C-J file photo/Clay Amlung is the only senior on a St. Xavier golf team that will try to win its third straight state title this weekend.
Seeking its third straight title, the St. Xavier High School boys golf team will be among the favorites at this weekend’s Leachman Buick-GMC-Cadillac/KHSAA State Championships at Bowling Green Country Club.
But first-year coach Patrick Sullivan said the chase for the team title will be a crowded one, with Trinity, Taylor County, South Warren and Franklin County also expected to be in the mix.
“There are probably a half-dozen teams that can win it,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to take our best golf to beat them.”
The two-round state tournament will tee off at 8 a.m. EDT Friday, with the final round set for 9 a.m. Saturday.
St. X lost all five of its golfers from last year’s championship to graduation but has prospered with new faces this season, winning nine tournaments.
Junior Will Fowler won last week’s Region Six Tournament at Seneca Golf Course. Senior Clay Amlung, juniors Drew Hinkebein and Jay Kirchdorfer and freshman Campbell Kremer round out the starting lineup.
St. X won the regional team title with a score of 288, beating runner-up Trinity by 16 shots.
“The way we played in the regional was very exciting and gave us a lot of positive momentum going into this week,” Sullivan said. “I think everybody’s game is trending in the right direction, and there’s nothing but positive thoughts for the guys this weekend.”
Trinity’s last state title came in 2003, but the Shamrocks should be in contention despite a young roster. Freshmen Hudson Hummel and J.M. Butler led Trinity at the regional tournament. Seniors Kyle Davis and Michael Blair and sophomore Evan Bone also are solid.
The top two individuals in last year’s tournament are back this weekend in Franklin County senior C.J. Jones (champion) and Lyon County junior Cullan Brown (runner-up). Other top individuals include Union County senior Rhett Cardwell, Glasgow senior Chase Landrum, McCracken County senior Chase Korte, Taylor County sophomore Cooper Parks, Jackson County senior Zach Norris and Greenwood freshman Canon Claycomb.
Five individuals from the Louisville area qualified – Bullitt East senior Zach Taylor, Holy Cross junior Cooper Scott, Ballard sophomore Miles Parroco, Christian Academy senior Hayden Zimmerer and Manual senior Robbie Keyes. Zimmerer tied for eighth place in last year’s state tournament.
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.
BOYS GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT
* When: Play starts at 8 a.m. EDT Friday and 9 a.m. EDT Saturday.
* Where: Bowling Green Country Club.
* Defending champion: St. Xavier.