Warriors close ground at GMGC

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 28, 2009 1:46 PM

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Eastern Wayne used the home-course advantage to its fullest potential during the final Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference regular-season match at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course on Monday afternoon.

The Warriors posted a four-player round of 338, which helped improve their standing in conference play and keep them in contention for an eastern regional team berth. They'll continue play Thursday in the season-ending meet at Wedgewood Golf Course in Wilson.

"I was really happy with how my guys played today," said first-year Eastern Wayne head coach Scott Waller said. "We had a couple of guys come in better than their average and our top two players each played consistently."

Defending champion Wilson Hunt claimed the first place among the six ECC teams with a 325l. The postseason-bound Warriors carry a commanding 133-stroke advantage into Thursday's meet.

The remaining two regional berths remain undecided. Wilson Beddingfield has a five-match total of 2,095, two strokes better than Eastern Wayne and 13 shots lower than Kinston.

The teams faced a new challenge on the GMGC layout Monday.

Players abided by summer rules and hit each shot as it lied no matter its placement on the course. The Bruins' Matthew Ellis earned medalist honors with an even-par 71.

"The course is in great shape, so there was really no reason to play winter rules," said Waller. "I am sure there were some guys who didn't like it, but it's a good way to prepare for the (eastern) regional."

Eastern Wayne's Caleb Jones had no trouble adjusting to the format change, shooting a 79 -- his second straight round below 80. Ryan Lake fashioned an 81. Teammates Matt Baker and Carson Daly contributed an 88 and 90, respectively.

Southern Wayne earned a four-man total of 346 and took fifth overall. Will Bunch led the Saints with an 81. Chris Best fired an 83. John Graham shot 87 and Rob Herring rounded out the Saints' score with a 95.

Senior C.P. Cranford led Charles B. Aycock (393) with a round of 87. Stephen Herring fired a 91, Ian McClanahan carded a 107 and Chase Parnell shot a 108.