Course Management: Area golfers advance to the state tournament
Three of the four members pictured from last week’s Little Kanawha Conference Meet will compete at next week’s state tournament in Wheeling. From left: Williamstown’s Madison Buttrey, St. Marys’ Tripp Morrison and Wirt County’s Titus Smith. (Photo By Kerry Patrick)
Tyler Consolidated’s John Mace took medalist honors Monday at the Class AA, Region I golf tournament at The Links at Woodridge after shooting a 72. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)
Three of the four members pictured from last week’s Little Kanawha Conference Meet will compete at next week’s state tournament in Wheeling. From left: Williamstown’s Madison Buttrey, St. Marys’ Tripp Morrison and Wirt County’s Titus Smith. (Photo By Kerry Patrick)
Tyler Consolidated’s John Mace took medalist honors Monday at the Class AA, Region I golf tournament at The Links at Woodridge after shooting a 72. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)
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PARKERSBURG - Area golfers put themselves into the conversation for next week's state golf tournament in Wheeling.
Both St. Marys and Wirt County claimed a regional title in Class A on Monday with Gilmer County joining the field as a regional runner-up.
In Class AA, Williamstown senior Madilyn Buttrey made a 25-foot putt in playoff with teammate Castyn Burton to secure the last individual qualifying spot from Region I at the Links at Woodridge.
Another individual in Class AA keeping his season alive for another week was Roane County's Wattson Nichols shooting an 88 at Mingo Bottom Golf Course.
Parkersburg and Parkersburg South take their turn at the regional level for Class AAAA today at Berry Hills Country Club for the South Regional.
At Mingo Bottom Golf Course in Elizabeth, St. Marys extended their string of consecutive regionals to eight straight - finishing with a team score of 235. The Blue Devils' top three golfers placed in the top 5. Senior Tripp Morrison led the team with a 77, followed by freshman Zach Roush at 78.
Madonna's Evan Kaczmarek and Gilmer Country's Tyler Ratliff shared medalist honors at 76.
"Eight straight regional titles is hard to do - it means you have been to the state tournament eight straight times," St. Marys first-year coach Blaze Armstrong said.
Last year, the St. Marys High School program fielded just four golfers. This year, the Blue Devils are in the teens with plenty of talent having arrived from the middle school.
"A lot of the credit goes to the parents and getting the kids places," Armstrong said. "The kids have great work ethics. There are a lot of reasons for the increase in numbers, including a great feeder system.
"We feel good and excited about today. We want to have a good showing next week at state. Win, lose or draw, we can't wait to see what happens."
Ratliff led a Gilmer contingent which included Troy Woodford (81), Jaren Hutchins (106) and Rhys Clum (89). The Titans were 11 strokes behind St. Marys.
Behind Jacob White's 88, Ritchie County placed third at 266. White lost on the first hole of a playoff to Notre Dame's Colton McIntyre for the final individual qualifying spot for golfers who were not members of a qualifying team.
At Riverside Golf Course in Mason, Wirt County won a regional title after defeating runner-up Charleston Catholic by nine strokes, 229-238. In typical fashion, the Tigers relied on their two freshmen - medalist Jude Walker (71) and Titus Smith (79). Teammate JJ Smith also placed in the top 4 as an individual after turning in a round of 79.
"Jude and Titus have been looking forward to this time of the year," Wirt County coach Daneen Shears said. "They have been pretty consistent throughout the year. Even when they are not on, you can see them trying and working hard at getting better."
In Class AA at the Links at Woodridge at Mineral Wells, Tyler Consolidated bumped Williamstown for the second and final spot advancing to state. The Knights' John Mace was medalist with a 72.
Wheeling Central won the regional with a 229, Tyler followed at 233 and Williamstown took third at 243. The Yellowjackets will be represented by Buttrey, who shot a 78.
Another area golfer who will compete at the state tourney is Roane County's Wattson NIchols, who earned the first individual qualifying spot after shooting 88 in the Class AA, Region IV tournament at Mingo Bottom Golf Course.