ASHLAND — As far as Ashland coach Dan Priest is concerned, Tyler Sabo is the best high school golfer in Ohio.
Priest will find out this weekend when his Arrows tee it up at the state tournament for a second straight year at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.
A junior, Sabo has authored one of the greatest seasons in north central Ohio prep golf history. He has been medalist in 15 of the 20 events the Arrows have played in this fall, including last week’s district tournament at Findlay Country Club.
Sabo shot a 1-under 71 in the wind and rain last week, good for a six-stroke victory over Elida’s Carson Harmon.
“He was six strokes better than anybody and those are the best players in the northwest district,” Priest said last week. “He just dominated.”
A week earlier, Sabo fired an even-par 72 to claim sectional medalist honors in blustery conditions at Mohawk Golf and Country Club.
“Tyler has been unbelievable this year,” Priest said at the time. “I might be a little partial, but I think he’s the best player in Ohio.”
With Sabo leading the charge, the Arrows won sectional and district team titles. Last week’s district crown was Ashland’s first since 2010 and sent the Arrows back to Columbus for a second straight year — Ashland finished 11th at state last fall with a two-day total of 688.
Sabo earned All-Ohio honors last fall after shooting a 152, good for an eighth-place tie with Westerville Central’s Josh Qian. Qian again qualified for this week’s star-studded state tournament — seven of the top nine individual finishers from last year’s event will be in action again this weekend. That ultra-talented septet includes Dublin Jerome’s Tyler Groomes, last year’s state medalist.
An Ohio State recruit, Groomes led Jerome to the team title in 2019. The Celtics carded a two-day 607, good for a 12-stroke victory over Akron Hoban.
Jerome, Hoban and Ashland are three of the six returning state-qualifying team. The are joined by Cleveland St. Ignatius, Cincinnati St. Xavier and Lakota East.
Priest welcomed back all five of his regulars from last year’s state team. In addition to Sabo, seniors Aiden Baker and Ryan Frazee, junior Aidan Chandler and sophomore Kamden Mowry all have state tournament experience.
“Last year they just didn’t know if they really deserved to be down there. Some people thought they were lucky to get there and maybe they were,” Priest said. “This year we have been the favorites and the boys have lived up to expectations. We thought that we would be here and here we are.”
