Polk County golf team members, from left, head coach Pat McCool, Casey Beiler, Reilly Yoder, Avery Harden, Evan Jones, Myles Menetre and assistant coach Dustin Fry display the 2A West Regional runner-up plague earned Tuesday at Glen Oaks Golf Club (photo courtesy Jennifer Jones)

Wolverine golfers take second at regional, earn trip to state 2A tourney

May 9, 2023

Polk County’s boys golf team is heading back to the state 2A tournament.

The Wolverines clinched a state trip Tuesday, placing second in the 2A West Regional at Glen Oaks Golf Club in Maiden.

Polk posted a team score of 303, finishing eight strokes behind regional champion Pine Lake Prep. Bandys had a score of 308 and earned the third berth to next week’s state tournament, which begins Monday at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Pinehurst.

Reilly Yoder led Polk’s efforts Tuesday with a 71, tying for fourth individually. Avery Harden posted a 75, with Evan Jones notching a 78 and Casey Beiler carding a 79.

Ir marks the third straight season that Polk County has earned a state tournament berth.

Pine Lake Prep freshman Aiden Penhall finished with a 68 to take medalist honors. Bandys’ Atley Gabriel fired a 69, with Chase’s Brock Reid taking third with a 70. Yoder and East Gaston’s Ethan Cooper rounded out the top five with their 71s.

Newton-Conover took fourth at Tuesday’s tourney with a 330. Hendersoville placed fifth with a 337, followed by Owen (339), East Gaston (344) and Chase and Maiden (345).

Other teams qualifying for the state 2A tourmanent include:

2A Mideast: 1. Seaforth 317; 2. Raleigh Charter 345; 3. Research Triangle 349.

2A Midwest: 1. East Surry 299; 2. Forbush 318; 3. Salisbury 325.

2A East: 1. Beddingfield 336; 2. Farmville Central 344; 3. East Carteret 350.