Bears battle winds in state AAA golf tourney
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

High winds swept through just in time for the state AAA golf tournament held in Burke County Monday.

Players and parents broke out pullovers and long pants as they walked the courses in unseasonably cool temperatures and whipping wind.

"Any young man that went out in those conditions and shot better than an 80 played a pretty good round of golf," tournament organizer and Burke County golf coach Wade Marchman said following the tournament. "Those conditions were tough."

Both the girls and boys golf teams from Burke County High School competed in the state tournament, which was held at Waynesboro Country Club and Applewood Golf Course.

Burke County's boys finished up in the top half of the 16 teams at the state tournament. Their 319 put them in seventh place.

Logan Fairley led the Bears' effort with his 77. Fairely's game tied him for seventh in tournament as an individual out of 95 participants.

Lance Arrington was close behind him with a 79. The team also used the scores of Buck Bell and John Keller, who shot 81 and 82, respectively. Chris Gallagher and Evans Horton competed for Burke County in the tournament, but their scores were not used.

Coach Marchman said the team posted high numbers the first half of their game, forcing them to try to make up ground on their last nine holes.

"It's just hard to make up those shots," he said. "I'm sure they're disappointed, but they tried hard today and gave one hundred percent every shot."

Westminster took the state title with a 306, with five out of six of their players shooting in the 70s.

Benedictine's Brendan Gillins took top honors at the tournament after he posted a 72.

Benedictine beat out Burke County for the region championship and took third at the state tournament.

Benedictine's success at the state level is a testament to the level of competition in Region 3.

"We're probably playing in one of the strongest golf regions in the state. Our region has always represented well at the state tournament," Coach Marchman said.

The Burke County girls team battled equally tough conditions at Applewood Golf Course Monday.

The girls represented entered the tournament as the Region 3 champions and tied for 13th in the state tournament with their 225.

Mollie Mitchell led the Bears with her 111. The team also used Mallorie Shaw's score of 114. Kayla Smith and Lauren Pavao played for the Bears, as well, but their scores were not used.

"They had some stiff competition," Coach Doug Moore said of the Burke County girls. "They did well, and we had a good season. They had fun."

Carrollton High School won the state AAA championship with a 177.