Recordpub.com - Wildcats' Tarter tied for second at state golf tournament, team in 10th after first day

By Susan Jenior

Record-Courier correspondent

LOCKBOURNE -- The Mogadore Wildcats are in a familiar position.

Each of the last two years at the OHSAA Division III state boys golf tournament, Mogadore has struggled on day one.

Looking to change their fate this year, the Wildcats again had a day they would rather forget on Friday.

Except for two-time OHSAA all-state golfer Nathan Tarter.

Tarter sits in second place individually, just two strokes behind Kevin Miller of Sugarcreek Garaway, and is tied with Oliver Holtsberry of Lima Central Catholic after firing a 2-over-par 74 on the first day at The Players Club in Lockbourne.

A tough course

Coaches were cautioning the golfers that The Players Club is tough, but Tarter found the course set up perfectly for his game.

He started on the eighth hole on the Links-style course. After 10 holes he was 4-over-par.

"I wasn't playing bad," said Tarter, "but my putts weren't dropping."

Tarter was hitting the ball solidly all day, so he didn't get upset. He remained patient and worked on reading the greens.

Tarter may not have been sure how he would do at The Players Club at Foxfire, but he likes the course better now.

"There were several tough pin placements today, but nothing crazy," said Tarter.

Tarter played his final eight holes at 2-under, including a birdie on his final hole, a 541-yard par 5. Tarter's tee shot wound up on the lip of a bunker.

"My left foot was at least a foot above my right foot in the bunker," said Tarter, who was afraid that his club would hit the lip of the bunker as he attempted to hit the ball.

After striking the ball perfectly, and not realizing his fears, Tarter got up and down for the birdie.

But that wasn't even his best hole. Hole 16 at The Players Club is the hardest handicap hole on the course. At many courses, handicaps don't signify much difference, but at The Players Club, the No. 1 handicap hole is a warning to golfers.

The par-4, 434-yard hole starts with a tight, tough tee shot.

"We waited for 15 minutes on the tee," said Tarter.

The tee shot is tough, even for a golfer enjoying good rhythm. But after getting cold on the tee, Tarter was just looking for a solid tee shot.

A solid tee shot led to a good second shot and two putts for par.

"It was just what I needed for my momentum and confidence," said Tarter.

Getting ready to leave the course, Tarter said the round would make dinner taste better.

The news isn't all bad

The Wildcats shot 348 on Friday and sit in 10th place at the state tournament, which is familiar territory.

In 2007, the Wildcats fired a 344 on the first day and were in 10th place. Seemingly out of contention, they improved by 20 strokes on the second and final day and ended up in fourth place.

In 2006 at the state tournament, the Wildcats fired a 336 on the Gray Course and were in -- you guessed it -- 10th place after the first day. Then they improved by 26 strokes on the second day to finish in sixth place.

"As a team, we know what we have to do," said Tarter.

Mogadore's team scores included Will Lansinger (87), Ryan Tarter (90) and Nick Massoli (97).

"We just have to bear down and do the best we can," said Tarter.

Today

The Wildcats will tee off this morning at The Players Club, located south of Columbus, looking to improve.

Nathan Tarter's goal from the start has been to earn medalist honors after finishing fifth and second in the state the previous two years.

He's only two strokes and 18 holes away from his goal.