The James River golf team opens play this week with high hopes for a good season. Coach Donna Cox returns a lineup with talent and experience.
The Knights were scheduled to open on Monday with a Three Rivers match at Olde Mill Golf Club, hosted by Carroll County, but that was rained out. Results of Tuesday’s Botetourt Metro at the Botetourt Golf & Swim Club were too late for publication, and on Thursday the Knights will be at the Forest Park Country Club for a match hosted by Martinsville High School.
River has a strong lineup led by returning seniors Landon Bolling and Mason Gilliland. Bolling was the Region 2C Player of the Year last season, shooting a 70 for medalist honors in the region tournament. Gilliland had the second best score with a 71 in the region tourney as River qualified for the state tournament. Gilliland then went on to earn first team all-state honors and Bolling was second team all-state.
“These two are strong players and I look for them to finish at the top in the district,” said Cox. “I’m very excited to get the golf season underway, we have a strong lineup returning.”
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Sitting in the number three spot will most likely be rising sophomore Braden Persinger. Braden has spent the summer working on his game and playing in some various tournaments. Returning players Cam Saunders and Trenton Taylor should be competitive this year and rounding out the top six is returning player Mason Francis.
“Not only do we have these six strong players, we have several younger players who will be competing for one of those starting spots,” said Cox. “Rising sophomore Charlie Tingler will be pushing for a starting spot as well as Tucker Hall.”
River has several golfers who will make up the JV program this year. The JV team will be led by eighth grader Everett Hash, who recently placed third in the Drive, Chip & Putt Contest that was held at Birdwood in Charlottesville.
Next week the Knights continue a busy early season schedule. They’re at Great Oaks on Monday for a match hosted by Floyd County and a day later, on August 11, they’re at Hobbs Hole to play Rappahannock High. Then the Knights host a match at the Botetourt Golf & Swim Club on Thursday, August 13 at 1 p.m.
