Rain played havoc with the Blue Ridge District golf schedule last week, but the Pioneer District was able to get both matches in, including one at the Botetourt Country Club.
The BRD was scheduled to play at Mariners’ Landing and Ole Monterey last week. After a rain delay that forced a late tee-off in Moneta Tuesday, the Blue Ridge golfers played a little more than half a match before the skies opened up and washed out play for the day.
“Everyone got in between nine and 12 holes,” said LB coach Todd Smith. “They saw lightning on the radar and cleared the course, but it didn’t rain all that much. I think we could have gotten it in.”
On Thursday there was no debate, as heavy rain for most of the day made it impossible to start. That match was scheduled for Ole Monterey with Northside as host.
On Tuesday of this week the BRD was scheduled to play Blue Hills, with Byrd hosting. At that time the coaches were to decide when to finish the match at Mariners’ Landing, and reschedule the match from Ole Monterey.
The Pioneer District had a little more luck. On Tuesday of last week the district had a match in Buena Vista at the Vista Links, hosted by Parry McCluer. It was a big match for James River, as the Knights are getting a challenge from the Blues this season for district supremacy.
The Pioneer golfers played nine holes Tuesday and tied Parry McCluer, as both teams shot a 159. That necessitated a one-hole playoff, with the top four from each team playing one hole. Parry McCluer won that playoff and took the head-to-head result.
Irina Boothe led River with a 36. She was two-under after eight holes but double-bogeyed the ninth to keep her from having an even better round.
Korey Watts was ill and not expected to play, but he gutted it out and shot a 40. Colin Guilliams had 41 and Tyler Duke had a 42.
On Thursday at the Botetourt Country Club, the Knights shot a 313 to win their head-to-head with Parry McCluer, who shot 326. Watts had 71, Duke had his best ever score of 77, Boothe had an 80 and Guilliams shot 85.
River is now 10-2 against Pioneer teams and Parry McCluer is 11-1. There was some confusion over how the standings would be kept, as in past matches only the home team played all the others. This year, it’s head-to-head with everyone at every match.
“They need to get this cleared up, because I wasn’t sure what we were doing and neither were the other coaches,” said River coach John Shotwell. “I wish they’d just do like the other districts and keep a total score.”
River had a chance to tie Parry McCluer for the Pioneer lead on Tuesday as the district took a turn at Needle’s Eye, with Highland County hosting. Next Tuesday, Aug. 31, the Knights are at Ashley Plantation for a non-district match with Glenvar.
