Morgantown

Mohigans’ golf team bounces back to win quad match

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The key to success on the golf course is often how you’re prepared to handle a bad round.

As a team, Morgantown struggled recently at the Three Rivers Athletic Conference tournament, taking last place out of the five teams competing.

The loss wouldn’t leave a lasting mark, though, as Morgantown would bounce back upon returning to the links Tuesday.

The Mohigans combined for a round-winning total of 125 to best Grafton, Notre Dame and Clay-Battelle in a quad match at The Pines Country Club.

“I was proud of how our team responded after a poor showing in the TRAC conference tournament. That one was a rough day for everyone and I believe we got off to a bad start and didn’t handle the adversity well,” MHS coach Nate Tallman said.

“I think what helped us the most coming off was taking a day or two off to give our bodies some rest and then getting back out there yesterday and figuring out some problem points in our games,” MHS senior Carter Patrick added. “I know Antonio (Rollo), Jack (Wiedebusch) and Owen (Newbold) all played this weekend and Monday to get ready for today and it showed.”

Patrick and sophomore Newbold would lead the team for the afternoon, posting marks of 41 during the nine-hole round. Their performance was good enough to earn a three-way tie for second place, alongside Grafton’s Cade Miller. The three would finish one stroke behind medalist Caden Moore, also of Grafton.

Morgantown’s Antonio Rollo shot a 43 and Jack Wiedebusch shot a 46.

“Carter and Owen stepped up tonight. They are talented guys and we’re going to need them moving forward,” Tallman said.

Patrick said the key to the solid performance after a tough tournament was to re-focus following the poor performance.

“The mindset going in was to play smart and stay level headed, as the TRAC tournament caught me getting a little bit off my game due to some problems staying under control,” Patrick said. “During the round, I focused on not trying to be a hero and make the shots I knew I was capable of, and today I felt went pretty well all around — aside from the first hole.”

Tallman believes much of the team’s ability to handle adversity has to do with the positive attitude the team brings to the program and the course, which has him excited for the rest of the season.

“We’re inexperienced and have had our share of growing pains, but I like the mindset of the team and I like our team chemistry,” Tallman said. “They come to practice with a great attitude and strive to get better. They are fun to be around and want to perform at a high level for the team.”

Clay-Battelle finished in fourth place at the match with a combined team score of 163. Colton Barr led the Cee-Bees with a nine-hole mark of 46. Also for Clay-Battelle, Rickie Swanson shot a 55 and Erik White shot a 62. For Trinity, Ryan Cummins also competed, finishing his round with a mark of 63.