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Championships to settle best golfer in YAIAA


With YAIAA golf championships this week, it’s time to take a look at which players will make an impact in the postseason.

In Division I, Central York repeated as champions thanks to a trifecta of top-ranked players. The Panthers were ranked first in GameTimePA’s preseason power rankings, so this might not come as a surprise. While Central did lose Gus Minkin, the players expected to fill his shoes have done just that.

Julianne Lee’s name was a new one last season, but it should be a household name for local golfers after what she did this season. Lee averaged a 72 in six matches and wrapped up her season by shooting a 68 in a match at Hanover Country Club to take first place overall.

Additionally for the Panthers, junior Joe Parrini and freshman Carson Bacha both reached sub-70 scores at one point this season.

Another player in Division I to look out for is New Oxford’s Justin Gruver. While just a sophomore, Gruver already has playoff experience, coming in 10th last season at the district tournament. Gruver has shown this season that he can keep up with the top golfers in the division and that poise could carry him farther than expected.

While Dover ended up winning the Division II crown, it was Eastern York’s Zach Dixon who broke out as the division's best performer. The senior averaged a respectable score of 75 on the season, which is what he shot at the league championships last year. Dixon has mastered the consistency that's required to stay with the pack during this year’s individual championship and possibly shock his opponents from Division I.

In Division III, look no further than the leader of first place York Catholic and senior Andrew Forjan. Over the summer Forjan finished first in a Philadelphia Junior Tour event and spent this season as the class of Division III. Like Dixon, he will have to play better than he has all season to keep up with his Division I foes, but he has the experience and skills to impress.

The top-three teams in Divisions I through III — Central York, Dover and York Catholic — will take the course in Wednesday's YAIAA Team Championships, while YAIAA Individual Championships tee off Thursday. The tournaments will be played at Briarwood Golf Club.

If You Go

What: YAIAA golf championships

When, where: Team championships are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Briarwood Golf Club. Individual championships are Thursday at 11 a.m. The boys' championship will be at Briarwood East while the girls championship will be played at Briarwood West.