Recently, the Poland Boys Golf Team went to the State Tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. After a long and eventful season and wins at NE8s and Regionals, six players were sent off to the state tournament. 

The State team consisted of Matthew Morrone, Zach Ohlin, Ryan Lombardo, Angelo Rinaldi, AJ Battaglia, and Parker Ogden. The tournament took place on October 13 and 14 with a practice round being held on October 12. 

When asked how the State experience was different compared to the other tournaments the boys team played this year, Junior Zach Ohlin said, “At NE8s we played just 18 holes on a relatively easy course compared to Firestone, where we played 54 holes in 3 days. Obviously, the conditions were harder due to the more excessive playing schedule, the amount of pressure, and, ‘not getting to sleep in your own bed.’” 

On the first day of official playing, the boys team struggled according to sophomore Matthew Morrone, who said that “the first day was all nerves.”

By the second day, they got more comfortable and were able to better mentally prepare and score better, placing them in 3rd place on day two. 

Morrone, on being asked about the possibility of going to state again next year, says, “Now we know that the first day is what killed us…next year will be year two so we will be more relaxed.”

Ohlin believes that “if everyone plays to their potential,” the boys team should be able to make it to state again next year, and even place higher overall as well as in the individuals.