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Alter carries that momentum into the D-II district tournament at Beavercreek Golf Course on Thursday. The Knights practiced at Beavercreek during the summer, as well as at sectional-tournament site Pipestone GC, and held team tryouts at both courses.
“Familiarity with the golf course is always helpful. I think that bodes well for us,” Alter coach Alex Schuster said. “But anything can happen. I had them playing at Beavercreek during the summer in preparation. That’s going to help us get ready for district and hopefully bringing it home.”
The Knights’ team depth was on display at sectional. No. 1 golfer and junior Nick Kreusch shot the team’s highest score with 83. His teammates picked him up as sophomore No. 2 A.J. Pothast shot 79, senior No. 3 Adam White 78, sophomore No. 4 Jack Norman 75 and junior No. 5 Ethan Ditzel 80. Alter beat runner-up Oakwood by 16 strokes.
“Oakwood is always tough and they’re experienced. I think we finished runner-up to them at sectional the last couple years,” Schuster said. “Summit Country Day is a really good team. Indian Hill and Wyoming are pretty strong as well. Hopefully we can turn things around this year.”
The top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advance to next week’s state tournament.
“We’ve got some good young players and some solid returning leadership,” Schuster said. “The kids have really gotten a lot of experience the last couple years. We’re hoping we can make that return trip this year. … It’s definitely one of the toughest districts in the state really in any level. The state champion comes out of the Southwest district quite often. Our goal is to first qualify for state. Goal number two is to win the district.”
Oakwood and Eaton join Alter at the D-II district. Valley View senior Ben Herman, the sectional tournament medalist, qualified as an individual.
In the Division III district tournament, Lehman Catholic and Newton lead the way. The tournament will be held at the Glenview Golf Course near Cincinnati on Wednesday.
The Cavaliers, led by senior Tyler Lachey’s 78, won the D-III sectional title at Arcanum’s Beechwood Golf Course last week. The Indians, paced by junior Chet Jamison’s 78, claimed the sectional title at Turtle Creek Golf Course in Greenville.
Fort Loramie, Franklin-Monroe and Twin Valley South also qualified out of Beechwood for the D-III district tournament.
The boys and girls Division I district tournaments follow next week.
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