PINEHURST – The Richmond Senior High School girls golf team wrapped up its chaotic 2018 golf season on Monday at Pinehurst No. 5. As they have done all season, the Lady Raiders managed to finish in third place under Jack Britt High School and host team Pinecrest High School.
Pinecrest won the day with a 312, Jack Britt followed with a 359, Richmond shot a 471, and Scotland had a 527. None of the remaining conference schools had enough participants to compete in the finale.
Junior Hailey Miller was the only veteran player in the match. She was joined by program newcomers senior Jessi Graham and the freshman trio of Taylor Young, Kenleigh Frye, and Kirsten McDonald. Miller shot a team-best 85, Frye followed with a 122, McDonald had a 130, Young finished with a 134, and Graham ended the day with a 142.
“Having the opportunity to play a course at Pinehurst Country Club always is a thrill,” said head coach Keith Parsons. “I’m very happy our group was able to experience that. Of course, any time you play at Pinehurst you run into extremely difficult greens, and today was no exception.
“Everyone hung in there and played her best,” Parsons continued. “That is all you can ask. Hailey had a very good round and left the course with a little bad taste in her mouth, believing she should have scored better. I appreciate that attitude.”
Frye’s 122 was her best 18-hole score of 2018, Young has been impressive with some of her tee and fairway shots, and McDonald had her best 9-hole average this season on Monday. The improvements seen by the Lady Raider freshman have Parsons excited about the future. He is also grateful for the effort and leadership of his three seniors.
“I am ecstatic with the progress from our three ninth graders, Kenleigh, Kirsten and Taylor,” Parsons added. “Jessi is someone who came out for golf the first time as a senior and I don’t believe she’s missed any practices. She’s been a great teammate along with our other seniors Natalie Davis, Kylie McDonald and Gabby Paone, who were unable to play on Monday.”
The season will come to a close for everyone except for Miller and Davis who will move on to regionals next Monday at Pinehurst.
“Hopefully, we have a lot of golf left with Hailey and Natalie,” Parsons said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
