Riverside golfers nail state title

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 5, 2001

J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO 1: NUDGE-PUTTING THE BALL, Michael Schoen putts at the 12th hole on Tuesday. LAPLACE – Despite high winds and fast greens, Riverside High School turned in a solid performance Tuesday, winning their second state tournament in as many years. Michael Schoen of Riverside took home the individual honors, tying teammate Steve Luminais with a score of 148, but beating him on the sudden-death playoff hole. The course conditions, while not appalling, did nothing to make play easy. High winds buffeted the course on both Monday and Tuesday, sucking the moisture out of the greens and making them treacherous and fast. But at the sudden-death playoff hole, the winds didn’t matter. Luminias drove his first shot out of bounds, while Schoen was able to place his within 80 yards of the green, just on the outside corner of the dogleg right. After taking a two-stroke penalty, Luminais drove again – a crushing 320 yard drive which followed the dogleg and rolled to within 40 yards of the green. However, it was Luminais’ earlier shot which did him in. Schoen chipped up and two-putted for par, while Luminais had to make due with a double bogey. PHOTO 2: STEVE LUMINAIS crushes the ball with his driver on the 13th hole at Belle Terre Tuesday. Tuesday saw none of the rules infractions that marred Monday’s first round. On the first day, two golfers from Loyola College Prepatory were disqualified for riding in a cart after finishing up their round. This was a direct violation of LHSAA bylaws, and resulted in Loyola losing their chance to win the tournament. The players in question were allowed to play in the second round, even though their scores were voided. Indeed, it was careful play that saw Riverside take home the trophy. On Monday, in spite of the breeze, Schoen turned in a 72, chalking up three birdies and an eagle along the way. Tuesday saw the wind diminish a bit, but Schoen made only three birdies on the way to a second round 76. “The wind was definitely a factor. It ate me up,” said Schoen. “Yesterday, I beat it but today it got to me.” “We strayed a bit with the wind, but they came through for us,” said Rebel golf coach Liz Torres. “They held it together. Today showed just how much of a mental game golf is. We won because they were able to keep their focus. They’re a great team. This proves that we deserve to be at the top.”