TCMS Golfers Chandler Ash, Luke Deaton, Colby Nichols, and Nate Stollings competed in the Blind Draw Scramble at the Minibel Golf Center in Vienna, WV.

• Last week was busy for the TCHS Knights Golf Teams, as the high school and middle school teams each competed in two matches. The high school golfers traveled to Riverside and hosted a match, while the middle schoolers played matches at St. Marys and Vienna.

Tuesday, September 10, found the Knights Varsity team trying to putt on the recently aerated and sand-covered greens at the Riverside Golf Course near Sardis, Ohio. The Silver and Black finished play on the hot and sunny day with a team total of 200, compared to Magnolia’s 168. Medalist for the match was the Eagle’s Trey Blain, who shot one over par, 37. For the Knights, Landen Miller and Mason Nichols led the way with rounds of 43 and 48, respectively. Both Miller and Nichols are freshmen. Senior Anna Griffith finished at 54, followed by juniors Isaac Melvin and Jackson Kibbey, with 55 and 56, respectively. Sophomore Ezra Reed carded a round of 61, with freshman Jesse Griffith ending at 66.

Mason Nichols commented on the condition of the greens: “I have never played at a course with sand greens like Riverside this week, but it was definitely hard to get used to and probably added a few extra strokes for everyone.”

As for the rest of his game, Nichols said, “My drives off the tee were sort of inconsistent, but I will keep working at getting them straightened out.”

Teammate Jesse Griffith reflected on the weather: “The match at Riverside was the hottest and most humid one we have had all season. I didn’t shoot very well at all.”

Coach Joe Griffith noted that “Every golf course goes through the process in late summer or early fall of aerating the greens and spreading sand over them. We see that a lot this time of the year, and it can mean some high scores for those who aren’t able to adjust quickly to putting on sand.”

Wednesday of last week, the Knights hosted several teams at the Sistersville Country Club, with final team scores being: Frontier – 176; Magnolia – 180; and Tyler – 195. Parkersburg Catholic had only two players, while Paden City’s lone player, Will McGinnis, finished the day at 56.

Individual scores for Tyler included Mason Nichols – 45; Anna Griffith – 47; Landen Miller – 51; Isaac Melvin – 52; Jackson Kibbey – 56; Ezra Reed – 57; and Jesse Griffith – 61. Co-Medalists for the match were Trey Blain and Alex Parker, both of Magnolia, who both finished at three over par, 37.

“I was mostly pleased with my round,” said senior captain, Anna Griffith. “I had a seven on one hole, but that was the highest I had. And it was nice to be in a group with two other girls.”

Landen Miller was not pleased with his round: “Three sevens and an eight don’t make for a good day of golf!”

Jackson Kibbey commented that “When I get rid of my slice, I’ll have a lot more fun out on the golf course.”

There were hundreds of dragonflies flying around near the ground at the course during the match, raising some concern among the players and spectators, but Coach Joe Griffith said the insects are just in the midst of their migration. “Nothing to worry about. We see these great numbers of dragonflies every few years. Golf courses make a great place for them to feed as they travel south, and hopefully they ate a few mosquitoes.”

The Varsity Knights record on the season now stands 19-33.

• The Middle School Knights Golfers traveled to the St. Marys Golf Course on Monday, September 9, to take on Pleasants County and Parkersburg Catholic. Team scores were: Pleasants – 194; Catholic – 206, and Tyler – 209.

Eighth grade Co-Captain Chandler Ash led the younger Knights with his round of 45, followed by seventh grade golfer, Luke Deaton, who finished at 50. Colby Nichols, seventh grader, shot 56, while eighth grader, Nate Stollings, shot 58. Seventh grader, Trenton Webster came in a 59, with fellow seventh graders Cole Moore and Cooper Clayton finishing at 61 and 62, respectively. Medalist for the match was Joey Koreski, of Parkersburg Catholic, who had 38.

“I have been looking forward to this golf season since our last golf match a year ago,” said Trenton Webster. “I am improving every week with the help of my two coaches and having fun while doing so.”

Thursday, September 12, found the Knights traveling to the Wood County Middle School Golf League’s annual Blind Draw Scramble. The TCMS players each were part of a group of two or three other golfers from around the area, as they played the Minibel Golf Course located between the railroad and river in Vienna, WV. None of the Knights players won awards for closest to the pin or longest putt, but they still had fun.

“I enjoyed playing at Minibel and meeting new people,” said Chandler Ash, whose team finished the day at one over par.

“It was my first time to play in the blind draw scramble, and I had a lot of fun,” said Luke Deaton.

Other TCMS players included Nate Stollings, and Colby Nichols, whose group finished the day at two over par. “I had fun for my first time in the scramble,” Nichols said.

“The scramble is a good way for our players to get to know some of the players on other teams,” said Coach Griffith. “And the par 3 Minibel Course is a perfect place for middle school golfers to work on their short game.”

The TCMS team is still winless on the season, but hoped to break into the win column yesterday as they played at Golf Club of WV near Waverly, or today, when they host Marietta, Van Devender, Ohio County, Linsly, and Paden City at the Sistersville Country Club.

The Varsity team traveled to St. Marys on Monday to take on St. Marys, Williamstown, Parkersburg Catholic and Ritchie. Tomorrow, they will make the long drive to the Roane County Golf Club near Spencer to take on Roane, Wirth, Calhoun and St. Marys.

The Varsity season is winding down, as the team will have one more full week next week, including the LKC Tournament at Mingo Bottom on Monday, September 23, followed by the regional tournament a week later, also at Mingo Bottom.