Raiders Unseat Falcons as Dulles District Tournament Golf Champs

Broad Run’s Yerks Takes Individual Crown

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

After locking up their second straight regular season Dulles District Championship last week, the Briar Woods Falcons entered Wednesday's district tournament at Lowes Island Club looking to claim their third straight tournament crown. With a senior-laden roster including last year's individual champion Michael Birmingham, the Falcons were again the favorites when the first players teed off on a pristine day in Sterling.

But a challenging course and a few unlucky putts left the first few Falcons off the course anxiously awaiting each score that came in. Propelled by stellar play from a trio of sophomores - including the second-best round of the day from Brantley Kushner - the Loudoun County Raiders took full advantage of their opening, dethroning the Falcons with a three-stroke victory.

Kushner made the turn at 3-over par on the par-72 "Island Course," but was just 1-over on the back nine to finish with a 4-over 76 to lead the Raiders to their first Dulles District title and regional team appearance since 2005.

"I just started rolling the putts in at the end of the round and hitting greens," Kushner said. "I really putted well."

Sophomore Kevin Cook, playing in the first group, finished his round with a flurry that included an eagle on the par-5 17. Cook was 8-over through seven holes but shot 2-under the rest of the way to rally for a 78 on the day. Teammate Andrew Brenneman also finished with a 78 and Jon Youst rounded out the scoring as County finished with a team total of 313.

"That kind of balance has really been our M.O. all year," Loudoun County Coach John Laycock said. "To have a guy like Kevin shoot an 8-over through seven holes and then finish at 6-over or Andrew shoot a pretty high score on the front nine and them come back with a really solid back nine on a course like this… Really there’s just no give-up attitude in these kids."

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2008 Dulles District Golf Championships

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Loudoun County's Kevin Cook eyes his putt on the 17th green at Wednesday's Dulles District tournament. Cook finished with a 6-over 78 as the Raiders claimed their first tournament title since 2005. (Matt Brooks)

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2007 individual champion Michael Birmingham putts for par on the 17th hole at Wednesday's Dulles District tournament. Birmingham finished at 6-over 78 and won a playoff to finish 4th overall. (Matt Brooks)

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Loudoun County's Andrew Brenneman hits his second shot on a playoff hole at Wednesday's Dulles District Tournament. Brenneman finished with a 6-over 78. (Matt Brooks)

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The Freedom Eagles golf team finished third at Wednesday's Dulles District tournament with three individuals advancing to the regional tournament. (Matt Brooks)

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Broad Run senior Kevin Yerks won the individual Dulles District tournament with a 1-under 71. (Matt Brooks)

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The Briar Woods Falcons accept the second-place trophy. (Matt Brooks)

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The Loudoun County Raiders finished three strokes ahead of Briar Woods to claim their first Dulles District tournament title since 2005. (Matt Brooks)

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With four scores in, the Falcons still looked poised to retain their title. After Robbie Mitchell's 80 went on the board, Briar Woods led the Raiders by two strokes with Freedom right behind them at four back. But Youst’s 81 sealed the victory for County.

"I think the timing of the Ryder Cup is really helpful, because you see what golf can be as a team game," Laycock said. "I can't tell how much fun it is to watch."

As a result of their regular season-district title, the Falcons had already earned a trip back to the region tournament, which they won last year as they advanced to states.

"We wanted to win, we came in with the mentality to win and we just didn't get it done," said Birmingham, who shot a 78. "We really wanted another district tournament trophy, but it's a whole new game in regionals. The regular season pretty much means nothing. We're going to practice hard and try to win regionals again or at least come in second to qualify for the state tournament."

For the second straight year, Freedom made a strong push for a regional berth, finishing just nine strokes back of County and six behind Briar Woods at 322. Alex Choi (77), Tyler Blake (78) and Nick Lee (80) all qualified as individuals for the regional tournament.

Broad Run’s Kevin Yerks took home the individual district championship, running away with a five-stroke victory after a 1-under 72. The senior strung together several birdies on the back nine to secure his victory and best Birmingham’s winning card of 71 from a year ago.

"This whole season I haven't been struggling, but just haven't been playing great," Yerks said. "I started off a little slow but after I sunk a few birdies I really got on a roll there. I had a string of about four birdies on five holes, with three in a row, and that really helps."

Yerks qualified for regionals last season but hopes he can ride the momentum of his district performance to a better showing his second time around.

"I've been waiting for four years to do this well and it feels good to finally get a good score in," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting back to regionals and hopefully I can play well there and maybe make it to states."

Yerks, who led the group of six individual qualifiers for the regional tournament, was followed by Choi (77), Blake (77), Lee (80), Broad Run’s Tyler Campos (80), and Potomac Falls' Michael Tondi (81) who won a one-hole playoff to claim the final spot.

All six players will join Loudoun County and Briar Woods for the regional tournament in Charlottesville where the Raiders will hope to build on their strong showing Wednesday.

"It's huge for our program," Laycock said. "We're still pretty young and really, I'd say this year has put us a year ahead of schedule for what I thought might happen. So I'm really excited for the kids that they get a chance to go to regionals now and experience that. And we'll see what happens the next year or two."

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks