Peyton Woods could get used to this feeling.
The 2023 Springfield High graduate rolled to his first City men’s golf tournament title by four strokes over runnerup and seven-time champion Jake Erickson at Piper Glen Golf Club on Sunday.
Woods entered the final round ahead by three strokes against Erickson and three-time champ Brian Anderson and said he was able to stay positive and enjoy the moment.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Woods said. “I’ve put a lot of practice in this summer because I didn’t have a great college year, so I was out there just grinding and it really showed this week.”
Woods, 19, became one of the youngest winners in the tournament’s 106-year history with a four-day total of 13-under-par 275. He opened with a 6-under 66 at Bunn Golf Course before shooting 2-under 70 at Lincoln Greens, 3-under 69 at The Rail and 2-under 70 at Piper Glen.
2024 Drysdale results: Springfield High, North Mac golfers use positive mindsets to win 2024 Drysdale titles
Past champions Eddie Charlton and Mark Hofstetter each won the tournament at 18 years old in 1926 and 1977, respectively. Anderson was 19 when he won the 2001 title.
“I have a lot of confidence going in now just the way I played this weekend,” Woods said of going into his sophomore year at Illinois Central College. “I just think I could play like that every time.”
Karlie Schnepp, who won her fifth City women’s title in late June, pitched in as Woods’ caddie on the final two days. The Rochester graduate and Quincy University senior golfer said she primarily supplied positive reinforcement along with some input.
A double bogey on the par-5 No. 9 was just about the only blemish of the day for Woods. He otherwise still finished the front-nine 1-under.
“If you only focus on the people you’re playing with, it’s not going to go well for you,” Schnepp said. “It was something that I really stressed today. I was like, ‘Focus on your own game … stay focused.’”
Anderson finished five-strokes back of the leader for third place while Ryan Schone was fourth. Charles Hoogland and Matthew Nika tied for fifth.
Chatham Glenwood’s Cam Appenzeller won the junior division, while Ed Mabie claimed the senior division. Jerry Johnson won the super senior division in a scorecard playoff.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Peyton Woods wins the 106th City men’s golf title at Piper Glen
