SALISBURY — Some people play golf for many years and never score a hole-in-one. South Rowan senior Davis Richards notched his fourth on Thursday at Corbin Hills Golf Club. That it came in the South Piedmont Conference tournament made the feat even more significant.

The ace on the 172-yard par-three second hole at Corbin Hills propelled Richards to a 2-under 70, securing for the N.C. State-bound golfer the individual tournament title as well SPC Player of the Year honors for the best overall cumulative score for the season.

Richards edged Concord junior Walker Cress by one shot for medalist honors as they were the only golfers in the field under par.

The East Rowan Mustangs cruised to the SPC team title behind juniors Nick Lyerly and Logan Shuping, both with even-par 72’s in the event. The dominant Mustangs squad posted a total 304 to outdistance South Rowan at 321 and Concord at 325.

“We have had a great season top to bottom,” East Rowan coach Rhett Teems said. “We have a good shot at winning the [NCHSAA 3A Midwest] regional and making the state tourney. In tournaments like this, it always comes down to your [Nos.] 3, 4 or 5 guys to be successful. They can make you or break you.”

The Mustangs’ cumulative stroke cumulative number was 147 shots better than runner-up South Rowan.

The top four SPC teams plus the next four individual golfers qualify for the upcoming 3A Midwest regional at Irish Creek. Following East Rowan and South Rowan were Hickory Ridge and Concord. The four individual qualifiers are the West Rowan trio of Denny Triche, Cameron Hassard and Coyte Kyles as well as Carson’s Bobby Bauer.

The spotlight was on the Raiders’ Richards. especially after he notched the ace on his 11th hole of the day. At the time he trailed Cress by one shot and was tied with Lyerly. As the other two looked on, Richards launched a 7-iron that hit the green, bounced and went in the hole. The normally stoic Davis raised his arms in triumph while Cress and Lyerly shouted and descended on their friend with back slaps and hugs.

Afterward, Richards said it was just another shot in a tough round.

“Obviously it helped me out, but I was just trying to make a good swing and hit the green,” Richards said. “The thing that impacted my round the most was the 5-footer I made for par on the first hole then I lost a ball on 11 but made birdie with my second ball for a really good bogey.”

Richards also mentioned the  tight competition between himself and Lyerly of East Rowan, not only in the tournament but all season long.

For the season Richards held a two stroke cumulative score lead over Lyerly coming into the conference tournament. He ended up taking top individual player honors by four strokes.

“I was very disappointed that I didn’t play as good as I like today,” Lyerly said. “I hit some good shots but hit too many bad shots overall. That hole in one did not impact my round but it was definitely a hard shot to follow.”

Both Lyerly and teammate Shuping feel the Mustangs are in a strong position to succeed at the next two levels in the coming weeks.

“That was our goal this year to win the conference, win the county, win the regional then see what happens in the state tourney.” Shuping said. “Anything can happen in the state tournament.”

 

SPC Tournament Team Scores

East Rowan 305

South Rowan 321

Concord 325

Carson 348

Hickory Ridge 348

West Rowan 352

Northwest Cabarrus 375

Cox Mill 391

Central Cabarrus 429

 

Individual Top 10

1. Davis Richards (SR) 70

2. Walker Cress (C) 71

T3. Nick Lyerly (ER) 72

T3. Logan Shuping (ER) 72

5. Stephen Carroll (C) 73

6. Bryson Sprinkle (ER) 77

7. Parker Chavis (SR) 78

8. Tristan McDaniel (C) 79

9. Denny Triche (WR) 82

T10. Ben Rollins (ER) 83

T10. Will Garland (ER) 83

T10. Cameron Hassard (WR) 83