FAYETTEVILLE — In its final Mid-South Conference match of the regular season Monday, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ golf team had a tough go on the course.
For the first time all season, the Raiders didn’t finish in second place in the match standings. Richmond and the other MSC teams played an 18-hole round at Gates 4 Golf Club.
Proving to be a challenging course, the Raiders finished third out of the five qualifying teams. Richmond flip-flopped with host Jack Britt High School.
The Raiders posted a team score of 345 (+57), much higher than its season average score of 325.3 on 18 holes.
Jack Britt, playing on its home course, took advantage and posted a season-low team score of 322 (+34) to finish ahead of Richmond for the first time this spring.
Leading the charge like it has all season, Pinecrest High School’s team ended the round with a score of 284 (-4).
Head coach Chris Turner pointed to the course set up and the greens as being Richmond’s biggest challenges.
“Today wasn’t our best round of the season,” Turner said. “The guys struggled with the narrow fairways and the slow greens. We lost a lot of shots in the greens today.
“Today is a day a few of the guys want to forget,” he added. “Luckily, some of them were able to improve on their nine-hole averages. I feel like I didn’t get them prepared enough to read the course and manage it. You don’t always have to hit it the furthest you can. You just have to keep it in play. We will continue to work on that.”
Leading the Raiders was junior Graham Odom, who posted an 85 (+13).
Senior Kevin Cosey and junior CJ Turner each shot an 86 (+14). Richmond’s other qualifying golfer was sophomore Drake Wallace, who finished with an 88 (+16).
Junior Grayson Robson (93) and senior Tyler McKenzie (106) were also in action Monday.
Coach Turner was able to add another non-conference match this week in addition to Wednesday’s contest, which he said may get rained out.
“I wanted to add a nine-hole match (Tuesday) in case Wednesday gets rained out,” Turner explained. “I want to give these guys every opportunity to qualify for regionals. They are capable but I can’t believe in their game for them, they have to believe in themselves."
“I’m hoping we get better weather for Wednesday and we are also able to get the nine holes Tuesday to give them a chance to improve their rankings.”
The Raiders will close their regular season Tuesday and Wednesday with non-conference matches at Red Bridge Golf Club and Piney Point Golf Club. Both matches will start at 2 p.m.
