MATOACA GOLF
Two seasons removed from a 5A State Championship, Matoaca golf is set to be a contender again this year, posting an 11-2 record with their losses coming at the hands of top competition in Deep Run and Mills Godwin.
“We are not as deep as last year,” said coach John Hall. “But we have a great confidence in our top four.”
Hall has a strong top three, and three more that round out a formidable line-up. Leading the way is a pair of upperclassmen in Paul Harris (senior) and Will Creekmore (junior). Both have medaled this year, most recently earning awards for their play at Dogwood Trace, carding a score of 35.
Michael Harris, Paul’s younger brother, is a freshman, along with Chase Petri who play from the three and four slots. Both are important pieces to both the team this year and the future. Will Pratt and Blake Miles, also a tennis player, round out the Warriors’ top six players.
THOMAS DALE GOLF
The Knights are led by a group of four seniors in Ryder Elder, Daniel White, Berkley Jackson, and Carter Mayes, but have struggled to get things going so far this season, starting 1-6. While there is talent, coach Dennis Zeiters stresses consistency as something his team needs to work on.
“Sometimes, we have good holes, then we have a bad hole,” Zeiters said. “We’re still working to get nine good holes put together in a match.”
Elder, White, and Jackson led a Thomas Dale squad that finished 6-6 last year, and are all working to improve as the season moves along. One challenge has been getting everyone together before the school year starts, with work schedules and other summer activities.
Freshman Nick Papakostas has gotten playing time in the absence of teammates and has been what Zeiters called “a surprise” registering scores ranked among the best Thomas Dale offered in three events.
Meadowbrook’s golf team is led by baseball coach Drew Walker, while L.C. Bird has a new head coach in Justin Lopus.
