WELDEN TAKES INDIVIDUAL CROWN.

EAST SURRY WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT IN NCHSAA 1-A MEN’S GOLF

BUIES CREEK— John Welden of East Surry came from behind and won his second consecutive state individual title on Tuesday in the 11th annual North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 1-A men’s golf championships at the Keith Hills Country Club.

The championship was held at the Keith Hills II course, a par-72, 6500-yard layout for the NCHSAA event.

Welden had a 73 in the final round to go with a 71 on Monday for an even par 144 total, six shots ahead of the field. Andrew Bateman of Andrews and David Kostval knotted for second with 150 scores, and Bateman captured second on the third hole of a sudden death playoff with a birdie.

Joe Ondish of Topsail birdied the second sudden death hole to take fourth over East Surry’s Ethan Grimmer after both finished with 153 totals.

East Surry rallied from a five-shot deficit entering Tuesday’s play to take the team title for the fourth consecutive year with a 610 total, seven shots ahead of Topsail. Those two teams distanced themselves from the field because third-place Polk County was 38 shots out of first.

The best four of six individual scores count toward the team total.

Prior to 1986, all NCHSAA schools competed for a single title in an open tournament. Play went to three classifications in 1986 and then to four classes beginning with the 1998 tournaments.

A total of 81 golfers competed in the two-day tournament. Wendy’s and the Carolinas Ford Dealers are the presenting sponsors of the NCHSAA sports program.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

MEN’S STATE 1-A GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Keith Hills Country Club, Buies Creek – Keith Hills II course

TEAM STANDINGS

1. East Surry 305-305—610

2. Hampstead Topsail 300-317—617

3. Polk County 326-322—648

4. Mount Airy 328-330—658

5. Elkin 343-328—671

6. Gastonia Highland Tech 338-343—681

7. Williamston 340-347—687

8. Rosman 347-347—694

9. North Johnston 343-352—695

10.N.C. Science and Math 348-353—701

11. Louisburg 348-354—702

12.East Bladen 357-383—740

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

1. John Welden, East Surry 71-73—144

2. Andrew Bateman, Andrews 73-77—150*

3. David Kostval, Hampstead Topsail 75-75—150

4. Joe Ondish, Hampstead Topsail 69-84—153**

5. Ethan Grimmer, East Surry 72-81—153

6. Jordan Humphrey, NCSSM 79-76—155

Parker Lewis, Hayesville 79-76—155

8. Will Shearin, North Johnston 80-76—156

9. David Donovan, Hampstead Topsail 78-79—157

Daniel Walsh, West Wilkes 83-74—157

Kyle Wilson, Mount Airy 79-78—157

* took second place in sudden death playoff

**took fourth place in sudden death playoff