Lincolnton – In just its second year of existence, the Robbinsville Lady Knights golf team sent two athletes to Oct. 22’s 1A Western Regional Tournament.
Bentley Riggins and Abby Wehr – both juniors – made the cut for the event, which was held at Lincoln Country Club in Lincolnton. Riggins shot a 119 during the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament to qualify for regionals; Wehr posted a 114.
Though neither advanced to the state championship, both did trim down their scores from the divisional competition: Riggins and Wehr each turned in a 110, tying with Cherokee’s Kiri Hill for 50th in the field of 80. Both Robbinsville players split the front and back 9 with rounds of 55.
“I am so blessed to be able to compete at regionals,” Riggins said. “I’ve worked so hard and grown as a player this year. Being able to compete at regionals is such an experience; being able to go enjoy and share this accomplishment with my best friend Abby Wehr made it 10 times better.”
“Getting to play at the regional golf tournament was a great experience,” Wehr added. “I felt like a small fish in a big pond. I competed against girls who had been playing for a long time and were super good. It gave me an idea of what I can strive for.
“It was a super-fun experience to go and compete with one of my best friends, Bentley.”
Both also expressed their gratitude to Robbinsville golf coach Kent Williams for his help with their overall game.
Christ the King’s Malerie Lague won the regional individual championship, shooting a 71. Only Cherokee’s Paytyn Barker (92, good for 14th) qualified for state from the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Christ the King bested West Lincoln by just two strokes to win the regional team title, as well: 258-260.