By Cort Reynolds

HARROD__The Bluffton High School boys golf team finished fifth at the closely-contested seven-team Northwest Conference tournament on Monday, September 22 at Colonial Golfers Club.

Just nine shots separated first place from fifth place in the tight tournament race.

Lincolnview narrowly won the tournament championship by one stroke over Columbus Grove and Allen East, which tied for second. The Lancers totaled 340 shots to edge the Bulldogs and Mustangs at 341.

Crestview came in a solid fourth at 347, followed closely by the Pirates in fifth at 349 shots.  Lima Central Catholic finished sixth at 378, with Delphos Jefferson last at 388.

PIRATE SCORES
Nick Lovett paced Bluffton by shooting an 18-hole round of 45-40=85. He finished sixth in the 40-player field.

Pirate Ethan Fifer ended up seventh, right behind Lovett with a score of 42-44=86. Coby Dailey was consistent on both nines, posting a 44-44=88.

Grady Coonfare and Gibson Meyer tied as the fourth Pirate scorer after shooting identical rounds of 46-44=90. 

Owen Brauen posted a 53-52=105 score.

BLUFFTON HONORS
Coonfare earned first team All-NWC notice. Lovett, Fifer and Meyer each made second team. Dailey was tabbed honorable mention all-league.

LEAGUE RACE
The race for the individual league title was as close as the team tournament standings.

Knight Matt Dealey nosed out Grove’s Gage Sautter by one stroke for tournament medalist honors by shooting a 36-40=76. AE’s Brady Brooks finished third at 41-38=79.

Lincolnview won the overall NWC title with 13 points. The Lancers finished first in the regular season and won the tournament. 

The NWC crown is decided by a combination of regular season and tournament finish.

AE and Grove tied for second place with 11 points.

Bluffton tied Crestview for fourth place with seven points. The Pirates earned four regular season points and three in the tourney.

LCC finished sixth with four points, while Delphos Jeff again came in last with two.

Brooks and Levi Clum of AE joined NWC Player of the Year Dealey on the first team.

Lancer mentor Brett Hammons was named NWC Coach of the Year.