The Viking trio of Chase Watson, Ethan Buchanan, and Shea Buchanan took to the course in hopes of qualifying for the state championships May 10 and 11 at Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines.
Watson, the team captain, was stellar in his round on a damp and breezy course. The senior carded a 77, the third-lowest round of the day, to move on to state competition.
The lowest round of the day was a 68 shot by Highland Tech’s Greg Bunner (the 1A state individual champion last year), while Mitchell senior standout Thomas Buchanan fired a 74 for the second-lowest round to earn a spot in the state tournament. Buchanan and his teammates fired a combined score of 343 to qualify as a team for the state championships. The Mountaineers, in addition to Lake Norman Charter and Highland Tech, will represent the 1A West as teams in next week’s state championship round.
In addition to Watson for the Big Red, teammate Shea Buchanan, the youngest of the trio of Avery golfers, shot 86 for the round, while Ethan Buchanan carded a 97 for the 18-hole round.
“The conditions were tough. The fairways were wet and there was lots of rain,” Avery golf coach Boe Barinowski said after the tournament. “All three of our golfers fought to the last shot on the 18th hole and finished strong.”
Despite the distance from home, the Avery players received a great deal of support from family and friends as they strived to earn a coveted spot at Longleaf.
“There was a good deal of family supporting the players today,” Barinowski stated. “They were there rooting for all the players, and there was even representation from Mountain Glen who came to support the kids. We’re grateful to both the families and to Mountain Glen for their support this season.”
Best of luck to Chase in next week’s state championships!
