Golfers move on to regional

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys golf team finished second at District 10-2A tournament on Wednesday, April 6, to qualify for regional, shooting 373 as a team to finish at 719, six strokes back of Hawley at Shady Oaks Golf Course.

The Region II-2A tournament is Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19 at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.

Lions coach Tate Thompson said scores were higher all the way around as tee boxes were moved back.

“We had the best team score for the second round, and that was encouraging,” Thompson said. “Last year, we won district by such a large margin, and nobody really challenged us. I think we came in a little overconfident. Hopefully, this taught us that we don’t need to worry about what we did last year or what everybody else is doing.We’ve got to take care of our business.”

In the second round, Lute Wheeler shot 89 to lead the Lions, followed by Houston Heatly at 92, Ayden Balliew at 95 and Ty Richards at 97. Luke Marshall rounded out the lineup at 105.

Wheeler and Heatly both finished at 176 to tie for sixth individually. Richards totaled 185 with Balliew at 189 and Marshall at 192.

Playing as a medalist, Koy Cauble shot 123 to finish at 230.

In the girls division, Myleigh Leveridge shot 147 to finish at 281.

Thompson said the Lions will play a practice round at the regional course on Sunday, April 17 before starting play the next day.

“We won’t play 18 holes, but we’ll get to the holes that could cause us problems,” he said. “We’ll hit from the par 3s and putt on all the greens, then discuss strategy. No. 10 is a tricky hole that borders water the whole way.”