Blazer golf performs poorly

OCT 7, HAMPSHIRE GREENS GOLF COURSE-

The Blair Golf team struggled to find its motivation and focus as the boys finished last against Richard Montgomery and Paint Branch in a match-play tournament.

Instead of scoring based on stroke count, this tournament was decided by match play, which means scoring is based on who wins the most holes. Against the other top two teams in the Kohut Division, Blair was only able to win seven holes. Fortunately for Blair, this match did not count towards its division standings.

While seniors Zach Mellman and Ben Payes led the team by winning two holes each, both played below their usual level. Mellman was suffering from a fever but still managed to play. Junior Neal Vasilak did not win a single hole during the match. Seniors Ben Martinez and Jake Riley, and sophomore Danny Gillen combined to win three holes.

The team lacked focus, in part, because this match had no impact on the outcome of their season as the county was using this match to test the different method of scoring. "Everyone was really relaxed and no one seemed to really care. Match play is more relaxed than stroke play, " said Payes.

Blair must regain its mental discipline and form for the County Tournament on Mon, Oct 13, and its final division match on Mon, Oct 20, against Richard Montgomery, Kennedy and Poolesville at Hampshire Greens. In order to win the Kohut division the Blazers need to finish strong in their fianl match, which carries added pressure because it will decide the top team in Blair's division. The team is currently tied with Richard Montgomery in that spot.

The Blazers plan to take the rest of the season seriously and practice hard in the upcoming weeks to insure a positive end to the 2003 season.