Golf team competes in two invitationals
Tyler Consolidated competed in two difficult matches over the week, but both events should benefit them for the rest of the season.
The first of the matches took place last Monday, Aug. 10 at the Parkersburg Country Club Invitational Tournament with a total of 32 teams competing in the event. It is a highly regarded tournament with many of the top teams in the state competing.
“For this tournament, we are pretty much outclassed by the bigger schools, so we generally don’t play in it,” said veteran Tyler Consolidated golf coach Joe Griffith.
“But our regional tournament will be there at the end of the season, and none of our players had ever played the course.
“The invitational gave them a chance to play all 18 holes, while a regular season match would have only had them playing nine of the holes.”
Even with the full 18 holes being played, the weather ended up making it a longer day than expected for the Tyler Consolidated golfers.
“We had two long delays for lightning, which meant that from the time we left Sistersville at 5:30 a.m., it was almost 14 hours until we got home. It was a long day for the players!” added Griffith.
Dalton Wells led the team with his round of 96, while the others, consisting of Ethan Garrison, Tyler Lemasters, and Swayde Carpenter, were clustered between 110 and 115. The team finished with a score of 318, good for ninth out of the AA and A schools that competed.
“I am certain that in the regionals, after being more familiar with the course, all of those scores will come down five, maybe even up to ten strokes,” said Griffith.
First place overall went to the team of Hurricane High School, last year’s Class AAA state champions, with a score of 224.
Parkersburg finished second with a score of 236 and third went to George Washington with a tally of 237.
The second match was the St. Marys Invitational, which proved to be much more rewarding for the Silver Knights.
In a field of 11 squads closer to their level of competition, Tyler Consolidated finished tied for sixth with a score of 342. Wirt County was the school that equaled their score.
Wells and Lemasters both had solid rounds scoring a 77 and 78, respectively. Garrison finished with a 93 and Carpenter scored a 94. Kissner rounded out the team at 103.
“Most of the teams in this tournament are AA or A schools in the Little Kanawha Conference, so they are closer to our level of competition than many of the teams at Parkersburg,” mentioned Griffith.
“Dalton Wells and Tyler Lemasters both had solid rounds, with 77 and 78, respectively. The key for both of them was straight drives, or at least keeping the ball where they wanted it to be.
“Garrison and Carpenter both found some trouble along the way, but were able to finish in the low 90s. Kissner struggled, but I look for his game to come around.”
Once again, weather played a roll in the play of the game.
“For the second match in a row, we had a lightning delay. I can’t remember the last time that happened since we switched to fall golf back in 1983,” said Griffith.
Still, the players were happy with their play at the Pleasants County course.
“St. Marys is my favorite course to play,” said Wells.
“I always play my best there. I shot my lowest score ever in a match, with a 77. I can see my game getting better and better every day.”
“I scored lower than usual, but still left a lot of strokes on the course,” said co-captain Lemasters.
Williamstown took first place with 278, with defending AA champions Ritchie County scoring 289.
Gilmer County placed third with 304. St. Marys Purple scored 311, Parkersburg Catholic scored 315, St. Marys Gold scored 356, Braxton County scored 374, South Harrison scored 395, and Paden City shot 492.
The team’s record now stands at 5-20-1.
They played 18 holes Tuesday at North Bend with Ritchie County and St. Marys but results were not available.
Today they will compete in their first home match at Sistersville Country Club against Parkersburg Catholic, Paden City, and John Marshall’s junior varsity.