A degree of notoriety comes with being a defending champion. People like to keep an eye on a defending champ. How are they doing? Can they repeat? Will they become unseated? Is it harder to win once, or twice? A defending champion is shown an added touch of respect. Fellow competitors might become intimidated. Others take it as an...
Gilmour Academy senior Alex Andrews hopes to join Jack Nicklaus and Ben Curtis on the list of Ohio high school golfers who have repeated as individual state champions.
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(Gus Chan/The Plain Dealer)
A degree of notoriety comes with being a defending champion.
People like to keep an eye on a defending champ. How are they doing? Can they repeat? Will they become unseated? Is it harder to win once, or twice? A defending champion is shown an added touch of respect. Fellow competitors might become intimidated. Others take it as an added challenge.
As the reigning Division III boys golf state champion and the reigning Plain Dealer golfer of the year, Gilmour Academy senior Alex Andrews has taken all of that into consideration.
He knows where he stands.
In the 84 years the Ohio High School Athletic Association has conducted a state golf tournament, only 14 players have been able to repeat as individual champion and that can be a humbling revelation for an 18-year-old. The list includes Jack Nicklaus (Upper Arlington, 1956-57) and British Open champion Ben Curtis (Delaware Buckeye Valley, 1994-95).
"I'm honored to be in this situation," said Andrews, who will try to become the third player from Greater Cleveland -- Willoughby's Bob Shave Jr. (1953-54) and Ravenna's Yank Heisler (1965-66) are the others -- to repeat as individual champions when the Division III state tournament begins today at the NorthStar Resort in Sunbury. "Sure, it adds a little pressure, but that will help me stay focused and live up to the vibe. That can be a good thing."
Andrews might be the only player in the field of 72 -- 60 in the team competition and 12 competing as individuals -- who might be rooting for inclement weather, and no one can blame him.
Playing in conditions more suitable for indoor activities, Andrews not only won the 2009 state championship, he dominated. He shot consecutive rounds of 1-over 73 at the Ohio State Scarlet Course and won by seven shots, an uncharacteristically high margin of victory, while leading the Lancers to a fourth-place team finish. Knowing he can play well in foul weather is a bonus.
"I like playing in bad weather," said Andrews, who helped the Lancers win last week's district tournament at Seven Hills Country Club. "It helps keep me focused. I know that most guys don't like to play in bad weather and they stand a chance of screwing up. So, I'm pretty confident when playing in poor conditions. It's a challenge."
Not only has Andrews grasped the concept of playing in poor weather, he has wrapped his arms around golf as a team sport.
"I love the concept of it," he said. "Playing and practicing as a team, having fun with all your teammates, is the best part."
Andrews averaged 37.2 strokes in nine-hole events this fall and around 75 for 18 holes.
Meanwhile, Gilmour is seeking a fifth state title, but its first since winning four in a row from 1991 to '94. The school is making its 20th appearance in the state tournament.
"We really want to win it," Andrews said of the state title. "We have mostly seniors on the team and we want to go out as champions."
Andrews, who transferred to Gilmour after his freshman season at Kirtland, will be joined by fellow seniors Greg Calabrese and Matt Oliver, junior Duncan DeFino and sophomore Andrew Bieber, whose round of 76 paced Gilmour to a 17-stroke victory over runner-up Lake Ridge Academy in last week's district when Andrews shot 43-35--78.
Gilmour coach Charlie Tremont, who was the captain of the first Gilmour team to reach the state tournament in 1970, said Andrews has shown strong signs as a team leader.
"He is a quiet leader with a competitive spirit," Tremont said. "He channels his competitiveness into his game. He leads with his clubs and has earned the respect of his teammates."
Not to mention the respect of others around the state.