Turner Edwards '22 - Finalist for 2021 USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award

 Turner Edwards '22 has been selected as a finalist for the 2021 USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award. The USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award was created to recognize one male and one female junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the Leadership Links program – a joint initiative founded by the USGA and AJGA in 2005 to further develop junior golfers through volunteerism.

Fall 2021 wrap-up

Seventeen golfers participated in the fall 2021 season, including veterans Coops Cooper '22, Turner Edwards '22, Bennett Perry '22, Winslow Newton '22, William Andrews '23, Logan McNabb '23, Graham Roberts '23, Griffin Warlow '23, Will Brown '24, and Christopher Nabors '24. Newcomers Will Reid '23, Tristan Hays '23, Wyatt Rankin '23, Hunter Hueman '24, Gray Smith '24, Wells Warke '24, and Mack Edwards '25.

The Tigers had one match, October 9, vs. Mercersburg, which allowed Coach Hogan to see most of the new players in competition.Woodberry came out on the short end 18.5-9.5. The margin of victory did not accurately describe the closeness of the matches.

Griffin Warlow and William Andrews played the Mercersburg #1 & #2. Both lost their singles matches and the fourball match. Score: WFS 0 Mercersburg 7

At #3, Graham Roberts won all three points in his singles match. Playing #4, Will Reid also captured a point but the duo lost their 18-hole fourball match to the Mercersburg #3 & #4. 

Score: WFS 4 Mercersburg 3

At #5, Gray Smith won 2.5 points in his singles match. Partner #6 Wells Warke won 0.5 points and the fourth formers lost the  fourball. 

Score: WFS 3 Mercersburg 4

Finally, #8 Wyatt Rankin won 2.5 points in his singles match, while partner #7 Tristan Hays was shut out in his match. The fifth formers lost their fourball. 

Score: WFS 2.5 Mercersburg 4.5

On the weekend of November 6-7, six Tiger golfers participated in the 2021 Michael Breed Junior Invitational at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian. Will Brown '24 (second from right) finished second in the Freshman/Sophomore High School division with rounds of 76-75 on the 6,619-yard, par 72 track. As you can see from the picture, the conditions were challenging.

(photo courtesy of the College Prep Golf Tour)

Turner Edwards shot 76-78 (+10) to finish t14th in the Junior/ Senior HS division. Coops Cooper finished t21 with rounds of 76-80, and Logan McNabb finished t44. Bennett Perry and Winslow Newton were unable to complete their tournament play because of injury. 

Finally, Bob Hudson '73 once again hosted the group on Tuesday, October 26, for a day of golf at the Country Club of Culpeper. The golfers thank Bob for his generosity and hospitality. The windy conditions  provide a good test.

Bob Hudson '73 welcomes the group.

Mack Edwards '25, Captain Turner Edwards '22, and our host Bob Hudson '73.
 

Coach Hogan earns spot in 108th VSGA Amateur championship

Coach Marc Hogan shot an even par 72 at the Old Trail GC in Crozet to earn one of four available spots in the 108th Virginia State Golf Association's Amateur championship the Country Club of Petersburg, June 28-July 2. The 7,077 yard Donald Ross track is hosting for the second time.

Hogan is one of seven senior golfers (50 and over) who made the field of 120, which features 29 current collegians and other prominent VSGA title holders.

Follow Coach Hogan here.

2021 Season: VISAA tournament

 

It was a day for the history books, but the record will show history being unkind to the Tigers' aspirations to win a third consecutive VISAA golf title. Despite shooting a season record-low score of 286 (-2), Woodberry came up short by two strokes to Collegiate. Woodberry held the previous record low score of 293, in the 2018 VISAA championship. It is the first time in program history that the Tigers lost a golf match while shooting under par.

Benny Haggin concludes his Woodberry career by firing a 66 (-6) to earn co-medalists honors with Tatum Walsh of St. Catherine's. It is a record low 18-hole score to par, as well as the lowest score by a Woodberry golfer since 2002--Chris Brown, 65 (-5) here at Woodberry Forest during the first round of the Prep League tournament. Benny's first-place finish also earns him his third All-State honors, the fourth Tiger golfer to accomplish this feat.

Benny becomes the first Woodberry golfer to average under par--34.86, a new record. He also sets a new career scoring average mark of 36.27, bettering Ted Haley's (1993-95) previous record of 36.62.

Will Brown concludes his first season with a -1 round of 71 to earn All-State honors. Will finishes with the second-lowest third form scoring average (37.72) in program history to Benny Haggin's 2018 mark of 37.56.

Turner Edwards got off to a slow start but steadied himself to card a +1 round of 73 (t11th). Turner ends the season with a scoring average of 36.64, the 14th best among all Woodberry golfers.

Finally, the 2021 golf team of Benny Haggin, John Tandberg, Coops Cooper, Turner Edwards, Bennett Perry, and Will Brown sets the record for the lowest match scoring average for the top six: 37.40, eclipsing the mark of 37.41 set by the undefeated 2002 team.

