MONROE — North Surry competed in the 2A Golf State Championship on May 13-14.
Coach Jonathan Sutphin said he wasn’t sure of the last time North Surry competed as a full team at states. The Greyhounds qualified for states by finishing runner-up in the 2A Midwest Regional Championship, which was a first in school history.
North Surry finished eighth as a team at the state championship with a 36-hole score of 663. The Hounds were just three strokes away from finishing fifth.
“I think it was a really good experience. The kids had a great time,” Sutphin said. “We came out, we didn’t play our best on the first day, but we were able to play more of our speed on the second day. We understood what we had to do to improve on some of our spots, and it paid off because we cut seven strokes from out team score.”
North Surry battled the elements to make its improvement from 335 to 328. What Sutphin called a “monsoon” soaked the course and caused a 45-minute delay. The coach reported that a number of greens had ponds of water on them, and that the delay allowed them to recede at least a little before resuming play.
“It all came down at once,” Sutphin said. “I bet it rained two or two-and-a-half inches on those holes. It was definitely a memorable experience if anything.”
The Greyhounds were led by junior Brody York at 158 strokes, or 14-over-par. York tied for 32nd in the field of 94 golfers.
“Brody drove the ball well and set himself up for some good putts,” Sutphin said.
York was followed by freshman Campbell Hardy tied for 42nd at 162 (+18). Hardy shot 85 the first day, but cut eight strokes off his game on the second day.
“He struggled a little bit the first day, but was really impressive when we came back on Tuesday,” Sutphin said. “He finished up his last seven holes four-under, and that was when the rain was really coming down.”
Freshman Jackson Gardner and sophomore Logan Wall finished close to one another at 64th and 66th with scores of 172 (+28) and 174 (+30) respectively. Jansen Huff wasn’t far behind at 179 (+35).
“We knew we had to play our absolute best to have a shot at getting on the podium,” Sutphin said. “That first day was difficult at times, but I was really proud to see how they adjusted for the second day. We used that second day to prove that we belonged there.”
North Surry graduates just one senior, Huff, and only has one junior in York.
“We got some experience now,” Sutphin said. “We know what it feels like to be here and have seen what it takes to be a top golfer in the state. We hope to keep improving and be back here next year.”
Seaforth won the 2A State Championship as a team with a score of 594, and Seaforth’s Ty Willoughby won the individual championship at 135 (-9).
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