Cougar golfers feel the heat this week

The Pulaski County golf team faced a pair of challenging rounds this week, battling tough competition and soaring temperatures as the Cougars continued their season.

Pulaski County finished with a team score of 312 in a River Ridge District match at Auburn Hills. Evan Singleton led the way for the Cougars with an even-par 74, followed by Cayden Mines with a 77. Will Rackaway added an 80, while Boone Blevins rounded out the team’s counting scores with an 81.

Blacksburg won the match with a 290, followed by Hidden Valley at 293 and Cave Spring at 299.

“I really thought we may shoot under 300 at Auburn Hills,” said Pulaski County head coach Mark Hanks. “All the kids have played the course, and it is a course that can give up a lot of birdies. We made some birdies but had too many bad holes. Again, though, most people would love to shoot those scores, so we need to keep that in perspective.”

The Cougars returned to the course Wednesday, traveling to Abingdon for a break from River Ridge District competition. Pulaski County faced a strong field at Glenrochie Country Club that included perennial Class 3 power Blacksburg, along with Abingdon and Graham, both of which have state championship pedigrees.

The challenging course, combined with another day of intense heat, made for a difficult test for the Cougars.

Singleton again led Pulaski County, carding a 75. Rackaway followed with an 81, Mines shot an 82, and Ethan Clark posted an 83 as the Cougars finished with a team score of 321.

Blacksburg won the event with a 303, followed closely by Graham at 304. Abingdon finished at 310, Marion at 316, and Pulaski County at 321.

“This was a stiff test for our team, as that’s a tough track and none of our guys had ever played it,” Hanks said. “That was the worst score we have shot this year, but oddly enough, I do not think we played terribly. You don’t always have your ‘A’ game, so our players need to continue to find ways to score low when things are not going their way.”

Despite the difficult round, Hanks said he was pleased with the opportunity for his team to compete against such a talented field.

“It was really nice to be invited to play in that field,” Hanks said. “It shows how other schools perceive our program now.”

The Cougars will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches as they continue their season and prepare for the postseason.