Alex Hider
On Thursday evening at the Elks Country Club, Wheelersburg’s Mitchell McFarland capped his illustrious SOC II career with a fourth-straight Player of the Year honor. He’s likely the first golfer in decades to sweep Player of the Year awards throughout his high school career.
McFarland was at a loss for words after his championship-clinching round.
“It’s…it’s just awesome,” he said.
McFarland finished with a nine-hole score of 37, finishing in second place in Thursday’s match. West’s Jordan Tieman was the match medalist with a 36.
McFarland finished nine strokes ahead of Tieman in the final SOC II standings. Thursday marked the only conference match of the season in which he did not medal.
“That was my goal freshman year to be able to (win four straight titles). I’ve definitely had a lot of help along the way. This isn’t just a one man show,” he said.
McFarland extended thanks to Wheelersburg golf coach Jerry Evans, his swing coach Bob Sowards, his father Matt and the entire Pirate community. He also dedicated Thursday’s round to his grandfather, who’s currently battling an illness.
The senior now turns his sights to the postseason, where he’ll try to reach the state tournament for the first time in his career. To do that, he first needs to finish as part of one of the five lowest-scoring teams or one of the five-lowest scoring individuals at the sectional tournament on Sept. 29 at Shawnee Golf Course, and finish on the lowest scoring team or the lowest scoring individual at the District Tournament at Crown Hill on Oct. 7.
“(Winning a state championship) has been my dream since freshman year. I’m really liking where my game is at right now,” McFarland said.
“I’m not done yet.”
The Waverly Tigers earned the SOC II team championship on Thursday by shooting a combined score of 165. They finished 45 strokes ahead of last year’s champions, Portsmouth West.
Box Score
FINAL SOC II MATCH
THE ELKS COUNTRY CLUB
WAVERLY 165
Jo. Henderson 39
Clifford 41
Johnson 42
Heffner 43
WEST 175
Tieman 36*
Dyer 44
Finley 46
Howard/Boggs 49
NORTHWEST 186
Mundhenk 43
Holsinger 44
Gollard 48
Litteral 51
WHEELERSBURG 193
McFarland 37
Evans 50
Dyer 53
Deck 53
MINFORD 199
Mersiel 47
Powell 48
Hammond 49
Hollbrook 56
VALLEY 202
Downey 45
Bloomfield 50
Stone 53
Thompson 54
* = Match Medalist
Coach of the Year — Jason Ramsey, Waverly
Player of the Year — Mitchell McFarland, Wheelersburg
All-SOC — Mitchell McFarland, Wheelersburg; Jordan Tieman, West; Daniel Heffner, Waverly; Jake Henderson, Waverly; Joe Henderson, Waverly; Isaiah Clifford, Waverly
Reach Alex Hider at 740-353-3101 ext. 1931 or on Twitter @PDTSportsWriter
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