Going into the final round of the state championship round at the University of Maryland Golf Course Wednesday, South River High sophomore Josh Eure knew he had a target on his back. Holding a one-shot advantage and just 18 holes from a state title, that?s exactly the way he wanted it.
Shooting a 1-under-par 70 on Monday and a 72 on Wednesday, Eure?s two-day total of even-par 142 was good enough for a four-shot win, giving him the Class 4A-3A state championship.
“I like playing with the lead and extending that lead,” Eure said. “I wanted to get in the lead and make it even worse [for the competition]. I like having the bulls-eye. It means they are coming after me, and not me chasing after them.”
Despite the cold, windy weather that plagued many golfers, the elements were never a factor for the new state champ.
“If you don?t have experience in the wind or the cold, it hurts you,” Eure said. “It really affected some people.”
In the 4A-3A girls competition, Arundel sophomore Lauren Smith dethroned Severna Park?s defending state champ, Kelly Lynch. Firing a 2-over 74 (course par for females is 72) in her opening round, Smith held a two-shot lead over the field and a four-shot edge over Lynch going into the final day. Lynch wouldn?t let go of her crown without one last charge, but Smith held on to finish with a 75 Wednesday for a 5-over 149 total, three shots ahead of Lynch.
“I knew [Lynch] was two under after 11 holes,” Smith said. “I had to salvage something on the last few holes.”
In the team standings, Glenelg (662) came away with 2A-1A state crown by seven strokes over Parkside (669) after being dead-even the first day of play. Walkersville (672) finished third, while Century (688) came in fourth.
There were no surprises in the 4A-3A team standings, just more records set by Churchill of Montgomery County.
The Bulldogs won the state title in dominating fashion and now hold virtually every state record, including all-time state titles (10), consecutive state titles (five), lowest one-day team score (300, set Monday) and lowest two-day team score (604, set Wednesday). La Plata (635), North Carroll (639), Broadneck (644) and Whitman (647) rounded out the rest of the top five.
