Golf event links private, public schools

Ravenscroft's Day, Green Hope win

DURHAM -- Ravenscroft freshman Wilson Day was glad he took a spin around Treyburn Country Club last week.

Day learned enough in his first visit to the course to shoot a 2-under-par 70 on Monday in his second go-around and walk away with medalist honors at the N.C. Boys' High School Invitational.

Green Hope, which tallied a team score of 299, repeated as champions.

"It's great to see your name on the trophy two years in a row," Green Hope coach David Allen said.

The tournament, in its second year, is a rare meeting of the top programs and individuals at public and private schools.

Green Hope senior Marcus Lindroos said the win would give the team confidence.

Lindroos got off to a rough start.

"I just hit some bad shots and put myself in some bad positions," he said.

But Lindroos hit for par on the final 14 holes, helping his team seal the win.

"I was a little tense at first," said Lindroos, who lamented the cold, windy and rainy weather that moved through during the middle of the round. "I got a little bit more comfortable."

Day lipped a couple of putts but never lost confidence. He said his best hole might have been the par-4 No. 18, when he hit for par after lipping his first putt from 20 feet.

"I was just happy to get par there," Day said.

"I saw him lip out three times," Ravenscroft coach Jimmy Cox said. "For Wilson to shoot 70, it's something he'll be proud of for years to come because that's a stellar score against a stellar field."

Talk to any in the field, and you'll likely hear how excited they were to be able to face top talent from either the public or private schools.

"We just want to prove that we're pretty good too," Day said.

Day said his practice round Friday really helped.

"I figured out where all the trouble is," Day said.

Where's the trouble?

"There's trouble everywhere," he said.

Unlike last year, when Ravenscroft fell to second on the tiebreaker -- the judges go to the fifth card -- Green Hope won handily this time.

Ravenscroft finished eight strokes behind Green Hope, scoring 307, and Forestview (312) took third.

Ravenscroft's top golfer, Bo Andrews, had a tough day, scoring a team high 85.

"I don't want to put it all on him," Cox said. "We had a few guys struggle. [Andrews] had a very uncharacteristic day. And there's no shame in finishing behind Green Hope."

Broughton, led by Cyrus Stewart's 75, came in fourth place, firing a team score of 313.

Broughton's William Nicholson, whose 33 was the lowest front-nine score, wound up with a 77.

Also, individually, Forestville's Thomas Chapman (72) finished in second place, followed by Cape Fear Academy's Jackson Taylor (73).

The competition between public and private schools continues Wednesday at the Keith Hills Kick-Off Classic, rescheduled from March 6. Green Hope and Ravenscroft will be there.