CONWAY – Both the Nation Ford Falcons and Fort Mill Yellow Jackets finished in the top 10 in the 5A Division II state golf tournament.
The two-day, 36-hole tournament held at the par 72 Hackler course on the campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway saw Greenville and Riverside tie for the lead with a 571, before Greenville won in a playoff on the first hole.
Nation Ford finished eighth overall with a two-day total of 609 (304-305) and Fort Mill was ninth with a 614 (304-310). On day one of the tournament on Monday, May 11, both Fort Mill and Nation Ford were tied with a 304 for sixth.
On day one, Nation Ford was led by a one-under par 71 (36-35) from Connor Mills, followed by a 77 from both James Wachtel and Oliver LaPointe. Wachtel shot a 37 on the front and a 40 on the back, while LaPointe shot a 38 on the front and 39 on the back. Alex Bodel shot a 79 (44-35) and Carter Smith finished with an 80 (38-42) for the Falcons.
For Fort Mill, day one of the tournament saw Nick Harper and Tyson Shouse both shoot a 75. Harper finished with a 37 on the front and 38 on the back. Shouse finished with a 39 on the front and an even par 36 on the back. Baker Tolentino finished with a 76 (37-39) and Noah Jones finished with a 78 (38-40). Morgan Bayko finished with an 80 (39-41) for Fort Mill.
Day two saw some consistency for Nation Ford despite shooting one stroke higher. Smith led with a one-over 73 (38-35), while Mills shot a 76 (37-39). Wachtel was the most consistent golfer for the Falcons with another round of 77 (40-37), while LaPointe finished with a 79 (39-40). Bodel finished with an 80 (40-40).
On day two, Fort Mill finished six shots higher with a 310. Tolentino was the Jackets most consistent golfer with a 75 (37-38) going one shot lower on day two. Harper finished with a 77 (40-37) and Bayko finished with a 78 (38-40). Jones finished the scoring with an 80 (42-38), while Shouse shot an 82 (43-39).
Catawba Ridge did have some representation with Niam Sethi who shot a 159 (82-77) two-day total. On day one, he finished with an 82 (38-44) and then shot a 77 (39-38) on day two.
May 12 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge girls’ soccer team fell in penalty kicks 3-1 to the Eastside Eagles on the road after a scoreless match in the third round of the 5A Division II playoffs. Catawba Ridge finished the season at 19-5-1 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
