Oak Ridge golf teams show resilience in recent matches
Oak Ridge High School had a busy week on the golf course.
The boys’ team finished third in a district match Thursday at Green Meadow in Blount County. Despite facing hot temperatures, the Wildcats persevered on the Rebels’ home course.
“When we got there, it was 100 degrees,” Oak Ridge coach Scott Hinton said. “I thought we might do better. It was one of those days for us. Maryville had a guy shoot 32 and another guy shoot 35.”
Maryville won the event with a team score of 137, followed by Bearden (152), Oak Ridge (157), and William Blount (171).
Jack Bentz and Hunter Hinton both carded a 37 for Oak Ridge. Lewis Niad recorded a 38. Braxton Pemberton shot a 45, and Ethan Hatmaker had a 46 that did not factor into the Wildcats’ final team score.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Wildcats posted their best round of the season, finishing second to Powell’s First Baptist Academy at Oak Ridge Country Club. On the par-36 front nine, the Eagles had a team score of 146. Oak Ridge shot a combined 148, while Knoxville West finished with 156.
Bentz was 2-under, firing a 34. Niad finished at even par, Hunter Hinton posted a 38, Pemberton had a career-best 40, and Hatmaker shot a 47.
“Bentz was the low medalist,” Hinton said. “FBA is a good private school team, and we hung right with them. We were right there. This was the best round we’ve had all year. Our goal is to shoot below 150 as a team, and we achieved that. We really played well.”
On Monday, Aug. 26, the Wildcats were short-handed and finished third against Anderson County and Knoxville Halls. The Mavericks had a team score of 167, the Red Devils finished at 177, and the Wildcats shot 192. Pemberton led with a 46, followed by Kaleb Jackson with a 47.
The Lady Wildcats also finished third in their district match Thursday. The Lady Governors won with a team score of 75, followed by Maryville (76), Oak Ridge (104), and Bearden (105).
Lilli-Grace Langenberg shot a 51, and Kaiya Barnes finished with a 53.
Oak Ridge placed second in the match on Tuesday, Aug. 27. West won with a team score of 77, Oak Ridge finished at 106, and First Baptist had a round
of 109. Barnes and
Langenberg both shot 53.