Georgantas outlasted three other players and won the ninth Cape Cod National Golf Club High School Invitational on the second playoff hole, birdieing the par-4 18th. He defeated Barnstable senior Colin Gleason, Xaverian senior Michael McCormack, and Xaverian senior Quinn Dumas (who bowed out after the first playoff hole).
Georgantas striped his drive right down the fairway. His approach delighted the crowd surrounding the green, landing a foot right of the cup before spinning to a stop just beyond the hole. He calmly finished off the birdie, tipping his cap after the putt.
“Since it was a little cooler out right, I hit a pitching wedge, which was my 135 club, nice and smooth,” said Georgantas. “I really liked the number, so it was comfortable for me.”
Georgantas almost didn’t qualify for the second playoff hole. The first playoff hole, Georgantas thinned his drive into the trees on the right side. He punched out to several yards short of the green. His chip nearly dropped, riding the right side of the hole, yet refusing to fall in for what would have amounted to an incredible birdie.
Georgantas, the Globe’s reigning Division 2 Athlete of the Year committed to Providence, sizzled to a 4-under-par 32 on the back nine, which he started on. His game cooled off after the turn, carding a 5-over 41 on the front.
“I just really tried to not make too many mistakes,” said Georgantas. “The greens were really fast and firm today. I had three three-putts on my back nine, which was the front nine. I just stuck with it the whole way through. To be honest, I didn’t think that 1 over was going to make it, but here I am.”
In the team portion of the match, St. John’s Prep secured its second title in three years, finishing at 9-over-par 225, to edge Xaverian.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for the team,” said St. John’s Prep coach Brian Jasiak. “The competition here is strong, very strong. It’s state tournament strong.”
Jasiak lauded his team’s mental toughness, navigating a tricky course and a long day of travel. He referred to the tournament as a measuring stick for where his team is ahead of sectional and state tournament play.
A prime example of mental toughness was Prep junior Seamus O’Holleran, who played around a triple bogey on the par-4 17th to card a stellar 2-over 74. He joined Jack Carew (3-over 75) and junior AJ Bodnar (4-over 76) as the three Eagles to card scores for the tournament.