WAVERLY, W.Va. -Steve Farley is a prime example that the proverbial bubble also applies to the Mid-Ohio Valley Junior Golf Association.
Through the first five MOVJGA stops, the 17-year-old from Warren High School has been on the outside looking in where medalist recognition is concerned. The latest close call occurred Wednesday at the Golf Club of West Virginia where Waterford's Brandyn Offenberger posted a 2-over par 72 and edged Farley by two strokes for the first place in the 16-18 age division.
Offenberger made his MOVJGA debut. But for Farley, yesterday's second runner-up finish joined a list which has included two third-place efforts and a fourth-place showing.
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KERRY?PATRICK Special to The Times
Waterford’s Brandyn Offenberger attempts a birdie putt on the 10th hole during a Mid-Ohio Junior Valley Golf Association event Wednesday at the Golf Club of West Virginia. Offenberger earned medalist honors with a 2-over par 72.
"I'm finally coming into my game," Farley said. "I've been shooting good rounds, but I haven't been consistent. I'm starting to figure out how to control my driver and irons better.
"I'm just trying to find consistency and having a better idea where everything is going."
Back-to-back bogeys on the 17th and 18th hole prevented Farley from making a move past Offenberger and separated the two golfers by three strokes with one hole still remaining.
Fact Box
Mid-Ohio Valley
Junior Golf Association
At Golf Club of West Virginia
12-under
Front nine (Par 36)
Carson Okraska 41
Logan Clegg 47
Blake Snyder 52
Caleb Scharff 53
Hunter Hutchison 53
Evan Seevers 57
13-15
18 holes (Par 36-34-70)
Coleman Lamp 39-36-75
Alex Easthom 39-38-77
Drew Wells 44-34-78
Max Fitzgerald 41-41-82
Garrett Bertram 41-43-84
Matt Fitzgerald 41-47-88
Kyra Senchyshak 41-48-89
Chase Coe 47-43-90
Trevor Gorrell 44-46-90
Randee Seevers 42-52-94
Dalton Smith 51-44-95
Jordan Welch 51-48-99
Alec Ingram 86-81-167
16-18
18 holes (Par 36-34-70)
Brandyn Offenberger 37-35-72
Steve Farley 37-37-74
Zach McKenna 38-38-76
Noah Smith 40-37-77
Michael Sams 40-38-78
Benjamin Collie 40-39-79
Ryan McCarty 45-43-86
Ty Adkins 43-44-87
Maggie Huck 51-48-99
Note: Next MOVJGA event is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on Wednesday, July 18 at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly.
"Playing against guys like Brandyn is a good measuring stick to see where I need to be," Farley added.
Offenberger's round featured one birdie, which occurred at the 541-yard, fourth hole. His second shot landed on the green 30 feet from the flagstick.
"I was lagging my eagle putt and put it to within 2 feet," Offenberger said. "I wanted to make sure I got my birdie."
Offenberger added 14 pars and three bogeys to his resume.
"I was able to get a read on my putts, but just couldn't get the speed down," Offenberger said.
Both Offenberger and Farley will be returning to their home course when the MOVJGA resumes with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start next Wednesday at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly.
"Lakeside suits up to my game pretty well," Farley said. "It sets up well for my short game and not having to take a bunch of long irons into holes."
A total of 28 golfers competed at the Golf Club of West Virginia, which marked a season-high for the MOVJGA series. Of the nine representatives in the 16-18 age bracket, six broke 80. Zach McKenna took third with a 76, while Noah Smith followed at 77. Next on the list were Michael Sams (78) and Benjamin Collie (79).
In the 13-15 age division, Coleman Lamp of St. Marys converted three birdies from the white tees and earned medalist honors with a 5-over 75.
Lurking in the shadows as the early clubhouse leader with a 77 was Ravenswood's Alex Easthom - a 12-year-old who was playing up one division. Easthom drove the green on the 275-yard, sixth hole and made the 4-foot putt for eagle. On the back nine at the 270-yard, 17th hole, his drive rolled across the green and he eventually made a putt from the fringe for birdie.
In the 12-and-under bracket, Vienna's Carson Okraska finished with six pars and one bogey as part of a 5-over 41 for nine holes. Logan Clegg placed runner-up with a 47.
