High school golf: Medina boys shoot season best, finish eighth at Walker Jones Classic

YORK TWP. — The Medina boys golf team showed out at its Walker Jones Classic at Shale Creek Golf Club on Wednesday with a season-low 309. The Bees finished eighth at the 18-team event, led by freshman Wren Spires shooting a career-low, 4-over-par 75. All six members of the Medina Gold team shot season best scores, including Cam Stafford (76), Eli Zimmerman (77), Coen Miller (81), William Guest (84) and Miles Coughenour (91). After shooting 90 in an 18-hole dual with Brecksville on Friday and 80 at the Polar Bear Invitational on Monday, Spires locked in his game to score the lowest round by a countian this season. "We got it together today," Spires said. "I get in my head a lot and give myself bad vibes. If I keep my head straight, I feel like I shoot 10 strokes better every single time." Cincinnati St. Xavier led the loaded field with a 4-over 288, three strokes better than reigning Division I state champion St. Ignatius, which finished second. Anthony Wayne's Logan Sutto shot a 4-under 67 to win medalist honors. Highland, which was coming off a victory at the first Suburban League Tournament on Monday, matched its season low with a 314 to finish ninth. Zach Butcher carded a 76 to lead the Hornets, who also got 79s from Ryan Przybysz and Drew Mamer and an 80 from Luke Butcher. Brunswick (353) took 17th behind an 82 from Dayten Bobula and 84 from Cayden de Wever. "We haven't really gotten it all together as a team, but it's definitely going to come," Bobula said. "If we keep having individuals shoot well, it will give some other guys the chance to find their way. When we can put it all together, we're going to be pretty good." Medina's "Green" team (384), which was essentially the junior varsity, took 18th behind 91s from Gordon Meldrum and Zach King. Spires started on the ninth hole and took a double bogey the 359-yard 10th but got back on track with a par on the 342-yard first en route to a solid front nine. He picked up his only birdie on his last hole, the 573-yard eighth. After going right on his first two shots, he tucked a 100-yard 60-degree wedge from the next fairway over to 10 feet and made his putt. After shooting a team-best 1-over 37 on the front nine, Spires matched Stafford with a 38 for the top score on the back. Butcher picked up his only birdie on the 569-yard, par-5 No. 16. After hitting a 280-yard drive to the right side of the fairway and a 3-wood to 50 yards from the green, he chipped to within 2 feet for a tap-in putt. "We've started well and gotten better each round," Butcher said. "All you can really hope for is to continue to get better. We all have great bonds and everyone feels comfortable, because someone will always be there to back them up if they have a bad round." Bobula's 82 was the lowest score by any Blue Devil this season. Bobula parred the 342-yard first to get going after starting slow on No. 16. His putter made the biggest difference. On the 461-yard, par-4 18th, Bobula saved a bogey after his tee shot went into the water hazard and his second went into the bunker. "I was just focused on getting some pars to get back on track and shoot a good score," Bobula said. "After the turn (to hole one), it was nice to get out to a good start. When I get off to the good start I just stay more confident." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Results at par-71 Shale Creek G.C. Standings: 1. Cincinnati St. Xavier 288, 2. St. Ignatius 291, 3. Cincinnati Alter 297, 4. Hudson 298, 5. Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 299, 6. Massillon Jackson 300, 7. University School 306, 8. Medina 'Gold' 309, 9. Highland 314, 10. Chagrin Falls 315, 11. Rocky River 316, 12. Green 320, 13. Toledo St. John's Jesuit 322, 14. Findlay 327, 15. Lake Catholic 338, 16. Columbus Bishop Watterson 348, 17. Brunswick 353, 18. Medina 'Green' 384. Medina 'Green' (309): Wren Spires 75, Cam Stafford 76, Eli Zimmerman 77, Coen Miller 81, William Guest 84, Miles Coughenour 91. Highland (314): Zach Butcher 76, Ryan Przybysz 79, Drew Mamer 79, Luke Butcher 80, Nathan Sprutte 88, Austin Valore 88. Brunswick (353): Dayten Bobula 82, Cayden de Wever 84, Jonas Hinderer 92, Eric Carbone 95, Ethan Kovacs 103, Chase McConnell 106. Medina 'Green' (384): Zach King 91, Gordon Meldrum 91, Tristin Cole 97, Elliot Morgan 98, Bennett Kovark 107, Conrad Basson DNF.