The Roanoke Country Club was the host for the second River Ridge District golf match Monday and the Salem High team tied for second in a tight race.
Blacksburg had the low score of the day with a 312 but Salem and Pulaski County were close behind at 317 each. Cave Spring and Hidden Valley were next at 323 and 324 as just seven strokes separated second through fifth place. Patrick Henry and Christiansburg both carded 335, a decent score on a tough course.
“The wind picked up and the course was firm,” said Salem coach Blaine Hancock. “I know these guys were expecting better on the day, but when things don’t go your way you have to find a way to score.”
Spartan junior Ashnoor Kaur was in dominant form, winning her second tournament of the year in just as many starts. Ashnoor finished three shots clear of the field to claim her first district medalist spot of the year. She had three birdies on the way to her two-under-par 69.
The Spartans had four other golfers finish in the top 20 as sophomore Mike Bateman finished tied for 13th with an 81, senior Zach Bocock was 18th with an 83, and freshman McKenzie Eversole and sophomore Croix Bowen both came in at 84.
Blacksburg and Pulaski County are now tied for the district lead after two rounds at 474 each. Salem is second at 484 and Hidden Valley is just one shot behind the Spartans at 485. Cave Spring is right on their heels at 487, followed by Patrick Henry at 499 and Christiansburg at 502.
Last Thursday the Spartans played a non-district match at the Waterfront Country Club, host by Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy. Patrick Henry and Lord Botetourt also competed and LB won the round with a team score of 316. Salem was second with 327, PH had 332 and the host Ospreys had 343.
“Waterfront is always a challenge and makes you think about every shot,” said Hancock. “Our guys fought hard on the course today.”
Salem was without Kaur as Bateman shot the low score for the Spartans with a 79. Bowen had 81, Eversole had 82 and Eli Wells shot 85 to round out the scoring. Lord Botetourt’s Alisa Davidova was medalist with a 66.
Last Wednesday, August 13, the Spartans hosted the Franklin County/Salem Invitational at the Hidden Valley Country Club and won the match, 309 to 319, over the Eagles. Kaur did not play but Bateman had the low round with a 75, posting three birdies and an eagle.
Two Spartans had their best round of the young season as Wells shot 76 and Eversole had 78. Bocock had Salem’s fourth score with an 80.
“This was a big day for Eli and McKenzie and they continue to improve each tournament,” said Hancock. “These two played really smart and took advantage of scoring opportunities.”
The Spartans are off the rest of this week, returning to the links Monday for a River Ridge match at Draper Valley.
