Bruns hits ace, wins sectional title

CELINA, Ohio — Despite accomplishing a golfer’s ultimate goal, Jalyn Bruns made the turn Tuesday at 3 over par.

The senior was on fire over her final nine holes.

Bruns, a Fort Recovery High School senior, shot even-par 72 to claim the individual championship in the OHSAA Division II sectional tournament at Celina Lynx Golf Club.

“Beginning of the morning she was playing along, taking a couple bogeys and didn’t have a real great start,” said Joe Bruns, Jalyn’s father and FRHS golf coach. “What I was proud of her, she made that hole-in-one on 16 then she followed with a double bogey.

“After that she played the next 10 holes at 3 under par.”

Fort Recovery shot a season-best 401 but placed fifth. Lima Central Catholic won the team championship with its round of 343. Coldwater shot 353 for the runner-up spot, with Minster third with 376.

The top three teams and top three individuals on non-advancing teams qualify for the Northwest District tournament set for Monday at Sycamore Springs Golf Club in Findlay. And for the third straight year, Jalyn Bruns will represent the Indians at the district level.

Starting on the 10th hole, the Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and future Indiana University – East Red Wolf bogeyed her first two holes. Following a birdie on the par-3 third, she had the first of her two double bogeys ahead of back-to-back pars.

Then on the 134-yard, par-3 16th, she had her first career hole-in-one.

Bruns bogeyed the par-4 17th and made par on the par-5 18th and made the turn at 3-over-par 39.

She fired birdies on the par-4 first, par-3 third and par-3 seventh holes while making par on the other six for 3 under par on the front nine.

“She has always played well on this course,” father said of daughter, noting she set a new career-best score as well. "Her biggest asset is that she never gets too high or too low. This is a game where you can let one hole really get to your emotions. She just keeps an even keel because not every shot is good but she is able to calm down and respond.”

Macy Brunswick shot a career-best 99 as the Tribe’s second-best score. She birdied both par 3s on the back nine, making the turn with a 48. She also made birdie on the par-3 seventh hole.

“I’m really happy for her,” Joe Bruns said, noting she was three strokes away from forcing a playoff for the third and final individual district-qualifying spot, which belonged to Alyiah Arling of Marion Local. St. Henry’s Courtney Clune shot 95 for the other individual district berth. “Very good round for her and (a) good way to end the season.”

Paige Bihn shot 114 for the Tribe’s No. 3 score, while Kim Hart completed the team total with her 116.

Shelby Acheson also competed, but her 124 was not a factor in the overall team competition.

“We've had our ups and downs this year,” Bruns said of his senior-led team. All five sectional players were seniors. “We had some really good rounds and some disappointing rounds.

“The game of golf is difficult. That's why you’ve just got to keep at it. Every day is different.

“I'm hoping the girls look back at the last four years and say, ‘I had a lot of fun.’ Hoping that’s how those four individuals that finished their golf careers feel that way.”