Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Auburn High School golf coach Jeff Gandee knows his team will have a bull’s eyes on their back as they enter this season. As the defending Class 1 state and regional champion, he’s feeling the heat from other teams wanting to grab the same golden ring the Eagles did last fall.
“I believe we are a huge underdog once again this season to win it again. Lighting struck once but can it happen again? We shall see the end of September,” he said.
The bull’s eye is plainly on the Eagles. Gandee said everyone will be out to get them.
“We will have to put in the time and effort to get better if we want any chance on making to states once again,” he said.
The team returns its entire squad from last year’s state championship. Carter Vance was the medalist and state individual champion, shooting a 139. Auburn finished 27 strokes of Rappahannock. Jenzten Gore finished in sixth place after shooting a 141.
Vance and Gore will again carry this team on their shoulders but could see some help from Austin Kirtner, who shot an 84 in the regional win.
“Carter, Jentzen and Austin (top three players and all seniors) will have to step up and show leadership once again,” Gandee said.
The key in pushing for the state win last year was the elimination of the Eagle’s toughest opponent, George Wythe, in regional play. Gandee said they will again be tough to contend with this season.
“George Wythe will have a better team than us good team top to bottom, but we all know, anything can happen on any given day. Their top six players can break 80 so they will be tough to handle. Galax will be tough as well,” the coach said.
Auburn finished in four place at Friday’s Woodford High School Classic held at the Wytheville Golf Club. George Wythe took the top finish with a 276, while Abingdon was second shooting a 282. Union was third with a 304 and Auburn followed with a 318. Galax was fifth and Radford sixth.
Vance shot a 73 to lead the Auburn contingent with Slater Linkous shooting a 75 and Kirtner a 78.
