Lions win Jim Ned Invitational golf tournament
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions boys golf team endured difficult conditions and a strong field Wednesday, March 19 to with the team title at the Jim Ned Invitational played at Shady Oaks Golf Course in Baird.
Albany golfers made their final outing before the district tournament this week at Haskell. Myleigh Leveridge played Monday, March 24 in the girls division with the boys teams and medalists playing Tuesday, March 25. Results will be reported next week.
The District 10-2A tournament will be played Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 at Shady Oaks.
In the Jim Ned tourney, Albany shot 341 as a team to win by seven strokes over Holliday. The 12-team field included five Class 3A teams and three district opponents.
“That obviously wasn’t our best, but with the conditions, it was good enough,” Lions coach Tate Thompson said. “I’ve done this for 18 years, and that’s got to be one of the top-five windiest tournaments we’ve ever had.”
The Lions placed three golfers among the top 10 individuals with all five essentially in the top third of the 63-man field. Ty Richard tied for fourth with an 81, four shots out of first, to lead Albany. Aiden Vickers was seventh at 84, while Huffman Heatly tied for eighth at 85. Connor Smith tied for 16th at 91 and Clay Chapman tied for 22nd at 92.
“The scores were, really and truly, pretty good for the conditions,” Thompson said. “There were a couple of district opponents there, and we were able to beat them, so it was a good day.”
At Haskell, Thompson said the goal was to avoid any setbacks before district.
“I wish we were playing a more challenging course, but that’s the only tournament we could find,” he said. “The guys just need to keep their composure and fix their bad habits, carry over some confidence into district.”
JIM NED INVITATIONAL
at Shady Oaks Golf Course
Team totals — 1. Albany, 341; 2, Holliday, 348; 3. Jacksboro, 370; 4. Clyde, 375; 5. (tie) Anson, 381; Jim Ned 1, 381; 7. (tie) Eula, 388; Abilene Christian, 388; 9. Haskell, 402; 10. Cisco, 413; 11. Amherst, 447; 12. Jim Ned 2, 461.
Albany — Ty Richards, 81; Aiden Vickers, 84; Huffman Heatly, 85; Connor Smith, 91; Clay Chapman, 92.
