Panthers qualify for 1A state golf final; Pam Pack make it to 2A state final

Published 8:42 am Wednesday, May 7, 2025

By Jason O. Boyd

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CHOCOWINITY, N.C. — The Northside High School boys golf team will have a chance to fine-tune some things after it put on a strong showing at the Class 1A East Regional on Monday at Cypress Landing.

The Panthers finished third, meaning they will take part in the Class 1A state final that will run next Monday-Tuesday at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines. Northside finished with a 356, just behind Lejeune, which was second with a 351. Perquimans won the meet with a 337.

Yeah, we’re a young team. Our goal is anything under 360,” Northside golf coach Jared Adams said. “I do think we’re capable of getting in the low 340s.

“And hopefully, we work on a couple of things, more of a mental side of the game, where if you go into a triple bogey, you don’t have to go out there and birdie and par the next hole, but we just don’t need to go triple, triple. And kinda work on that as well as some short game aspects. So next week and take that into the state championship.”

Freshman Tyler Radcliffe finished with an 84 to lead Northside. He was followed by Lawson Goltra and Landon Moore, who each had an 89. Senior Max Vansant had a 94 and Jay Battershell had a 102.

Bear Grass’ Dylan Arnold earned medalist honors with a 75. He was one of nine others who qualified for the state final as an individual golfer. Southside’s Avery Dixon was just outside the top nine individuals with a round of 100.

“Great experience,” Southside golf coach David Dixon said of his nephew, a junior who was in the regional for the first time. “We’ve had a few things we’ve worked on, the swing, so he’s still adapting to pick up a little more distance. So it’s a real good experience for him. Should lead him right into being a tougher contender next year.”

“The biggest thing is being here for the experience with it. Avery’s very level-headed. He doesn’t get rattled much. So, keeping a positive attitude is a huge difference maker in golf. And he does real good with that of leaving a bad shot behind him and moving ahead.”

Adams, who was also one of the regional officials, said the golfers did their best with the course still wet from the rains on Sunday. The skies threatened to add more rain off and on during Monday’s play but it didn’t happen. As a result, Adams said shots that might have bounced further on harder and drier surfaces tended to stick once they landed on the course.

“Well, I would say this course right now is playing tougher than what we’ll see at the state championship,” Adam said. “Just from it’s wet, you’re not getting a lot of rolls, so it makes the course farther. Bunkers are kinda, because all the rain we’ve had, you’re not getting to carry.

“So the course you’re playing at 6,600 yards is really like playing like 7,000. And I think at Pinehurst, they’re gonna get 10, 15 yards of roll. They’re gonna get the roll they’re not used to, because we don’t get that roll.

“I mean, it’s more of like a red clay, sandy soil, and the ball really bounces, and the ball really moves. And we’re not used to that here. We’re used to hitting drives, and they’re plugging, and they might roll 10 or 12 yards.”

WASHINGTON QUALIFIES IN 2A

The Washington golf team qualified third in the Class 2A regionals after play Monday.

The Pam Pack were playing at River Bend Golf & Country Club in New Bern. They finished behind Princeton and East Duplin in the team competition.

The Class 2A state finals will be at Pinehurst No. 6 in Pinehurst on May 12-13.

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