John Hurley Finishes His High School Career

John Hurley finished his high school career one shot short. His goal was to become the third golfer in Nebraska High School history to win three state championships. John was the two-time defending state champion in class B. After day one John had a two-stroke lead over Cory Shields of Holdrege and Brandon Krick of McCook. John's one under par 71 was a great score considering how windy it was. John did miss a couple of short puts that could have widened the gap even more. On day two John got off to a rough start not being able to control his driver and having to play some second shots from the deep rough. After nine holes John was even par for the day but Cory Shields of Holdrege shot two under to tie John for the lead. John went on to bogie number 104p to lose the lead to Cory. On the next eight holes the spectators got to witness one of the greatest exhibitions of golf in any high school tournament. John and Cory both birdied number 11. After their tee shots on the par three 12th, John was on the upper tier of the green facing a difficult two putt and Cory left his shot about 15 yards short of the green in some thick rough. Cory hit one of those once-in-a-lifetime shots and hole the chip for a birdie and John managed to two putt for a par. John was now down by two shots with seven holes to play. On the tee shot on the 335 yard par four 13th, Cory's ball rolled through the bunker onto the green. He then two-putted for his third consecutive birdie. John hit a five wood just short of the green and chipped to within seven feet and made his putt for a birdie. John went on to birdie l5 and l6 with huge drives, good approach shots and great putts. The match was now tied with two holes to go. John's drive landed one foot into the very tall and thick rough and had to punch out his second shot to the par five 17th. Cory hit a good drive and a great second shot to about 20 feet for an eagle. John, knowing he needed to at least get a birdie to stay tied going into the last hole, bladed his third shot into the very tall and thick rough right of the green. Coach Fernau went over and found John's ball and walked away knowing that the best John could do from this lie was a bogie. This would leave him at least two down with one hole to go. John made one of the best up and downs you'll ever see at any level. He chipped the ball out of the deep rough, over a bunker and left the ball fifteen feet below the hole on the green. He proceeded to make the putt for par to keep him one stroke behind Cory. John had to birdie the 18th hole to force a playoff. Hole 18 is a 390-yard par four. Cory drove the ball about 80 yards short of the green, chipped on and two putted for par. John drove the ball around 400 yards, just left of the green. He chipped to 15 feet and needed to one putt to force a tie. His putt slipped by on the left and he tapped in for a par. John was disappointed with finishing second but was not disappointed in his play. Cory Shields had to shoot a state record round of 66, six under par with no bogies to beat John by one. John finishes his high school career as one of the best high school golfers to ever come out of the state of Nebraska having placed all four years at the state meet. He finished seventh his freshman year and was the state champion his sophomore and junior years. This year John has won eight of 10 18-hole tournaments and finished second in two others, including state. He has not shot a round over par in tournaments or duals all year long. His average score for the year is 69, three under par for 18.