ROCKINGHAM — The driving range and the front nine of the Red Fox Course at Foxfire Resort were full of Richmond Senior High School golfers on Tuesday.
Whether working on their mechanics on the range, or fine-tuning their play during a practice round, members of the boys’ and girls’ golf teams were busy gearing up for the new season.
This spring, third-year head coach Keith Parsons and assistant coach Demi Watkins will have the pleasure of coaching both the Raiders and Lady Raiders at the same time. During non-COVID sports years, the girls play in the fall and the boys play in the spring.
While the teams will be competing at the same time, male and female golfers will not compete directly against one another. The Lady Raiders haven’t played since the fall of 2019, and the wait for the Raiders has been even longer, dating back to the spring season in 2019.
The Raider golf program was the only Richmond spring sports team to not get to play last year. Just three days before their first match last March, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association postponed all athletics.
With the anticipation growing as the season opener nears, Parsons said the new season is off to a great start. He also likes the opportunity to work both teams together at practice.
“We have had a couple of practices with our combined group, and I like how the dynamic is going,” Parsons said of the co-ed season. “I am a big believer in learning from others, and with such a diverse collection of players, that is going to happen. I can’t wait to see how we perform at our matches.”
In the coming months, the nearly dozen Richmond golfers will compete in a five-match regular season, capped by a Sandhills Athletic Conference championship ahead of regionals and states.
The Lady Raiders will be without three-time state qualifier Hailey Miller, who graduated in 2020, as well as junior Kenleigh Frye who is playing softball. But there are five Lady Raiders who are looking to help make a run throughout the season.
In their seven matches in 2019, the Lady Raiders averaged a nine-hole team score of 231.2 strokes, and placed fourth in a very competitive conference.
“Our two returning players are (seniors) Delaney Driggers and Angeli Yang, both of whom were new to the game last year and showed a lot of improvement,” Parsons said.
“Georgia Grace Anderson, who hasn’t been able to play golf because of her volleyball commitment, is someone who has shown great talent so far in practice. I will be interested to see how she fares with a full season of practice and playing.”
Senior Angeli Yang (left), junior Jamie Sears (right) and junior Abigail Tatum work on putting during Tuesday’s practice.
Also new this year for the Lady Raiders are juniors Jamie Sears and Abigail Tatum. Parsons said both have an excitement for the game and a willingness to learn, so helping them navigate their first season will be fun.
“I’m really glad that golf is back and I’m happy to be out here with everyone,” Yang said. “We’re doing pretty good and we’re going to keep practicing. As a senior I hope to help the other girls in practice and be there for them.”
Anderson, who is a William Peace University volleyball signee, hasn’t been able to play high school golf because of her volleyball schedule. But the pandemic afforded her to the chance to pick the sport back up, which she played as a kid and in middle school.
“The team looks great and the biggest thing is we are all excited to be out here,” Anderson said. “I played a lot of golf before I discovered volleyball, and this summer because of the pandemic, my family and I played at least once a week.”
She also said in the short time the two teams have been practicing, there has been a lot of dialogue and shared experiences between some of the golfers who have played competitively at the high school level.
“I think both teams can learn from each other,” Anderson added of the expanded team. “The boys see golf differently than we do and many of them have played a long time. Their experience can help me and the other girls.”
Senior Georgia Grace Anderson attempts a putt on hole No. 2 at the Red Fox Course.
One of those experienced golfers for the Raiders is senior Jonathan Rich, who has been the centerpiece for the boys’ team since his freshman year. Currently being recruited by several colleges, including Coker University and Methodist University, Rich hopes to be a leader for the Raiders this spring.
Playing alongside Rich will be fellow seniors Jaxon Mabe and Will Thompson, and junior Ethan Brown, who all bring a couple of seasons’ worth of experience to the tee box.
Sophomore Ayden Mabe was expected to help the team last spring, but didn’t get a chance to play as a freshman. New to the roster this year are sophomores Gavin Graves and Lane Richardson, both of whom Parsons expects to be competitive.
“I expect Jonathan and Ethan to be two of our leaders, along with Jaxon, who is finishing up soccer now,” Parsons said of the three golfers. “Ayden showed potential last year, too.
“Will Thompson is a senior who has plenty of experience, and he’s playing the best I’ve seen for him.”
In 2019, the Raiders placed fifth overall in the SAC standings and Rich was the lone golfer to qualify for the 4A Midwest Regional tournament, missing the cut for states by just five strokes. That season’s roster was heavy with underclassmen, who are now seniors and juniors.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of being able to play school golf again,” Rich explained. “It really hurt last year not being able to get my junior season in, considering it’s a foundation for college recruitment.
“I can’t believe it’s already my senior year, one last go around with the team, but I’m just stoked to see what happens since we will be back out on the course again and hopefully have a full competitive season.”
Rich added he believes the Raiders “should have a pretty good season,” and that it will take some time to adjust to the COVID-19 protocols. Personally, he hopes to make the All-SAC team, average par in his rounds and place in the top 10 at the state competition.
When asked what is special about this season, Jaxon Mabe said the chance to return to the course isn’t going to be taken for granted and he believes the Raiders can really make a statement.
“Last season was supposed to be our year to show what we could do,” Mabe explained. “This year I know that we will be able to do that, and a lot of guys have been putting in a lot of work. The team is excited to see what’s in store.
“We have a good combination of everything we need to be successful,” he added. “Jonathan is a great golfer and Ethan has a love for the game I’ve never seen. I think if we play together and play smart, we’ll surprise some teams this spring.”
Parsons explained the first handful of matches are going to be nine holes. The girls and boys will play different sides to open up the course, and only four teams are going to be allowed at each location, which will split up the conference a bit more.
Richmond is in “Group A” with Pinecrest, Scotland and Seventy-First high schools, while Hoke County, Jack Britt, Lumberton and Purnell Swett are in Group B. There will also be two different tee times, with the first group going out at 2 p.m., followed by the second flight going out after that round is complete.
“We always have the same goals,” Parsons said. “I want each player to finish the season better than he or she started. The scores and our positioning in the conference are not as important as doing our best each and every week in matches and in practice.
“This season is unique, as most others have been, so we’re going to embrace that and have fun. I want our seniors to get the most out of what we have and complete their careers with no regrets.”
Senior Jonathan Rich tees off on the No. 2, par 4 during Tuesday’s practice round.
Rich noted he’s ready to take on a larger leadership role amongst his Raider and Lady Raider teammates, but said the end game is for everyone to enjoy the sport.
“I try not to put extra pressure on myself when it comes to leading the team,” he explained. “My goal is to encourage everyone to do his or her best and enjoy playing the game. I feel like that’s what helped me most whenever I began to improve.
“For both the guys and girls, I just want to push them to give 100% and have fun while they’re doing it. If that happens, then I think we’ll have a really good season.”
Richmond’s season will begin Tuesday, March 16, at Pinehurst No. 6. Group A will tee off at 2 p.m.
