MORGANTOWN — Five teams gathered on a hot Wednesday afternoon at Mountainview Golf Course for a quick nine-hole match on the back nine. Three local-area schools, University, Trinity Christian, and Clay Battelle, were all on hand for the mid-week tune-up before a busy week ahead with the OVAC tournament starting a week from today.
The Hawks took the overall top spot on the day with a team score of 178, just one stroke lower than second place at 179 for Laurel Highlands (Pa.).
UHS third seed Owen Estel took the top score overall with a 41. He was joined in the top four by teammates Daniel Grabo with a 43, Will Biddington at 44, and Adam Argabrite at 50.
The Mustangs tallied their 179 behind a 44 from Austin Koposko, and three 45’s scored by Colin Crawford, Hunter Bosley, and Jaden Ringer.
“It was a fun match today and we played just well enough to earn a one-shot victory over my alma mater of Laurel Highlands,” UHS head coach Barry Kolar said. “Owen Estel was steady today with his 41, and Daniel and Will each played well. We’re trying to position ourselves to do as well as possible going into the OVAC tournament next week.”
The Warriors of Trinity Christian will also be present at next week’s OVAC tournament and head coach Mark Spruill is also aiming to help his players be at their best going into next week and the rest of the season.
“These guys show up to practice and work hard on their swings, and halfway through the season some players are still working some kinks out,” he said. “Coming out and being able to get nine holes in quickly like this, close to home, with some good competition, helps a lot as great practice while not putting too much pressure on our guys with travel or missing school and such.”
Will McPherson was the low-scorer on the round for TCS with a 48, followed by a 50 for Chayce Adams, 54 by Eddie Tudor, and a 60 from Josh Mercure for a team score of 212.
“The number one thing at the moment is working on the mental game for us, you can’t play good golf without having a level head and a good mindset,” Spruill said. “Short game is another big emphasis. 100-yards and in is our saying that we try to get our players to focus on in practice and in polishing their game.”
Colby Barr from Clay Battelle was the lone participant for the Cee-Bees and shot a 55.
Lewis County took third overall with a team score of 197.
