Broughton’s seniors claim 4th straight Mideast boys golf regional
Broughton’s foursome of seniors completed a four-peat in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A Mideast Regional team golf championship Tuesday at Raleigh Country Club.
Four-time champions Harrison Rhoades, Will Minton, Stephen Saleeby and Preyer Fountain said they were proud to accomplish the four-year sweep at their historic brown brick castle school in downtown Raleigh that was founded in 1929.
“We have a legacy that is special at this school,” said Saleeby, who was the team medalist with a round of 73. “The atmosphere and support at Broughton is special.”
Broughton easily won its fourth straight title Tuesday at Raleigh Country Club. The Capitals finished with a 13-stroke margin among combined scoring among each team’s low four players.
Saleeby, bound for UNC-Wilmington, shot a 2-over-par 73. Minton, who is undecided among his offers, carded a 74. Fountain, bound for North Carolina, shot 76 and Rhoades, who has committed to Georgetown, finished with a 77. No other schools had four players shoot in the 70s.
The quartet has combined to collect four straight Cap 8 4A Conference titles and four consecutive regional crowns. They now seek their third 4A state title in four years on May 11-12 in Pinehurst.
In addition to playing together four years at Broughton, Saleeby, Minton and Fountain have attended school together since Daniels Middle School. Rhoades joined them at Broughton as freshmen.
“We have a team of great friends and competitors,” Minton said. “We work hard and push each other. We spend all our time together in golf and off the course. We also love playing for Coach (Anderson) Marlowe. He’s a fierce competitor. He loves to win and we pick up winning from him.”
The top three teams and the top three individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the 4A state tournament.
Leesville Road finished second with a score of 313, and Panther Creek was third with 318.
For Leesville, Doc Redman shot 72, Will Jacobson 76, Corey Wilson 79 and Joey Pettis 86.
Panther Creek, the Southwest Athletic Conference runner-up, placed ahead of SWAC champion Green Hope (324). For the Catamounts, Alex Scott shot 76, Viraj Garewal 77, Miguel Palacios 80 and Luke McGann 85.
The three individuals who advanced to state from nonqualifying teams were Middle Creek’s Carter Thompson, 71; Rolesville’s Blake McShea, 74; and Wake Forest’s Alex Smalley, 75.
Thompson, a senior, hopes to walk on at East Carolina. He had an up-and-down round with five birdies and five bogeys. He bogeyed the first three holes teeing off from the back nine before he found his game.
“I started off with the three bogeys, but then I made the turn and made some putts for birdies,” Thompson said. “I had a hot streak with my irons and I could not miss (the pin).”
Minton said you had to get close on the fast greens to score.
“If you were above the hole, you had no chance,” Minton said.
This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 8:59 PM with the headline "Broughton’s seniors claim 4th straight Mideast boys golf regional."