Oak Ridge golf shows promise as postseason approaches
As the 2024 high school golf season enters its final stretch and postseason play nears, the Oak Ridge High School boys team appears to be playing some of its best golf.
On Thursday, the Wildcats hosted Bearden and Farragut at Oak Ridge Country Club, finishing second against two of the area’s top teams. With a bit of luck, Oak Ridge could have won the event on its home course.
“Our low round of the year was 148, and on Thursday, we were right there,” Wildcats Coach Scott Hinton said. “We’re starting to come together. My five scorers were all under 45, and you have to like that.”
Jack Bentz led Oak Ridge with a standout performance, shooting 4-under on the front nine with a score of 32, including an eagle on the seventh hole.
Hunter Hinton was 1-under through his first eight holes but ran into trouble on the final hole. He hit into a bunker and mistakenly played the wrong ball, incurring a penalty.
“Hunter was playing well until he hit into the bunker,” Coach Hinton said. “Then he took a penalty for hitting the wrong ball, even though it was the only one in the bunker.”
Hunter Hinton finished with a 39. Lewis Niad and Kaleb Jackson each carded a 40, while Braxton Pemberton rounded out Oak Ridge’s scoring with a 44.
Bearden won the match with a team score of 146. Oak Ridge finished at 151, and Farragut posted a 158.
In the girls’ competition, the Lady Wildcats finished third. Farragut had a team score of 80, followed by Bearden (100) and Oak Ridge (101).
Senior Kaiya Barnes shot 50 and recorded her first career birdie on the second hole.
“That was big for her,” Coach Hinton said. “It was a good day for us, and our girls are each hoping to shoot under 50.”
Lilli-Grace Langenberg finished with a 51.
