MANSFIELD — Golf season is in full swing here in Richland County.
Early season invites started last week with several key conference tournament rounds coming over the next couple of weeks. So, before golf season gets too hectic, let's meet some golfers who have a chance to really make a name for themselves this year.
GOLF: Magers, Durchik, Maglott, Miley earn Richland County Junior Golf Tournament championships
Let's meet the Top 5 male and female golfers in Richland County including several honorable mentions with this edition of Jake's List.
Top 5 Male Golfers in Richland County
Honorable mentions: Nathan Dawson, Lexington; Liam Stone, Madison; Josh Maglott, Madison; Tanner Thorne, Clear Fork; Carter Bowman, Crestview; Cam Bulakovski, Ontario; Cole Bowman, Crestview; Colton Blevins, Ontario; Clinton Stallard, Clear Fork; Grant Keep, Clear Fork; Blake West, Shelby; Colton Hass, Plymouth.
5. Landon Goad, Madison
Goad is one of very few returning golfers in Richland County who have district tournament experience. Last season, he shot a 50-44-94 at the Division I district tournament to tie for 47th overall. Goad had a hot start to his senior season shooting a 74 at the Simonson Invite at Brookside in Ashland to help the Rams win the team title. The Rams are super talented this year and with a senior leader like Goad, they might have what it takes to really make a run in Division I.
4. Griffin Hughes, Lexington
Hughes has the second-best district tournament score of any returning golfer in Richland County after he shot a 46-43-89 in the Division I tournament. At the Richland County Junior Golf Tournament, he finished tied for third overall with an 85-79-164 which likely lit a fire in him to come out for his junior year and play some of his best golf. By the end of the season, Hughes will have his name in the ring for News Journal Player of the Year.
3. Nicholas Maglott, Madison
Maglott is a two-time district qualifier after making it as a freshman and sophomore for the Rams. Last year, he shot a 50-44-94 in the district tournament to tie for 47th overall but it was the way he rebounded from a tough front 9 to put up a respectable score on a very tough Shawnee Country Club course. With two great years of experience under his belt, Maglott, who is now an upperclassman, should be ready to take that next step. He already started the season hot with a 74 at the Simonson to help the Rams put together a winning score.
2. Landon Ball, Clear Fork
Our final two golfers could actually be 1A and 1B. Ball had the best district tournament score of any returning golfer in Richland County last year when he put up a solid 41-34-75 at Eagle's Landing in Division II. After a tough start, he went super low on the back 9 to finish tied for fourth place in the entire tournament missing out on an individual state qualifying spot by one stroke. Ball then went 75-77-152 in the Richland County Junior Golf Tournament in July finishing tied for the lead in the 15-16 age group. He lost on a playoff hole after his opponent chipped in for birdie and Ball's birdie putt just missed by inches. Just a junior, Ball should have a huge year this year and by the end of his high school golf career, he might just make a trip to state.
1. Jackson Durchik, Lexington
That kid who chipped in for birdie to win the Richland County Junior Golf Tournament was Durchik who comes in ranked No. 1 in returning golfers. As a freshman, he showed poise at the Division I district tournament shooting a 47-43-90 with a solid back 9. Durchik has grown a lot since he was a raw freshman winning several tournaments this summer including the Westbrook Junior Club Championship. Lex is looking for some guys to step up this season and help them get back in the Ohio Cardinal Conference title conversation and with the way Durchik has been playing lately, he might be just what they need.
Top 5 Female Golfers in Richland County
Honorable Mentions: Brinlee Kreger, Ontario; Alyssa Turner, Mansfield Senior; Amya Joplin, Madison; Emma Stankovich, Madison; Raygen Reiter, Madison; Maycee Tackett, Crestview; Logan Moore, Crestview; Caroline Dill, Clear Fork; Maggie Chamberlin, St. Peter's; Alexia Sesco, Ontario; Brooklynn Black, Ontario; Lauryn Nupen, Lexington; Kyler Lamb, Lexington.
5. Elyse Belcher, Crestview
Belcher showed consistency in last year's Division II sectional tournament shooting a 50-50-100 to take 14th overall. While that didn't qualify her for the district tournament, Belcher will be back for her senior season looking to grab one of those qualifying spots. She is off to a nice start earning medalist honors in a 225-269 win over St. Paul with a 51. If she continues to progress, she could be playing deep into the postseason.
4. Delaney Moritz, Ontario
Moritz played in the Division I district tournament shooting a 48-62-110 to finish 40th overall. It was her first district tournament so now that she is back for her junior year, all of those jitters will be gone and she could help the Warriors make a return trip as a team. She played well in the season-opening match against Colonel Crawford shooting a 48 before adding a team-best 51 against Highland.
3. Willow Roberts, Lexington
Roberts was also a Division I district tournament participant where she shot a 55-51-106 last year to take 33rd. Lady Lex has a strong tradition going after winning the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship and with Roberts back for her senior year, Lex will rely on her veteran leadership to make another run.
2. Ashley Hall, Ontario
Hall had a nice run in the postseason last year shooting a 54-49-103 in the Division I district tournament. That was good for the 29th-best score in the entire tournament. In her first two matches of her junior season, she has posted the second-best score on the team each time with a 55 against Colonel Crawford and a 52 against Highland. As she gets more comfortable on the course, she will turn in lower scores and help Ontario surprise some teams.
1. Makaree Chapman, Lexington
Chapman comes back as the undoubtedly No. 1 golfer in Richland County. At the Division I sectional tournament, Chapman shot a 44-39-83 to take second overall. The following week, she shot a 46-42-88 at the Division I district tournament to take 12th overall missing out on one of just two individual qualifying spots by six strokes. She scored the most points of any Ohio Cardinal Conference golfer during the regular season with 66 and should be the favorite to take home player of the year honors in a solid league. With her senior year upon us, Chapman could take quite the leap and really make a name for herself in 2024.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's List: Top returning male and female golfers in Richland County
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