By DAVID CUCCHIARA

Washington Daily News

 

Northside golfer Tucker Mooring, just a sophomore, has separated himself from the Pack with his notable and fruitful 2014 campaign.

“”His abilities and work ethic has paid off, to place him among the top golfers in high school in the state,” said head coach Joe Burns. “As a coach I could not ask for anything more out of a player.”

In Eastern Plains Conference play, Mooring was among the best and a certain All-Conference selection, notching four second-place finishes in four conference meets. For the majority of the season, it was a battle between him and Lejeune’s Grady Anderson for the top golfer in the conference, a rivalry that will undoubtedly pick up against next season.

Outside of the conference, the standout sophomore posted a third-place finish at Washington, a fifth-place finish at Bayview, a win at Nagshead and a third-place finish at Castle Bay.

While Northside failed to advance to states as a team earlier this month, Tucker, once again, finished in the top-five overall, shooting an 88 at Roanoke in Williamston. The second-place finished placed Mooring in the spotlight, as he’s earned respect from other high school programs in the region.

On Monday, Mooring made his way to Whispering Pines in Southern Pines, N.C. to compete in the state championships. He would finish 42nd out of 82 competitors, shooting a 91 on Monday and a 90 on Tuesday.

“Tucker continues to demonstrate leadership qualities even as a sophomore,” Burns said. “This experience of playing at the state level will only allow him, going forward, to feel comfortable at any level of competition.”

Next season, Northside will be without Josh Beamer, the second-most productive golfer, but junior Gage Webb, who shot a 95 at regionals, returns along with Mooring.