Local golfers getting in the swing

By Steve Keenan
Sports Editor

September 03, 2008 11:30 am

— Spurred by Nathaniel Begley’s hot play, the Oak Hill Red Devils continued to impress early in the high school golf season last week.
An easy win over visiting Fayetteville, 167 to 202, Thursday pushed the Red Devils’ record to 8-1-1. The previous day, Oak Hill tied Shady Spring (170 each) and defeated Richwood (215) in a triangular match.
Against Fayetteville, Begley — a state tournament qualifier a year ago as a freshman — fired a nine-hole score of 37. Against Richwood and Shady, he recorded a 35.
Also this year, Begley has a 36 nine-hole score and a pair of 76 rounds for 18-hole play. He’s averaging under 37 for every nine holes.
“Begley’s play has been sensational,” says veteran Oak Hill coach Joel Davis. The remaining team members are battling to find their games, he added. “The others — (Jeff) Lilly, (Rob) Stephens and (Zach) Suzza — have been struggling to find consistency and confidence.”
Lilly, now a junior, and Stephens, a senior, also were contributors to Oak Hill’s seventh-place team showing in last year’s Class AA state tournament.
On Thursday, Stephens led the Devils with a nine-hole score of 36, while Lilly shot 41, and Suzza and Daron Light both shot 53.
For Fayetteville, Nich Carte had 42, James Ingles 45, Tyler Hughes 54 and Tylor Tabit 61.
In addition to the quartet of Begley, Stephens, Lilly and Suzza, other OHHS team members this year include senior Tyler Zimm, junior Todd Slezak, sophomores Logan Honaker and Daron Light, and freshmen Maverick Perkins and Carlos Taylor.
Davis says he’s unsure if the Devils can make it back to Wheeling for the state tournament. Regional qualifying will be staged at Grandview on Sept. 29. The team winner and runner-up will advance, as will the four lowest scores off non-winning squads.
“Someone told me that Greenbrier West and we are the regional favorites,” he said. “I don’t believe that right now.
“Shady tied us on our home course and Wyoming East had terrific nine hole scores at Glade Springs just recently. I’d say we’d be about fourth at best right now. Maybe we’ll turn it around, but it won’t be easy. Besides Begley, the rest of the team has to focus and play some better golf if we want to be a contender.”
Oak Hill is preparing this week for its fund-raising team scramble set for Sept. 6 at White Oak Country Club. For more information or to make a donation, call Davis at OHHS at 304-469-3551. After that, Oak Hill will test its mettle in the Coalfield Conference tournament on Sept. 15.
Notes:
-- Valley High School is also fielding a team this fall. The Greyhounds are coached by Matt Harper.
“We’ve got no experience, especially in match play, but we’re improving day-to-day,” says Harper. “Our team scores are getting better match by match.”
The VHS roster includes: seniors — Robert Vanmeter and Vinny Marsico; juniors — Stevie Lopez; and sophomores — Tyler Sears and Alex Sandoro.
Valley plays Fayetteville and Midland Trail at Bridge Haven on Sept. 8.
-- First-year Fayetteville coach Rhonda Tabit has just four players, but she says her team has enjoyed the campaign thus far.
“I told the guys to have fun,” she said.
Leading the way has been junior Nich Carte, who has been medalist in a couple of matches this year and took part in the 2007 state tournament. James Ingles is the other lone experienced returning player, and newcomers are senior Tyler Hughes and freshman Tylor Tabit.
-- Over at Midland Trail, coach Greg Crist welcomed several players, including junior Noah Sparks, who qualified for the state tourney a year ago. Sparks has started 2008 well, says his coach.
“He played pretty well (at Wheeling) last year,” said Crist. “He was shaky the first day and played real well the second day.
“I expect he has a good shot to make it back.”
For a roster, see future issues.
— E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com

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