Polk golfers take second in West Regional, earn state tournament berth

The warmest day of the year didn’t cool off the play of Polk County’s boys golf team.

The Wolverines Monday earned a trip to next week’s state 2A tournament, taking second place in the 2A West Regional at Cleghorn Golf and Sports Club in Rutherfordton.

Polk County posted a team score of 323, just six shots behind regional champion Lincoln Charter. Bandys took third and the final automatic qualifying spot for the state tourney, set for Foxfire Golf Club in Pinehurst on May 9-10, with a 330.

Avery Harden’s 75 earned a tie for fourth and led the Wolverines.

“We’re playing our best golf at the right time of the year,” said Polk County head coach Pat McCool. “It was a very exhausting day. We haven’t played in the heat like we did today.

“They played like the veterans they are.”

Reilly Yoder fired a 77 for Polk, with Evan Jones carding an 85 and Casey Beiler shooting an 86. All four Polk players were part of last year’s team that advanced to the state 1A tournament.

Myles Menetre added a 95 for Polk.

West Lincoln’s Lawson Harkey and East Burke’s Samuel Mace had the low rounds of the day with a 72.

Mountain Foothills 7 Conference regular-season champion Chase finished fourth with a team score of 337, failing to qualify as a team. The Trojans did see Brock Reid qualify as an individual for the state tourney, as did Hendersonville’s Ina Wright and Steven Mills.