Published: May 05, 2008 11:55 pm            

Cats, Raiders advance

Good Hope, Cullman both earn spots at state golf tourney in Muscle Shoals

After missing the state tournament last year, Cullman High’s golf team wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.

Behind strong performances by Blaise Wilson and Jake Tucker, Cullman won’t miss the state tournament again this year.

The Bearcats finished third at the Class 5A north sub-state tournament at Cullman Golf Course Monday, securing a spot in next week’s state tournament in Muscle Shoals. Decatur won the tournament with a 298, while Fort Payne shot a 305 to finish second.

Wilson led Cullman with a 72, while Tucker shot a 74 — helping the Bearcats shoot an overall team score of 314.

After Wilson — who finished in a tie for second place — and Tucker, Colby Chamblee shot 82, Tyler Trakel shot 86 and Dylan Skipper shot 91.

“I’m just really proud of the guys,” Cullman coach Mike Dean said. “The last time we went to state was 2006, so we wanted to get back. The guys played well and got us there.”

Good Hope also punched its ticket to the state tournament Monday. The Raiders shot 333 at Fightin’ Joe — a Robert Trent Jones course in Muscle Shoals — to win the Class 3A boys north sub-state tournament.

Since Good Hope finished the tournament in a tie with Glencoe, the two teams had to play a sudden death hole to determine a winner.

Nathan Brown finished the tournament as the low medalist. The Good Hope senior shot 74. Dustin Schwaiger followed with an 82, while Caleb Neighbors shot 88 and Jesse Curtis shot 89.

“When we went to the sudden death hole, we got two pars and two bogies,” said coach Danny Welborn, who has led Good Hope to 11 straight appearances in the state tournament. “Glencoe had one par and some doubles. That clinched it.

“Our score wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but we’re still one of the last six teams playing. I think we’ll need to do a little better to win it all.”

In the Class 4A boys north sub-state tournament at Cullman Golf Course, Boaz, Brooks and Haleyville took the top three spots. Fairview shot an overall score of 353 — which didn’t secure the Aggies a spot in the state tournament.

Jordan Fulmer and B.J. Albright both shot 88, while Trett Hardman shot 83, Dustin Bentley shot 94 and Derek McElroy shot 97.

When Cullman and Good Hope arrive at the state tournament next week, the two teams will be playing on different courses. The Bearcats will play Fightin’ Joe, while the Raiders will play The Schoolmaster at the Robert Trent Jones course in Muscle Shoals.

        

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