With all eyes on a group of his highly touted fellow competitors making a return visit to the TSSAA Class AA Boys’ Golf Championship, Walker Valley’s Harrison Yost was flying below radar.
But Yost made sure the rest of the field realized he should not be overlooked as a contender on Thursday while competing at Sevierville Golf Club’s River Course. The sophomore shot an opening round 3-under-par 69 to land in a four-way tie for the lead of the individual competition.
Yost poured home four birdies on his opening nine to make the turn in 34, then overcame two bogeys on his final nine with three more birdies at 14, 15 and 17 to close his round deadlocked with Will Pinson of Franklin, Jack Doyle of Brentwood, and Cookeville’s Owen Hill.
Walker Valley’s best individual state tournament showings were 4th place finishes by Dylan Lillard in 2015 and Pat Dye in 2003, and Yost hopes to be able to secure medalist honors in the loaded field.
One shot back is Yost’s Mustang teammate Alex Robinson along with Tucker Wick of East Hamilton who posted scores of 2-under 70.
“It was an amazing day for both those young men,” said Walker Valley coach Will Campbell. “Harrison started bogey-bogey and then just settled in. He is a great player and an even better young man. Sleeping on the lead at the state tourney is a new experience for him. Hopefully he can come out Friday and just be solid and see what happens.”
Brentwood leads the team standings with a 5-over 293, four shots clear of Bearden and 13 ahead of East Hamilton. The Hurricanes’ total of 306 was paced by Wick’s 70, followed by Griffin Law at 73, Isaac Koh with an 81 and Gannon Veale’s round of 82. Leo Vazquez’s mark of 86 was the drop score.
Wick managed five birdies on his round, offset by a double bogey and a bogey. Law got off to a rocky start with five bogeys and a single birdie on his opening nine, but he was able to rebound with a trio of birdies to start his final nine followed by six pars.
“It was a frustrating day,” said East Hamilton coach Jeff Stetzler. “None of the boys played their best, and we made way too many mistakes. But we are still hopeful and optimistic that we can shoot under par and win the team title.”
Bradley Central’s Jaxon Chapman finished his day at 6-over-par 78.
Baylor Girls 2nd In Girls Division II-AA
Baylor’s Carlee Rogers opened with a 3-over-par 73 to land in a tie for 4th place in the Division II-AA Girls competition. The junior is one shot ahead of senior teammate Justine Emond (T6) and her score of 4-over 74.
The Lady Raiders are in second place in the team battle with a score of 147, nine shots behind St. Mary’s Episcopal School and their total of 2-under 138.
Catherine Bowie of Hutchison School tallied a 4-under-par 66 on Thursday to lead the individual scoring, just ahead of St. Mary’s Jada Lin and her round of 3-under 67.
Rogers had three birdies over her first eight holes to make the turn at 1-over 38, then bogeyed two of her final three holes to shoot 2-over 35 on her closing nine.
Emond’s lone birdie came at the par-3 8th hole, managing 13 pars to go with three bogeys and a double bogey.
Katie Grace Tuder had the drop score for Baylor, finishing at 9-over 79.
“Our girls struck the ball really well today but we had a below average day with the putter,” said Baylor coach Gary Partrick. “The putter can bail you out of a mediocre ball-striking day but a mediocre putting day can be costly. It was today.
“Hopefully, the putts will drop tomorrow and we can make a run at St. Mary's.”
Other local golfers competing as individuals included GPS’ Katherine Potts with a 15-over 85, along with Bruiser teammate Harper Wakefield at 27-over 97.
Boroughs Tied For 2nd, McCallie 3rd In Boys Division II-AA
Memphis University School rallied with nine birdies over its final nine holes to earn a share of the team lead with Brentwood Academy in the Division II-AA Boys’ tournament at 3-under 285.
McCallie lurks five shots back in 3rd place after posting a 2-over 290, while Baylor is in 5th place at 16-over 304.
Brentwood Academy junior Carter Graham blistered the River Course with an 8-under-par 64 to lead in individual play, amassing nine birdies against a lone bogey to lead by five shots.
A trio of golfers including Billy Boroughs of McCallie secured 2nd place with rounds of 3-under 69, joining Charles Snider of MUS and Andrew Sciortino of BA.
Boroughs was 2-under after nine holes with back-to-back birdies at 7 and 8, then moved to 4-under with additional birdies at 11 and 17. Only a lone bogey on the par-5 18th blemished the Blue Tornado senior’s scorecard.
Jack Martin shot even-par 72 for McCalllie, recording a 34 over his closing nine that featured birdies at 11 and 18 along with an eagle on the short 317-yard par-4 15th hole.
Nate Coffman carded a 2-over 74 for McCallie, while James Gayle’s 3-over 75 also contributed to the team total while Vidur Rajagopalan had the drop score with a round of 10-over 82.
“We played well today but did not have our best stuff,” said McCallie coach Rob Riddle. “I’m proud of the guys for battling around the course and competing. We’ve got two guys fighting off illnesses and I’m hoping they’ll feel a little stronger and have more energy on Friday.
“We are five strokes back to two very good teams but will give it our best effort. Hopefully they count us out and see it as a two-team race. I believe we will be in contention on the last nine holes because I trust our guys.”
Senior Praval Bathi led the charge for Baylor with an even-par 72 containing four birdies and an equal complement of bogeys over his first 11 holes before closing with seven consecutive pars.
The other four Red Raider golfers were separated by only one shot as Brooks Englert and Harry McGuire shot 77s, followed by 78s from Max Johnson and Wyatt Manner.
“There are three really good boys’ teams in this field and we knew we needed to play at a very high level to get in the mix for the championship,” Partrick said. “We did not do that. I think we played decent, but we made a couple of mental mistakes that we didn't overcome.”
Chattanooga Christian’s Brycen Blake is competing in individual play, signing for a 5-over 77.
Ooltewah Girls 6th In Class AA
Ooltewah is in 6th place after posting an opening round 164 (24-over-par). Sophomore Duck Troxell led the Lady Owls with a 10-over-par 80, while senior Delaney Ratchford carded a 14-over 84.
The duo stumbled out of the gates in Ooltewah’s first team appearance in 37 years, completing their opening hole in 5-over-par. Troxell was able to record 11 pars on her loop with no birdies, while Ratchford claimed her lone birdie at the par-5 17th to accompany six pars.
Murfreesboro Central and Hardin Valley tied for the lead in the team competition at 10-over 150, four shots ahead of second place Page.
Addisyn Newman of Hardin Valley is the first day leader in the individual scoring after shooting 2-under-par 68, two shots better than William Blount’s Sophia Gambini. Troxell sits in 22nd position, while Ratchford is 32nd.
Individual competitors Elizabeth Cordle of East Hamilton finished her round at 17-over 87, and Meredith Gailey of Hixson posted a 21-over 91.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com