By AMBLE SMOKER
ONE FEATHER STAFF
WAYNESVILLE – Posting the lowest team score in the six-year history of Lady Braves golf, Cherokee took all three spots on the podium at the Donald Ross-designed, Carolina course at the Waynesville Inn match against the Highlands Lady Highlanders on Monday, Sept. 15.
Tysha Sampson Celebrates after shooting par on hole-four at the Waynesville Inn in a match against the Highlands Lady Highlanders on Monday, Sept. 15. (AMBLE SMOKER/One Feather photos)
“The Lady Braves finally broke under 50 and posted the lowest team score in six years at CHS,” said Lady Braves coach Sharon Bradley after the match.
Bree Stamper lead the Lady Braves by carding a season low 47 to finish atop the leaderboard. She was followed by Peri Wildcatt who took second by shooting a 48 and Tysha Sampson in third with a score of 51.
The stout performance at the Waynesville Inn comes off the heels of another strong performance on Thursday, Sept. 11, when the Lady Braves traveled to the Asheville Municipal Golf Course for a match against several Asheville area high schools for a non-conference match. Wildcatt, Sampson, and Kendra Wiggins all carded a 53 to finish in the upper echelon of the leaderboard and, along with Bree Stamper (59), propelled the Lady Braves to a second place team finish behind North Buncombe. Enka, Mountain Heritage, and Reynolds rounded out the top five at the match.
While the Lady Braves continue to finish strong in conference and non-conference matches, the team has bigger aspirations to be in the mix for a playoff spot at the NCHSAA Regional tournament at the Lincoln Country Club on Oct. 20. In order to qualify, golfers must have a season average of 54 or under.
Peri Wildcatt taps in an easy putt for par on Monday.
“Continued low scores will qualify us as a team and individuals for regionals, possibly State,” Coach Bradley explained. “We have seven matches left. Regional competition is set for Oct. 20 and cut off scores for state competition is usually around 85-88 for 18 holes. We have players who are working hard to get there and our averages are coming down as we continue to play more.”
The Lady Braves return to action Sept. 25 at the Waynesville Inn for an 18-hole match against the Highlands Lady Highlanders where the team looks to improve their season average and make a strong push for playoff contention.
To view and purchase photos from these events, visit:
https://onefeather.smugmug.com/SPORTS/GOLF/GOLF-Lady-Braves-vs-Highlands/
https://onefeather.smugmug.com/SPORTS/GOLF/GOLF-Lady-Braves-at-Asheville/
