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Massac County rolls at regional

By Geary Deniston, For The Southern

Thursday, October 9, 2008 10:33 PM CDT

ANNA - Just like the Lady Patriots did the day before, the Massac County boys golf team won the Anna-Jonesboro IHSA Boys Golf Class A Regional held at Union County Country Club, edging out the host team by six strokes.

"Playing Anna on their home course, we knew it was going to be tough," Massac County coach Brandon Thompson said. "Actually it was a little bit of payback, too, because they got us up at Carterville and kind of let our guys know about it. So it feels real good to come back and beat them at the home course."

The Patriots won their fourth straight regional title with a team score of 322 and advance, along with Anna-Jonesboro, to the West Frankfort Sectional on Monday at Franklin County Country Club.

Senior Dustin Korte led the Patriots by winning his first regional crown with a 1-over 72. Sophomore Quincy Glass finished second with a 78, with junior Adam McManus and sophomore Dalton Shockley both coming in with an 86.

"Winning the title feels pretty good," Korte said. "I came in today with no pressure because I felt like our team was going to qualify for the sectionals anyway."

Korte had a three-stroke lead at the turn after shooting an even-par 35 on the front nine. On the back nine, he was still even after 16 holes, but finished his round with a bogey on 17 and a par on 18.

"While you can't ask to make every birdie, I missed too many birdie putts today," Korte said.

The Wildcats finished at 328 and advanced as a team for the third year in a row. A-J was led by four seniors, with Carter Carstens finishing third overall at 80, followed by Blake Goforth at 81, Mike Manus at 82 and Caleb Lence with an 85.

"Making the sectionals three years in a row is really good for the kids," A-J coach Cory Miller said. "We are disappointed we didn't win today, but we are glad to be heading on to the next tournament.

Last year, A-J won its regional and went on to finish seventh at the sectional. In 2006, the Wildcats came in third at the regional and 10th at the sectional.

Carterville finished third with a 345 and didn't advance as a team, but did qualify four individuals. Quinton Bagwell finished tied for fifth with an 82 and advanced, along with Phillip Heckel (86), Zach Bagwell (87) and Derrick Abell (90).