Slings shot: Williamsburg junior leads Raiders back to state (Video)

WILLIAMSBURG - It was not a bad miss and the results were even better.

Williamsburg's Drew Slings did not appear happy with his tee shot on the second hole of a playoff, but received some relief when it rolled within 30 feet of the hole and set up a winning birdie putt.

Slings sunk the putt to claim medalist honors over Washington's Dillon de Perrot at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A district meet Friday at Stone Creek Golf Club. Slings posted an 18-hole round of 75, pacing the Raiders to a second-place finish, two shots back of champion Fairfield, and three ahead of Washington. All three teams advance to the 3A state meet May 25-26 at Ames Golf and Country Club.

The Raider junior said he thought his first shot on the decisive hole was too far to the right, but a strong wind that affected play all day corrected it, setting up winning stroke on No. 14 hole.

"I didn't hit it exactly the way I wanted to, but ended up hitting it close enough to make a great roll at it," said Slings, who tied for 15th at the 2011 state meet. "It ended up going in. Just the right day."

The tee shot left a tough putt, while de Perrot placed his a little closer left of the cup. The putting practice during the week paid dividends, giving Slings an idea of the break.

"As soon as I hit it I knew I had the right line as long as I had the right speed," Slings said. "About three feet to the hole I knew it was going in. It was a great feeling."

Watch the winning putt (Best with full screen view)

Slings talks about the winning playoff hole

The playoff was indicative of a round that included an even par 36 on the front and 4-over 39 on the back. Slings received a jolt when he made a 40-foot putt for birdie on the par-5 No. 9 hole to remain even. He has played all season to "narrow his misses" and he executed it during the round and the extra two holes.

"The main thing was eliminating penalty strokes," Slings said. "I rolled a few putts in that I probably shouldn't have and missed a couple I shouldn't. Overall, I played pretty solid."

de Perrot was just as solid, just missing his putt to force a third playoff hole. He overcame some late bogeys with a birdie on his final hole to tie Slings. He showed poise as he capped his round with 1-over 37 on the front and 3-over 38 on the back.

"I just focused on my target and let everything else clear out," de Perrot said. "I just tried to play smooth golf. It turns out pretty well when I do that."

He has been impressive in the postseason, earning sectional medalist honors. He has also made strong contributions in previous postseasons for the Demons.

"I feel I need to step up to keep advancing," de Perrot said. "That's where I come out and bunker down and start playing my best.

Williamsburg was solid as a team, recording four scores of 85 or better. Junior Corbin Blythe carded 77, finishing fourth after a playoff with Fairfield's Cody Kool. Senior Dan Ackerman and freshman Jackson Subbert added 85 apiece. They defended their turf against five of the top 10 teams in 3A.

"We knew we would have to come out and play well at our home course," Williamsburg Coach Brad Schaefer said. "I'm very proud of these kids."

The Raiders will make their third straight state appearance - the only three in school history - and look to improve the fourth-place finish last year. The bar has been raised at Williamsburg.

"They have the expectations now after the last two years," Schaefer said. "We finished fourth last year and everyone received a medal. They want to get back and get a trophy, so they want to be top three."

Washington received an 82 from Jake Redlinger and 84 from both Alec Thode andThe Demons qualify for state for the fifth straight year, placing second last year and no lower than fifth during that stretch.

"I think our team will be able to put up some good scores," de Perrot said.

The 1A state neet will be held at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora and Livermore's Spring Valley Golf Course will host the 2A state tournament.

CLASS 3A DISTRICT

At Williamsburg

(Stone Creek Golf Club, par 71)

Teams – 1. Fairfield 320*, 2. Williamsburg 322*, 3. Washington 325*, 4. Anamosa 337, 5. Maquoketa 339

State qualifiers – 1. Drew Slings (Will), 36-39-75**, 2. Dillon de Perrot (Wash), 37-38-75, 3. Cody Kool (FF), 40-37-77**, 4. Corbin Blythe (Will), 38-39-77

*-Team advances to state

**-Won playoff