|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Highland places 2nd in state golf
Highland places 2nd in state golf
By Tom Hill
Special to the Times-Democrat
Despite a drenching rain which soaked the course the night before, and heavy winds during the event, the first private school golf state tournament proceeded undeterred at Fauquier Springs Country Club last Tuesday.
Highland made it memorable despite the weather, finishing second out of eight teams in the Division II competition
The Hawks shot 255 to finish 11 strokes behind champion Greenbrier Christian's 244.
Playing on his home course, Highland No. 1 Travis Law made a run at overall medalist honors, finishing third with an 80. Law was strongest on the front nine, shooting a 37 that included a birdie on No. 4. However, his highlight came on No. 7, where he made par on a hole that gave others double and triple bogeys.
“Travis had his best match of the year," said Highland coach Brant Ruskin. "Sure, it wasn’t his best score, but Travis kept a level head on his shoulders and really played to the best of his abilities.”
Law finished three shots behind co-medalists Alex Mahone of Tandem Friends and Preston Leigh of Greenbrier Christian, who shot 77.
“I hit the ball solidly but didn’t score as highly I would have liked,” said Law, who shot 43 on the back nine.
Hawk sophomore Ryan Poe was right behind Law with an 81. The transfer from Brentsville High shot 39 on the front nine and 42 on the back. Poe’s highlight was a birdie on No. 4, while No. 7 set him back with a triple bogey.
"I’m proud of my teammates,” said Poe, “especially Travis, who has been a leader for us all year.”
Both Poe and Law were named All-State.
Highland's team score of 255 included one round of 94, shot by both Clarke Chadwell and B.J. Fisher. A team's top three scores are used, so only one of the 94s counted.
Fisher's highlight was a birdie on No. 17, a difficult hole late in the afternoon due to the wind.
He also drilled two 40-foot putts. The junior is already looking ahead to next year. “We can only improve because we have a young team,” Fisher said.
Freshman Chadwell felt that he “blew up on a few holes with an out-of-bounds,” but played well, making short chips to the green that allowed him to two putt.
He also said that his 94 “played like an 87” due to the unfavorable conditions.
Even though his players knew the Fauquier Springs course well, Ruskin said the weather made it a true test of golf.
“The team played really well in the back nine," he said. "They played hard in hard conditions right to the end, and it paid off for them.”
Highland athletic director Gary Leake was pleased to see Highland host the state's inaugural private school event, which featured competition in two classes.
Leake thanked Fauquier Springs for hosting, and Chip Shot, a local golf store in Old Town Warrenton, for sponsoring the event.
The Division I tournament was won by Carlisle School (301) by two strokes over St. Christopher's. Jack Adkins of Carlisle and Jim Frazier of Woodberry Forest shot impressive rounds of 73 to share Division I medalist honors.
You must be logged in to post a comment.