Kreider caps career at States

There is something to be said for qualifying to play in a state high school tournament in any sport. When it’s an individual sport the wins and the losses come from one source.

Yourself.

On Monday and Tuesday Ephrata’s Matt Kreider was the only Lancaster-Lebanon League AAA Boys’ representative in the PIAA Golf Tournament at Heritage Hills Resort in York.

Kreider qualified for the State event in three steps, a runner-up finish in the L-L tourney, a fifth place District Three placement and was 11th in the Eastern Regional contest just a week ago.

Kreider’s two day total (85-84) of 169 over the 6,700-yard par 71 course left one impression on the Mount senior.

“Frustration, it was a grind,” said Kreider, when asked about his first round 85. “I thought my preparation was good, but it was a disappointing day.

The disappointment was multiplied on the final hole of day one, when an unfavorable ruling cost Kreider a six-over-par 10 to end his day. A 60-minute discussion with officials, both on and off the course failed to reverse the decision.

“These were some of the toughest greens I’ve ever played,” added Kreider. “Between the tiers and valleys, there was a lot of break. If you were above the hole, they were like a sheet of glass.”

Putting is normally a strength for Kreider, something he demonstrates in his approach to each opportunity.

“I have a green diagram to confirm what my eyes are seeing,” he said. “The key is speed. I take a look from both ends of the putt. Putting is physically the easiest stroke, but it’s more of an art form.”

He has also turned into one of the state’s longest hitters off the tee. An example of that power was his 10th hole drive Monday at Heritage Hills, a mere 280-yard shot that placed him 20 yards from the green, leading to an opening hole birdie.

“I actually miss-hit that one a little bit,” described Kreider. “In the Sunday practice round, I drove the green on that hole.”

“In practice, I’m routinely over 300 yards,” he continued. “Distance is a bonus. It takes a lot of trouble out of play. It’s also a whole lot easier to be accurate into the green with a wedge than a longer iron. I probably gained 30-40 yards this year alone on my driver.”

All of this from a 6-1, 180-pound high school senior.

Although Kreider’s first lessons came from Foxchase (his home course) Pro Chip Kappesser, he feels like his game took a big jump after working with Michael Wheeler in 2013. Wheeler is the PGA Director of Instruction at Berkshire Country Club in Reading.

“I’m pretty much a Nike guy since working with Wheeler,” said Kreider. “Nike does a lot to grow the game as a sport, and it is a sport. It fits my game and increased my distance and accuracy. I’ve tested a lot of other equipment, but keep going back to Nike. I’m just comfortable and confident standing over those clubs.”

Kreider is not the first Ephrata student to have success at the state level on the links. In 1988, Mount Brad Hertzog won the boy’s championship, one year after current touring pro Jim Furyk. In 1973, Ephrata’s Marlin Detweiler also wore the crown while in 1956, Cocalico’s Harold Sweigart captured the top spot.