By By GREG KATSKI, Staff Writer
Two of Terra Ceia’s finest will make the trek to Pinehurst to compete in the NCISAA Division 1A state golf tournament on Monday.
Senior Wayne Woolard II and junior Andrew Darkow of the Knights golf team (27-9) qualified for the tournament by placing among the top nine in the state.
Woolard, of Bath, shot a stroke average of 79 on the regular season, which ranked third in the Tarheel Independent Conference. The impressive stroke average landed him on the all-conference team.
Darkow, of Washington, shot a stroke average of 85, putting him at seventh in the conference. He received recognition as an all-conference honorable mention for his play on the season.
Darkow was joined by senior Grant Gelderman, of Terra Ceia, as an honorable mention. Gelderman is serving as the team’s third alternate for the state tournament, and is joining his friends and teammates Darkow and Woolard in their travels.
Darkow and Woolard seem to like their chances in the two-round tournament, held on Monday and Tuesday. They will be pitted against each other and seven more participants in the individual tournament.
The Knights participated in the past two state tournaments, held at the Highland Hills Golf Club, as a team.
In 2007, Terra Ceia finished eighth out of eight teams at the tournament, while last year the Knights finished in sixth.
Woolard said he welcomes the added pressure of playing individually, especially given a chance to represent the Knights.
Terra Ceia head golf coach Scott Clark, who is traveling with Woolard and Darkow and will be coaching them throughout the two-day tournament, likes his guys’ chances.
More than anything, Darkow is looking forward to the long-weekend vacation.
Staying relaxed and having fun are what Coach Clark preaches to his players, according to Darkow.
Gelderman agreed that the fun-loving mindset his coach instills is the key to the team’s continued success over the years.
Clark is in his 11th year with the team. During his tenure with the team, the Knights have sent a representative to the state tournament in some form seven seasons.
After the tournament, Woolard and Darkow will spend the summer fine-tuning their games.
Darkow is a “cart boy” at the Washington Yacht &Country Club. He plans to spend a lot of off time on the greens in preparation for next season with the Knights.
Woolard said he is scheduled to play in some summer tournaments.
Come fall, he will be attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where he intends to tryout for the Seahawk’s club as a walk-on.