The old adage “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” was never more appropriate to describe the kind of day Evan Walters had on Tuesday morning at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Tournament.
Walters, Emmaus’ top golfer and arguably the league’s best during the regular season with his outstanding 68.7 average, started slow and had his challenges early on in his round in dealing with the chilly temps and navigating his way through what he described as a ‘hard and tight’ par 71 course at Great Bear Golf Club in East Stroudsburg.
Through the front nine holes, the senior was 4-over par with two bogeys and one double bogey. Even into the first few holes on the back nine, Walters was still struggling with another double bogey on the 10th hole and a bogey on the 11th.
It appeared for the longest time that he would once again seem destined for a similar fate on the same course from a year ago where he shot an 89 and in his words: ‘played just awful.’
But then something changed with Walters.
First his attitude. Then his play. And both led to a strong finish for the Hornets No. 1 golfer.
Walters finished the last seven holes on the day shooting an incredible 2-under par, and as a result, battled his way back in contention and came up with his best placement ever at the tournament finishing fourth with a 6-over 77 (40-37).
His score was actually the same as River Gotto’s, but the Northampton golfer was awarded third place due a better finish on one of the handicap holes where Walters bogeyed and Gotto parred.
Either way, Walters had a lot to be proud of — considering his start and how far back he was in the standings early in the tournament.
“I was pleased with my round considering the conditions on the day,” said Walters, whose best previous finish was seventh back in 2024. “I played good solid golf the last seven holes. I play better with the extra pressure.”
Walters, who shot a 79 a day earlier on his practice round, had five pars on the final seven holes. The highlight of his day came at the 15th hole, a par 5, where he had an eagle, which included an 80-foot putt off the fringe.
Walters performance was not the only highlight of the day for head coach Pat Birns’ squad.
In the girls’ competition, Hornets junior Ella Bloszinsky, who finished fourth a year ago, had her highest finish ever finishing runner up with a 92, three shots back from champion Maddie Van Buskirk of Pocono Mountain East. Bloszinsky was 13-over par through the front nine but then settled down to shoot 8-over on the back.
Teammate, freshman Olivia Harlacher, playing in her first ever tournament, placed fifth overall with a 99.
As a team, the Hornets finished fifth with a score 348. After placing third the past two years, it was their lowest finish the 2022 season.
Freshman Jake Socci, making his first appearance in the tournament, placed 18th overall with an 85. The other Emmaus golfers competing in the tournament included: junior Anderson Francis (T36th/90), senior Silas Wellhoener (T46th/96) and senior Ben Nichols (59th/102).
Pocono Mountain East was a little bit of a surprise claiming the team title as they edged two-time defending champion Nazareth by two strokes, 318-320. A year ago, the Cardinals finished runner-up to the Blue Eagles.
Up next for the Emmaus golfers with be the District XI qualifier which takes place next Tuesday at Shawnee Golf Club.
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EPC Tournament @ Great Bear Golf Course (Par 71)
Team – 1. PM East 318, 2. Nazareth 320, 3. Northampton 326, 4. Liberty 343, 5. EMMAUS 348
Individual (Boys) – 1. Holden Sparks (Naz) 74, 2. Chris Gerheart (PME) 75, 3. River Gotto (No) 77, 4. Evan Walters (Em) 77, 5. Joe Ellis (Naz) 78, 6. Emmett Galucci 79, 7. Matt Torres (Park) 80, 8. Kevin Gerheart (PME) 81, 9. Alex DiGiacinto (Naz) 81, Drew Patascher (PV) 82.
(Girls) – 1. Maddie Van Buskirk (PME) 89, Ella Bloszinsky (Em) 92, 3. Lily Brigido (CC) 92, 4. Courtney Edwards (No) 96, 5. Olivia Harlacher (Em) 99