The Salem High golfers are going to the state Class 4 tournament. Salem finished second in Tuesday’s Region 4D tournament to clinch a spot in the state tourney next Monday at the Cutalong course at the Tributer Resort in Mineral, Va.
The regional was held at the par-72 Winchester Country Club. Blacksburg High, a fellow member of the River Ridge District with Salem, won the region team title with a 299. The top two teams advanced and Salem was second at 316, 16 strokes ahead of third place Millbrook who came in at 332.
Caitlyn Baxter of Amherst County was the medalist with a six-under-par 66. Salem’s best score was a one-under 71 by Ashnoor Kaur. Also scoring for Salem were Mike Bateman at 79, JD Williamson at 81 and Chloe Collins and McKenzie Eversole tied for the fifth scoring spot with 85 each. Croix Bowen also played for Salem and shot 90.
The Spartans now advance to the state tournament in Mineral. The Cutalong course is challenging and beautiful. A second course is currently being designed at the Tributer Resort by Tiger Woods.
Salem will play a practice round on Sunday, followed by a rules dinner on Sunday evening. The Spartans will stay overnight to be ready for a run at the state championship Monday.
Blacksburg, the five-time defending state champ, figures to be the favorite again, and Jamestown has had rounds under par this season.
“I feel like we have a chance,” said Salem coach Blaine Hancock. “We’ve beaten Blacksburg on occasion this season, so the kids know they can do it if they have a good day.”
