Patascher’s top-10 marks first for Bears
Pleasant Valley’s Drew Patascher made school history Tuesday at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Golf Championship.
The Bears junior fired an 11-over-par 82 at Great Bear Golf Club to finish tied for 10th in the conference field, becoming the first Pleasant Valley golfer to place at the EPC Championship, according to the school.
Patascher posted matching 41s on the front and back nine on the par-71 layout, with three birdies highlighting his round.
After opening with a par and bogey, Patascher picked up his first birdie at the par-4 third. He added another at the par-3 seventh, bouncing back immediately after a double bogey at No. 6.
Patascher made the turn with a 5-over 41.
The back nine presented another challenge, as Patascher opened with four consecutive bogeys before a double bogey at No. 14. But he steadied himself down the stretch.
Patascher made par at the par-5 15th before recording his third birdie of the round at the par-3 16th. He followed with a bogey at No. 17 and closed with a par at the par-5 18th, playing the final four holes in even par.
His 82 left him tied with CJ Stumpf and Jake Wachinski for 10th overall.
Nazareth’s Holden Sparks captured the individual conference championship with a steady 3-over 74.
Sparks posted matching 37s on the front and back nine, and recorded 15 pars against just three bogeys. His only dropped shots came at Nos. 5, 12 and 17, and he avoided a double bogey or worse throughout the round.
Pocono Mountain East’s Chris Gerheart finished one stroke behind Sparks with a 4-over 75. Evan Walters and River Gotto tied for third at 6-over, while Joseph Ellis rounded out the top five at 7-over.
Pocono Mountain East capped its EPC season by capturing the team championship at Great Bear.
Patascher will return to postseason competition next Tuesday at the District 11 qualifier.