BLOOMINGTON – Bedford North Lawrence’s Colten Girgis fired a 1-over 72 and tied for medalist honors during the Bloomington North Invitational at Cascades on Saturday.
Girgis lost to Covenant Christian’s Drew Davis in a four-hole playoff for the individual title. The Stars finished fourth in the 15-team field with a team total of 322. Center Grove won the crown with 313, followed by Westfield (315) and Covenant Christian (315).
Girgis played the 18 holes in regulation with one birdie (a spectacular pitch from 38 yards on the brutal 230-yard par-3 ninth hole) and only two bogeys. In the playoff, which lasted an hour, both players struggled with a par and two bogeys before Davis prevailed with a par.
“It kind of sucks being 0-1,” Girgis said of his first playoff experience. “I have to limit my mistakes. There were a couple of putts I should have read a little better. I didn’t capitalize.”
Girgis started his round with seven straight pars before reaching the ninth for the first time. His 2-iron off the tee missed wide left, but he was pitch perfect from off the green as the second shot trickled into the cup.
“That was nice,” Girgis said.
Girgis made two bogeys on the back nine to slip back over par, but his consistency was rewarded.
“That’s the third tournament he’s won or tied,” BNL coach Mike Wright said. “He obviously has it zeroed in. He’s not getting as many birdies, but we could all learn from him. Staying away from big numbers helps your score.”
Jackson Jones carded an 81, Jett Jones totaled 83 and Trevin Hutchinson carded 86 to complete BNL’s team scorecard.
“It’s the same story,” Wright said. “When you look at who beats us, there are no surprises. We’re edging closer to the front. On the sectional course, it was good to get that round in. A lot of these kids had not seen it in a while.”
BNL will get another look at Cascades when it travels back to Bloomington to face North in a dual match on Tuesday.
