by Bill Turner
Area high school golf opened with a bang last week as several Roanoke teams made impressive showings.
The Heritage Invitation at London Downs in Forest was the inaugural event of the season, and Cave Spring wasted little time showing they look to be a top contender in the state Group AA ranks, only a year after finishing second to Western Albemarle.
The Knights got outstanding play from their top-4 scorers to edge out AAA Mills Godwin by two shots to take the Heritage for the third time in four years.
Cave Spring was led by brother-sister combo Drew and Meagan Board, each of whom fired even-par 72s on the tough London Downs layout. Nick Brediger followed closely with a 73, with the second Cave Spring girl player, Jessie Hart, round out the Knight’s 295-total with a 78.
Salem, led by Andrew Butts’ 1-under 71, finished third as Garrett Sweeney (75), Will Chisom (75) and Austin Smith (77) kept the Spartans, the defending Heritage champions, close.
The big story came in the individual showdown when Hidden Valley 14-year-old freshman Kristin Hearp cruised around London Downs with a nifty 4-under 68.
James River’s Korey Watts, who won both the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame men’s and junior titles this summer, had to make a seven-foot putt on 18 to match Hearp’s 68 and force a playoff, before edging Hearp on the first playoff hole.
On Thursday, Salem rebounded to win the two-day Bob McLelland Metro Invitational at Blue Hills after an opening eighteen Wednesday at Hunting Hills.
The Spartans, led by the same quartet, defeated runner-up Cave Spring by 11 shots. Lord Botetourt finished third.
Watts again took the individual title with a 2-round total of 137, edging Cave Spring’s Brediger by two shots.
Roanoke Valley teams competing in the Metro also included Patrick Henry, William Fleming, Glenvar, Northside, Hidden Valley and William Byrd.
