Regional Champs
Mountain Lions claim Class A Region 2 title
GRAFTON — Carleigh Bolyard claimed the low medal at the Class A Region 2 Tournament at Tygart Lake Golf Course on Monday, as the Tucker County Mountain Lions earned the regional championship and punched their ticket into the state playoffs next week at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling.
“They shot really well today; I was really proud,” TCHS coach Sam Goughnour said. “I was very pleased with how they held things together. When they finished the first nine holes, I knew that we were in contention. I was just concerned that they would keep their head in the game. That’s the most important thing, the 6 inches of space between their ears. They did that and I was very pleased with their effort today.”
Bolyard breezed through the course in 77 strokes. Easton Snyder, with 86 strokes; Connor Nestor, at 89 strokes; and Myles Paugh, with 101 strokes, completed the team scoring for Tucker County.
“I worked hard all summer to be ready for today,” Bolyard said. “I felt relaxed and was ready to play. I’d like to give a big thanks to everyone that has supported me all year long.”
The Mountain Lions will now move on to the Class A State Tournament next week in Wheeling. The two-day competition will be played at the Speidel Golf Course on Tuesday and Wednesday. Players will shoot 18 holes both days.
TCHS claimed the Regional title with 252 combined strokes. Trinity High School also earned its way into the state tournament, claiming second place with 263 strokes.
Other team scores included: Gilmer County, 264 strokes; Moorefield, 266 strokes; Notre Dame, 273 strokes; Tygarts Valley, 285 strokes; and Pendleton County, 321 strokes. Clay-Battelle, South Harrison and Union high schools sent golfers, but did not have enough to qualify for the team competition.
“This is our first time making it as a team since 2006,” Goughnour said. “(Carleigh Bolyard) made it as an individual last year, and I’ve had other individuals make it in that time frame, but it’s been an 11-year dry spell, as far as the team making it to states. I was not coaching them at the time. That team was coached by Joe Michael and Dale Ruckle. This is the first team I’ve taken.”
Goughnour said he would like to thank everyone who has helped out with the team this season. He said the team has received lots of support from the community.
“I’d like to give a shout out to all the golfers at Holly Meadows and Canaan Valley Resort that have helped the kids in many ways,” Goughnour said. “Many of them have made time in their day to give advice or to watch the kids play. Their help has been tremendous. I’d also like to thank the parents and the grandparents, who came out all year long to support the kids.”
Moorefield’s Zach Arbaugh and Gilmer County’s Haley Wanstreet both finished the competition with 83 strokes and earned the right to compete at Oglebay next week as individuals. All the players on the top two teams, along with the top two individuals who are not on the top two teams, will compete in the state tournament.