RHS golf looking to advance
By Randy Seal
For the FCT
The Russellville boys’ golf team beat Muscle Shoals in the team’s last regular season meet at Twin Pines County Club on April 22.
Russellville shot a team score of 149, which was 10 points under Muscle Shoals’ score of 159.
The RHS boys’ team was led by Eli Hodges, Luke Bendall and Blake Bendall, who shot a 37 (+1) on the back nine at Twin Pines.
Russellville Senior Aaron Jackson played his last high school match at Twin Pines and capped it off with a 2 over par (38).
“I’m glad to see Aaron go out on a good note,” coach Jason Haithcock said.
“I know he would have liked to have been under par in his last match at Twin Pines. The day before he shot -3 on the front and I threw everybody a curveball by playing the back.
“We have had so many matches get cancelled that I wanted the guys to play a match on a different nine holes. Aaron will be deeply missed but I feel that we will see him playing again next year on a college team.”
The boys’ team will compete in the section tournament.
“We will have to finish as one of the top four teams to advance to sub state,” Haithcock said.
“Each team at sectionals will be very good and we will have to play a near flawless round to advance. These next couple of weeks, we can’t have any let downs.”
Russellville’s girls finished 2nd in the tri-match with a score of 154. They were led by Morgan Moon’s 47, Ashton Moore’s 51 and Carley Grace McCalphin’s 51.
“I am so proud of this girls’ team for what they have accomplished this year,” Haithcock said.
“They didn’t get that first win in RHS history but they finished 2nd and 3rd in several multi team matches. They competed and got better each week. They are lacking consistency, which is understandable at their age. That will change soon enough.
“There is no doubt in my mind that in two years these girls will be competing at the state level if they continue to work hard and grow together as a team.”
The girls’ team will also compete in the section tournament set for Tuesday at Twin Pines.
“We will be one of 14 teams competing for the four spots to qualify for sub state,” Haithcock said. “The main thing that I want for this group is for them to get the playing experience under their belt and know what to expect next year and how much they really need to improve to qualify next year.
“Anything can happen at the golf course on any given day, so who knows? These young ladies just might surprise us.”
