The Bear Creek School boys’ golf team completed their banner year by polishing off the program’s first 1B/2B boys’ golf team title at Meadow Park Golf Course in Lakewood on Wednesday, finishing with 111 team points to second-place DeSales’ 82.
The Grizzlies’ seniors led the way, with Will Stansell firing a two-day total of 79-86–165 for sixth place overall and Gannon McCahill 82-86–168 for a tie of eighth.
Sophomore Ricky Olson, tied for third after round one, shot 79-95–174 to end up in a tie for 17th, and junior Jacob Imam, playing in his first season of high school golf, shot a two-day total of 175 for 20th.
Despite ballooning scores on the second day, the Grizzlies all but had the title locked up due to the fact they had four golfers make the cut, more than any other school, and had all four of their players in the top seven in the field.
“It was definitely an advantage, the more opportunities you have to score points,” explained Greg Cheever, the Grizzles’ head coach. “There have been some two-person teams finish high, with 50 points for first and 45 for second. It’s all about the finishes.”
Cheever added that preparation was the key in his team’s state run, knowing their way around Meadow Park’s tight, challenging layout and where to place the ball for the best approach shot.
“The kids were feeling confident, they had done a lot of study of the course and a lot of play,” he said. “Those that were contending for the medalist (honors) did the best they could, while finishing with a good score to gather as many team points as they could.”
Seniors Stansell and McCahill, both three-year veterans of the program, enjoyed their best showings of their prep careers at the state tournament and drew recognition this year for not only their golfing prowess, but also their sportsmanship.
“They’re really good golfers, they love the game and are dedicated to the game,” Cheever said of his two departing seniors. “Great athletes, they have a great mindset and are good sportsmen throughout. Numerous coaches and rules officials have commented to me on the side on how well-behaved they are on the course, that they’re playing the game the right way. It’s a credit to them and to their parents.”
Another surprise was Jacob Imam, the 2009 1A/1B/2B state singles tennis champion. Having never played organized competitive golf before, Imam was able to contribute in a big way, steadily improving over the course of the season and making the cut at the state tournament to help the Grizzlies bring home the title.
“We were able to translate the hand-eye coordination in tennis, the stroke methodology, to his golf game,” Cheever explained. “He’s so smart and a good athlete, he was able to do that well and easily.”
On the girls’ side, sophomore Morgan Cadigan placed sixth with a 89-93–182 total for a sixth-place finish, also at Meadow Park. Cadigan placed 12th at state last year as a freshman and was one of only three girls in the Grizzlies’ program this year.
