by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com
CHESTER — Deep Run is headed to the Group AAA state golf tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
Fortunately for them they didn’t have to work overtime to capture the Central Region title.
James River’s Nick Austin had a chance to force a sudden-death playoff but his 20-foot putt on the 18th hole missed, giving the Wildcats the one-stroke victory at River’s Bend Golf Course on Tuesday.
“We all kind of looked at the scores,” Deep Run’s Mason Bryan said. “We knew it was going to come down to the last hole.”
The Wildcats finished with a combined 603 over the 36-hole tournament while the Rapids had a 604. James River led by two strokes, 299-301, after the first day at the Jefferson-Lakeside Country Club.
On the par-71 River’s Bend Course Deep Run posted a 302 to the Rapids 305. Bryan, a senior, led the Wildcats with a 74, sophomore Jason Schumacher and freshman Chris O’Neill both had a 75 and senior Will Sadler a 78.
“We’ve not only had hard work but we have come together as a team,” Bryan said. “We have had to figure out who our top six is…I think we finally have a core of six guys that can play well and can do some damage in tournaments.”
Deep Run has now taken four of the last five region titles and looks to win their first state championship since they won three in a row from 2003-05. The Rapids also advance for the first time to the tourney being held at Independence Golf Club Oct. 20-21.
Austin (67-68), the region player of the year and a senior, captured the individual title for the third straight year with a 7-under total of 135. He has come in second the past two seasons at states.
“I’ve been practicing a lot and trying to get ready for college,” said Austin, who has committed to attend the University of Richmond. “It’s kind of all coming together right now. It’s a good feeling to be three-time champ and our team is finally going to states this year which is a big accomplishment for us.”
The next closest individuals to Austin were 14 strokes back. O’Neill (74-75), Douglas Freeman’s Matt Sizemore (72-77) and Clover Hill’s Allan Day (69-80) all finished with a 149 but lower back nines put O’Neill in second and Sizemore in third.
James River’s Jim McLean was named coach of the year. His two sons, Mike (75-79) and Drew (76-79), play for the Rapids.
“It’s kind of a double-edged sword as far as our play today,” Jim McLean said. “We had high expectations and we didn’t play well today.”
Earlier this season James River won a VSGA tournament at Independence while the Wildcats placed fifth. Both teams seemed confident about playing close to home.
“There are no other expectations other than winning,” Schumacher said. “Second is just not good enough for us being from Deep Run.”
RESULTS
(Final round at River’s Bend GC, par 71)
Team Scores
Deep Run (301-302- 603): Chris O’Neil 74-75 (149), Jason Schumacher 75-75 (150), Will Sadler 74-78 (152), Mason Bryan 81-74 (155)
Atlee (323-314-637): Collin Turner 75-79 (154), Taylor Crain 80-76 (156), Tanner Foutz 83-74 (157), Alex Fowler 85-85 (170)
Matoaca (333-332-665): Michael Howerton 81-79 (160), Garrett Palmatier 83-79 (162), Tyler Hancock 84-83 (167), Patrick Pennell 86-91 (177)
Thomas Dale (331-337-668): Mike Swope 81-74 (155), Brandon Bailey 79-81 (160), Buddy Donnelly 83-91 (174), Austin Hamilton 88-91 (179)
Patrick Henry (334-342-676): Zack Jezouit 75-84 (159), Trent Thomas 80-83 (163), John Carroll 88-85 (173), Joel Hicks 96-90 (186)
Individual qualifiers for state tournament
Allan Day (Clover Hill), 69-80-149; Matt Sizemore (Douglas Freeman) 72-77-149; Kevin Clarke (Cosby) 77-75-152; Collin Turner (Atlee) 75-79-154; Michael Swope (Thomas Dale) 81-74-155; Taylor Crain (Atlee) 80-76-156
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