PINEHURST RESORT — On one of the most pristine courses in the region, as well as one of the toughest it’ll play this season, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ golf team put up some of its best numbers this season.
Breaking out the sticks Monday to play a full 18-hole round at Pinehurst Resort, the Raiders thrived on Pinehurst No. 1 and finished second overall out of five qualifying teams.
The Mid-South Conference match resulted in Richmond’s top four golfers ending the day with a combined score of 321 (+33), a new season-low score as a team. Monday’s effort shaved six strokes off the Raiders’ previous best round this spring.
Pinecrest High School, playing on its home course, won its fifth MSC match of the season. The Patriots shot 268 (-20) as a team.
Rounding out the top five were Jack Britt (340, +52), Overhills (370, +82) and Pine Forest (395, +107) high schools. Hoke County High School also competed, but didn’t have enough golfers to qualify for the team score.
“We had a beautiful day of golf,” head coach Chris Turner said. “We really appreciate Deon Cranford for coming out and spending time with our guys and getting some camera shots. I’m very happy with our overall performance today.
“We also had some really great scores today,” he added. “But, as each golfer will tell you, putting got us today. The course was in great shape and the kids really enjoyed being at Pinehurst. We didn’t anticipate the speed of the greens or take into account how much run out and break there would be around the holes”
Turner noted that some of the team’s strengths during the round were driving and ball striking. He emphasized again his belief that the Raiders “are very capable of breaking 300 as a team on 18 holes.”
Of Richmond’s six golfers competing Monday, four of them set new season-low scores on No. 1.
Junior CJ Turner and senior Kevin Cosey, who’ve battled back and forth as the top golfer on Richmond’s scorecard this season, were No. 1 and No. 2 respectively Monday.
Turner posted a team-leading 78 (+6), two shots better than his previous best score this spring on 18 holes. Cosey was right around his average score and finished with a 79 (+7).
Both golfers started slow, with Cosey three-putting for a triple bogey and Turner bogeying the first three holes. Coach Turner noted “they both fought back hard with a few birdies to get into the 70s.”
Richmond’s other two golfers in the top four were junior Graham Odom and senior Tyler McKenzie, both of whom followed suit with their lowest scores to date.
Odom’s round score of 81 (+9) saw a drop in three shots, while McKenzie made the biggest move with an 83 (+11), a total of four shots better than his last outing at Foxfire.
In contention for the qualifying spots in the lineup were junior Grayson Robson (86) and sophomore Drake Wallace, whose 90 was his lowest score of the season.
Of the other golfers, Coach Turner commented that they “played pretty consistently, but lost some shots on the greens.” He also said “it’s hard to prepare for those greens in a week.”
As the regular season winds down, Richmond will play one more MSC match to try and get as many golfers, or the team, qualified for the 7A regional championship.
“We will try to work on a few things and have some fun this week before heading to our last match on Monday,” Coach Turner said. “I’m hoping to close out the year strong. But it’s been nice to lock in second place all year.
“I’m not sure how long it’s been since Richmond has consistently placed in the top two each week,” he closed. “I’d love to take that top spot just one time, and I’m hopeful we’ll have a few guys qualify for regionals.”
The Raiders will close out their regular season next Monday with a full round at Gates 4 Golf and Country Club. Golfers will tee off starting at 2 p.m.
