Ethan Luecke’s greatest accomplishment on Thursday may not have been winning the Warrenton Invitational Golf Tournament. His feat could have easily been minimized by the fact he finished first …
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Luecke Wins Warrenton Invitational
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
Ethan Luecke’s greatest accomplishment on Thursday may not have been winning the Warrenton Invitational Golf Tournament.His feat could have easily been minimized by the fact he finished first among a division of small-school competitors.But on a day where conditions were treacherous both in terms of weather and the course, Luecke carded a round good enough to top even the most elite golfers in the field.His 74 would have also won the large-school division, claimed by Josh O’Hearn of Timberland with an equally low score.“Any time you can compete with the best from those larger programs, that says a lot about your game and is something to be proud of,” said Coach Rich Barton.Ironically, Luecke shot two strokes better during this year’s event — which included every challenge from a muddy course to piercing winds — than he did during excellent conditions in the same tournament in 2012.Still, he wasn’t satisfied.“I enjoyed today, but I felt like I could’ve done a lot better,” acknowledged the Warrenton senior.“He’s been kind of up and down this season with his consistency,” said Barton. “He’s a very good scrambler when is struggling, so I was really proud that he came back strong after struggling at the turn.”Luecke says his wedges may have been the most pivotal clubs in his arsenal on Thursday, saving him from disappointment on several holes.“I had to rely on my chipping a lot today, because I didn’t really hit a lot of greens,” said Luecke.The weather took a universal toll on competitors, causing tight muscles and throwing off usual swinging motions.“I think the cold throughout the round kept me tense, and I couldn’t really do anything,” said junior Chase Nelson, who shot +6 on the front nine and was unable to recover on the back.Barton says he was impressed with some of the lower scores that were recorded, in spite of the weather.“You can always blame the tough conditions, but they were tough for everybody,” said Barton. “Some people were predicting there wouldn’t be any scores that would break 80 today, so I was pleased to see several scores in the 70s."Nelson tied teammate T.J. Lafaver with an 85, as they claimed the final two medalist spots.“Those guys were really disappointed in their scores, especially playing at home,” said Barton. “I told them to use it as a motivational tool to take into the rest of the season.”Junior Luke Hawley carded an 88, showing progress from his previous tournament.“Luke had shot a 93 at Bogey Hills a few days earlier and was determined to shoot better, and he did,” said Barton.Junior Curtis Bauer shot a 95 during his Warrenton Invitational debut as a first-year varsity golfer.The Warriors finished third as a team, shooting a 332.Pacific edged its host by one stroke, taking second, while Sullivan ran away with a first-place finish, carding a 308.Timberland won the large school team competition, shooting a 307 to best St. Charles West by six strokes.The Warriors are scheduled to host Orchard Farm on Thursday.
Warrenton junior Ethan Luecke says chipping helped him secure the lowest score during last Thursday's Warrenton Invitational, shooting a 74.
