Controversy clouds match at GMGC

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 27, 2010 1:49 PM

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Dramatic.

Controversial.

Ridiculous.

That's just a few of the many words, some printable and some not, used to describe Monday afternoon's Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference boys' golf match at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course.

Two of the conference's top players were disqualified following the match for rule violations, and a lengthy coaches meeting led to a significant swing in the day's scores.

Triton claimed top honors with a team total of 333 despite second-best finisher Taylor Bass' round of 80 being thrown out due to a scoring discrepancy between players.

Southern Wayne finished in second place as a team with a 334 total even though Will Bunch's team-best round of 78 was thrown out when it was ruled that his breach of etiquette for throwing a club was a disqualifying offense.

"Golf is a game of honor and a game of gentlemen," said Southern Wayne coach Jeremy Joyner. "It is too bad that things like this come down to one guy's word against another. But rules are rules and we laid all of this out before the season."

If Bunch's score had counted, the Saints would have carded a 321 team total and claimed first-place honors. Kyle Best and John Graham each fired a round of 80 for Southern Wayne. Jeremiah Wright added an 83 and Lance White finished with a 91.

South Johnston claimed third place in the team standings with a 336 total. Eastern Wayne followed with a four-man total of 339.

Keith Gregorcyk led the Warriors' effort with a round of 82. Caleb Jones added an 84 and Ryan Lake finished with an 85. Hidematsu Sueki delivered an 87 and provided the highlight of the day with an eagle at the par-4, ninth hole.

"It was one of those days where we had trouble getting it going," said Warriors' head coach Scott Waller. "It was a crazy day all the way around. Hopefully we can play our best in the next match."

C.B. Aycock tallied a four-man total of 346. Dylan Mitchell led the way for the Golden Falcons with an 83. Brandon Davis added an 84, Michael Fearney carded an 89 and Corey Freels finished with a 90.

North Lenoir rounded out the field with a 365 total. Greg Dryden fired an 82 and Alex Brownlee finished with a round of 84. Lane Hussey recorded a 96 and Zack Hancock finished with a 103.

The six league foes will meet again on Thursday at Johnston County Country Club for the season-ending ECC Championship match.