St. Mary's golfer Cornella wins individual event, Air Academy captures team crown

Even a teenager will listen when a someone who played on the PGA Tour with Jack Nicklaus gives advice.

St. Mary’s junior Andrew Cornella paid heed to retired Cherry Hills Country Club pro Clayton Cole this weekend and it paid off Monday with a smoother swing en route to a 5-under-par 67 and the individual boys’ golf title at the Metro League-opening Marauder Invitational.

“I went to him and he showed me how to make it so much easier,” Cornella said at Patty Jewett Golf Course. “I did a good job getting to the tee on my drives and I played consistent today.”

Cornella led an impressive opener for the area golfers.

Air Academy’s Cam Harrell edged Wasson junior Chris Winter for second place on a scorecard playoff after both carded 68s. Fountain-Fort Carson’s Sam Jorgensen scored 69 for fourth place.

“Cam has a head for golf,” Kadets coach Wayne Marshall said. “He knows if he makes a mistake he will make up for it on a later hole. He’s very steady.”

Winter, second at the Marauder last fall, hopes to keep calm and play steady golf next week, too (Accushot Tournament Aug. 25 at Kings Deer Golf Club).

The Kadets won Monday’s team competition (222) with Pine Creek (223) edging Coronado (223) on a scorecard playoff. Lewis-Palmer was fourth with 224.

“Look at those scores. Holy smokes,” Marshall said. “This whole league (season title) will come down to how the (Nos.) threes and fours will play.’’