Mount Abe golfers compete in dramatic playoffs
MIDDLEBURY — Mount Abraham Union brothers Greg and Jona Scott each lost dramatic multi-hole playoffs at Wednesday’s Vermont High School Golf Championships at Middlebury’s Ralph Myhre Golf Course. Both had qualified to compete as individuals at the Division II North Sectional tournament the week before.
Greg Scott, a senior who was the defending D-II medalist, and Lake Region’s Nick Lussier each fired 77s to tie for D-II medalist honors on Wednesday, and Lussier earned the title on the second playoff hole.
Scott took a four-stroke lead on the front nine by shooting a 38 to Lussier’s 42, and Scott came home with a 39 on the back nine, which is generally considered more challenging. But Lussier blazed to a one-under-par 35 on the back nine to force the playoff.
In the playoff, both parred the first hole, the par-five first, with Lussier recovering after pushing his tee shot into the trees on the right. Scott missed an opportunity by pulling his second shot just left of the green.
The pair then went to the par-four 18th, and Lussier got on the green in two. Scott, who outdrove Lussier, took a little too much earth with his iron, and the ball landed on the front slope of the green and rolled back off. Lussier two-putted for par, and Scott was unable to chip one and get down in two, giving Lussier the medalist crown.
Scott’s 77 was good enough to be among the top 10 scores on the day, and he qualified to join the Vermont team that will compete in the New England tournament. Mount Abe coach Frank Walch said that event will be held in New Hampshire in July.
Jona Scott, a freshman playing at his first state tournament shot 38-41 for a 79, leaving him in a four-way tie for the 10th and final New England qualifying spot.
Scott and Mount Mansfield’s Alex Rockwell both birdied the par-five first hole to eliminate two golfers. After Rockwell sank a 30-footer for his birdie, Scott responded by sinking an eight-footer to stay in the hunt. Both then bogeyed the 18th, and then returned to the first hole. There, Rockwell birdied again, chipping on and one-putting for the win.
Otter Valley’s Sam Tayloe also qualified as an individual. Tayloe, a junior, shot 49-51 for an even 100.
Essex won the D-I title by shooting a collective 296 despite having their No. 3 golfer disqualified for a rules violation. Evan Russell’s three-under-par 68 led the Hornets to their fourth straight crown. Hartford took second at 312, with Joe Toland shooting a 70.
Lyndon (349) edged Harwood (351) for the D-II title, and Stratton (350) edged Rivendell (354) for the D-III crown.
Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at [email protected].