RAEFORD – Last season, the Sandhills Athletic Conference boys’ golf teams endured an afternoon of 35 m.p.h. winds in their season opener at Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Course in Raeford. Distance control off the tee was next to impossible and sand traps became miniature dust storms, but the SAC golfers managed to complete the 18-hole match despite the blustery conditions.
On Monday, the Richmond Senior High School golf team and its conference counterparts returned to Bayonet for the 2019 opener, but this time they were welcomed to an almost 70 degrees temperature, partly cloudy skies, and the wind limited to an occasional breeze.
It was a near perfect day for a round of golf, and a couple of the match’s participants took advantage of the beautiful conditions.
Sophomore Jonathan Rich led the way for the Raiders posting a career-best 77 (+5) on the day. He was followed by fellow tenth-grader Carter Richardson who was one stroke shy of his career best at 84 (+12). Richardson’s score was a substantial improvement over the 98 he recorded at the same course a year ago.
Putting stymied sophomore Jacob Puckett who finished with a 102 (+30). It was Puckett’s worst score since donning the green and gold, but he is expected to bounce back. The remaining Raider golfers in the match were sophomore Jaxon Mabe (104, +32), junior Noah Altman (104, +32), and junior Evan McFayden (110, +38).
Pinecrest won the day with a team score of 287. Purnell Swett (328), Scotland (339), and Jack Britt (340) finished in second through fourth, respectively. Richmond’s score of 368 landed them in fifth place followed by Hoke (368) and Lumberton (503).
The Raiders will return to action on Tuesday, March 19, at Gates Four Country Club in Fayetteville. Tee time is set for 2 p.m.
