SMCC's Finneran fires a 66 at sectional

Blake Finneran made a 25-foot birdie putt on the second hole Thursday at Green Hills Golf Course. He took that as a sign that things were going to break his way. Finneran made six birdies (two on the first two holes) and shot a school-record 66 to easily earn medalist honors at the Division III boys golf sectional at the course south of Clyde. "I was like, 'Oh yeah — two birdies to start.' I was so excited," Finneran said. "I was hitting every green in regulation and my irons were so good today." The 5-under-par 66 was Finneran's career-best score over 18 holes by seven strokes. He birdied four holes on the front nine and two on the back. His only bogey came on the course's No. 1 handicap hole — the par-4 No. 8. Finneran, who also plays basketball and baseball at SMCC, said he wasn't feeling great about his chances after a practice session Wednesday night. "I came in this morning, went to the range and straightened everything out," he said. Finneran made it around Green Hills' cozy 5,787-yard layout with just 32 putts and hit 11 of 14 fairways with his Callaway Great Big Bertha driver. Finneran's initial score was a 67, but he got a favorable ruling after hitting a provisional ball near the green on No. 16. A sprinkler head was in his way, so he chipped over it and bogeyed. He got relief with his provisional and ended up with a par using that ball. Afterward, he was awarded the par. Word of his amazing round spread quickly Thursday afternoon. "I think they might have made an announcement at school," Finneran said. "I've gotten a lot of texts from my friends. Even my boss at work (at Plum Brook Country Club) texted me 'good round.' " Finneran's dad, Sean, is SMCC's golf coach. He liked what he saw from his junior standout. "Every time I watched him he was getting the ball in position to make birdie putts," the coach said. "He's put so much work into it. Even after he plays in these 18-hole tournaments he goes home and practices putting and chipping." The younger Finneran will get to practice for at least another week. The district tournament is scheduled for next Thursday at Stone Ridge Club in Bowling Green. Finneran advanced to the district round as a freshman as part of SMCC's team. Last year he made it as an individual after shooting 79 at the sectional. SMCC finished second with a 332 to qualify as a team. Austin Gill shot an 85 for the Panthers while Jacob Harrison (90) and Leo Will (91) rounded out their scorecard. Huron won the sectional with a 331 and Old Fort (342) grabbed the third district team berth by one stroke over Margaretta. St. Paul finished fifth with a 347. Five Huron golfers broke 90, led by T.J. Murray, who shot 74 to finish second to Finneran overall. Also scoring for the Tigers: Jack Murray (81), Grant Humphrey (88) and Luke Barton (88). Margaretta's Max Hartman finished third with a 75 to earn one of the individual berths at the district tourney. Danbury senior Tyler Harris shot an 82 to tie St. Paul's Gavin Thurston for the third-best score among golfers not on advancing teams. Harris and Thurston went to a playoff hole to determine the final district spot. Harris parred No. 10 and Thurston bogeyed, meaning Harris will play next week. Clyde wins at Woussickett Clyde shot a 317 to edge Bellevue (318) and Vermilion (319) in the Division II sectional at Woussickett Golf Course. All three SBC teams advanced to the district tournament next Thursday at Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course. Pirates sophomore Kyle Schaefer shot a 78 to earn one of four district berths for individuals not on advancing teams. The Pirates finished sixth at 327. Clyde finished before Bellevue and had to sweat out the tight finish. "We got a putt or two to go down to allow us to finish first," Clyde coach Joe Webb said. "You want to be playing your best at the end of the season. I'm so happy for the kids." Clyde senior Josh Swartz led the Fliers with a 74. He tied Bellevue senior Tyson Baptista and Clear Fork junior Landon Ball for medalist honors at 4 over par. Clyde senior Brayden Olson fired a 75 and junior Nico Carroll carded a 79. Senior Gavyn Boggs shot an 89 to round out the scoring for the Fliers. Blake Sutherland shot a 79 for the Redmen while Sam Cooper (82) and Preston Spurlock (83) also contributed to the team score. Vermilion was led by freshman Sam Riddle, who carded a 76 from his No. 4 spot in the lineup. Codey Schwarck and Noah Penton each shot 78 for the Sailors and Severin Kretchmar finished with an 87. Clear Fork finished one stroke behind Vermilion at 320.