MINERAL WELLS -Parkersburg South golfer Trent McCutcheon tends to play without a conscience.
Tuesday at the sixth annual City Cup, that approach played in his favor as the Patriots' lone senior among their top eight contributed one point to the Patriots' 5-3 victory against Parkersburg High School at Woodridge Golf Club.
South re-claims the cup for the first time since 2009.
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Parkersburg South captured its fourth City Cup title in six years after defeating Parkersburg 5-3 Tuesday at Woodridge Golf Club. Team members include, front row from left: Adeena Shears, Travis Bailey, Chase Porter and Noah Smith. Back row: Assistant coaches Jim Sharps and Jim Eddy, Alex Schreckengost, Mason Winans, Trent McCutcheon, Garrett Dailey and head coach Sherry Morris. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)
"This just makes me feel good about what is to come when I only have one senior playing today," South coach Sherry Morris said. "That's seven others who got experience."
Convincing victories by Adeena Shears (7 and 6 over Michael West) and Alex Schreckengost (9 and 8 over Chase Coe) put South in front 2-0.
Meanwhile, the lead twosome of McCutcheon and Big Reds sophomore Lucas Prine were involved in a tight battle. Even though McCutcheon won the first three holes of the match, Prine fought back to 1-down through 10 holes.
The turning point occurred at the 370-yard, 15th hole with McCutcheon leading 2-up. With a history of taking the dogleg out of play, McCutcheon walked up to the tee box, decided to risk going over the water hazard and try for the green.
His drive made it safely across the far side of the green, and rolled into the rough where he was left with a short pitch shot. McCutcheon made birdie on the hole and went 3-up with three holes remaining. He eventually won the match 2 and 1.
"On my drive at No. 15, I just wanted to step up and hit it - you can't think about it too much," said McCutcheon, who had lost his three previous matches in City Cup competition.
The South advantage increased to 4-0 when Garrett Dailey fought off a spirited comeback attempt by Remy Toncray and defeated the PHS freshman 4 and 3. Dailey, who won five of the first six holes of the match, remained perfect while participating in his third City Cup.
"I made a couple of bad swings and end up in some bad spots, and (Remy) took advantage of it by winning a few holes on the back nine," Dailey said. "I had to close it out - he was right there at the end."
Needing a 4-4 split to successfully defend the cup, PHS waved the white flag when South's Noah Smith defeated Gage Smith 6 and 4.
PHS salvaged the final three matches. Sophomore Austin Davis produced the first Big Red point with a 5 and 4 victory against Mason Winans. Classmate Lauryn Davidson followed shortly thereafter with a 4 and 2 win against Travis Bailey.
The most pleasant surprise of the afternoon for PHS was turned in by freshman Ian McElroy, who nearly played par golf while outlasting Chase Porter 3 and 2.
"I've said it all along, I thought we were about even with South - and I think we are," PHS coach Don Snider said. "I'm not disappointed because I thought we played well and held our own."
