Thu Feb 09 2012
by Devan Matthews
Correspondent
The Nordonia High School boys golf team started the 2010 season with a bang recently, winning three invitationals in a row.
The Knights captured the Park Mazda Invitational at Hawk's Nest Golf Club Aug. 15, winning with a team score of 314.
Senior Charlie Luthanen led the way for Nordonia with a round of 75, while senior Devon Goldberg was next with a 77. In addition, senior Ryan Chaloupka shot a 79 and senior Mike Dubay carded an 83.
The following day, Nordonia was victorious again, this time winning the Nordonia Classic at Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club with a team round of 305.
Dubay claimed medalist honors at the Classic, shooting a 72. Behind him were Goldberg and Luthanen, each with a 77, and Chaloupka with a 79.
Then Aug. 18, the Knights won their third straight tournament with a victory in the Ravenna Invitational at Windmill Lakes Golf Club. This time, they posted a score of 306 en route to the win.
Once again, Dubay led the way for Nordonia, capturing medalist honors with a 73. In addition, Chaloupka and junior Josh Bokshon both shot 77 and Luthanen added a 79.
Nordonia head coach Keith Obly lauded Dubay for this performance during the week, especially after a subpar round at the Park Mazda Classic.
"To shoot an 83 on Monday and then come back with a 72 and 73 and take medalist honors, that's big," said Obly. "Mike deserves an 'atta boy' for that."
Obly also praised the Knights overall for their effort during the week. Winning three invitationals in four days is quite an accomplishment.
"It's been a great week for the young men," said Obly. "They stood up and accomplished what they wanted to accomplish. It's their first step along the journey. The one thing that I noticed all week, and I talked about this before, is that any one of them can stand up and lead the whole group. These are a bunch of number-one guys across the board. They pick each other up."
Not only do the Knights pick each other up, there's also a healthy amount of competition between them. Since any one of them is capable of being the number-one golfer on any given day, naturally each of them wants to be that golfer every time out.
"I'm pleased with their play, no doubt about it," said Obly. "The biggest thing is that they're playing as a complete unit. If we're partway through a round and somebody is down, somebody else is picking them up. They encourage each other and push each other to point where they're not only competing against the other team, but they're also competing against each other, too. It's been fun to watch them the past three years, and this season it's been more fun to see the whole picture of the work and dedication they've put into the program."
On Aug. 24, Nordonia was set to compete at the Hudson Invitational at The Country Club of Hudson, but results weren't available at press time.
"It'll be a good test," said Obly. "Most of the top teams are there -- Ignatius, Hudson, Stow teams like that."
On Aug. 26, the Knights were set to open their dual match schedule vs. Solon at Grantwood Golf Course at 3 p.m.
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
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