Baldwin Freshman Wins 2011 WPIAL Boys Golf Championship

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 | 6:37 PM

In a major surprise at the WPIAL Division I Boys Golf Championships, a freshman claimed the top spot. Zack Taylor of Baldwin was the only player to shoot under par, firing a one-under 71, beating Evan Ruhling of Penn Hills by one shot at Treesdale Golf and Country Club in Gibsonia. 

Taylor shot a 37 on the Orchard Course, which was used as the front nine, he followed that with a 34 on the Grove Course. The fourteen year old said he was able to keep everything in play, with only one bad drive. Play was held up as several groups had problems with their shots plugging in the fairway, Taylor said his threesome only had to wait no more than five minutes at a time, the delays weren’t a problem.

Ruhling was a contender in the 2010 championships, he was in the first group of the day and with the long play, waited for a while to see if his even par 72 would hold up. The senior might have to ask what might have been, he three putted the final hole for a 35 on the back side.

Tommy Nettles of Peters Township also struggled on the back side, he shot three under 33 on the Orchard Course, but shot up to a 40 on the back, he finished at one over 73.

Kirby Mcnown of Belle Vernon was in the second group out, he shot 74 to tie for fourth place with Ben Decarme of Canon McMillan. Trent McPherson of Peters Township and 2009 PIAA champion Garrett Browning of West Allegheny tied for fifth at 75.

Here are the results from the WPIAL Boys Division I Championships, plus the 24 golfers who qualify of the PIAA Western Regionals on October 18th at Toms Run Golf Course.

* – Denotes qualifier for PIAA western regional Oct. 18 at Tom’s Run

* 1. Zack Taylor, Baldwin 37-34—71

* 2. Evan Ruhling, Penn Hills 37-35—72

* 3. Tommy Nettles, Peters Township, 33-40—73

*4. Kirby Manown, Belle Vernon 37-37—74

*4.Ben Ducame, Canon-McMillan 36-38—74

*6. Trent McPherson, Peters Township 37-38—75

*6. Garrett Browning, West Allegheny 37-38—75

*8. Matt Holuta, Indiana 39-37—76

*8. Colton Wiggins, Indiana 37-39–76

* 10. Will Wears, Latrobe 37-40—77

* 10. Brendan Gramley, Shady Side Academy 35-42—77

* 10. Dan Maier, Penn-Trafford 39-38—77

* 10. Grant Newton, Thomas Jefferson 37-40—77

* 14. Max Doran, Penn-Trafford 37-41—78

* 15. Kevin O’Brien, North Allegheny 39-40—79

* 16. Matt Puleo, Blackhawk 38-42—80

* 16. Ben Biss, Latrobe 41-39—80

* 16. Sean Edgar, Bethel Park 37-43—80

* 19. Steve Sanderson, Indiana 39-42—81

* 19. Tim Novic, Upper St. Clair 43-38—81

21. Jesse Vensel, McGuffey 41-41—82

21. Thomas Steve, Upper St. Clair 42-40—82

23. Jeremy Merich, Peters Township 38-45—83

24. Jesse Phlegar, Blackhawk 41-43—84

24. Sam Wotus, Greensburg Salem 39-45—84

24. Evan Sommer, South Park 42-42—84

24. Patrick McDonnell, Upper St. Clair 40-44—84

28. Derek Truninger, Moon 45-40—85

28. Troy Berglund, Shady Side Academy 46-39—85

28. Brent Rodgers, Central Catholic 39-46—85

31. Will Maher, Central Catholic 42-44—86

32. Graham Friday, Fox Chapel 46-44—90

32. Josh Bartley, Mars 44-46—90

34. Doug Rutherford, Moon 48-44—92

35. Tom McNally, Montour 51-43—94

36. Blake Miller, Seneca Valley 45-51—96
 

The following players from last week’s Division II championship also participated to earn a spot in the PIAA Western regional. *-denotes PIAA qualifier.

*1.Matt Barto, Leechburg 40-37—77

*2.Evan Lestini, South Fayette 39-39—78

*2. Garrett Damich, Bentworth 36-42—78

*4. Matthew Moore, Winchester Thurston 36-43—79

5.Brad Thornton, Shenango 40-41—81

6.Drake Hoberek, Burgettstown 43-39—82

7. Jared Vetica, Ellwood City 37-46—83

7. Andrew Miller, Burgettstown 39-44—83

9. Zach Buben, Ellwood City 46-41—87

10. Gunnar Riley, Charleroi 43-45—88

11. Matt Deangelo, Shenango 48-41—89

12. Jonathan Acosta, Neshannock 38-54—92

Tags: Baldwin, Belle Vernon, Bentworth, Bethel Park, Blackhawk, Canon-McMillan, Indiana, Latrobe, Leechburg, West Allegheny, Winchester Thurston