LAURINBURG — Back in action for the second time this fall were the four Richmond County middle school co-ed golf teams. Golfers from Cordova, Ellerbe, Hamlet and Rockingham middle schools competed at Scotch Meadows Country Club against several other Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference opponents.
It would be the Rockingham Rockets and head coach Wendy Rohleder who came away with the win, shooting a team score of 206 in the nine-hole match. Trace Wallace finished the day with a tournament-best 41 (+5), making it the second week in a row he led all golfers on the scorecard. He improved his score by four strokes from last week’s opener.
Rocket teammates Matthew Cockman (53, +17), Landon Summerlin (55, +19) and Damon Bryant (57, +21) all saw his respective score contribute to the team’s tally. Other Rockingham golfers who competed were Tess Bryant (65) and D.J. Gainey (71).
Hamlet Middle School would be the second-best Richmond County team, placing sixth overall with a team score of 248. Leading the way for the Red Rams for the second week in a row was Grayson McLean, who posted a team-best 57 (+21).
Kevin Tabacolde (58, +22), C.J. Jenkins (64, +28) and Noah Cloninger (69, +33) would round out head coach Josh Peele’s top four scorers. Other players on the course for the Red Rams were Nathan Cloninger and Keiland Core, both of whom shot a 71.
Ellerbe Middle School and head coach Nellie Harrington would place seventh, using a combined score of 256 on the afternoon. Camden Williams led the Wildcats for the second match in a row, shooting a team-best 53 (+17), knocking two strokes off his performance last week.
Conner Williams shot a 61 (+25), Jordan McCormick had a 69 (+33) and James Pack finished with a 70 (+34). Also competing for Ellerbe was Ryder Craven, who wrapped things up with a 72.
Cordova Middle School’s leading golfer was Jace Childers, who notched a Cavalier-best 62 (+26). No team score for Cordova was reported.
All four teams will return to the golf course next Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Course in Raeford. Golfers will begin play at 3 p.m.
Allen Adeimy and Josh Peele contributed to this article. To submit local middle school scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
