SOUTHERN PINES — Not disappointing in Monday’s regional golf tournament, Richmond Senior High School’s three golfers put up some of their best numbers this season.
Junior Kevin Tabacolde and sophomores Graham Odom and CJ Turner represented the Raiders in the NCHSAA 4A Mideast regional championship at Longleaf Golf and Family Club.
Competing in a field of nearly 70 golfers, the trio of golfers finished their season with respectable scores.
"So happy for Kevin, CJ and Graham,” head coach Keith Parsons. “They all committed to excelling this season and put in the practice to make it happen. I hate Kevin was unable to advance, but he's the first member of the boys' program to get that far in several seasons.
"Since they're all eligible to come back next season, I'm looking forward to seeing how much they improve,” he added.
Tabacolde had the best finish on the day for the Raiders, finishing the 18-hole round with a final score of 77 (+5). He shot a 38 on the front nine (+3) and followed that with a 39 on the back nine (+2).
Recording birdies on hole Nos. 8, 13 and 14, Tabacolde added eight pars in the round. He finished tied for 20th overall and was tied for the ninth lowest score among the players not on state championship qualifying teams.
Going to a playoff hole with three other players to try and qualify for the final two individual spots to make the 4A state championship, Tabacolde’s run ended after the first hole in his third career regional appearance.
Next on the scorecard for the Raiders was Turner, who shot an 80 (+8). Turner led the team with four birdies during his round, draining putts on holes Nos. 7, 9, 10 and 14.
Shooting a 39 (+4) on the opening nine holes, Turner finished his round with a 41 (+4) after the turn. In addition to his four birdies, he sank four pars and finished the tournament tied for 33rd overall.
Odom, like Turner, made his first regionals appearance and posted a round score of 85 (+13). Tying for 50th overall, he birdied the first hole to get his round off to a good start. He finished the opening nine holes with a 42 (+7).
With seven pars on his scorecard, including four straight down the final stretch of the back nine, Odom closed out his round with a 43 (+6).
Leading the field were Jake Kent (East Chapel Hill High School) and Carson Bertagnole (Pinecrest High School), who each shot a 68 (-4) to share the individual title.
Pinecrest, the reigning state champion and a fellow member of the Sandhills Athletic Conference, won the 4A Mideast regional title with a team score of 278. That was 12 strokes better than second-place Green Hope High School (290).
