Newcastle’s Strawbridge makes second state golf appearance News Staff Sat, 05/11/2024 - 12:53 pm
- (NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS) Senior Ty Strawbridge completed his high school athletic career with a trip to the state golf tournament this past week at the Crystal Falls Golf Club. It was Strawbridge’s second time at state as he finished 20th overall out of 72 golfers over the two-day event. He shot an 86 on day one and an 85 on day two.
TC Gordon sports@grahamleader.com
It’s been a full year — and full four years — of sports for Newcastle High School’s Ty Strawbridge. This past week, the senior Bobcat represented his school for the second time in his high school career at the boys state golf tournament.
Following a strong regular season, Strawbridge hit the marks necessary in district and regionals to make an appearance at the Crystal Falls Golf Club this past Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7 for the state championship.
After two days of competition against some of the best golfers in Class 1A, and after dealing with some bipolar weather, Strawbridge ended his high school golf experience with a 20th-place finish out of 72 competitors.
Multiple factors played against Strawbridge and many of the participants, the first being that the UIL had to change courses close to the day of competition due to bad greens on the original course. The Crystal Falls course played as a relatively standard par 72.
The morning was rainy and humid on the first day of competition and Strawbridge was in the first group which teed off at 7:30 a.m. As he worked around various obstacles, the senior carded a 14-over-par 86 on the first day.
“Ty was able to hit the majority of the fairways and greens in regulation, however, his putting was a struggle. He had many three-putts that day,” head coach Isiah Archer said. “(But he) did find a way to get some pars and birdies in the round.”
The second day brought better weather due to the fact it wasn’t raining. But the shining sun kept things hot and humid which affected many of the golfers on the course. Most players teed off in the afternoon, and Strawbridge finished the day with a slightly improved 13-over 85.
While he didn’t record a birdie on day two, Strawbridge handled the course better overall and shot more pars on the second day of competition. His best stretch of play came on the back nine when he started out with pars on four out of the first five holes.
“Ty struggled from the tee box and (with) a few second shots early in his round. However, his putter was working better on day two, allowing him to put several pars together back to back,” Archer said.
Overall, Strawbridge competed hard and made his final trip to the state tournament a worthwhile one. He shot 171 over the two days, just five strokes off a top-10 appearance. He’s left a lasting mark on Newcastle’s golf program, in addition to other sports.
“Ty closed out his playing career here at Newcastle with a couple of district championships, four regional appearances, a silver medal individualist and two trips to the state tournament,” Archer said. “He has set the bar high for future Newcastle golfers, as he helped create a golfing culture that wasn't there before.”
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