CONNOR LEFEVER CLAIMS INDIVIDUAL CROWN AND BLUE STREAKS WIN YET ANOTHER TEAM TITLE.
Our very own Harold Zeigler was at Overlooks for the L-L League golf championships on Monday. Here’s his report, from Tuesday’s New Era:
As Connor Lefever talked about the Lancaster-Lebanon League golf championship he captured Monday at Overlook, teammate Austin Wolf stood nearby and patiently waited.
They had arrived together and were going to leave together in the same car.
“I’m best friends with him,’’ Lefever said.
Still, that drive home had to feel awkward.
Yes, Lefever shot the lowest round and left with the trophy.
But no, he didn’t win.
Wolf lost.
A junior at Manheim Township, Wolf had a two-shot lead with two holes to play. But when he triple-bogeyed the 17th hole, Lefever was handed the title.
Wolf finished with a 1-over-par 71, tying for second with Lancaster Mennonite junior David Denlinger.
Lefever, a senior at Township, finished at even-par 70.
“It doesn’t feel too good now,’’ Lefever admitted. “I thought he had it won. It feels kind of weird.’’
As expected, the league championship had Township’s hands all over it. Not only did two of its players finish 1-2, but the squad captured the team championship.
Township finished at 369. Lancaster Mennonite finished at 389, Warwick at 393. The Streaks, as champs, will represent the L-L League in the District 3 team championships Oct. 12-13 at Briarwood in York.
They were the defending league champions and are the defending district champs.
There was little intrigue in the team battle. But there was a lot in the individual championship.
Wolf had the lead for most of the day and shot 1-under 34 on the front 9, despite a double bogey on No. 8.
He then birdied No. 11 but doubled No. 12, only to make eagle 3 on the par-5 15th hole to get back to 2-under.
Lefever started slowly and got back to even with birdies on Nos. 12 and 13.
Denlinger also started slowly and was always on the outside of the Wolf-Lefever battle.
On No. 17, Wolf hit a drive into the left rough and air-mailed a 9 iron from 145 yards over the green, on a downhill slope.
His chip rolled well off the embankment fronting the green, and he pitched back to the front fringe. He putted to 4 feet, then missed the putt.
About the same time, Lefever was missing a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 18 that he thought he needed for a possible playoff.
“I heard he was 2-under when I finished, so I thought second’s not that bad,’’ Lefever said.
Except that Wolf was imploding on No. 17.
“I have no idea how it flew that far,’’ Wolf said of his 145-yard 9 iron which, he estimated, traveled 160 uphill against a slight breeze.
“I was thinking, ‘Make bogey.’ And even as I stood over the 4 footer, I thought if I made that (for double) I still have a chance.’’
His drive on No. 18 went over 300 yards but was slightly right and landed under a tree. Still, he pitched to 20 feet and just missed the birdie putt.
“Nothing against Connor,’’ Wolf said. “He was probably the most consistent player in the whole league, maybe district, throughout the whole year. He never shot over 74.
“But for me, 2-under after 16 holes, it could’ve been deeper with a double in there. Today I hit it awesome, and should’ve shot way low.’’
It’s the third straight time that Wolf finished second at Leagues, the third straight time he was one shot back.
“I’ll probably lose by one next year,’’ Wolf said. “I’m furious. I’m really ticked off. It seems like it’s so consistent. I can tell you at least three instances (this season) where I’ve been under par until the last three, four holes and shot over par. It happens too much. Maybe it’ll give me a kick in the butt for Districts.’’
“I’m still shocked I won,’’ Lefever said after the award ceremony. “I played better than I scored. I played really well. But I’m in shock.’’
CHIP SHOTS: Township’s winning team score came from Lefever (70), Wolf (71), Devin O’Grady (74), Zach Miller (77) and Brandon Hartranft (77) …. The low 28 finishers qualified for Districts.
