Members of the Parkersburg golf team pose for celebratory pictures after defeating Parkersburg South in a dual match, Wednesday at The Links at Woodridge. Pictured, from left: Andrew Matheny, Toby Thompson, Jack Louden and Dominic Way. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

MINERAL WELLS — Logic gets thrown out the window when trying to decide the better of the two golf programs between Parkersburg and Parkersburg South.

Earlier this season, South won the annual City Cup on the Big Reds’ home turf at Parkersburg Country Club.

On Wednesday afternoon as part of rivalry week between the two schools, PHS won by 11 strokes (157-168) in a nine-hole, dual meet on the Patriots’ home course at The Links at Woodridge.

“We’ve shown in other matches and other tournaments we have played in this year – even though we weren’t just head-to-head, we were always pretty close with Parkersburg,” South coach John Badgley said. “Give all the credit to them. They came out and played better than we did on our home course.

“I would love to know how that works, but I can’t explain it. They played extremely well and some of our guys just didn’t.”

Parkersburg South’s Cooper Welch studies a putt on the fifth hole at The Links at Woodridge during Wednesday’s dual match with Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PHS junior Jack Louden has a strong track record of playing well during rivalry week in previous years. And Wednesday was no different after he earned medalist honors, shooting 1-over par 36.

Louden’s final few holes took him on a roller coaster ride after he shot 1-under through the first five holes. His final four holes consisted of one birdie after making a downhill putt on No. 7, along with three bogeys.

“The swing was definitely there today and I definitely had some good putts,” Louden said. “There were a few putts I left out there today, but I am real happy with my round.

“This was definitely revenge for not winning City Cup, for sure.”

Several golfers stayed in contention, including teammate Dominic Way, who opened with a birdie on No. 1. His drive bounced over an embankment beyond the right side of the green. Facing a blind shot to the green, Way chipped to within three feet.

Parkersburg South’s Cooper Welch, right, gives Parkersburg’s Toby Thompson suggestions for driving the fifth hole at The Links at Woodridge during Wednesday’s dual match. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Even though that was his lone birdie, Way was quite pleased with how his round of 38 shaped up. Teammate Andrew Matheny, playing in the same foursome, followed with a 40.

I’ve definitely had some ups and downs this year – I had a couple of 52s and that wasn’t good,” Way said. “I knew the game was there. Just needed the mental part and being confident in my shots. Those bogeys later in the round, I had to scramble for a few after having a couple of bad drives. So it felt like a good round.

“It means a lot to beat South. We don’t like South, so that was definitely a factor today.”

For the Patriots, their No. 1 golfer Cam Fallon experienced an un-Fallon-like performance. The senior opened with consecutive bogeys to open the round, including a three-putt on the first hole.

Fallon appeared to right the ship with a birdie on No. 4, but he hit his drive on No. 5 out of bounds. He took a triple-bogey then followed with a double-bogey as part of his final round 44.

Parkersburg South golfer Cam Fallon shows his frustration after hitting a drive out of bounds on the fifth hole at The Links at Woodridge during Wednesday’s dual match with Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

His teammate, freshman Cooper Welch, was the mark of consistency while playing in the same foursome. Welch opened his round with five straight pars before closing with a 39 to lead the Patriots.

“After today’s match, we just have to go forward,” Badgley said.

While Parkersburg returns to a dual match format today, South is competing for the final time in the OVAC Championships in Wheeling. South played an MSAC-heavy schedule this season and participated in the MSAC Tournament, but when Badgley received a phone call from the OVAC he was quick to accept.

“The biggest thing about playing in the OVAC Championship, it gives the kids another chance to see the course where the state tournament is,” Badgley said. “We would know what to do there, and that’s what we are hoping for.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com