By Joe Skaggs
Sports Writer
NCOE Golfers closed out the season with matches at Fairfield and Carmi. On Monday evening the Cardinals traveled to Fairfield to play in a match with the Mules and the Cardinals from Woodlawn. Fairfield took the honors of the evening with a team score of 157. The NCOE Cardinals took the second slot with a 179 and the team from Woodlawn carded a 186.
Brandon Skaggs tied with Fairfield’s Stewart for match medalist honors by carding a one over par 36 for the evening. Austin Brinkley scored a 46. Joe Melton came in at 47 and Jack Riggs with a 50 for the Cardinal scoring. Ty Money shot a 55 and Gavin Dauby a 56. The lone female for NCOE, Riley Price carded a 61.
On Tuesday evening the Cardinals traveled to Carmi to face the Bulldogs and the Foxes from Mcleansboro. Carmi lead the way with a team score of 162, just nine strokes better than the Foxes. NCOE had a tough evening with a 194. Jack Riggs tied his lowest score of the season with a 43, followed by Brandon Skaggs with a 44. Ty Money came in with a 52, followed by Austin Brinkley with a 55, Gavin Dauby with a 57, and Joe Melton had a tough evening with a 61. Riley Price came in with a 66.
The NCOE boys travel to West Frankfort for the IHSA Regional match on Tuesday and Riley Price travels to Mt. Carmel on Wednesday for the IHSA Girls Regional.
Coach Skaggs wants to praise his team for the hard work they have put in this season. With only three returning player and five rookies, the team has done well finishing 5 and 15. This record is not indicative of how well the golfers have performed. They split with Hardin County two and two, and with Goreville, one and one, and the one win over Woodlawn. Their losses to Carmi, Hamilton County, Eldorado, Fairfield, and Marion, Kentucky were to excellent teams with some very talented golfers. The Cardinals wish to congratulate the Hamilton County Foxes on their Black Diamond Conference championship win.