Price makes Group AA tournament

AMHERST — Robert E. Lee’s Tommy Price will be the lone Southern Valley representative at next week’s Group AA golf tournament at Williamsburg National Golf Club. The senior shot a seven-over 78 at the Region III tournament at Winton Country Club on Monday, earning him the final qualifying spot on a day that saw the Lee team’s season end.

“It really wasn’t very good, but it was good enough,” a relieved Price said of his score after learning that it would be good enough to move him on to Williamsburg. “I am glad to be going on, I wasn’t so sure there for a while.”

Price began the day playing some solid golf as he fired a one-over 36 on the front nine. He started the back side with a par on the tenth before running into trouble.

“On holes 11, 12 and 13 I just lost my swing there for a little bit. I’m not sure what it was, but the mistakes compounded and I was in some real trouble. I was seven-over and it came on those holes.”

Price was able to regain his composure and also regain the good round he had going.

“I was able to find it again on 14th and I played well down the stretch,” Price said. “I made two birdies on the last couple of holes that really helped out.”

Fort Defiance’s Robert Hanna, the Southern Valley District Player of the Year, could have used one of those birdies as his 79 left him on the outside looking in.

“I just couldn’t catch a break out there today. I didn’t make any birdies and just couldn’t really get it going today,” Hanna said.

“Robert is a tremendous player and has had a terrific year,” Fort golf coach Judy Bonin said. “He fought hard for that 79, but it just wasn’t his day.”

Hanna’s teammate, junior Shawn Meadows shot an 83, while Waynesboro golfer’s Benji Smith and Brennan Lloyd shot 83 and 86, respectively .

Waynesboro coach Charlie Cox was proud of both of his players.

“Benji has really brought his game to a focus this year. He has worked really hard and it showed today,” Cox said. “I am extremely proud of him.”

Cox was also very pleased with the effort freshman Brennan Lloyd who shot a two-over par 38 on his last nine to rebound after a slow start.

“Brennan really settled down and played well today after some trouble early. He has a great swing and will benefit a lot from this experience today.”

Lloyd echoed those sentiments himself.

“I definitely learned a lot today. I learned that a round is never over. I mean I took an eleven on a hole and was able to come back and shot two-over on my final nine.”

Lord Boutetourt won the team title with a 308, while Jefferson Forrest shot 314 to finish second. Robert E. Lee shot 339 lead by Price’s 78. Travis Dull shot 83 and Chandler Marshall shot 87, while Josh Wood and Evan Lindermon both carded a 91.