The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Oakwood boys golf seeking state title three-peat

Lumberjacks storm back to take their third district title.

Patrick Ireland of Oakwood tees off during the Southwest District Golf Tournament at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011.

Samantha Grier Patrick Ireland of Oakwood tees off during the Southwest District Golf Tournament at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011.

ENLARGE PHOTO

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Wayne boys win team track title
5/25/12
Bellbrook tennis duo advances to semifinals
5/25/12
Jefferson grad takes lessons from Miami Heat cousin
5/25/12
T-Bolts excited for state debut
5/25/12
> More high school headlines

By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 12:41 AM Friday, October 7, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — The golf state title in 2009 was anticipated.

The state title in 2010 was unexpected.

This third year? The Oakwood Lumberjacks are thinking, “Why not?”

An impressive back nine — keyed by coach Jen Lohmeyer’s pep talk and some timely putts — catapulted Oakwood’s boys from six strokes down at the turn to six strokes ahead of the field at the Division II district tournament at Weatherwax Golf Course on Thursday.

Oakwood’s third district title in six seasons also earned the Lumberjacks a third straight appearance in the D-II state championship next Friday and Saturday at the North Star Golf Resort in Sunbury.

“They obviously have a lot of heart,” Lohmeyer said of the Lumberjacks’ comeback that sent a buzz through the Weatherwax clubhouse. “Our intentions are to go win. That’s why we’re going. ... There are good feelings about this team.”

In 2009, an Oakwood team with three seniors and two juniors edged Alter by seven strokes to win its first state title since 1985.

In 2010, a team of two seniors, two sophomores and a freshman pulled off the repeat — described by Lohmeyer as “unbelievable” — with a two-stroke win over Hunting Valley University School.

Next weekend, a fivesome of two juniors and three sophomores attempt the unthinkable.

“I think we’re actually the underdogs coming in. But we have a shot,” said sophomore Tripp French, whose 73 led the Lumberjacks on the 6,600-yard, par-72 course.

“It’s a pretty cool feeling. I hope we can do it, but it’s going to be hard.”

Thursday was good practice.

Oakwood shot a 160 to trail Kenton Ridge by six strokes and Cincinnati Indian Hill by two — they all played in the same pairings Thursday — after the first nine holes.

The Lumberjacks played the final nine holes to a 149.

“She said go to the back nine and get them,” junior Jack Kegelmeyer said of Lohmeyer’s pep talk.

After French’s 73, juniors Alex Marquis and Kegelmeyer both shot 78, sophomore Austin Wells 80 and sophomore Patrick Ireland 87.

Oakwood rival Alter fell short of a sixth straight trip to state after finishing third at 321, six strokes behind runner-up Kenton Ridge.

“I like them, they’re great guys,” Kegelmeyer said of the Knights. “We’re always joking around at NCR, sometimes I’ll go over there and see them. No bad blood there.”

With no cellphones to check in on teammates, the Lumberjacks had to resort to an old-fashioned way to gauge if their own comeback was working.

No putters went whizzing overhead. No Oakwood golf bags were seen floating in the pond.

That was a good sign for Marquis and his Lumberjacks teammates.

“You’re looking around and you’re reading body language. Are there clubs (tossed) in the air? Are their heads down? Body language lets you know how everybody is doing,” Marquis said.

The Jacks soon got their answer in the form of smiles and handshakes in the Weatherwax clubhouse.

“Nervous,” Lohmeyer said of her mood after those first nine holes. “But our guys are used to coming back. We had a good pep talk at the turn. ... I told them we were in the race and par is your friend.”

Apparently, so is the state tournament.

“This group has played steady golf all season. They’re up for it,” Lohmeyer said.

Runner-up Kenton Ridge will vouch for that.

“They played a fantastic round of golf on the back nine,” KR coach Chris White said. “Our guys let some strokes get away. We’d like to win, but surviving and advancing was the goal today.

“Whoever comes out of this district seems to fare quite well. They’re the defending state champs and shot a great 309 today. You’d have to put them as the favorite just because they’re defending. ... Everybody starts at zero next week.”

What: Division II boys tournament

When: Oct. 14-15

Where: North Star Golf Resort, Sunbury

How the D-II district champion has fared at state in recent years: