Lofland Takes Junior Boys in Playoff
HERSHEY, Pa. - Morgan Lofland outlasted Karl Frisk to win the Pennsylvania Junior Boys’ Championship, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, at historic Hershey Country Club. Lofland made a par on the second playoff hole to take the victory over Frisk after 36 holes of stroke play left the competitors tied at 5-under par. Despite the intense heat on a day where temperatures hit the mid-90s, the 18-year old Lofland was able to hold off Frisk for his first state championship.
“I knew it was going to be hot out there so I took everything slow this morning,” said Lofland, of Phoenixville Country Club. “I just wanted to play the course, not worry about my competitors and take things one shot at a time with that heat.”
Lofland entered the day one shot behind Frisk, of Out Door Country Club. He got off to a quick start with a birdie on the par-5 opening hole to catch Frisk, but the two competitors were back and forth throughout the day, with fellow playing partner Luke Thompson also getting in the mix with a trio of birdies on the back nine.
Neither Lofland nor Frisk made a bogey on the front nine and they were tied overall heading into Hershey’s final nine. Each player birdied holes 10 and 11, as they kept the pressure on each other.
Heading into the 16th hole, Lofland and Frisk were at -7 for the event, with Thompson four strokes back. But after Lofland made bogey and Frisk made double, the players headed to the 17th with the gap narrowed. And then Lofland made another bogey, while Frisk parred and Thompson rolled in a birdie putt, setting the stage for a great finish.
As they headed to the 18th, Lofland and Frisk were tied at 5-under with Thompson just one shot back. Thompson struggled and ended up making double bogey on the hole. Lofland knew the adrenaline was pumping as he lined up his approach shot.
“It was pumping for both of us,” said Lofland, who will play golf at Penn State this fall. “I had 150 yards out and hit a pitching wedge over the green, and I normally hit that 140 yards.”
Both Lofland and Frisk hit approaches over the green but while Frisk had a short par putt, Lofland was looking at 17 feet from the back of the green.
“I had the line,” Lofland said. “I liked my line and let the green take it.”
The putt rolled in and the players headed back to the tee to play 18 again. And again, Lofland was forced to get up and down for par. And once again, he succeeded, though from a much shorter distance this time (about six feet). With Frisk also making 4, they headed to No. 16, a par 3 where both players had struggled earlier in the day.
Frisk’s tee shot ended up in a greenside bunker, while Lofland faced a similar shot as he had seen earlier in the round.
“The pin there was in a tough spot and the wind was back in my face. In regulation I had a similar look,” explained Lofland.
With a knockdown 9-iron from 130 yards, his ball safely landed on the green. Frisk then hit from the bunker into the water, took a drop and then missed his putt, leaving the door wide open for Lofland. From 25 feet, Lofland lagged his birdie try to about four feet, where he converted the par for the win.
“Me and Karl were back and forth all day and then Luke played outstanding as well,” said Lofland. “It feels great to win against competitors like that.”
Frisk, who will play golf at University of South Carolina - Aiken later this year, and Lofland ended up with the lowest 36-hole score in the event since 2014 at 137 (-5). Thompson, of Huntingdon Country Club, finished third at 140 (-2). Northampton Country Club’s Matthew Vital was fourth at 141 (-1).
The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Hershey Country Club for the hospitality in hosting the championship. Thanks as well to DICK’S Sporting Goods for sponsorship of the event.