Trailing by 20 strokes after the first round of the 36-hole 6D North Region golf tournament, the third-place Yorktown Patriots set a goal to play well enough to move up to finish second in the high-school competition.
That didn’t happen.
With a two-day team score of 312-323–635, Yorktown fell to fifth place in the region and failed to earn a berth to play in the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tournament. The top two region teams gained state berths.
The Langley Saxons won the region with a 292-305–597 total on the par-72 Bristow Manor Golf Club course in Bristow. The tourney was played Sept. 26 and 27.
“We always talk about our goals before each round, and finishing second is what we talked about,” Yorktown coach Chris Williams said.
The first round was played in day-long misting rain and cool temperatures. The second round was held in day-long sunshine. Williams laughed about his team playing better in the tougher conditions.
“We just had a tough day [second round],” Williams said.
Leading Yorktown individually was senior Charlie Lamb with a 77-76–153 finish for a tie for ninth individually.
Also for Yorktown, junior Jack Freeman 79-83–162, junior Nick Senkus 79-83–162, junior Luke Sanne 82-81–163, sophomore Ryan Pericak 77-92–169 and senior Taylor Mitchell 84-91–175
Sanne was the only player to have a lower second-round score.
“Ryan’s 77 is what we needed in the first round, and that gave us a lift,” Williams said. “His goal was to break 80.”
The team finish was disappointing because Yorktown had qualified for the state tournament the past three seasons with region runner-up spots, and had at least the same goal this fall. No Yorktown players qualified as individuals for the state tourney.
“We have a lot of young players and this was a learning experience,” Williams said.
Playing as individuals in the region tournament from Wakefield High School, Becket Hampton shot 80-85–165 and Andrew Middleton 85-83–168.
