RAVENSWOOD - Not even an issue with the transmission in its rental vehicle could prevent Roane County from taking care of business at Tuesday's Class AA, Region I golf meet.
Thanks to the assistance of one of the golfer's parents who transported the team to Greenhills Country Club well ahead of their scheduled tee times, the Raiders edged Fairmont Senior by one stroke, 238-239, to claim the team title.
Both schools advance to next week's (Oct. 2-3) state tournament at Speidel Golf Course at Oglebay Park in Wheeling.
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Photo by Kerry Patrick
Roane County golfer Cole Moore watches his chip shot land on the green at the 17th hole during Tuesday’s Class AA, Region I meet played at Greenhills Country Club in Ravenswood. Moore birdied the hole and carded an 82 to help the Raiders secure the regional championship.
"This should boost our confidence a little bit knowing that we can have an off day and still fare pretty well," said Roane County freshman Cam Moore, who contributed a 79.
Also scoring for the Raiders were Alston Spears (77) and Cole Moore (82). Fairmont Senior received a 74 from medalist Sterling Fitzwater, along with an 80 by Nick Sinclair and an 85 from Bailey Mohr.
"We're going to Wheeling," were the first words spoken by Roane County coach Jim Kendall. "It feels good knowing that we are going. We're anxious to get up there and get started."
Two individuals who were not members of a qualifying team also punched their ticket, including Ritchie County's Sydney Snodgrass. The junior, who played on the Rebels' state championship teams the past two years, kept her streak intact for advancing to Wheeling by carding a 79.
"It never gets old going to states," Snodgrass said.
North Marion's Cameron Wilson and East Fairmont's Zack Tilko tied for the final individual qualifying spot after each golfer posted an 81. Wilson survived for another week after defeating Tilko in a one-hole playoff.
"I was kind of disappointed during my round because I thought I wasn't going to make it - on the 17th tee, I felt like I really blew this up," Snodgrass said. "I knew there weren't very many good scores out there, but I still thought there would be two scores inside 80 that would qualify."
Snodgrass then made up ground rather quickly after recording a birdie on her final two holes.
On the 156-yard, 18th hole, her drive landed on the back side of the green. Facing a downhill putt from 25 feet, Snodgrass converted a risky move.
"I would have definitely three-putted if that putt didn't go in," Snodgrass said. "I was just trying to make it and it went in. I was just happy the round was over with more than anything."
As a team, Ritchie County (252) placed fourth behind third-place North Marion (245). The field of 10 schools, also featured Ravenswood taking sixth at 300.
Ritchie County's lineup included Riley Allen (82) and Ben Knight (91). Accounting for Ravenswood's scoring were Caleb Maige (95), Lonnie Ellis (98) and Jon O'Brien (107).
As for Roane County, a win is a win. Regardless of the margin of victory.
"This is probably the worst we have played all year," said Spears, who claimed medalist honors at last week's Little Kanawha Conference Meet.
The junior's round at Greenhills Country Club featured three birdies and resulted in the second lowest 18-hole total.
"I drove the ball real well; it was around the greens which got me," Spears added.
