BE golfers repeat as Class AAA state champs
Wind, extremely difficult greens and inexperience. The Bishop England High School boys’ golf team overcame all three – and Chesnee – to repeat as the Class AAA state champs.
The Bishops shifted into gear after a slow start on the first day of the tournament, which was held May 13-14 in Camden, and finished with an exclamation point to capture its second straight title and eighth overall. John Greavu and Jeff Burton took over as coaches nine years ago and have led the Bishops to five state titles and three second-place finishes during their tenure.
Chesnee led Bishop England 312-314 after the first day on the par 70, 6,350-yard course, which opened in 1899 and was redesigned in the late 1920s by the renowned golf course designer/architect, Donald Ross.
But the Bishops shaved 16 strokes off their first day total to win going away, 15 shots better than Chesnee. Woodruff claimed third place with a score of 628 and Camden was fourth with 646.
“I think our boys grew up a little after that first day,” Burton said. “Chesnee had a lot of experience, four seniors. And we were very young. We had a nice chat after that first day. We grew up a bit.”
The Bishops found the conditions tough the first day, including strong breezes that dried out the course. The greens were extremely difficult as well.
“You have to hit them and hold them,” Burton said. “If you don’t, you are in trouble.”
Burton is one half of the Bishops’ dynamic duo of coaches. Greavu is still part of the program, but took time off on weekends this spring to watch his son, Christian, play lacrosse in college. Both coaches were present and accounted for at the state match.
Camden sophomore Wills Kelly was the medalist. He fired a 3-under par 67 on the second day to finish with a 141 on his home course.
Austin Scott led the Bishops with a two-day total of 148, which was good for a tie for fourth place. He carded a 77 on the first day, but cut six strokes off his score on the second day.
Ethan Bluhm did not play the first day. But Burton moved him into the No. 3 spot and he finished in a tie for eighth place, 11 over par. J.J. Keane tied for 11th with a two-day total of 153, 13 over par. Luke Walmet tied for 13th at 14 over.
“We really held our own,” Burton said. “We were two-over as a team on the back 9, which is really good. It’s really good to see the guys respond to a challenge.”
Hanahan placed 15th in the Class AAA match, which featured 16 teams. The Hawks tallied a 751.
In Class AA, Christ Church was crowned state champs with a score of 614 in a two-day event that was played at Mount Vintage Golf Club in North Augusta. Philip Simmons finished 10th out of 11 teams with a score of 774.