POLK COUNTY GOLFER Evan Ball unleashes a long drive Monday on the par-4 seventh hole at Chatata Valley, in the Wildcats’ first match of the year, against Boyd-Buchanan and Grace Academy. It proved to be Ball’s weakest hole in his medalist round of 74. After this impressive tee shot, he bounced his approach off the back of the green and into the bushes for a double-bogey six. Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS
Boyd-Buchanan’s Caleb Henderson knocked his tee shot into the cup at the par-3 16th at Chatata Valley Golf Club during his 18-hole round. The two strokes Henderson shaved from par were the margin of victory for the Bucs in a 347-349 win over the host Wildcats.
Grace Academy also participated in the three-team season opener but was ineligible for the win with only two boy golfers and one girl participating.
Boyd-Buchanan claimed the girls competition with a 170-181 win over Polk.
Despite the disappointment of the losses for coach Jason Adams’ Polk County team, the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats paced play for medalist honors.
No. 1 players Evan Ball and Lydia Triplett easily outdistanced their rivals with impressive medalist scores.
Ball was somewhat erratic over the front nine with a 3-over-par 39, but settled down on the incoming nine with a 1-under 35 and a medal score of 2-over 74. No other player in boys’ competition scored below 83 Monday.
Ball slipped with a bogey at the par-4 fifth, then went three over when he hit his approach over the par-4 seventh for a lost ball and a double bogey. He came back with a birdie at the par-3 eighth, but hit his tee shot into a pond and suffered another bogey at the ninth for his 39 around the front side.
The Wildcats’ No. 1 player was solid on his final nine hole with birdies at Nos. 14 and 17. He dropped a shot at the par-5 12th.
Triplett was outstanding for the day. She was 2-under par for her first 10 holes, but gave away some strokes on the remaining holes.
Picking up experience with considerable TGA Junior Tour competition this summer, Triplett cruised through No. 10, but gave away strokes at both the 11th and 12th holes. She hit her tee shot into the weeds at the downhill 16th for a double bogey before ending up with a 3-over-par 75 in her round.
Coach Adams is looking forward to improvements by his golfers on Monday when Polk County participates in a McMinn County-sponsored tournament at Springbrook Golf Club in Niota. Adams said there will be 12 to 13 high school golf teams competing in the event.
Coach Ed Connolley was pleased with Monday’s victory for his Buccaneers, but admitted that his team is young this year.
Henderson, Boyd-Buchanan’s No. 4 player, had only a 90 for his round, despite his spectacular shot. It was his first-ever hole-in-one. He was playing with Polk County’s Cameron Bean and Ryan Droke when his shot found the cup. Henderson used a 6-iron for his hole-in-one.
Grace Academy was the most consistent of the three teams Monday, Cameron Gorsline and Justin Johnson matching 83s in their 18-hole rounds.
Bucs 347, Wildcats 349
Boyd-Buchanan: (347) Reid Smith 84, Tanner Zumbrun 85, Trent Mansfield 88, Caleb Henderson 90, Ashton Evans 95, David Zumbrun 102.
Polk County: (349) Evan Ball 74, Michael Ronge 89, Cameron Bean 89, Jake Burrows 97, Ryan Droke 101, Tanner Raby 106.
Grace Academy: Cameron Gorsline 83, Justin Johnson 83.
Lady Bucs 170, Lady Wildcats 181
Boyd-Buchanan: (170) Lauren Foster 89, Madison Balthrop 81.
Polk County: (181) Lydia Triplett 75, Lauren Passmore 106.
Grace Academy: Alex Shipley 99.
