RAEFORD — The Richmond Senior High School boys golf team battled the heat during Monday’s Sandhills Athletic Conference match while also managing to lower its score.
Playing the season’s first 18-hole round, the Raiders and other SAC golfers traversed the fairways and greens at Bayonet at Puppy Creek.
With six golfers competing for Richmond, the top four individual scores were combined for the team’s overall score.
The Raiders posted a 193 on the front nine, followed by a 196 on the back half of the course for a team total of 389.
Richmond’s effort on the front nine resulted in the Raiders’ lowest team score through nine holes this season. The previous low was 198.
Pinecrest High School’s score of 287 led the field, followed by Lee County High School (354). Taking third was Union Pines High School (355) and tying for fourth were Hoke County and Southern Lee high schools (359).
The Raiders took sixth place and added two points in the standings, while edging last-place Scotland (391)
“I am excited about our performance this week,” head coach Keith Parsons shared. “Not only was this our first 18-hole match, it also was the hottest day of the season by far, with temperatures about 90 degrees all day. Everyone in our group hung in there and finished strong.
“Kevin (Tabacolde) and CJ (Turner) likely feel as if they left some strokes out on the course, and both still posted solid rounds,” he added. “I continue to be impressed with Camden (Williams), who was very solid in only his second match of the season.
“Damon (Bryant), Grayson (Robson) and Sam (Hawks) all battled hard to post the best score possible; it was Grayson’s first match of the season, so I expect he will be more comfortable going forward.”
Registering Richmond’s top four scores were Tabacolde (88), Turner (93), Williams (100) and Bryant (108).
Just missing the cut for the top-four on the team were Robson (109) and Hawks (110).
Tabacolde and Turner each recorded a personal season-low round on the front nine, which was par 36. Posting a 43 was Tabacolde, while Turner shot a 45.
The top two Raiders finished with a 45 and a 48, respectively, on the final nine holes.
Williams shot a 51 on the opening half and took two strokes away heading into the clubhouse. His 49 on the back was also a personal best nine-hole score this spring.
Bryant, who has been a consistent golfer this season, shot just above his season average (53.6) with a matching 54 on both sides of the turn.
Robson posted a 57 and 52 (109) and Hawks was even with scores of 55 and 55 (110).
Richmond will return to the course Monday at the Country Club of Whispering Pines. The 18-hole contest will begin with a shotgun start at 2 p.m.
