Southern Wayne linksters 2nd in first ECC golf meet of season

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 16, 2010 10:36 AM

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DUDLEY -- Looking completely comfortable in new surroundings, Triton claimed the opening Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference boys' golf match on Monday after at Southern Wayne Country Club.

The Hawks' first foray into ECC play was marked by consistent scoring up and down their six-man lineup. The end result was a four-man total of 333. Tyler Bass and Matthew Ammons paced the victors with identical 18-hole scores of 81.

Southern Wayne finished second in the team standings with a 340 total. South Johnston (350), Eastern Wayne (357), Charles B. Aycock (378) and North Lenoir (379) completed the field.

"I don't know if we are going to have the best golfer individually each match, but I think we have a chance to have the best team," said Saints head coach Jeremy Joyner. "I have three guys back from last year that are vastly improved and a very strong freshman that can compete with any of them."

Freshman standout Kyle Best earned medalist honors at his home course with a round of 78. Chris Best added an 84, while John Graham (88) and Will Bunch (90) rounded out the Saints' team total.

Taylor Thornton paced South Johnston with an 81. Jeremy McLamb followed closely with an 82.

Eastern Wayne got a good showing from Caleb Jones who fired an 83 to lead the team. Keith Gregorcyk (88), Ryan Lake (91) and Hidematsu Sueki (95) completed the Warriors' total.

"It was a tough day out there for everybody," said Eastern Wayne head coach Scott Waller. "We know that we can play better than we did today, but we started poorly last year, too. So we know that it's a long season."

Dylan Mitchell carded a round of 84 to lead C.B. Aycock. Michael Fearny (96), Cory Freels (99) and Michael Mazur (99) also scored for the Golden Falcons.

League newcomer North Lenoir was paced by Greg Dryden's 89. Mike Carter (95), Ryan Grady (98) and Zack Braxton (98) rounded out the Hawks' team total. Undaunted by the final tally, first-year head coach Ricky Whaley was pleased with his team's competitive streak.

"We do not have any guys back from last year, so we are desperately trying to gain experience," said Whaley. "I was happy to see this team compete the way that they did and I was excited to see us put up a solid score."

All six ECC teams return to action Monday at Reedy Creek Country Club.