Zanesville wins district golf title

WILLIAMSPORT — The last time Zanesville took a team to the state golf tournament, the likes of Corky Gifford, Rob Blancett and Bobby Lewis were leading the Blue Devils to a district title and 16 wins in the Central Ohio League

It was 1967, a time when Procol Harum preached of a whiter shade of pale and the Beatles’ strawberry fields seem to go on forever.

The Blue Devils finally earned their chance to return on Monday.

Sophomore Jace Ruggerio led another balanced effort with an 80 as Zanesville shot 331 to claim the Division I district title among eight teams at Crown Hill.

Ruggerio finished second overall and the team earned the only qualifying spot. Vincent Warren’s Nick Ward, a sophomore, shot 74 for medalist honors to earn the only individual qualifying spot.

Senior J.J. Burns and sophomore Nolan Kimberly had 83 and senior Jared Ball 85 for Zanesville, which finished seven shots ahead of runner-up Warren (338) and eight in front of third-place Marietta (339). Logan was fourth with 343.

“We I felt there were four of us down there (who could advance) and those four finished 1-4,” Zanesville coach Jim Rudloff said. “I liked our chances, but I knew the margin of error was slim.”

Zanesville was the leader at the turn, but windy conditions made it difficult on the back nine. Rudloff credited his players for avoiding major damage.

“These seniors were 16-91 as sophomores, 71-39-1 last year and 102-30 this year,” Rudloff said. “For that improvement to happen, and you add in two sophomores, it’s a phenomenal turnaround.”

The Blue Devils advanced to the state tournament, set for next Friday and Saturday at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.