Prep golf: 'Old vet' Huntzberry to lead young contingent to states with young contingent

One veteran will be joined by two rookies on the tournament trail to the University of Maryland for the state golf championship on Oct. 23-24.

Smithsburg senior Kyle Huntzberry shot a 5-over-par 77 to qualify for his fourth state finals to lead the Washington County contingent after Tuesday’s Class 1A/2A District 1 at Black Rock Golf Course.

Williamsport’s Ryan Crabtree, with a fine 75, and Cody Trunkle, with a 79, will  make their first appearances. Smithsburg sophomore Nate Redmond shot an 83 and just missed with the cut line of 82.

Huntzberry started his round with a birdie on the par-5 opening hole, but that was it for the day. He hit the ball well, but faced constant problems with his belly putter.

“I hit the ball as straight as I have all year,” said Huntzberry. “I was hitting fairways and hitting greens.”

The problem was with the blade, which made Huntzberry use up 34 of his strokes.

“Obviously my speed was bad, but I’ll work on it,” said Huntzberry.

Crabtree, starting in the group behind Huntzberry, also posted his only birdie on the first hole.

He followed with four bogeys, but then managed to get his game in check. Still, something was missing.

Crabtree hit only four fairways and six greens in regulation, so he needed to rely heavily on chipping and putting.

“I was saving pars with chips and putts inside four feet,” said Crabtree, who missed qualifying for the state last year by one stroke. “I maxed out of this round what I could get.”

Williamsport coach Rod Steiner said Trunkle “has been playing better lately,” but it might still be rated a surprise he qualified.

Trunkle transferred from Hancock in order that he could continue to elevate his golf game, which he controlled on Tuesday.

Trunkle had five birdies, including one on the par-5 14th hole, to enable him to break 80.

“I’m pretty happy about my round,” said Trunkle. “I was due for a good one. I really didn’t expect a 79. I made a lot of putts.”

“I’m thrilled for (Trunkle),” said Steiner.

None of the county teams were able card the qualifying stroke requirement of 332.

Smithsburg was fifth with 338 and Williamsport was sixth with 339. Boonsboro totaled 405 and Clear Spring had 421. The top scorer for Boonsboro was Tyler Olson with a 94 and Owen Nield led Clear Spring with a 98.

Only two schools — Middletown at 316 and Century at 323 — qualified as teams. Middletown freshman Jake Darr was medalist with a 2-under-par 70.