NEW YORK STATE BOYS GOLF: TIOGA'S SICKLER STRUGGLES THROUGH DAY 2 AT STATES (8 PHOTOS) (2024-06-03)
Valley Sports ReportELMIRA - Tioga senior Evan Sickler struggled through Day 2 of the New York State Boys Golf Championships here Monday at the Mark Twain Golf Course, but the fact it’s his third sport makes his appearance at States all the more impressive.
An all-state performer in football and basketball, Sickler has been Tioga’s top golfer each of the last two years.
"It’s certainly not the way he wanted to end things, but as his coach and dad I am super-proud of where he is at now as a golfer," said Tioga coach Dave Sickler.
"Golf has really been secondary to him with the grind of football and basketball over the years, so to see him really start loving the game and being more serious about it has been special to me," noted Sickler.
"I believe his best golf will be in the future," he added. "To be a part of any state championship tournament is quite an accomplishment."
Sickler, who shot an 80 on Sunday, carded a 91 Monday to finish with a two-day total of 171 — good for 88th in the field of 99.
Sickler opened with a 48 on the back nine, including an eight on the 18th hole. He finished the day with a 43 on the front nine, including a birdie on the par-4 9th hole.
"He got off to a rough start with two doubles, then seemed to get a handle on things until a very unfortunate break — a lost ball that was later found after he’d put the second ball in play," said Tioga coach Dave Sickler. "(It) turned into a quadruple-bogey … he just couldn’t get anything going after that."
Senior Joseph Doleful of The Wheatley School shot a two-day total of 138 (68-70) to win the state title, but he needed two playoffs holes to top Horace Greeley freshman Ken Fernandes, who also shot a 138 (71-67).
Maine-Endwell sophomore Blaise Brixner led Section IV golfers with a nine-place finish, shooting a 146 (75-71), and defending state champion, Union-Endicott senior Dante Bertoni was 14th with a 148 (75-73).
——————
IN PHOTOS: Tioga’s Evan Sickler. … PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.
Print Friendly Version
