Apr 15

Apr 15 Washington wins ECC Golf Tourney held at KCC Monday

South Lenoir’s Parker White, right, and Washington’s Jackson Paul analyze putts during Monday’s ECC Championship Golf Match at Kinston Country Club. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Status quo was kept in the final match before Regionals.

Washington posted a team score of 342 to win the Eastern Carolina Conference Golf Championships Monday at Kinston Country Club. The Pam Pack won every conference meet this season on the way to a sixth consecutive title, second since joining the ECC.

“It’s a great feeling knowing the boys put in a lot of time for this,” Washington coach Jimmy Kozuch said. “They play year-round and really work hard, and this is the end result of their actions.”

Washington will be headed to Regionals and Jackson Paul helped lead Monday’s charge with a tournament-low score of 81. Paul, who will play in his third Regionals, said he was glad to garner a victory at KCC and hopes the momentum carries over next month.

“I just felt good and hit the ball well (Monday),” Paul said. “I used Thursday as a practice round to prepare myself here and in Regionals I’m going to look toward playing to my strengths — I can drive the ball well and pretty good with my irons.”

South Lenoir finished with a score of 366 to pick up second place in the tournament, qualifying for Regionals as well. Blue Devils coach Lesli Casey said the team has shown a will to compete every match.

“They come to practice every day and put in a lot of work on their own,” Casey said. “Also, this year the team has gotten more comfortable with each other and feel better prepared.”

Landon Hill led South Lenoir with a score of 86 — fourth among all golfers Monday — and said he felt good throughout the day.

“It was a beautiful day for golf,” Hill said. “It was a little windy, but I felt like the ball travelled well and I was managing out there.”

Greene Central finished third with a score of 384, led by Michael Watson’s 85, third among individual golfers. Watson said he hopes his second Regional appearance will be better than the first.

“The first time around, I pretty much blew it and had a bad round,” Watson said. “This time, I hope to start a little better and not be as nervous.”