Golfers play in Haskell tourney
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions boys golf team placed second in the team standings Monday, March 27, at the Coach David Middleton Memorial Tournament in Haskell, the team’s final outing before district.
The Lions open the District 10-2A tournament Monday, April 3 at Baird’s Shady Oaks Golf Course. The final round will be played Tuesday, April 4 at Sweetwater Country Club. The top two teams and top two individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the Region II-2A tournament Monday-Tuesday, April 17-18, at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.
At Haskell, Albany shot a team score of 332 with three of the four scoring rounds under 85. Lute Wheeler, playing his first competitive round of the spring, shot 77 to finish third in the medal standings.
“Lute shot an 88 last week, and it was an ugly 88,” coach Tate Thompson said. “Any time a kid can play like that and still shoot 88 is impressive. He showed it this week by shooting a 77 and keeping control of his game.”
Wheeler, who won the district medal title in 2021 and manned the No. 1 lineup spot all last year as the Lions advanced to state, missed most of this season because of Albany’s run in the basketball playoffs and an injury suffered in the last basketball game.
“Lute is a very intricate golfer as far as making sure the little shots count,” Thompson said. “He had 29 putts, and I consider anything under 30 good. Scoring around the green is the biggest thing.”
Houston Heatly shot 80, with Luke Marshall carding an 83. Ayden Balliew and Ty Richards both shot 92.
Playing as medalists, Huffman Heatly shot 82 and Koy Cauble shot 107.
“We’ve been running averages all year from our qualifying rounds and tournaments,” Thompson said. “Ty Richards and Huffman are going to have a playoff on Friday to see who plays at district. Huffman has shot in the 80s at three tournaments, and it’s hard to justify not giving him a shot.”
Myleigh Leveridge competed in the Haskell tournament’s girls division, played Wednesday, March 29. Results will be reported next week.
