Wildcats battle rain, tough fields in early golf tests
Oak Ridge’s Hunter Hinton follows through on an iron shot during a three-way match against Farragut and Kingston. Hinton carded a team-best 39 to pace the Wildcats. (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
“It was an interesting and difficult week. We had rain delays in both of our matches,” Hinton said. “We had a rain delay at Oak Ridge where they blew the horn after two holes, but we were able to get back out there and finish. It was a long, late evening for us.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Wildcats hosted Farragut and Kingston at Oak Ridge Country Club and finished third in the three-way match. Farragut won with a team score of 153, followed by Kingston (160) and Oak Ridge (163).
Hunter Hinton led the Wildcats with a 39. Billy Bennett carded a 40, Kaleb Jackson had a 41 and Braxton Pemberton rounded out the team scoring with a 43. Ethan Hatmaker shot 44 but did not factor into the scoring.
Two days later at Tennessee National in Loudon, Oak Ridge struggled against Christian Academy of Knoxville and Maryville. Bennett and Hunter Hinton each posted a 40, Pemberton shot 44 and Jackson finished with 45.
“We played terrible,” Coach Hinton said. “Nobody even broke 40. We’re not playing our best golf right now, and that’s okay. You don’t want to be playing your best golf yet. We’ve got five weeks left in the season and some pivotal matches this week and moving forward. We’re going to be mixing up our lineup this week.”
The Wildcats had matches Monday and Tuesday, but results were not available at press time. Oak Ridge will host Clinton, Anderson County and Campbell County on Thursday at Oak Ridge Country Club.
