Franklin golfers miss out on state tourney

Published 9:28 am Wednesday, October 6, 2010

CAPE CHARLES—Monday turned into a cold, windy, damp, not-so-good day for Franklin High School’s golf team.

Competing in the Region A Tournament at Bay Creek Golf Club in Cape Charles, none of the Broncos placed high enough to qualify for next week’s state tournament in Kilmarnock. None of the boys from the Tri-Rivers District, including Windsor High School, qualified.

“We didn’t play well,” said Bronco Coach Dave Lease, whose players a week earlier for the first time in at least 10 years won the district tournament. Franklin also won this year’s Tri-Rivers District title with a 19-3 record.

Franklin finished seventh out of eight teams on the 72-par course. Bronco junior Tony Bland finished first for FHS with a 113 and was followed by sophomore Zack Hopkins 117, Dakota Mc-Kenzie 120, sophomore Grant Scarboro 122, and his brother, senior Ben Scarboro 141. Windsor’s top finisher was Cody Reese with a 124.

“I feel sorry for the guys, with the cold weather and that,” Lease said. “We just have to come back next year. I’d like to see some people in the state (tournament).”

The Tri-Rivers District’s top golfer — Jarod Latham of Sussex — placed eighth overall. He missed going to state by two strokes, Lease said.

Teams from Rappahannock and Essex finished in first and second, respectively, and advanced to the state tournament.

The top finisher was Ryan Baughan from Essex with a 79.

“It was very, very windy with a light drizzle in the morning,” said Brian Harman, the tournament director from Northampton High School.

A total of 67 players representing 15 schools participated.