Eagle golf team takes 7th in state

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 3, 2007

Playing in two of the hottest days so far this year, the Fort Dale Academy golf team finished seventh with a 704 Tuesday to wrap up the two-day AISA State Tournament at Cambrian Ridge.

The Eagles finished the first day in sixth place but fell to seventh after the Hooper Colts posted a 343 in the final round to take sixth.

&#8220Overall, we didn't play too bad,” Fort Dale head coach Reggie Mantooth said. &#8220We just blew up on holes that hurt us.”

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Pike Liberal forced a playoff with Lee-Scott on the final day with Lee-Scott taking the victory.

For the Eagles, Ben Bates shot the low round both days with an 84-84-168, Davis Watts shot an 87-86-173, Sanders Hancock shot an 85-95-180, Cam Norman shot a 94-90-184 and Shanks Simmons shot a 95-94-189.

&#8220Ben was our most consistent player,” Mantooth said.

Although he felt he played well overall, Bates said one hole, the first hole, made the difference in his final round.

&#8220I shot an eight on the first hole and still shot a 42,” Bates said. &#8220If I had just (made bogey), I would have shot a 39.”

Playing on a course familiar to the Eagles helped some, according to Mantooth, but he added Cambrian Ridge is always as tough as it gets.

&#8220It was a tough course,” Mantooth said. &#8220And walking it made it really tough.”

The Eagles shot a first-day total of 350 and a final round of 354.

&#8220It was a good experience for them,” Mantooth said of his team that is made up of all underclassmen. &#8220They'll all be better for playing in (the state tournament) this year and more mature.”