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MA golfers go to state  | Course record
Zack Pritchett of Marshall sets a course record at The Dogwoods during North State competition. |
The Marshall Academy
golf team, entering the 2010 campaign, returned four key players from
last year’s team that finished second in the North State AA and fourth
in the State AA Tournament. The team holds a lot of promise for yet another good season on the links, coach Russell Cook said in the pre-season. “We’re
looking forward to another great golf season here at Marshall,” he
said. “We have four guys coming back on the golf team who played on the
team last year, as well as newcomer Kyle Simpson. We’re excited about
the potential we have this year. “We have a
very young team with two juniors, a sophomore, a freshman, and a
seventh grader. Zack (Pritchett) should win a lot of tournaments on the
individual stage and we should be in the running in every tournament as
a team. “I’m excited to see what the kids can accomplish this year.” The
Marshall golf team began the season on March 22 by finishing fourth out
of eight teams at the Kirk Academy invitational at The Dogwoods Golf
Course in Grenada. Pritchett, a freshman, led the Patriots in the
opening tournament by shooting an 11-over par 83 (for his highest round
of the year). The Patriots then moved on the
Marshall Academy Invitational held at Kirkwood National. The Patriots
slipped just a little and finished fourth out of five teams. However,
the Patriots were led by individual low medalist Pritchett, who shot a
five-over par 77. The third tournament of the
year for the Patriots brought about their best performance of the
regular season. The Patriots travelled to Batesville to participate in
the North Delta Invitational at Panola Country Club. The Patriots came
away feeling good after shooting an overall team score of 363 to
qualify for the North State AA Tournament. The Patriots were once again
led by Pritchett, who finished second in a field of over 70 golfers
with a score of two-over par 73. Junior Hank Owens turned in his best
round of the year with a 12-over par 83. Seventh grader Kyle Simpson
became the hero of the day when he turned in a score eight shots lower
than what was needed to qualify the team for North State. Junior Taylor
Maurey also turned in his lowest round of the year with a 19-over par
90.  | Tee shot
Michael Farese tees off for the Marshall Academy Patriots. |
“I’m very proud of our guys for getting their
score in the qualifying range for the North State tournament,” Coach
Cook said. “Zack has had yet another fantastic season with a couple
medalist honors. We’ve also seen a great improvement in guys like
Michael Farese and Kyle Simpson. Hank Owens and Taylor Maurey have
been strong for us, even though they have had a lack of practice time
due to tennis and track meets. I’m proud of our guys and we’re looking
forward to the post-season.” With the team
qualified for North State AA, the Patriots took to the course to play a
nine-hole, after-school match with a few local public schools.
Pritchett finished second out of roughly 30 golfers and the Patriot
team finished second out of four schools. The
North State AA Golf Tournament was held on Tuesday, April 27, at The
Dogwoods in Grenada. The Patriots turned in a day for the record books.
As a team, the golfers combined to shoot a season low team score of
349. The Patriots had two golfers turn in the lowest rounds of their
season, as well as the lowest rounds of their careers. Sophomore
Farese turned in his career lowest round of 102 (in only his second
year on the golf team). Pritchett turned in his lifetime lowest round
of a five-under par 67, which also set a course record for the men’s
tees at The Dogwoods. “It’s been a great year,”
Coach Cook said. “I’ve had a lot of fun. I’m really proud of Zack for
what he has accomplished as well as what we have accomplished as a team
this year. Farese, a sophomore, said, “It felt good to play my best round on such a big stage like the North State Tournament.” By
posting a score of 67, Pritchett finished as low medalist (first place)
for all individuals at the North State Tournament. This is the second
year in a row that Pritchett has won the North State AA individual
championship, after winning the tournament as an eighth grader last
year. “Winning the north half two years in a row
has been a great experience for me,” Pritchett said. “I’m also really
proud of our other guys for playing hard all season and getting our
team to the point we are at by playing for a state championship.” With
the team score of 349, the Patriots finished fourth out of eight
schools at the North State AA Tournament and advanced to the State AA
Championship Tournament Tuesday, May 4 at Briarwood Country Club in
Meridian. The State AA Tournament was hosted by Lamar School. Marshall
finished seventh out of eight teams at state. Coach Cook said even
though his players did not have their best showing, it was exciting for
them to once again compete at that level. He said he is very proud of
the Patriots for their excellent season. |
