Leemen fall short of team goal at Region III

By Corine Gatti

Published: October 6, 2008

HARRISONBURG —It was do or die for the six teams that participated in the Region III golf meet at Heritage Oaks Golf Course on Monday. That’s because only two will make the cut and move to states on Oct. 13-14 in Crozet at Old Trail Golf Club.

No local teams will be making that trip.

Jefferson Forest took first place with a score of 308 and Lord Botetourt came in as the runner-up, carding 315.

“I knew if we were going to win we had to have at least two players finish in the low 70s,” said Jefferson Forest coach Ray Davidson. “People think this is an easy golf course, but it’s not. The wind just sweeps across the front end and every green has contours. It was tough, but we did well today.”

The Cavaliers had George McDaniel to thank for their lowest score. McDaniel shot 72. Teammates Brian Ross and Sam Dailey carded 77.

Robert E. Lee coach Jarrett Hatcher was waiting for the scores to come in from the first two Leemen that checked in.

After the first two groups of golfers made their way back to home base after finishing their 18 holes, it looked promising for the Southern Valley District winners.

Tommy Price had 73 strokes and Tom Tattersall came in at 85. Chandler Marshall came in third carding 79. The Cavaliers started to build its low scores along with Lord Botetourt. William Byrd (316) and Spotswood (319) jumped ahead and Lee watched as it season abruptly ended with a team score of 321.

“It’s like the Chicago Cubs,” Hatcher said. “We are disappointed that we didn’t move on. I mean, it was expected to win the district title and to move on. We got to this point last year. Anything less then that is a colossal disappointment. We just got to get collectively better and when these guys are seniors, we can make it to states.”

Leemen Chandler Marshall carded 79 and said he was having problems in the back nine.

“I had opportunities, but I gave them away,” Marshall said. “My putting was good in the front, but I was three putting a lot on the back nine. On number 16, it really affected me because it was a long par 5. I tried to hit a long shot and it went into the hazard.”

Following Lee was Turner Ashby (323) and Rustburg (331) with Fort Defiance at 343.

The Leemen will send a representative to the states. The top six of the top 10 that made All-Region will travel to Crozet.

Price won both awards. He was the first group out at 10 a.m. After the long day, and carding 73. He could smile.

“It was a little rough on the front nine for me, but I made it up in the back,” Price said. Price shot 40 in the front nine and came back with 33 in the back.

The top 10 that made All-Region was Tyler Hunt, who shot a 68. After the gasps over the Amherst County High School’s card, Hunt attributed it to his labor.

“I worked very hard to get to this,” he said. “I’m a senior and this feels great.”

He will go to states also.

Sara Hulvey (77) from TA made All-Region, Lancers’ Colton King (76), Rockbridge Andrew Alston (76), Spotswood’s Bryant Shuler (75), Josiah Branham, (72) Cavaliers Dailey.

Going to states will be Colton, Shuler, Price, Branham, Alston and Hunter.