Raider golfers may experience growing pains this year

“We’re young, young, young,” coach Chris Smith said. “We’ve just got a lot of work to do.”

Madison County started its season March 5. So far it is 1-1 in matches and finished last in an 18-hole tournament.

Smith said the team has to improve in several areas.

“We’ve got to get a lot better in the short game and off the tee — everything pretty much all around,” he said. “The kids just don’t know what to do when they get into a bad situation.”

Madison County started the season with a victory over Oglethorpe County March 5 at Sunrise Golf Course. The Raiders shot a 195. The Patriots’ score wasn’t available.

Jacob Fleming led the team with a 47. Alex Young (48) and Wilmont (49) also broke 50.

The Raiders then finished last out of 24 teams at the Apple Mountain Invitational Saturday, shooting a 377.
Madison County placed behind three region teams — Habersham Central no. 2 (17th, 328), Habersham Central no. 1 (18th, 330) and Heritage (19th, 334).

Wilmont led Madison County with an 85, finishing 79th out of a field of 124. Zach Roden (90), Fleming (93) and Young (109) rounded out the scoring. Brody Dudley (111) also competed.

Madison County fell to Franklin County 192-195 Tuesday at Highland Walk.

Top scorers were Wilmont (43) and Matt Papp (49).

Matches with East Jackson (March 2) and Oconee County (March 3) were canceled due to the recent snowstorm. There’s no word yet if they’ll be made up.