Sizzling 66: Adams shoots 5-under in first Carolina 1A match of season

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 25, 2014 1:48 PM

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DUDLEY -- Three-time defending eastern 1-A regional champion Nick Adams set the pace in dominating fashion Monday afternoon.

The Rosewood senior carded a sparkling 5-under 66 and earned medalist honors during a Carolina 1-A Conference boys' golf match contested at Southern Wayne Country Club.

Adams helped the Eagles log a team score of 339 -- 26 strokes lower than second-place finisher Lakewood. Princeton placed third at 338, followed by Spring Creek (392), James Kenan (411) and North Duplin (437).

Neither Hobbton nor Neuse Charter posted a team score.

Adams, Spring Creek's Kyle Stone and James Kenan's Cole Pridgen comprised the lead group that teed off on the 10th hole. Pridgen finished runner-up to Adams with a 74, while Stone posted an 80.

Dylan Greene complemented Adams' effort with an 88. Teammates Dylan Champion and Jeremy Mercer rounded out the Eagles' four-player total with 18-hole rounds of 92 and 93, respectively.

"Nick played exceptionally well today ... a 66 early in the season after bad weather days shows how he is willing to work hard and overcome," RHS head coach Daniel Baynes said. "The boys played well today. They seem to be rounding into form."

Stone played solid from tee to fairway, but encountered a little trouble on approaches to the green. He laid up on a couple of shots which stopped on the frontside and left him with long putts.

He kept his composure and continued to attack a course that can be unforgiving at times.

Justin Price emerged as the Gators' second-lowest scorer with a 95. Nathan Tanner fired a 99, while Jimmy Brown and Matt Herring each posted a 118.

"This was our first match of the year, so our guys were just trying to get back into the swing of things," SC head coach Ryan Fields said. "I was pleased with everyone's performance and pace given the cooler weather today."

Princeton's Joel Hines, who played in the second group of No. 1 seeds, ended up among the top six golfers with an 87. Kevin Woodard contributed a 97. Jordan Keene (100) and Alex Whitley (111) rounded out the Bulldogs' team total.

"(A) great start to the season," first-year PHS head coach Jeremy Joyner said. "Our team goal was a top-three finish in the conference this year and that is where we're at after one match. We've got to get better if we want to stay in the top three because Spring Creek is very close.

"Nick had a phenomenal round, especially in the conditions. He showed why he is a college level golfer today."

Hunter Brock led North Duplin with an 84.