Malin Goes Back-To-Back As Medalist As St. Clairsville Wins OVAC 4A Golf

Red Devils Collect Sixth Conference Tournament Championship In A Row

WHEELING - Maverick Malin went back-to-back Tuesday leading St. Clairsville to its sixth straight OVAC Class 4A Golf Tournament championship.

The senior capped a tremendous 4-year career with a 2-under par 69 (34-35) and the Red Devils fired a sizzling 4-man total of 302 on the Robert Trent Jones-designed course at the sun-drenched Speidel Golf Club inside Oglebay Park Resort.

"Just keeping the ball in play all day," Malin said as the key to his outstanding round. "I made a lot of putts. I made everything I should've. I feel really good. Growing up I always wanted to win this tournament."

Malin finished second as a freshman and third as a sophomore, losing in a playoff for runnerup.

"This team is pretty comparable to my sophomore season," Malin said when asked where this team ranks among the three others in his Red Devils days. "I think we have a really good shot at making states. It will be tough because the top three teams in the state in Division III are in the same district and only two teams make it out."

The other two are River View and Indian Valley.

"River View is tough to beat, but I think we can beat Indian Valley," Malin offered.

Second-year St. Clairsville head coach Heidi Mooney was really proud of Malin, the lone senior on the youthful squad.

"Very solid player. Very solid," she praised. "He's shooting low rounds, too. I told him he came off the rails today. He was laser focused out there. Maverick is really hard on himself. When he gets done with a match and I tell him 'good job,' he finds something that he could have done better during his round."

The Road to Akron starts on Monday with the Sectional Tournament at the Cadiz Country Club. The top two teams advance to the District Tournament at EagleSticks Golf Course in Zanesville.

Malin, who also earned medalist honors during last Friday's OVGL Championship at the Moundsville Country Club with a superb 66 to earn Golf of the Year honors, carded six birdies along his 18 holes, with three coming on the front nine (3, 5 and 8) and another trio on the back nine (11, 17 and 18).

He was in the first grouping that teed off early in the morning and had been finished for more than three hours when the final pairing reached the scoring table.

"When I birdied 17 I pretty much knew I had it," Malin said. "I knew there wasn't anyone capable of shooting lower than that."

Malin said playing in tournaments all across the Buckeye State has helped, not only his play, but that of his teammates, as well.

"I think it helped by playing bigger schools that are good teams and different competition versus just playing teams from the Ohio Valley," he said. "It's harder courses that make us up our games even more and prepare us for bigger tournaments."

Coach Mooney agreed.

"That helps us incredibly. That level of competition helps with the nerves and mindset, knowing they can do well at an event like that."

St. Clairsville's dominance was indicated on the individual level as four of the top five scorers - who also make up the all-OVAC team - were Red Devils. Following Malin were Ryan Mooney (76), Jackson Conway (78) and Beau Mooney (79). Mason Conway was fifth at 80.

"Their drive and determination is there. They are out playing on a course somewhere all of the time," she said. "They are very competitive among themselves which is a good thing and creates healthy competition. They beat themselves up harder than anyone else. They have high expectations, and that is good."

Linsly, which finished second with a distant 332, had the other all-OVAC performer in Landen Cook who shot 75. He was joined by teammates Chase Bacchus (80), Vinny Demarchi (84) and Vinny Gorence (93).

Union Local finished third with a 350 and were paced by Landon Hanasky with an 82. Martins Ferry was fourth with a 353 and was led by Hunter Shutler's 82. Barnesville was fifth at 355 and the Shamrocks were paced by Blaine Thompson with an 80.

The second five were Oak Glen (373); Edison (390); Cambridge (394); Harrison Central (409) and Buckeye Local (412).