LANCASTER – The Nation Ford Falcons shot a new school record for 18-holes with a 300 to win the Region 3-5A golf tournament at Edgewater Golf Club Monday.
Nation Ford won the tournament by three strokes over rivals Fort Mill which shot a 303.
The Falcons’ Ben Mills shot a one-under 71 to lead Nation Ford and finished second overall. Tyler Kemmerlin was next with a 73 and then Justin Wosje with a 75. Carter Smith rounded out the scoring for the Falcons with an 81.
“We wanted to advance to next week and we did that,” said Nation Ford head coach Amelio Rodriguez. “The guys stepped up, but next week is a whole different animal.”
Nation Ford will be hosting the 5A Upper State championship at Springfield Golf Club in Fort Mill. Rodriguez said he feels this gives them an advantage.
“We see it every day,” he said. “We know how we should play it, but we still have to go out there and play it.”
Fort Mill was led by Cam Baker and Parker Harrigan, who both shot an even par 72. David Harrigan finished with a 79 and Mason Jaeckli finished with an 80 for the Jackets.
“It was different conditions (with the wind),” said Fort Mill head coach Jeff Bridges. “The kids seemed to adapt to the conditions.”
Bridges said he is glad the Upper State tournament is nearby at a course the team is familiar with.
“Our guys have played there a lot,” he said. “Our knowledge of the course is good.”
The top eight teams at the 5A tournament heads to Spartanburg for the 5A state tournament at Carolina Country Club.
The Catawba Ridge boys golf team finished second in the Region 3-4A title at Lancaster Golf Club Monday as well.
The Copperheads shot a 322 as a team in the 18-hole tournament. The top four teams from the tournament advanced to the 4A Upper State tournament at Stoney Point Golf Course in Greenwood Monday, May 8.
Catawba Ridge finished behind Indian Land which won it with a 300, followed by Northwestern’s 376 and York’s 381.
Golfers had a hard time on the course with windy conditions that had winds blowing up to 20 mph and wind gust of 32 mph, according to weather apps.
“The wind definitely hurt us,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Judd Dye. “Wind is a killer. I think scores were pretty inflated because of the wind.”
Catawba Ridge was led by a one over par 73 from OT Mitchell, who finished second overall. Hunter Warren was behind him on the team with a 78 and Killian Kirby finished with an 85. Drew White finished the scoring for the Copperheads with an 86.
If Catawba Ridge can finish in the top eight at the Upper State tournament, then they will advance to the 4A state title tournament held at River Golf Club in North Augusta May 15-16.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