Please congratulate all these fine young men on a terrific year.

2021 Season: VPL Tournament

 

The Tigers played well today at the 45th VPL Golf Championship at the 6600-yard, par 72-layout at the Old Trail GC in Crozet. Woodberry Forest was seeking its 32nd Prep League title.

Woodberry's team score of 292 (+4) was tied by Collegiate. The first tiebreaker uses the fifth score, so Collegiate edged Woodberry 77-78. It is the Cougars' fourth Prep League title, their first since 2007. It's only the second time in Prep League history that a team other than Woodberry has scored this low--St. Christopher's (285) in 2018.

Congratulations to Captain Benny Haggin, who fired a (-3) 69 to earn his second VPL Player of the Year award, the 23rd time a Woodberry Forest golfer has done so. Benny's round included six birdies. 

 

Turner Edwards overcame a rough start to shoot a (+2) 74, equaled by teammate Will Brown, whose heroic birdie on the 18th hole secured the tie. Both Turner and Will earned all-Prep honors by finishing in the top 10. 

 

Coops Cooper rounded out the scoring with a  (+3) 75. Bennett Perry (+6) 78 and John Tandberg (+7) 79 also competed.

The Tigers have been invited to the VISAA golf championship in Williamsburg on Monday, May 17, where they are the defending champions.

Thanks to the parents who came out today to support the team.

2021 Season: Match report 9

 

The Tigers traveled south of the James River to play at Salisbury Country Club versus the Trinity Episcopal Titans. Even though Woodberry's solid play continues, the Tigers came up on the short end of a 145-149 score, thanks to a record -5 under 31 by Garrett Kuhla from Trinity Episcopal. 

 

Turner Edwards's 35 (-1) led the Tigers, followed by a trio of 38's (+2) from Bennett Perry, Coops Cooper, and Will Brown. Benny Haggin and John Tandberg fired 39's.

 

It is only the fourth time since 1986 that a Woodberry team score of 150 or less wasn't enough to win the match.

• April 16, 2002 - Woodberry Forest 149, Collegiate 146. WFS GC
• March 30, 2008 -- Woodberry Forest 149, Collegiate 145, WFS GC
• May 8, 2018 -- Woodberry Forest 138, St. Christopher's 133, CCV-Westhampton

The Tigers fall to 9-2.

2021 Season: Match report 8

 Returning home to play on back-to-back days, the Tigers looked none the worse for wear. Turner Edwards fired a -1 round of 34 to lead Woodberry to a comfortable 140-180 victory of arch-rival Episcopal High School. Again Coach Hastie filed the match report.

On the A squad Turner Edwards shot the lowest round of 34, followed by Benny Haggin and Coops Cooper who both shot a 35, Bennett Perry with a 36, John Tandberg with a 37, and Will Brown with a 42. The score was 140 (WSF) to 180 (EHS).

As for the B squad, Logan McNabb clinched the low score of 38, followed by Graham Roberts and Chris Nabors at 39, Meade Seay at 41,Thomas Mills at 42, and William Andrews who also shot a 42. The score was 157 (WFS) to 225 (EHS).

Excellent playing out there today!

With the win, Woodberry improves to 9-1 on the season. The even par 140 match score is the second time the Tigers have done so this year and the sixth time they have had a match score in the 140's, a new school record.

Saturday's match also marked the final home match for the Varsity A. Coach Hogan published the following tributes before the match to the golfers in the class of 2021.

 

Thomas Mills - Thomas made the varsity in 2019 as a fourth former and played in two matches. Today, Thomas makes his 2021 debut.

Meade Seay - As a third-former and fourth former, Meade participated in nearly every JV match. In 2019, Meade played in two varsity matches, earning his first letter. Meade has played in two matches in 2021.

John Tandberg - In 2019, John made the JV team and played in three matches. He qualified for one varsity match and earned a letter.  In 2021, John has played in every match and has a scoring average of 38.64

Benny Haggin -Benny played in all 13 varsity matches his third-form year. He was medalist twice, shooting 34 (-1) at home against St. Chris, and 33 (-2) again at home vs. Benedictine. He earned the All-State honors with a round of 74 (+2) as part of the 2018 championship team. In 2019, Benny led the team in scoring with a 36.38 scoring average and had a round of 32 (-3) against Trinity Episcopal at home. He shot 72 (E) at the VPL championship to win the Prep League's individual title. Benny's 74 (+2) at the state championship earned him his second All-State honors.

As captain of this year's squad, Benny has been the medalist in four of the seven events played. He has lowered his scoring average to 34.57, the first Woodberry Forest golfer to have a match scoring average under par.

