MIDLOTHIAN –– Woodberry Forest School shot a final round best score of 17-over 305 to post a 10-stroke wire-to-wire victory as the Virginia Preparatory League Championship concluded today at Independence Golf Club (6,677 yards, par 36-36—72).
The upperclassmen-laden Tigers team received three rounds of 77 or better in the final round to conclude the event at 31-over 607. Four of the best six scores count toward a team’s aggregate. Richmond-based Collegiate School returned a closing day score of 308 to place second (41-over 617). Central Virginia’s’ St. Christopher’s School was third (48-over 624).
With the triumph, Woodberry Forest claimed its record 23rd Prep League Championship and first since 2010. The event was initiated in 1975. The Tigers were represented by four seniors at the event of the nine on the team.
For coach Marc Hogan, the emotion of sending the seniors out with a Prep League title was felt when the event concluded.
“We have nine seniors and four here … it’s a great group,” said Hogan, his voice cracking for a moment.
“It never gets old and it never gets easier,” Hogan added. “There’s a lot of good golf in the Prep League now and am really excited to see that because it’s great for the league. It’s always good to have a lot of competition, because it brings out the best in the kids.”
Junior Timothy Walter (Silver Spring, Md.) led the way for Woodberry Forest, firing a final round team-best 2-over 74 to finish at 6-over 150. Walter birdied two of the final four holes, played that stretch in one under and finished his round by holing a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-4 18th. Senior Tyler Grills had 77 to record the Tigers’ second-best score (9-over 153).
Meanwhile, Senior Jack Dalrymple of Pinehurst, N.C., (76) and junior William Knibbs of Kingston, Jamaica (78) responded with scores for the Tigers in the final round after shooting in the 80s and not having their totals count on day one.
“They were the first two guys out today and set a good pace,” Hogan said.
Four Woodberry Forest competitors claimed All-Prep League accolades, an honor awarded to players who finish in the top-10 individually in Walter, senior Bennett DuPont of Darien, Conn. (opening round 74 for a 9-over 153 aggregate), Grills and Dalrymple (12-over 156).
“That’s a goal we have every year – have as many guys as we can on All-Prep,”
Hogan said. “The kids worked really hard and it paid off.”
For the Tigers, Walter, duPont and senior Hardsion of Charlotte, N.C. (first round 74), earned their second Prep League title, having been a part of the title-winning team two years ago.
“All the seniors played great all year,” Grills said. “When one person didn’t play well, someone would come up from the back and shoot a good number. We were a deep team all year and that’s how we played.”
Richmonder Wade Hayes, 16, paced Collegiate School (74, 2-over 146). Fellow Richmond resident Adam Ball, 17, a junior at St. Christopher’ School, the event’s 2011 champions, earned individual medalist honors with a 6-under 138 (68-70) aggregate.
“It’s definitely a look in the right direction,” said Ball, the 2011 VSGA Junior Boy of the Year. “Today was a good day, but there’s still more work to do. It was just solid golf.”
Woodberry Forest and the attention of the top eight teams in Division I (maximum 250 students) now turns to next Monday’s Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk.
“We definitely thought we had a great chance because we’re an experienced team. Everyone played well both days and I’m really happy that we won,” Walter said. “We want to win [the state tournament] next week. We want to be state champs, too.”
MIDLOTHIAN –– Results following the final round of the Virginia Preparatory League Championship on Tuesday, May 15 at Independence Golf Club (6,677 yards, par 36-36—72). The best four of six scores count toward the team’s aggregate.
Woodberry Forest School: 302-305—607
Timothy Walter, 76-74—150; Tyler Grills; 76-77—153; Bennett duPont, 74-79—153; Jack Dalrymple, 80-76—156; Shep Hardison, 76-81—157; William Knibbs, 83-78—161
Collegiate School: 309-308—617
Wade Hayes, 72-74—146; Alex Thompson, 78-74—152; Joe Keiger, 78-81—159; Rives Fleming, 84-79—163; Matt Hourigan, 81-87—168; Sam Stein, 89-85—174
St. Christopher’s School: 307-317—624
Adam Ball, 68-70—138; Jordan Chalkley, 79-83—162; Austin Fockler, 84-79—163; Trey Romig, 78-85—163; Sutton White, 82-86—168; Clark Asplundh, 83-88—171
St. Anne’s Belfield School: 314-320—634
Fitz Woodrow, 71-80—151; Drew McDonough, 75-77—152; Ian Buchanan, 76-81—157; Taylor Ratliff, 92-82—174; Joe Upchurch, 98-113—211
Individuals:
Chris Kapsak (Trinity Episcopal School), 76-76—152
Johno Burke (Trinity Episcopal School), 87-80—167
Grant Gonzalez (Trinity Episcopal School), 89-80—169
