Back when he was a student at Wright State University, Chris Coleman earned some free play at Beavercreek Golf Club by working on the maintenance crew and serving as a starter and a ranger.

His knowledge of the course paid off Thursday when he played in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Sectional qualifier at Beavercreek.

Coleman, a former Carroll High School athlete who played baseball at Wright State, turned in a 2-over-par score of 146. He earned the medalist award in the 36-hole competition against 27 other players.

The performance earned him a spot in the national tournament July 9-14 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway, Utah. Logan Holt of Plain City, the 2010 Ohio Junior Champion, was runner-up with a 148. He also will have a place in the Utah event.

Coleman shot 71 in the first round and 75 in the second. Holt put his score together with rounds of 72 and 76.

Nick Scott of Union, last year’s medalist, was in position to make a strong bid for one of the two spots when he shot 72 in the first round. But he shot a 79 in the afternoon and finished fourth.

Former Wright State golfer Scott Thompson of Miamisburg was third at 150 (74-76).

Coleman, who now lists Columbus as his residence, is in dental school at Ohio State University and is on course to graduate next May. He hopes to practice dentistry in the Dayton area in the future.

Until a few years ago, baseball was his primary sport. The son of Dave Coleman, who appeared in 11 games as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox in 1977, Chris starred in the Patterson Park Little League. Playing for Carroll High School, he was player of the year twice in the Mid-Miami League and was the quarterback of the first Carroll football team to win a game in the state playoffs.

He concentrated on baseball at WSU, where he was a pitcher/outfielder before graduating in 2006. When his diamond days were over, he wasted no time becoming proficient at golf.

Joe Moore, head pro at Beavercreek, knows Coleman well. “He’s a gamer, and he has a good head on his shoulders.” Moore said Friday.

Grabeman wins Mid-Amateur

Another Dayton area product now living in Columbus had a big victory in Mansfield on June 13. Kevin Grabeman, who grew up in Springboro, won the Ohio Mid-Amateur Championship at Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield.

Grabeman, a former Ohio State golfer, shot 70 in the first round to share the first round lead with Tom Ballinger of Mansfield. Grabeman posted a 73 in the second round to finish 1-under-par at 143 in the 36-hole event. A par of 72s left veteran Robert Gerwin II of Cincinnati one shot behind in second place.

Last year’s runner-up, Jeff Scohy of Bellbrook, finished in a four-way tie for third with a 146, and Wright State golf coach Pete Samborsky II tied for seventh place at 147.

Bernard 14th in junior tournament

Michael Bernard of Huber Heights and Matt Kern of Springboro played in the Bubba Conlee National Junior Tournament at Bartlett, Tenn., last week. Bernard tied for 14th with a 54-hole total of 216 and Kern tied for 24th when he posted a 220.

Both are playing in the Mid-Ohio Invitational at Coshocton this weekend.