MIDDLETOWN — One shot came between East Clinton senior Jon Blair and a trip to the state golf tournament.
Playing in the Div. II Southwest District tournament at Weatherwax Golf Course, Blair shot a 77 but needed a 76 to earn a berth in a playoff.
Blair had a 2-over 38 on the Highlands layout then finished with a 3-over 39 on the Woodside nine.
“When I got home, I was thinking about it … I only hit five fairways and eight greens,” Blair said. “I feel like putting has been the best part of my game all year, so the sooner I get on the green the better. I just wasn’t able to do that today.”
Blair said his overall ball striking was not solid on the 6,711-yard course.
It would appear, though, there is plenty of golf in Blair’s future. He has received interest from several colleges.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I think I want to do that (play in college). I haven’t got enough of golf.”
While Blair has played basketball at East Clinton several years, he only started playing golf when he was a sophomore.
“I wish I would have started playing my freshman year, if not possibly eighth grade,” he said. “I didn’t play that great just because it was my first year but it was something I really enjoyed. It was an after-school activity to be around my friends.”
What may have started out as a social activity, quickly turned into something much more.
“I just got hooked on it,” said Blair. “After that I couldn’t really pull myself off the golf course.”
