SECTION IV BOYS GOLF: TIOGA'S SICKLER FIRES 79; QUALIFIES FOR N.Y. STATE TOURNAMENT (14 PHOTOS) (2024-05-18)
By BRIAN FEESValley Sports ReportELMIRA — Tioga senior Evan Sickler knew what he needed to do if he wanted a chance to make the NYSPHSAA Golf Championships.
After an opening round 86 at Mark Twain Golf Course on Thursday, the Tioga golfer knew he had to get into the 70s on Saturday.
That’s exactly what happened as Sickler shot a 79 to give him a two-day total of 165, tying for eighth at the Section IV Medalist Tournament and making states right at the cutline. The top nine golfers qualified states, and the final two golfers to qualify were tied at that score of 165.
"I am pretty excited," Sickler said. "It was a good day today."
Sickler had a number in mind going into the day, but he tried to just stay focused hole-by-hole.
"I did (have a number), but I tried not to think about it," he said. "I tried to play every hole one hole at a time."
The number that Sickler wanted to shoot was really close to the number he shot.
"I wanted to shoot 77," Sickler said. "I had that on track until the last hole, I double-bogeyed."
Getting into the 70s was crucial on Saturday.
"Especially after the other day, 70s was good," he said.
Evan’s dad, and coach, Dave Sickler, was happy to see his son put together a strong round on Saturday morning.
"Super proud," Dave Sickler said. "We talked about it on the car ride up. You are still in this. You still have a chance. You are just going to have to piece together something in the 70s, or maybe an 80 and as it turned out he squeaked it in with a 79 … just super proud."
For Evan Sickler, putting was a big key on Saturday.
"My putting for sure (was something he had to clean up after round one). I did good today. I don’t think I had any three-putts. I kept it at two putts and under."
Ever since making the state qualifier a year ago, it was on Sickler’s mind to get to States. And, last year’s experience helped prepare him for Saturday.
"A little bit," Sickler said of how much last year helped. "Just course-management wise, I knew where every pin was and what club to hit."
For Sickler, it was also fun to have a teammate at the state qualifiers both days.
Tyler Roe also qualified for the second day of the state qualifiers after shooting an 87 on Thursday. Roe shot a 95 on Saturday for a two-day total of 182.
"It is fun," Sickler said of having Roe with him at the state qualifiers. "He didn’t end up too well, but it’s alright."
For Sickler, everything on Saturday felt good.
"I really wanted to make States this year," Sickler said. "Especially after Thursday’s round, I knew I needed to do something a bit better today. So, it feels good."
Now, it’s back to Mark Twain in a couple weeks for the state championships.
"I am excited, I am very excited," Sickler said. "There are a ton of good kids out here. I am hoping I can compete."
Dave Sickler is happy that Evan will have a chance to play at states.
"We will go into it without a lot of pressure and see what happens," Dave Sickler said. "But, just to have that experience to play in the state championship is amazing."
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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga’s Evan Sickler. … PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.
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