OCTOBER 3, 2007
BEN GOVER REACHES HIS GOAL...

STORY BY ROB KISER - PIQUA DAILY CALL
SPRINGFIELD — Piqua senior Ben Gover had been close to qualifying for the district tournament before.

This time, close wasn’t going to be good enough.

“I missed by one shot as a sophomore,” Gover said after carding a 78 on the North Course at Reid Park Wednesday and earning an individual spot in the district tournament. “I wanted the whole team to make it. But, I am hoping they will be able to go down and watch me play at district.”

Piqua failed to advance as a team, finishing ninth with a 360 total.

Gover got off to a fast start and never let up. He parred the first two holes en route to a 2-over par 38 on the front nine and he knew he was right where he wanted to be.

“We came over and played a practice round,” Gover said. “I felt really good about the way I played in the practice. Once I came in with 38, I just put it on cruise control.

“Make pars and the birdies will come.”

Piqua coach Chris Barr was impressed with Gover’s play over the difficult layout.

“That score (78) on the North Course is a great score,” Barr said. “Especially with the conditions. It was windy and the pin placements were tough. Ben had it all working for him today.

“He hit the ball well and putted really well. He made a lot of putts to save pars.”

The rest of the Piqua scores were Brody Fox 91, Kiel Feeser 93, Jordan Fashner 98, David Duer 99.

“I would say the kids are probably disappointed,” Barr said. “They wanted to do better in the league and get out of sectionals. But, very few teams reach all their goals and if they do, they usually win a state championship.”

The Indians cut 30 strokes off their team score from last year on the same course at sectionals.

“That is pretty good improvement,” Barr said. “We played really well at the Nordquist and a winning match record with our schedule is pretty good.”

And for Gover, the season isn’t over yet. He will play in the district tournament at Weatherwax on Wednesday.

“I would like cut two shots off today,” Gover said. “So, if I could shoot 76, that would be pretty good. I definitely want to break 80.”

Barr said Gover is capable of a low score.

“From what I have heard, Weatherwax is very comparable to this course (Reid Park North),” Barr said. “It is a whole different competition level. Ben will need no higher than 75 to have any chance of getting out.”

Whether that happens or not, Gover has obtained a long-time goal in his senior season … because close wasn’t enough.

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