Golf

BIG FLATS – At the STAC Championships Tuesday, Central Division champion Norwich tied for third to cap one of the best seasons for the Tornado linksters in 15 seasons.

Norwich’s five-person score of 429 tied East Division champion Windsor, and was 10 shots behind co-champions Vestal and Horseheads.

“I was very pleased, and we hung in there with Vestal and Horseheads on a course we have no knowledge of,” said Norwich coach Bob Branham. “We felt good about our scores.”

Overall, 67 golfers participated in the tournament with senior Jacob Kelly tying for 10th shooting a 9-over-par 81. Senior Frank Somich tied for 13th with an 82. Next was Eric Walling at 83, Kyle Cashman shot a 91, while Corey Johnson and Ryan Hagen each had 92s.

Kelly, Walling, and Somich all earned spots in the spring 2011 Section IV medalist tournament, and as a team, Norwich won 12 of its final 13 matches, matched a team-record with 13 wins – including a perfect 9-0 record at home – and added the aforementioned division title. “It was an impressive season,” Branham said, “and it was nice to see all six players’ scores count today.”

STAC Championships

(Willow Creek, par 72, Big Flats, N.Y.)

Team scores: Vestal, Horseheads, 419 apiece; Norwich 429, Windsor, 429; Union-Endicott, 441; Chenango Forks, 443.

Top 10 Individuals: David Studin (Ith), 76; Dan Molter (CF), 78; Matt Bachman (V), 79; Adam Henderson (UE), 79; Kevin O’Donnell (HH), 80; Wes Feeney (I), 80; Zach Niederiter (Wi), 80; Mitch Hillegas (CV), 81; Jacob Kelly (N), 81; Chris Stricek (W) , 81; John Armstrong (SCC), 81; Reid VanWoert (ME), 81.