Badin Drops Close Decision To Oak Hills, Ready To Make Push Toward Sectional

By Rick Cassano

CROSBY TOWNSHIP – The Division I postseason is looming for Badin High School’s boys golf team, so it’s time to start kicking things into gear.

Tim Dixon believes his Rams have the ability to make some noise and wants them to get back into the groove they occupied early in the season.

“I wouldn’t say we peaked, but we were a little hotter early,” Dixon said Wednesday after Badin dropped a 164-166 decision to Oak Hills on the front nine at Miami Whitewater Forest Golf Course. “The guys are still playing pretty well, but I gave them a big break. I didn’t want to burn them out.

“We haven’t been hitting too many balls or practicing a whole bunch in the last couple weeks. But we’re getting ready to go through a two-week stretch of a lot of golf.”

The Rams will compete in the sectional at PipeStone Golf Club in Miamisburg on Sept. 21, but the slate before they get there includes a lot of practice, dual matches with Mason and Harrison, and the first round of the Greater Catholic League Coed Division tournament.

“I think we all need to keep a level head and find our ground and our round,” Badin junior Eric Clear said. “I’d say a good goal for the team would be around 310 at sectionals. I think that would definitely get us to districts, and I think it’s very achievable for the team.”

Clear said the Rams need to deal with adversity a little better if they want to reach their potential.

“Even when we have a bad hole, we need to learn how to bounce back,” Clear said. “I feel like some guys just get in their head too much and let it trouble them and keep going. I would like to think I’m not one of those guys, but yeah, I probably am.”

Clear paced Badin with a 4-over-par 40 against Oak Hills. He was followed by freshman Maddox Haire (41), junior T.J. Sunderman (42), senior Gavin Roberto (43), sophomore Jacob Helmers (44) and junior Wil Mathews (49).

It wasn’t a terrible overall performance, though Dixon said it was the team’s worst nine-hole score of the season.

“There were years in the past where it would’ve been like, ‘That’s pretty decent,’ but this year it’s not,” Dixon said. “This might be the first individual match that we’ve lost. I’m disappointed that we lost because you never want to lose, but I’m not worried about anything from that.

“I think only a couple guys have played here before, and it can sneak up on you and get you in trouble on some of the holes.”

Clear said the ground was “really hard” and the greens were “pretty soft and really slow,” so those things required some adjustments.

“I’d say the ground being hard was definitely the hardest part, especially with the wedges,” Clear said. “It was hard to get into the ground for sure, and it’s a pretty tough course. Tee shots are hard. You’ve got to place the ball really well around the trees.

“I don’t think the greens were rolling the best, so that’s where I felt like most of my bad strokes came from. Nothing against the course. I just need to make better putts.”

Oak Hills was led by junior Cade Sauer, who was the medalist with a 39. Freshman Wes Wellendorf (41), junior Ross Borcherding (42) and freshman Benny Ruther (42) weren’t far behind.

The Highlanders defeated Fairfield 165-171 on Tuesday. Oak Hills coach Derrick Reed said his squad is aiming for the top half of the Greater Miami Conference and has the potential to make an impact in the Division I sectional at Glenview Golf Course on Sept. 22.

Reed said the Highlanders have been fifth-place GMC finishers during most of his 11-year tenure.

“We’re usually competitive in the middle of the pack. We might have a chance of getting in the top four this year,” Reed said. “We’re very optimistic about the sectional. We’re hoping for a team advance this year.”

Oak Hills had four juniors and two freshmen in its Wednesday lineup. Reed believes the future is bright for the program “as long as they keep playing.”

Badin has three seniors, though Roberto was the only one that played Wednesday. Clear said the Rams are a fun group to be around and compete with.

“I love the guys. We have so much fun,” Clear said. “Every team’s quiet compared to us when we’re getting after it.”

The next match for Badin will be against Mason at Shaker Run Golf Club next Wednesday. The Highlanders are slated to face Taylor on Thursday for their third straight day at Miami Whitewater.

Oak Hills 164, Badin 166

Oak Hills: Cade Sauer 39, Wes Wellendorf 41, Ross Borcherding 42, Benny Ruther 42, Cooper Thomas 46, Caleb Norman 50

Badin: Eric Clear 40, Maddox Haire 41, T.J. Sunderman 42, Gavin Roberto 43, Jacob Helmers 44, Wil Mathews 49

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