By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The final day at the OHSAA Division II Girls State Tournament proved to be challenging for the field competing at the Gray Course of the Ohio State University Golf Club.

An hour delay, thanks to weather conditions including rain, put the entire field on hold until conditions warranted a successful start from the tee.

Any athlete knows you prepare for the start of your event whether it be by warming up, running or hitting and putting golf balls — so it made conditions even tougher for the field of outstanding golfers who qualified for the state tournament on their second day.

Taylor Blazek of Southeast, a junior, who was at her first state tournament and was the first to qualify for the event for the Pirates, made the best of her day on the front nine holes, starting on the first hole.

Blazek was 4-over-par following the front nine and then continued on the back to struggle with a series of holes in the middle to finish 8-over-par on the back.

Still, Blazek finished in 14th place out of the 72 girls that advanced, carding a two-day total of 159 and only three strokes away from a top-10 finish and six strokes shy of the medalist.

“It was tough conditions, windy, but rain doesn’t really bother me,” said Blazek. “I did start to get cold during the round.

“I liked playing the back first, but in the final round, I played the front and I needed more energy. Playing the front kind of threw me off because it is a little bit harder,” explained the Pirates’ standout.

But the experience at the state tournament was good.

“I had a bunch of fun,” said Blazek. “I was excited to play the course and everyone was there to support me. It was awesome.”

Looking toward next season, Blazek has her sights set on a return trip to state.

“I just know I want to work harder, be the best and prepare for next year. I need to work everyday to get better.”

OHSAA DIVISION II GIRLS STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP,

(At Ohio State University Gray Course, Columbus – Par 70)

FINAL RESULTS

SOUTHEAST: Taylor Blazek 159 (14th in the state)

TEAM STANDINGS: Columbus Academy 638, Garaway 637, Bishop Fenwick 710, St Vincent-St. Mary 719, Independence 727, Laurel 729, Colonel Crawford 737, Westfall 737, Van Buren 745, Seven Hills 752, Edison Milan 756, Hopewell Loudon 766.

MEDALIST: Brooklyn Numbers, Garaway 155.