ROCKINGHAM — Over the past two weeks, the Richmond Senior High School boys golf team has shot nearly the same score on two different courses.
The Raiders competed in their second Sandhills Athletic Conference match at Sanford Golf Course March 19, and hosted the SAC teams in their home match at Foxfire Resort and Golf Monday.
Both matches were nine-hole contests and Richmond placed tied for fifth (Sanford) and sixth overall (Foxfire).
Raiders post best team score in Sanford
Through three matches this season, Richmond’s overall team score of 197 in Sanford was its best mark. Five golfers competed and the top four scores were taken.
The Raiders finished in a three-way tie for fifth place, matching the same scores as Hoke County and Scotland high schools.
Three Raiders posted their season-low score for nine holes. Sophomore Kevin Tabacolde posted a 44, three strokes better than his first outing of the season.
Also shooting season-low rounds were senior Samuel Hawks (48) and sophomore James Pack (54). Hawks, playing his first season of high school golf, bettered his score by nine shots and Pack shot one less stroke.
Richmond’s fourth qualifying score belonged to freshman CJ Turner, who ended the day with a 51. Senior Damon Bryant also played the round for the Raiders, shooting a 58.
Pinecrest High School won the match with a team score of 147, followed by Lee County High School (164).
“Great rounds by Kevin and Sam,” head coach Keith Parsons said. “I know Kevin wasn’t happy about how he played in our first match, and he bounced back with something a bit better.
“Sam joined our program as a senior and he has steadily improved. He seemed so much more comfortable in this match than the first one. That should only get better.”
Richmond places sixth in home match
In their lone home match of the season at Foxfire, the Raiders combined to shoot a 198 on the Grey Fox Course.
Golfers played the first eight holes on the front before ending the match on No. 18. Combining for Richmond’s top four scores were Tabacolde (46), Turner (46), Bryant (52) and sophomore Camden Williams (54).
Turner shot his best career score in three matches, taking one shot off his scorecard from the season opener. Williams, a first-year golfer, contributed to the team’s scoring in his high school debut.
Hawks and Pack were also on the Grey Fox Course for Richmond, both finishing the event with a score of 55.
Pinecrest (147) and Hoke County High School (175) went first and second, respectively.
“This week was a chance for our group to play its home course, and we played well,” Parsons said. “Kevin and CJ led us again, and I was particularly impressed with Kevin. He got off to a bit of a rough start before he bounced back to finish strong. And CJ has been impressive since the start of the season, particularly for a ninth grader.
“Camden got to play in his first match after missing our previous one with an illness, and I thought he stayed in control of his game all day. He should only get better.”
Through three matches this spring, Richmond has accumulated six points and sits in sixth place in the SAC standings.
The Raiders’ next match Monday at Bayonet at Puppy Creek in Raeford will be the first 18-hole contest. Golfers will begin teeing off at 2 p.m. in Raeford.
PHOTOS: Click here to view photos of Monday’s match at Foxfire taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