2021 Season: Match report 7

Looking to redeem themselves after the first loss of the season, the Tigers traveled to Hermitage Country Club to play Collegiate in a rare 18-hole event. Coach Hogan was away from campus attending his daughter's college graduation, so Coach Hastie took the reigns and filed this report:

With wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour, the course proved to be a challenging opponent. But nothing is too challenging for our players. Benny Haggin had a 74, followed by Turner Edwards who shot a respectable 75, John Tandberg with a 77, Coops Cooper at a 78, Bennett Perry with 84, and Meade Seay with a 90. 

Woodberry came away with an impressive 304-321 victory over the Cougars. The win improved the Tigers record to 8-1

2021 Season: Match report 6

Woodberry Forest traveled to Richmond to play the always tough CCV-Westhampton course against St. Christopher’s. The Tigers came out of the short end 143-150. It is the team’s first match loss this year. 

Benny Haggin was low for Woodberry with a one-over-par 35, followed by Bennett Perry (37), and Meade Seay and Coops Cooper (39). Turner Edwards (40) and John Tandberg (41) also played. 

2021 Season: Match report 5

 

Playing under windy conditions against two of the best golf teams in the state, the Tigers shot an impressive even par 140 to edge Collegiate (146) and Trinity Episcopal (155). Senior Benny Haggin continued his good form, earning medalist honors again with a -2 round of 33. Junior Turner Edwards fired a -1 round of 34, while classmates Coops Cooper  +1 36 and Bennett Perry ( +2, 37) completed the Tigers' scoring. Will Brown (39) and John Tandberg (41) also played.

With the wins, Woodberry improves its record to 7-0, its best start since 2012 (8-0). The fifth match score in the 140's ties the season record set by the 2007 Tigers, who went on to finish 3rd in the Prep League.

2021 Season: Match report 4

 

Playing in cool, windy conditions today, the Tiger golfers scored two impressive wins. The varsity group improved to 5-0 with a 148-186 win over St. Anne's-Belfield School.

For the third time this season, senior Benny Haggin was medalist, carding a -1 round of 34. Fifth former Turner Edwards fired a +2 round of 37, while third former Will Brown overcame two early double bogeys to post a +3 38. Senior John Tandberg completed the Tigers' team score with a +4 39. Fifth formers Bennett Perry (40) and Coops Cooper (42) also played in the match.

The Tigers have now scored in the 140's in all four matches this spring, one off the season record held by the 2007 Woodberry team.

The JV golfers cruised past Fork Union Military Academy, 162-216. Fourth formers William Andrews and Graham Roberts shared medalist honors with 39's. Classmate Logan McNabb (41) and third former Chris Nabors (43) completed the scoring. Third former Jack Wilson (44) and fourth former Griffin Warlow (46) also played in the match.

2021 season: Match report 3

 

The Tigers fielded two golf teams in today's match vs. Benedictine College Preparatory and Veritas School. The A team shot 143 (+3) to gain two wins over the visitors, while the B squad (167) finished with a win over Benedictine (182) but a loss at the hand of Veritas (158), the reigning VISAA Division III champion.

Senior Benny Haggin fired a -2 round of 33 to lead the way for the varsity A group, followed by Turner Edwards (+1, 36), and a trio of +2 rounds of 37--Will Brown, Coops Cooper, and Bennett Perry. John Tandberg fired a +4 39 to complete the Woodberry squad.

Woodberry's third team score in the 140's already matches the season total by the 2019 VISAA and VPL championship team. The 2007 Woodberry Forest team holds the record with five match scores in the 140's.

William Andrews shot 39 to lead the varsity B group, followed by Chris Nabors (41), Jack Wilson (43), and Graham Roberts (44). Logan McNabb (47) and Griffin Warlow (48) also competed.

2021 Season: Match report 2

 

The Tigers continued their good form in today's match. Third former Will Brown fired a two-under-par round of 33 to lead Woodberry Forest to an easy 141-199 win over Blue Ridge. Senior John Tandberg shot an even-par 35. Turner Edwards overcame a slow start to shoot a 36, while Bennett Perry and captain Benny Haggin each had 37's. Coops Cooper completed the Tiger squad with a 39.

Today's one-over-par 141 team score equaled the April 24, 2018 match score vs. Trinity Episcopal. The record for a nine-hole team score is 137, vs. St. Christopher's, in 2016.

2021 Season: Season Opener vs. St. Christopher's

The Tigers took on St. Christopher's to open the 2021 campaign and came away victorious, 146-157. Senior Benny Haggin was the medalist with a -2 round of 33. Coops Cooper fired a one-over-par 36, and senior John Tandberg carded a 37. Turner Edwards and Will Brown both shot 40. Bennett Perry also played and shot 44.

The JV golfers traveled to Richmond Country Club to play the Saints' JV. Fourth former William Andrews shot an even-par 36 to lead the Tigers to a 161-169 victory. Classmate Logan McNabb (39), third former Chris Nabors (41), and fourth former Griffin Warlow (45) completed out Woodberry's team score. Also playing were Graham Roberts (46) and Gray Smith (49).