St. Marys senior Tripp Morrison studies an upcoming putt during the Class A, Region I Tournament, this past Monday at Mingo Bottom Golf Course. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — St. Marys golf is seeing the fruits of their labor as the season approaches the final week at the West Virginia High School State Tournament, beginning Tuesday in Wheeling.

The Blue Devils’ coaching staff led by Catie Hamilton now in her seventh season, host golf clinics for the youth in Pleasants County.

Some of those names like freshman Trevor Maley are now emerging as major contributors at the high school level.

“Three of our four golfers played in their first regional meet – they have been with us since middle school,” Hamilton said. “We’ve coached them since they were in sixth grade. I am just over the moon because me and my assistant Blaze Armstrong have worked so hard with this program from the bottom up. In the summer, we run a kid’s clinic. We get the kids excited and engaged, and encouraged to come out.

“Luckily, the county has seen the progress that we have made and hired two additional members to our middle school coaching staff. We are just ecstatic because it’s like we are seeing that hard work we”ve done for so long pay off. It’s hit home.”

Ritchie County Carson Hall chips onto the eighth green during the Class A, Region I Tournament, this past Monday at Mingo Bottom Golf Course. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

St. Marys is joined by Ritchie County in the field of eight schools for Class A. Doddridge County won a Class AA regional title this past Monday at Moundsville Country Club, while Parkersburg South advanced for the first time under coach John Badgley in Class AAAA after taking the fourth and final qualifying spot at the South Regional in Hurricane on Tuesday.

A host of golfers from the area are also competing after advancing as individuals not members of a qualifying school.

The Parkersburg duo of Jack Louden and Dominic Way will compete in Class AAAA, Williamstown’s Madilyn Buttrey and Roane County’s Wattson Nichols in Class AA, along with Wirt County’s JJ Smith and Wyatt Bloice, and Gilmer County’s Troy Woodford in Class A.

Buttrey and Boice both won a one-hole playoff at their respective regions in order to keep their season alive for another week.

The two-day event at the Jones at Oglebay concludes Wednesday. St. Marys is the defending team champion in Class A. For the latter half of the season, the Blue Devil contingent has consisted of exactly four golfers, including Maley who earned medalist honors at regionals.

The one advantage for St. Marys, Tripp Morrison is a veteran when it comes to playing at the state level. The senior placed runner-up at regionals.

“Honestly, first day is just shaking off the nerves,” Morrison said. “I love the Jones course. Once you learn how to play it, it’s fun.”

In past years for St. Marys, several veterans have anchored the quest. Of the four individuals on this year’s roster, three played in their first regional – including Desmond Parks, a junior who ran cross country before returning to the golf program this season.

“Desmond has been a really great asset to the team,” Hamilton said. “With Trevor, we didn’t realize how much of an impact he would make for the team because that is a huge transition hitting from the back tees.

“Tripp is the one I looked to be as leader. We had that conversation early in the season. He is the one who has the most experience of anybody in terms of playing in these pressure situations. Carter has been on the team for a long time. He never got the chance to play at regionals or state, but (Monday) he really came through for us today with his best round of the year.”

Needless to say, The Blue Devils take on quite a different look after winning a seventh straight regional title.

“Once you get to Oglebay, it’s anybody’s game,” Hamilton said. “Not necessarily do your best teams win every year because it’s such a tough course. I think we have a great chance.

“Yes, with only four golfers on the team, we don’t have any room for error. Once we get there, we have to keep everybody healthy.”

For a team like Parkersburg South, just getting to the dance meant something special. Even though the Patriots are seeded eighth out of eight schools, there’s energy flowing through their camp.

No. 1 golfer Cam Fallon is making his third trip as an individual and seeking his first all-tournament finish. But even Fallon was embracing the team concept over his own individual status as South eventually secured fourth place at regionals.

“Even though we are seeded eighth, when we start on Tuesday everyone has a blank scorecard and starts the slate clean,” coach Badgley said. ” The opportunity to play in the state tourney is a wonderful experience. The kids deserve it.

“Last year, Cameron finished 12th, four strokes out of all-state. I know in his mind and still good enough to be Top 10. He was medalist at OVAC and played on the Trent Jones course. I think that solidified in his mind he can play the course well. I know he wants to win as a team. In all honesty, I can see Cameron having a real nice state tournament.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com