Marcus Hunt targets state title

A goal for a high school golfer is similar to that of any athlete.

Reach the state tournament.

And, for Port Clinton junior Marcus Hunt, he prepares for the Division II boys 36-hole championships Friday and Saturday on the Ohio State University Scarlet course.

The 2008 Sandusky Bay Conference Player of the Year earned his state ticket with a third-place finish in the individual category at the district event a week ago at the Sycamore Springs layout in Arlington with a 77.

"I felt I could make it and now that I have the chance, I hope to cash in. My goal is to win it (title) and feel a couple of 75s might work. Par is 71 and the course measures around 7,000 yards," Hunt said.

Hunt started playing golf a the age of seven, but admitted he used plastic club at the age of one or two. He believes the Lake Erie Junior Golf Association helped him at an early age to play tough courses for his age.

"I've played in national junior tournaments the last couple of years and that really helped," Hunt said. "By playing university-type courses, the length is there, and more. My goal this week is to keep the ball in the right spots on the green if at all possible. By that, I mean keep the ball below the cup because there are a number of holes if you are above the pin, you have problems.

"Right now I feel the strongest part of my game is the iron play, my approach shots. I've been able to hit quite a few greens in regulation, and that always helps," Hunt said who hit the ball long off the tee (280 to 290 yards) most of the time.

Hunt has prepared for the state by practicing on the tough Catawba Island Club course. "It's a tough one, and it should help me get ready. If you make a mistake, you pay," Hunt said.

His best competitive round of the season was a par 71 at the Eagle Creek course in Norwalk.

Coach Rick Dominick talked about his standout.

"I was really relieved when I knew Marcus had qualified for the state," Dominick said. "That validated the fact he is one of the top Division II players in the state, and will play for a championship. Marcus had a great deal of success at a young age and it was a given for many that he would play in the state, but most do not realize how tough it is to qualify.

"I've looked at the scores others posted in their districts and the scores range from 72 to 78. All I want him to do is to enjoy the moment and play smart golf, and that means play it one shot at a time," Dominick said.

Hunt is the first Port Clinton golfer to reach the state as an individual.

The Redskins qualified their team in the 1974 Class AAA championships, and finished eighth among the 12 teams in the big-school field.

Port Clinton tied for first in the district championships, and had the medalist in John Gill with a 73. The other members of that team were Bob Gardner, Dave Belden, Mike Martin and Bob Cedoz. The coach was Bob Hartung, and the 36-hole score on the OSU Scarlet course was 675.