LAURINBURG – At last — five weeks into the season, the Sandhills Athletic Conference girls golf teams were finally able to complete an 18-hole match.
Their first two matches were shorted to 9-holes because of the weather. The third was canceled due to Hurricane Florence and the fourth was called off due to lightning after just seven holes last week at Foxfire. However, the month of October kicked off with a beautiful, clear Monday afternoon and no chance of weather interfering with the Week 5 match at Scotch Meadows Country Club in Laurinburg.
Junior Hailey Miller was once again the leading scorer for Richmond. She finished the day with an 88 (+16). Senior Natalie Davis shot a 100 (+28) for the team’s second-best score.
Returning to the lineup after coping with a foot injury was senior Kylie McDonald. McDonald had the third-best score for Richmond with a 108 – seven strokes fewer than her score at Scotch Meadows in 2017.
For the first time this season, Taylor Young had the best score among the Lady Raider freshmen. Young (123) outshot fellow ninth grader Kenleigh Frye (124) by a single swing of the club.
Senior Jessi Graham was also on the links in Laurinburg, but she participated as an alternate.
Jack Britt leapfrogged the traditionally top-tier Pinecrest team in Laurinburg. The Lady Bucs finished in first place with a 335 followed by the Lady Patriots, who shot a 343. Richmond was once again able to remain ahead of Scotland for the third-place position. The Lady Scots struggled on their home course and ended the day with a 491, 72-strokes behind the Lady Raiders (419).
“I’m proud of everyone for hanging in during our first 18-hole match of the season,” said head coach Keith Parsons. “In a lot of ways, it is like an endurance test. Several players bounced back from a disappointing hole or two to finish strong, and that is something we can build on going forward. All-in-all, I’m very pleased with today.”
The Lady Raiders are slated for another conference match on Monday, Oct. 8 at Pinehurst Resort. However, the SAC coaches are actively working towards scheduling a make-up match on Wednesday to give the girls a few more scores to submit for postseason eligibility.
