Raiders earn close victory on glorious day for golf

By MATT KING\Daily Journal Sports Writer

FARMINGTON - The North County golf team found the back nine at Eagle Lake Golf Club to be quite challenging on Thursday afternoon, but the Raiders managed to hold off the improving Central Rebels for a 175-180 victory.

North County (6-1) was led to its fifth conference win of the season by a consistent performance from Cory Claywell, who was the medalist of the match with a low score of 40.

Jake Black also had a solid round of 41 to boost the Raiders, while Dustin Gray and Luke Elders each shot 47 to round out the team total. Gray sank a lengthy putt to save par the par-3 16th after his tee shot found the front bunker. Josh Harrison finished the day with a 51, and Caleb Barron had a 53.

Central (6-3) helped its overall score by claiming four birdies on its home course, including two by Justin Bowers on the 10th and 13th greens. Will McDowell was one stroke below par on No. 12, and posted a team-best 43.

Bowers finished with a 44 to match teammate Rolin Baker, who birdied the 16th hole. A score of 49 from Tory Marler contributed to the team total, and Matt Watkins entered the clubhouse with a 50.

Central won the junior varsity match on the front nine by a 199-206 margin.

Both teams will now prepare for their respective district tournaments, which will both take place at Eagle Lake. North County will attempt to repeat as Class 3, District 1 champions on Monday, and Central will be part of the Class 2, District 1 tourney on Tuesday.

Farmington 164, Valle 174, Ste. Genevieve 180

STE. GENEVIEVE - Farmington inched closer to claiming the MAAA regular-season title on Thursday with a pair of wins in a tri-match at Ste. Genevieve Golf Course. The Knights posted a 164 to defeat Valle with 174, and Ste. Genevieve with 180.

Farmington senior Matt Rhodes set the pace for the others to follow with an even-par 36. Jordan Pannett tallied a 41, Gene Williams scored a 43, and Brian Gallagher chipped in a 44 to compile the victorious team total.

Valle boasted two of the top three individual results for the match, as Kolby Armbruster fired a 39 and Dan Rozier finished with a 40. The Warriors also had scores of 47 from Alex Trautman, and 48 from Brad Sexauer.

Justin Kertz was the leader for Ste. Genevieve with a 45. Justin Sexauer and D.J. Gegg tied for second-best on the Dragons with 48, followed closely by Andrew Winkler and Tori Kemper with 49.

District tournaments will be next on the agenda for the three teams. Farmington (7-2) and Ste. Genevieve (2-8) are among an 11-team field in Class 3 at Eagle Lake on Monday.

Valle (6-6) will tee off on Wednesday in the Class 1, District 1 tournament at Piney Valley Golf Course in Fort Leonard Wood, where Thayer is the defending champion.

Fredericktown 171, Arcadia Valley 174

FREDERICKTOWN - The Fredericktown Blackcats played their home course well enough to withstand a strong challenge from Arcadia Valley with a final tally of 171-174.

Ideal weather conditions and a consistent wind at the players' backs made the par-5 seventh hole especially popular during the match, as Fredericktown's Clay Street and Arcadia Valley's Jordan McLaurin each collected eagles.

Chase Dunham led the Blackcats with a low score of 39, which was two strokes ahead of Street at 41. Jerod Williams shot a 44 and Kyle Polete had a 47 to complete the team score for Fredericktown (5-2).

McLaurin added a birdie at No. 5 on his way to a medalist round on one-under 35, nearly propelling his team to victory. Abe Warren matched his teammate at the fifth hole, and finished with a 42.

Other counting scores for the Tigers were a 48 from Dustin Branstetter, and a 49 from Kassie Walker. Arcadia Valley (4-3) will search for a return trip to the state tournament on Tuesday during district action at Eagle Lake.

Potosi 181, West County 234

POTOSI - The Potosi Trojans earned their first dual win of the season on Thursday with a 181-234 decision over West County at Forsche Valley Country Club.

Balance existed throughout the Potosi roster with the entire team separated by just four strokes. Jason Heeter was the medalist with a 43, while Wade Pashia posted a 45 and Sean Martin had a 46. Brittany Chazelle, Shane Lawson and Bobby Sancousie had matching scores of 47.

Torey Watson paced the Bulldogs with a 55. Andrew Wisdom had a 59 for second on the squad, while Ethan McCoy and Chris Scott each fired rounds of 60.

Potosi will travel to De Soto this afternoon before going to Union on Monday for districts.