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11:37 PM Wednesday, September 28, 2011

By Rick Cassano

Staff Writer

MIAMISBURG — Matt Smith and Nick Haven liked the weather. Brad Paynter liked the pressure.

All three local prep golfers found their comfort zone Wednesday in the rain-soaked Division II sectional tournament at PipeStone Golf Course, earning spots in next week’s district event.

Smith, a Madison senior, and Haven, a Fenwick junior, each carded an 8-over-par 80. Paynter, a Carlisle junior, shot 82 and won a one-hole playoff for the last individual district berth.

“I’m very excited because I’ve been practicing and preparing for it,” Smith said. “I started off pretty bad, so I was happy with an 80.”

He began the day with a pair of double bogeys, then cleared his head. His iron play was very solid.

“I just stopped thinking about being 4-over and started playing golf,” Smith said. “You’ve got to go hole by hole. And usually I play better in the rain.”

Haven’s putter failed him early, but he didn’t allow it to squash his district goal.

“It was killing me, but then I started to read putts a little better and started making them,” Haven said. “My driver was good all day. I was hitting fairways like crazy.

“I actually play better in the rain, so that was kind of helpful for me,” he continued. “It gives me a little more focus.”

Smith, Haven and Clinton-Massie’s Kyle Clifton shared the first three places among players not on district-qualifying teams. Paynter, Valley View freshman Andrew Bruns and Fenwick sophomore Tucker McGee all tied for the fourth spot.

The latter trio went to a playoff on hole No. 1, where Paynter chipped in for a birdie from about 15 yards out.

“I couldn’t even explain it,” Paynter said of his reaction. “I sat there and read the chip for a minute, and I knew it was going to break about a foot right. It just went in. Amazing.”

He started the playoff hole with one of his best drives.

“I only missed two fairways the whole day,” Paynter said. “I’ve been in a couple playoffs, and I like being under pressure. I play better when I’m under pressure.”

The district tournament will be held next Thursday at Weatherwax Golf Course. Smith, Haven and Paynter will be making their first appearances as individuals. Haven was part of Fenwick’s team advancement two years ago.

Dayton Oakwood, Kettering Alter, Eaton and Dayton Chaminade Julienne were the team qualifiers Wednesday. Fenwick finished two strokes behind fourth-place CJ.

Dakota Fisher’s 85 led Monroe, while Matt Deaton had a 93 to pace Preble Shawnee.

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