Brother Martin captures district golf title

Brother Martin has moved to the top of the district golf scene.

The Crusaders claimed the title Monday at English Turn, toppling traditional powers St. Paul’s and Jesuit. It is the first district title for Brother Martin in 11 years.

Brother Martin won by a cumulative 13 strokes over St. Paul’s with Jesuit finished third. The Crusaders totaled 293 strokes to 307 for the Wolves. The Blue Jays were third at 315 and Mandeville placed fourth with 318 strokes. All four teams qualified for the regional tournament, set for April 24 in Zachary at Beaver Creek Golf Club.

Hunter McDermott and Kyle Traub led the way for the Crusaders. McDermott was outstanding, firing a 4-under 68 to pace all individuals.

Traub tied for the second-best score with Nike Kelsey of St. Paul’s with a 1-under 71. Gavin McDermott of Brother Martin, Nelson Bensel of Jesuit and Ethan Marx of Mandeville were next at 4-over 76. Others coming in under 80 were Braden Piglia of Brother Martin, Rylan Hess and Maerek Barberito of St. Paul’s, Duke Nitcher of Jesuit and Rase Brown of Mandeville, all of whom shot 6-over 78 to qualify on the individual side of the competition for the regionals.

Other individual qualifiers included Preston Paul of Northshore with a 74, Riley Wiggington of Northshore with a 79, Ben Chaisson of St. Paul’s and Owen Bourg of Jesuit, who shot 80, William Boasberg of Jesuit with an 81, Phanu Galloway, Ben Hendricks of Mandeville and Matthew Plaisance of Hahnville with 82’s and Jaden Rubin of Ben Franklin, who shot an 84.

The four top teams in the eight-team regional at Zachary will quality for the LHSAA Division I state championship April 29-30 at The Wetlands Golf Course in Lafayette.