Bellevue dominates at Hohenstein Classic

CLYDE — They kept calling Bellevue names when it came time to pass out awards at the Ralph Hohenstein Classic on Monday. The Redmen claimed three of the top four individual scores and ran away with the team title with a 297 at Green Hills Golf Course. "Four scores in the 70s is really good," Bellevue coach Luke Spurlock said. "I think we could've gone a little lower, but you can't complain about it." Bellevue was led by senior Sam Cooper, who claimed medalist honors at the Clyde invite for the second straight year. Cooper shot an even-par 71 at the area's first big fall sports event of the year. It was his career-best score and one stroke better than the 72 he shot last year at the Hohenstein. "I love that," Cooper said. "I just have good luck at this place, I guess." Cooper had a strong, consistent round, and it could've been better. "Putting wasn't good; I went 1 for 13 on birdie putts," he said. "I definitely could've gone low if my putting was half decent. I've been averaging like 28 putts and today I had 37 putts and shot even (par). "My ball striking was good. I definitely should've shot the school record." Cooper, who played a lot this summer in Toledo Junior Golf Association events, hit 14 greens in regulation and avoided what he called "blow-up holes." "I gave myself a lot of chances," he said. "It helps when I'm not scrambling all the time." Cooper wasn't the only Bellevue player to go low. Three other Redmen posted career-best rounds to help their team win by 29 strokes over runner-up Willard while posting one of the best scores in tournament history. Junior Blake Sutherland fired a 73, sophomore Jackson Decker posted a 76 and junior Preston Spurlock carded a 77. "(Cooper) struck the ball really, really well. He was right there all day," coach Spurlock said. "But they all push each other. Blake wants to compete with Sam, Sam wants to compete with Blake. Jackson wants to compete, Preston wants to compete. "They know that to get on the (record) board at the high school it's gonna take a couple more strokes." Bellevue, which will compete in a 9-hole SBC Lake Division shootout Thursday at Woussickett, missed the school record for 18 holes by one stroke. "If we can sit in the mid-70s it's going to be a fun season," Cooper said. St. Mary Central Catholic senior Blake Finneran shot a 1-over 72 to finish second among individuals. "I can't complain about a 72," he said. "It's always a good round, but coming out here I was expecting a little better. I left some shots out there. "I really don't know if I had a bad drive all day. That was the best part of my game. Putting was a little rough; I actually had a 4-putt out there. That was really tough, but I came back and had two birdies." Finneran shot a 1-under 71 to earn medalist honors at last Friday's Chieftain Invitational at Fostoria Country Club. Finneran, who wants to make it back to state this year, had four birdies — all on the back nine. "Once we got to the back, I started playing a little better," he said. "Got a little more excited and some pep in my step." SMCC finished fourth in the 20-team field with a 337. Joey Finneran (85), Leo Will (89) and Pravir Gorty (91) all scored for the Panthers. Perkins tied Calvert for sixth at 342. Kyle Schaefer (82), Colton Kelley (85), Ty Obergefell (87) and Josh Cummings (88) filled in the Pirates' scorecard. Tourney host Clyde was eighth with a 344 and Margaretta was 11th at 347. Nico Carroll led the Fliers with a career-low 77, good for a four-way tied for fifth place among individuals. "I was straight with the driver, couldn't putt," said Carroll, Clyde's only senior. St. Paul's Mason Beatty also shot a 77. Ten players broke 80 on the par-71 layout. Norwalk was led by Cohen Shoop, who shot an 85. Danbury's Frankie Kovach carded an 87. Team scores Bellevue 297, Willard 326, Madison 331, St. Mary CC 337, Columbian 337, Calvert 342, Perkins 342, Clyde 344, Woodmore 346, Old Fort 346, Margaretta 347, Lakota 357, Lake 364, Norwalk 368, Hopewell-Loudon 379, Danbury 380, Mohawk 391, Port Clinton 421, St. Paul 425, Fremont SJCC 443 Top 10 individuals Sam Cooper, Bellevue, 71; Blake Finneran, St. Mary CC, 72; Blake Sutherland, Bellevue, 73; Jackson Decker, Bellevue, 76; Mason Beatty, St. Paul, 77; Nico Carroll, Clyde, 77; Liam Herbert, Calvert, 77; Preston Spurlock, Bellevue, 77; Adler Ames, Willard, 79; Kyle Hepp, Columbian, 79