Unaka plays first golf match
By Ivan Sanders
STAR STAFF
isanders@starhq.com
After all the deluges that have pelted the area the last few
weeks, Wednesday proved to be a glorious day with a hot sun
kissing the greens of the Elizabethton Golf Course for the
season's first high school golf match of 2003.
When all was said and done in the 29-player match, the Elizabethton
Cyclone linksters came to the front of the class by shooting
a team total 167, a 16-stroke cushion over runner-up University
High with a 183. Sullivan North finished the day in third
with a 196, followed by Unaka, playing in the school's first
golf match, with a 199 for fourth place and Happy Valley rounded
out the five-team match with a 202.
"I think the guys really played good aside from being a little
nervous," said Cyclone coach Dave Rider. "I am really pleased
with the kids' effort today."
Low-round winner Bradley Brown recorded a one over par 37
for the nine holes played pacing the Cyclones attack. Teammate
Eric Carter provided a one-two punch for the Cyclones by logging
a two over par 38.
Other individual low scorers included a 41 by Unaka Ranger
Chad Lewis, and 43s from EHS golfer Craig Shaw and UH's Rachel
Ingram -- one of two ladies playing for UH.
Leaders for each respective team included the following results:
Lewis's 41 for Unaka, a 44 from Shawn Wright of Sullivan North,
Ingram's 43 for UH, Matt Howell with a 45 for Happy Valley,
and Brown's 37.
The story of the day was the participation of Unaka in its
first golf team match. Ronnie Snavely is leading the youthful
program that consists of Lewis, Daniel McInturff, Chad Grindstaff,
Tyler McCann, Aaron Greer, and Derek Cline.
"We just received our memberships a couple of weeks ago,"
said Ranger senior Grindstaff. "We've not had a whole lot
of practice time, but we all have tried to get in as much
time on the course as possible to get ready and improve."
Also a highlight was the play of the Junior Bucs Ingram, who
along with Candace Williams, fills two of UH's six spots.
Some of the same teams that participated in Wednesday's match
will be playing at Warriors Path Golf Course in Kingsport
today at 10 a.m. in the Watauga Golf Classic. A roundup of
Wednesday's action can be found in the scoreboard section
of today's STAR.
