Senior captain Michael McCaffrey pulled the players together before the first tee time Monday morning at Sweetbriar Legacy and reminded them they were not playing for themselves but for each other and for the team. The senior reminded them to play their game, and they would be good to go.

His remarks must have had an effect, as the Saint Ignatius varsity golf team finished in first place with a score of 306, punching their ticket to Districts next Wednesday at Pine Hills. 

The first place finish didn’t come easily. The Wildcats came out of the gate struggling on the back nine at Sweetbriar Legacy and would have to stay mentally strong and fight for their teammates. This is just what they were able to do.

Senior Michael McCaffrey was 5 over when making the turn, but found his comfort zone on the par 3 4th hole, making birdie. He then eagled the par 5 5th. After one other bogey and a birdie to cancel it out, McCaffrey remained at 2 over for his final two holes and carded a solid round of 74.

Sophomore Andrew Kaye and junior Jake Moraca also had similar days. Kaye carded a seven over 43 on the back side but found his comfort zone on the front side, remaining at even par for the rest of the day and finished with a score of 79. Moraca would card a six over 42 on the back side and also remain even par on the front side to finish with a 78. 

An overall solid day on both sides of the course was had by sophomore Ross Williamson, who did not follow the trend of teammates. Williamson finished with a two-over 38 on the back side and a one over 37 on the front side to card his season low of 75. Sophomore Connor Warns rounded out the scores with an 82. 

The Wildcats will now have over a week to prepare for next Wednesday’s District Tournament and Pine Hills in Hinkley. They will look to bring the same mental toughness and quality golf they showed at Sectionals and use it to punch their ticket to Columbus.