Consistency is pivotal in golf, and on Thursday, coach Adam McKinnon’s squad was just a bit more consistent than its competitors.
Cold Springs earned a nine-shot win over Holly Pond and a 20-shot victory over Good Hope in a tri-match at Terri Pines Country Club.
The Eagles’ foursome had a 176-stroke total, while Holly Pond was next in line with 185. Good Hope came in third with 196.
“We were a little better overall today,” McKinnon said of his team. “One through five, we were a lot more consistent.”
Layne Rice shot a 4-over 40 to lead Cold Springs. Micheal Gilliland and Nick Speer were right behind their junior teammate with matching rounds of 43. Kevin Harris rounded out the foursome by shooting a 50.
The win moves the Eagles’ record to 1-1 on the season following a tough loss to the Broncos earlier in the week.
Rice started out in fine form, parring his first four holes before taking a double-bogey on the par 3 eighth. He went on to finish 2-over on his final four holes, good enough for a second-place result.
The Raiders’ Eli Marty took home low-medalist honors with his 3-over round of 39. Playing alongside Rice and Holly Pond’s Hunter Walker, Marty carded the threesome’s only birdie at the par 5 fifth.
“My driving and irons were fine today,” Marty said. “I’ve just got to make some more putts.”
Unfortunately for Good Hope, there was quite a dropoff from their top-seeded lefty.
Andrew Cofer was next in line with a 47, while Cole Pearson and Antone Harlan shot 54 and 58, respectively.
“We just have to keep on working,” Marty said. “I think the younger kids will eventually get the hang of it.”
The Raiders have won six of the last seven county championships and have made it to the state tournament a whopping 16 consecutive years.
However, coach David Husley knows this season could be the year his squad faces its biggest test to date.
“We are a young team,” he said. “Both of those streaks could be in jeopardy.”
Holly Pond’s Braden Walker was the low scorer for his team with a round of 41. Colby Adams (43), Hunter Walker (44) and Dawson Foust (57) also contributed to the Broncos’ second-place finish.
“Braden had a great day,” Holly Pond coach Mark Cornelius said. “Our four and five guys are extremely young and don’t have a lot of varsity experience right now, but they are getting better.”
Cornelius’ team has been to the state tourney the past five seasons, but the coach knows his team will have to get better over the course of the season if the Broncos hope to continue that run.
“We have three experienced guys,” he said. “Hopefully we can be competitive all season and improve enough to make it.”
‰ Jake Winfrey can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 258 or at jwinfrey@cullmantimes.com.
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