Prep Golf -- Klages shines at 1A East Regional

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on May 2, 2017 9:56 AM

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On a day when winds circled perilously and temperatures soared into the mid-80's, Rosewood High's Cameron Klages put local knowledge and savvy to proper use.

The junior overcame an awkward stretch of golf on his inward half, birdied his final hole and emerged a state qualifer from a field of 60 players on Monday at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course.

His round of 78, which featured three birdies, included nines of 39-39.

"I  hit most of the fairways and greens in regulation," Klages said of his round. "The wind was definitely a factor today."

Indeed.

With the majority of scores settling between 80 and 90, Klages, who practices and plays out of GMGC, withstood every test the day offered.

After making three straight bogeys in the middle of his front nine, Klages responded with a much-needed birdie on the 426-yard, par-5 18th to make the turn at three over par.

Then the fun began.

In solid shape at three-over par through 15 holes, Klages made back-to-back double bogeys that could have derailed his plans to qualify for a second straight appearance in the N.C. High Athletic Association 1-A state championship -- but he settled himself and bounced back with a critical birdie on the par-5 ninth to solidify his round.

"I told myself to stay focused, and not to get too concerned with that," the junior said of his late-round miscues. "And ended up coming back with that birdie on nine -- that really made me feel good."

The team portion of qualifying was paced by Franklin Academy of Wake Forest, who emerged the titlist with a total of 331. Finishing second was Carolina 1-A outfit James Kenan (339), who counted scores from Cole Pridgen (76), Ken Avent III (87), John Thomas Avent (87) and Edgar Benitez (89).

Third place was awarded to Wallace Rose-Hill, whose total of 363 was formed by Ryan Graybar (74), Austin Batchelor (88), Juan Mojuta (98) and Alex Sholar, who signed for 103.

Other individual qualifying scores included Cole Scearce (74) of Voyager Academy, Matthew Townsend (81) of Whiteville, Jordan Knowles (82) of Hobbton, Chris McCabe (82) of Raleigh Charter and Drake Weatherspoon of East Wake Academy, whose round of 83 secured the final individual qualifying post.

The state championship, a 36-hole event, will be contested at famed Whispering Pines on May 7-8.