FOX FIRE VILLAGE- Michael Muscatell of Charlotte Catholic fired a blistering five-under par 67 to rally and win the individual championship in the 21st annual North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A men’s golf championships at the Fox Fire Resort and Golf Club West Course.
Muscatell, who was the 2-A champion a year ago but was playing in the 3-A tournament since Catholic moved up in the current realignment, had nine-hole scores of 32 and 35 on Tuesday for a 36-hole score of 138, moving up from a tie for fourth after the first day. He took the crown by one shot over John T. Griffin of Wilson Fike, who had a final round 69.
First-day leader Drew Page of Waynesville Tuscola and Harold Varner of Gastonia Forestview, a pair of sophomores, tied for third with 143 totals. Page had a final day 74 to go with his opening round of 69.
Tuscola, seventh in last year’s 3-A event, had a pair of solid rounds to finish with a 588 team total, good for a 12-shot advantage over Hickory. Wilson Fike finished third at 606 and Gastonia Forestview was one shot back in fourth at 607.
Prior to 1986, all NCHSAA golfers 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.
Wendy’s and the Carolinas Ford Dealers are the presenting sponsors of the NCHSAA sports program, and a total of 84 golfers competed in the tournament.
NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
21st ANNUAL CLASS AAA MEN’S STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
FOX FIRE RESORT AND COUNTRY CLUB WEST COURSE– Par 72, 6500 yards
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. Waynesville Tuscola 293-295–588
2. Hickory 299-301–600
3. Wilson Fike 302-304–606
4. Gastonia Forestview 303-304–607
5. Western Guilford 313-304–617
6. Lake Norman 312-310–622
7. Rockingham 320-310–630
8. Havelock 324-307–631
9. Mooresville 321-313–634
10. Trinity 319-319–638
11. Pikeville CB Aycock 330-320–650
12. Southern Lee 335-341–676
FINAL INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
1. Michael Muscatell, Charlotte Catholic 71-67–138
2. John T. Griffin, Wilson Fike 70-69–139
3. Drew Page, Waynesville Tuscola 69-74–143
Harold Varner, Gastonia Forestview 70-73–143
5. Alex King, Newton F.T. Foard 70-76–146
Parker Reeves, Tuscola 72-74–146
7. John Isenhour, Hickory 76-71–147
Robert Hoadley, Cameron Union Pines 75-72–147
9. Tyler Todd, Concord 73-75–148
Ryan Campbell, Pikeville CB Aycock 76-72–148
Ben Roberts, Mooresville 76-72–148
Daniel Koontz, Havelock 74-74—148
13. Dusty Roberts, Rockingham 76-73—149
Austin Hinshaw, Western Guilford 76-73—149
Hunter Brown, Waynesville Tuscola 76-73—149
