The Hargrave Military Academy Varsity Golf team has won the Virginia Independent Conference (VIC) title in golf for 2005. The team ended their season by topping a field of 10 teams in the VIC Tournament, which included a decisive 38-stroke margin over first runner-up Carlisle School. The tournament was held at the Goodyear Golf Course in Danville, May 9, 2005.
“It was a privilege for me to work with such a talented, fun-loving and caring group of young men. I was so proud of the way they met the challenge. They won with class and dignity,” said Varsity Golf Coach, Richard Gifford.
Hargrave’s Stephen Boyd shot a one over par 72 but did not become the tournament medalist until he won a 5-hole ‘sudden death’ playoff. Other Hargrave golfers contributing to the victory were Brad Myers with a 77, Jacob Pryor, 79, and Ryan Short, 84. Also contributing were Clayton Moss, 90, and Walker Gladding, 91.
“As a team, we have been pointing to May 9th on our calendar as the date we wanted our play to do our talking,” said Coach Richard Gifford. “Senior captain Brad Myers and fellow senior Jacob Pryor reminded their teammates that if we were ever going to win the VIC title, that this was the year. They arose to the challenge by blowing the ten team field away with a 38 stroke advantage over the second place team.”
The Hargrave team scored lower, shooting 312 to Carlisle School’s 350. In fact, the Hargrave team shot so well that they would have still won if senior captain Brad Myers and senior Jacob Pryor didn’t show. The team still would have shot a 337. This is significant as the team looks towards next year.
Also on the team, but not playing in the tournament, were Cadets Seth Edenfield, John Mathena, and Graham Hanley. The team trains at the Cedars Country Club, just north of Chatham.
The Tigers were 14-1 overall for the regular season, dropping one away match against Carlisle School on an unfamiliar course. The match was close at four strokes. The team also set a new foursome record of 142 during the season. Regular season competition uses nine holes, instead of the full 18 as in the championship. This is Hargrave’s first VIC golf title.
Making First Team All-Conference were:
Name |
Score |
Parents |
Hometown |
Stephen Boyd |
72 |
Philip and Donna Boyd |
Danville, VA |
Brad Myers |
77 |
David and Linda Myers |
Chatham, VA |
Jacob Pryor |
79 |
Brian and Teresa Turpin |
Gretna, VA |
Ryan Short |
84 |
Richard and Betsy Short |
Emporia, VA |
Making Second Team All-Conference were:
Walker Gladding |
91 |
Roy and Brenda Gladding |
Tappahannock, VA |
Clayton Moss |
90 |
Ken and Sherry Moss |
Gretna, VA |