On the tough sixth hole on the White Course at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club in Front Royal, Va., St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes senior Chris Beveridge expressed the sentiments of the field Tuesday in the Interstate Athletic Conference golf championship.
“I wish I was good at golf, then I wouldn’t have to worry about how big the green was,” said Beveridge, on his way to a double bogey.
No. 6 was a humbling experience for several players who dreamed of an IAC title. Bullis sophomore Nick Sorkin came to the par-4 even par through 14 holes and shot a 10. Georgetown Prep freshman Wes Strang arrived at the hole 2-over-par and made a 7.
Those and other misfortunes at the hole helped pave the way for Prep senior Dan Hathway to capture his first IAC title. His 3-over-par 74 was good for a one stroke win over Prep junior Jimmy Vollmer and Landon juniors Michael DiMeglio and Ersin Levent.
Hathway had trouble with the sixth hole as well. He reacted to his 3-putt bogey by flinging his ball toward the next tee. Afterward, he was surprised his score was good enough to win.
“I didn’t think it would hold up, but as everybody came in, I realized it was a tough day for a lot of players,” said the Georgetown-bound Hathway. “It’s great. It was my last chance to win this. It’s special.”
Hathway also led the Little Hoyas to the team title. Prep (377) won by a comfortable margin over Landon (390) and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (398) as senior Jonathan Biava, junior Justin Nogay and Strang all shot 76.
“The thing they will come away from it is that they will be a bit frustrated individually, but they will be very pleased with the team play,” said Prep coach Bob Barry. “All season long we’ve had consistent play from one through eight. The tough part is choosing which six guys were going to come [to the tournament].”
With the victory, Prep is assured of at least a share of the IAC title. Under Barry, the Little Hoyas have won the banner 14 times in 24 seasons. To clinch the title outright, Prep needs a win over Landon May 3 at Woodmont.
Playing in the No. 5 slot, Vollmer’s performance was clutch for the Little Hoyas. He needed to shoot a 1-over 37 Monday at Argyle Country Club to secure his slot in Tuesday’s rotation.
Vollmer had a chance to win the tournament, driving the 280-yard par-four 16th hole. But his eagle putt lipped out. Then he made a costly bogey at the par-five 18th. With a win, Vollmer would have matched the feat of his brother, Kevin, who won the IAC title in 2003 and ’04.
Vollmer’s improved play is the result of an equipment change. Until recently, he didn’t realize his driver had a regular flex. The long-hitting 6-foot-3 Vollmer needed extra stiff.
“Before it was right, left, right, left,” said Vollmer. “Now I’m bombing it, dead straight, right down the middle.”
