Twenty years. After a few fruitless years at Group A and a long stint in Group AA that included Mikey Moyers’ back-to-back individual titles, William Monroe’s golf team is finally back on the top of the heap.
The Dragons won their first team title since 1992 on the same course they won on back in 1990, giving Monroe its third team golf title in school history Tuesday.
The Dragons trailed after day one by a single stroke, but Monroe topped second place James River with a 491 to James River’s 495.
Logan Yates led the way with a two-day, 27-hole 113 that was good for third overall in the individual championship. Austin Batten stepped it up on day two and moved up the leaderboard with a two-day 120 that put him in 11th. Jason Bell’s 123 was good for 16th, giving the Dragons a strong first three scores. Jared Shifflett’s 135 rounded out the scoring and gave the Dragons the title as they held off James River.
Group AAA
Alex Simmons matched his first day total of 77 on day two at Red Wing Golf Course in Virginia Beach during the Group AAA championships to round out a two-day 154. He finished 17 strokes off the lead set by title-winner Lyberty Anderson, just the second girl to win the Group AAA title. She eagled the final hole to get the job done over second place Jason Park from James River.
Caleb Martin bounced back from a first day 84 to card a 77 and move up the overall leaderboard several spots with an overall 161.
Group AA
It wasn’t quite as sweet as last year’s title, but just getting back was an impressive accomplishment considering how much Western Albemarle had to rebuild this year.
The defending champs in Group AA, the Warriors placed eighth with a score of 653 in the state, 56 strokes off the pace set by champion Salem (597). The Spartans ran away from the field with a 25-stroke advantage over second place Spotswood (622) at the Lakeview Course in Harrisonburg.
Hunter Weis finished with a 150 over two days, good for 13th overall and just two strokes off the pace for a medal. Kent Miller checked in with a 151 to tie for 16th.
Monticello’s Ryan Pace, who qualified individually, finished with a 159 to tied for 31st.
Kyle Landis and Nick Morris each had a 176 to round out the scoring for the Warriors.
