The Shady Spring and Cabell Midland golf teams have staked their claims at the top of their respective classes this year.
Having already battled twice this year, the Class AA Tigers and the Class AAA Knights each owned a victory heading into Monday’s 18-hole rubber match on The Cobb Course at The Resort at Glade Springs.
Unfortunately for Shady Spring, home course advantage was not enough to carry it to the decisive victory over the visitors from Cabell County.
Led by Jack Michael who shot a four-under par 68, Cabell Midland topped the Tigers 223-229.
Coming off of a runner-up finish in the AAA state tournament a year ago, Michael has been on fire during the 2024 season.
Monday the senior standout roared out of the gate going five-under par over the first six holes, throwing darts at the pins in the process.
“I didn’t really miss a shot the first six holes,” Michael said. “I just hit it where you are supposed to hit it. I really only made one good putt, butt I had some kick-ins for birdie. It was fun.”
Michael cooled off heading to the back nine, but he only gave one shot back to easily earn the low medalist honors.
“I just kind of got sloppy everywhere,” Michael said. “The driver was all over the place. My ball striking was all over the place. I kind of got a little tired where I have felt the greatest.”
Freshman Wyatt Maynard caught fire on the back nine recording three straight birdies to finish with a 77 and sophomore Andrew James added a 79 to round out the team scoring for the Knights.
Senior Alex White also had a 79 for Midland.
Junior Tyler Beard paced Shady Spring with a 73 on the par-72 layout. Beard also started hot going three-under par through the first nine holes.
“I was really happy with the front nine. I hit everything where I wanted to and made a lot of putts,” Beard said.
Trailing Michael by only two shots, Beard’s round turned into a struggle, however, starting on the green at No. 10.
“I came onto the back nine and missed a short putt on 10. That kind of set the tone for the back nine. I was kind of grinding the entire time and I didn’t have any birdies.,” Beard said. “It was fun though. I played with some good people and played pretty decent. I wish I had made a couple of more birdies coming in.”
Fellow-junior Cooper Ward shot 75 for the Tigers, while senior Jack Williams had an 81. Freshman Grant Winkler had an 82.
CM: Michael 68, Maynard 77, James 78, White 79, Carsen Sergent 83, Bryson Mabry 85, Cooper Childress 86, Owen Elkins 89.
SS: Beard 73, Ward 75, Williams 81, Winkler 82, Eli Sexton 86, Jack Tabit 88, Ian Crouse 92, Khi Olson 94.
