called it "probably the shortest round I've had, but also the longest I've played."

It took only a little over three and a half hours for the Granville sophomore and juniors Gracie James (Watkins Memorial) and Olivia Dickson (Utica) to cover 18 holes Monday at Clover Valley Golf Club, in the final round of the Licking County Junior Golf Association summer series.

But after shooting in the 70s on the course at a previous tournament, Jones struggled to a 93, and hopes to find the consistency needed for success in the fast-approaching high school season. Jones had finished first in all of the Southern Ohio PGA events in which she had competed, and played in the Junior Elite Championship at Chapel Hill on Tuesday.

James, who placed 11th as a sophomore in the Division I State Tournament, has had no such problems with her consistency. She fired an even-par 72 (36-36) on Monday and just missed a birdie putt on No. 18.

"My putter was pretty good. It makes or breaks me, every time," James said. "I had a solid long game. I worked hard this winter, tightening up misses with all of my clubs. I worked really hard on my wedges and putting. A lot of the bigger tournaments I play in, are longer distances, and the distances are usually shorter for school golf."

"She made a couple of putts today that were probably 40 feet," Jones said. "We're really good friends, and we were able to play at Firestone together."

Dickson and Jones both carded 79s two weeks ago in an LCJGA event at the Links at Echo Springs, but Dickson came in at 87 on Monday. She was not too concerned, and still clinched the LCJGA points title for 15-18 girls. Jones finished second.

"My approach shots were short today, but most of the time, I'm solid," Dickson said. "In this age group last year, I had no chance, but I thought I would this year and played in all of the tournaments. These are the courses I'm going to play during the season, and it's competitive golf."

Dickson said playing with someone the caliber of James will only make her better.

"I watch her, learn the way she approaches shots, and it improves my game," she said. "I focus more, and I'm more intentional with my shots. I want to be in the mid 70s by the end of the season, and the ultimate goal is to play in college."

The LCJGA 15-18 boys points title came down to a head-to-head battle between Heath senior David Link and Fredericktown's Will Streby, and Link wouldn't have had it any other way. He carded an 80 (40-40), edging out Streby who posted an 83 (40-43).

"We went back and forth, the whole day," Link said. "I've played with him a bunch of times, and it's usually pretty close. Playing in tournaments like this, helps with facing the pressure. I like playing with the better guys, and I've played with Clay (Bruning) a lot."

Bruning, the Johnstown senior and two-time defending LCJGA points champion, has been playing mostly in COGA (Central Ohio Golf Academy) events this summer, usually placing in the top 10, including third at Apple Valley. He was in Link's group at Clover Valley on Monday, and shot 77 (36-41) despite recording triple and double bogeys. Canal Winchester's Nolan Frey was medalist with a 76 (38-38).

"I hit the ball pretty well today, and I need to play better more often," Link said. "I need to get more confident on the main things. I want to be consistently in the mid to high 70s."

Utica senior Ben Rodichok carded an 81 (41-40) on Monday, and says there's plenty of room for improvement.

"Nothing good with my driver and long game today, but my short game was pretty good," he said. "I need to work on my long irons and driver, and I'm starting to get there. My confidence has to get better, and these tournaments help. There are the friendships, and being able to work on different shots on different courses. Just the experience."

Watkins Memorial senior Skyler Graham has had a solid summer, but slipped to an 89 (45-44) on Monday. He knows there are better days ahead.

"I've been happy with 99 percent of the rounds I've played, and today was just a bad day. You just have to shake it off," Graham said. "I need to get the ball off the tee box and bring confidence, hitting the shots I want to commit to. I've never been great off the tee, and I just need to get up and down better. Hit more greens in regulation. I love this competition. It's been that way since I was a freshman."

Granville sophomore Samuel Pfau, playing from the middle (white) tees, fired a 1-under 71 to clinch the 13-15 championship on a Clover Valley layout that can be challenging.

"This course plays tougher than people realize," said Johnstown assistant coach Shawn Neil, tournament director since 2014 with the help of Johnnies' head coach Chris Carlisle. "Pin placements can be hard, and there is heather you can get into on a lot of holes, if you miss the fairways. There are also side hill lies that people don't factor in."

The golfers should again be well-prepared for the 2022 season, playing on a variety of layouts this summer that included Moundbuilders Country Club, St. Albans, Willow Run, Trout Club and Links at Echo Springs.

dweidig@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County junior golfers seeking consistency as season looms