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In a busy first week of the season, the Rockbridge County High School golf team competed in two road tournaments before finishing third of seven teams in a Valley District home tournament on Thursday at the Lexington Golf & Country Club.
At the home tournament, played almost entirely in the rain, the Wildcats shot a 342 on the challenging 18-hole course. William Monroe won with an impressive score of 298, while Spotswood placed second with a 334. Finishing in fourth place, just behind RC, was Turner Ashby with a 344. Completing the team standings were East Rockingham (391), Broadway (392) and Harrisonburg (441).
Junior captain Andrew McCoy overcame one quadruple bogey to lead the Wildcats, placing fifth individually by shooting a 77 on the par-71 course. William Monroe’s Christopher Salyers was the medalist, firing an even-par 71, while teammates Carter Knick (73) and Daniel Woolston (75) placed second and third, respectively. Landon Kullant carded a 79 to round out WM’s team scoring. Placing fourth individually, just ahead of McCoy, was Spotswood’s Jackson Baugher with a 76.
RC’s second scorer was sophomore Harrison Tanner, shooting an 81, while junior teammate Jack Jensen followed with an 82. Completing the Wildcats’ team scoring was senior Will Gibbs, posting a 102. Also competing for the Wildcats were Jud Beacham and Finbar Looney.
Reviewing the tournament, RC head coach David Miller said he was pleased with the way the golfers competed, despite the rain. “Proud of all the kids from all the teams for not complaining and just playing golf,” he said.
The Wildcats, who finished behind Turner Ashby in their season opener three days earlier, finished the week in the third spot among Valley District teams competing for two spots to advance to the Region 3C tournament. Three-time defending Valley District champion Spotswood was ahead of the Wildcats by 21 shots, while TA led the Wildcats by 12 shots. William Monroe and Harrisonburg are in different regions, so they won’t be competing for a spot in the Region 3C tournament.
RC Opens At Heritage Oaks
In their first competition of the season, led by a convincing victory by McCoy, the Wildcats placed fourth in a Valley District tournament at Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg last Monday before placing 14th of 18 teams in nondistrict competition at the Botetourt Metro Invitational at Botetourt Golf & Swim Club last Tuesday in Troutville.
In the season opener, the first of six Valley District tournaments, McCoy shot a 76 on the difficult 18-hole, par-70 course. “Great start to his junior season, and I look for him to continue to lead our team,” said Miller. Placing second by eight shots was TA’s Asa Fulk with an 84.
The Wildcats shot a 354 on the difficult Heritage Oaks course. WM won with a 321, TA placed second with a 343, and Spotswood (344) finished third. East Rockingham (403) placed fourth, Broadway (411) came in fifth, and Harrisonburg didn’t have a team score.
RC’s second scorer was Jensen, firing an 82, while Tanner carded a 90 for the Wildcats’ third score. “Harrison will certainly get better once he settles into the new season,” said Miller.
In his first high school competition, Gibbs completed the Wildcats’ team scoring with a 108. “Great effort, and he will also get rolling once we get a few matches under our belt,” said Miller.
Also competing in their first high school competition for the Wildcats were Looney (111) and Beacham (126).
Going over the day, Miller said, “Rockbridge has some new faces and a lot of nerves out there for the first match, but I’m very proud of them and look forward to them showing improvement.”
“Everyone will get over the nerves quickly and can’t wait to battle it out with TA and Spotswood for the two region spots,” added Miller.
In the Metro Invitational on Tuesday of last week at Botetourt Golf & Swim Club, Jefferson Forest won for the second year in a row, shooting a 313, while Northside (318) placed second of 18 teams, and Salem (320) came in third. The Wildcats finished with a score of 354.
Salem’s Kathryn Ha was the medalist, firing a 70 on the challenging 18hole, par-71 course.
McCoy led RC, shooting a 79 to place 10th of 90 golfers. Miller said McCoy “had a few struggles here and there,” but the RC coach looked forward to his improvement.
Jensen was the Wildcats’ second scorer, firing an 82. Miller said Jensen “has been very solid. The offseason work is paying off.”
Tanner overcame a slow start to shoot an 83, and Beacham completed RC’s team scoring with a 110, just ahead of Gibbs (111). “I love the improvement from Jud,” said Miller.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play a district tournament at Greene Hills Club in Standardsville on Monday, with William Monroe playing host, and will continue district competition at Lakeview Golf Club in Harrisonburg on Thursday at 10 a.m. After a break from competition next week, the Wildcats will play a district tournament at Woodstone Meadows Golf Course in McGaheysville, with Spotswood playing host, on Monday, Aug. 21, at noon.
