JOHNSTOWN — Olivia Jones holds good memories from The Links at Echo Springs, and the way she played there Monday suggests her future could be as good as her past.
The Granville senior shot 77 to take medalist honors in the Female (15-18) Division during the Licking County Junior Golf Association tour event. Jones finished five strokes ahead of co-runners-up Licking Valley senior Jacqueline Gieseler and Newark Catholic junior Caylee Lattimer.
“I have been playing in a lot of two-day events in (Central Ohio Golf Association) and Hurricane to get my junior scoreboard up,” Jones said. "I had a few open weeks to do the 18-hole events, and I am really happy with how I have played so far. I was here last week in a COGA event. It was closer up tees (Monday) so I was hoping to do a little bit better, but I am overall happy with how I played.”
In October, Jones helped Granville place third in the Division I district tournament at Echo Springs and qualify for state. The Blue Aces are slated to return their entire lineup this season.
Jones shot consistent nines of 39 and 38 on Monday.
“I hope we can finish even stronger this year,” Jones said. “I have been working on my driver. It wasn’t that great last year, but it is really to where I want it to be for this year.”
The LCJGA, which wraps up with events at St. Albans on July 15 and Clover Valley on July 22, continues to thrive with Johnstown assistant coach Shawn Neil leading the way. More than 100 golfers competed Monday, including youth players participating in the nine-hole event at St. Albans.
Granville junior Chase Holtzapple fired a 78 to take the victory in the Male (15-18) Division. He finished two shots ahead of senior Granville teammate Samuel Pfau and Watkins Memorial senior Kaden Ross.
“I was pretty consistent,” Holtzapple said. “(Double bogeys) got to me as I had two of those. On my pars, I was missing a lot of birdie opportunities, so I was giving myself the chance to shoot a lot better, which is what I like to see.”
Holtzapple’s 39s on each side gave him that 78 to match his previous best this summer as he establishes a new level of play for himself.
Holtzapple averaged in the mid 80s last fall for Granville. The Blue Aces’ boys also return their entire lineup.
“Improvement is always good,” Holtzapple said. “The driver wasn’t quite there (Monday). The irons and wedges helped me a lot. The putts to (save par) were dropping.”
Pfau rebounded from recording an 88 at Chapel Hill a week prior. He kept his round together despite hazards caused by a steady breeze and hard greens.
“There were a few holes where I went into the woods, and that was a disaster. My lag putting on the back nine got much better,” Pfau said. “It was tough out there because everything was bouncing. It was hard to hold the greens.”
Ross bounced back, too, after shooting 89 a week ago. He was lamenting a few strokes he left on the course, but he enjoyed an opportunity to see how he measured up against some of his Licking County League competition.
“I left a couple 3-footers out there,” Ross said. “They seem to be the hardest shot in golf even though it’s the shortest shot in golf. My driving was good, my ball striking, my wegdes, I was happy with all of it. The most important thing for being successful is getting into tournaments in the offseason. Going to hit balls and playing with your buddies is not the same.”
Watkins junior Christian Cave and the Centerburg duo of senior Josh Hackett and graduate Andrew Meyers each shot 81. Valley graduate Shea Lesko followed at 82 and Valley sophomore Jackson Gieseler at 83.
In the girls match, Jacqueline Gieseler was pleased with her 82 as she continues to work back from an offseason thumb injury sustained during a weight training session.
“It put me back a little bit, but I am getting back in the groove, which is a good thing,” Gieseler said. “We have a bunch of new girls on (Valley), and some of them came out today. We have a bunch of new golfers we have rounded up just to gain to some numbers, so it will be good.”
Lattimer has enjoyed an impressive summer as she attempts to reach the Division II state tournament for the Green Wave this fall after shooting 77 at Darby Creek to place fifth in the district tournament in October. She has fired a summer-low 75 at EagleSticks in Zanesville and a 78 at Royal American, winning COGA events at both.
"This summer has been pretty steady so far, but there is still room for improvement," Lattimer said. "Still so much to work on, but I am overall happy with how this summer has went so far."
Heath junior Reagan Kelly shot 85 to follow up her 80 at Chapel Hill. Utica graduate Olivia Dickson shot 87 while playing from the male tees.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County junior golfers turn corner, begin to peak toward August
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