Wylie boy, girl golfers positioned for title after first round

ODESSA - Making strong bids to earn a trip to Austin, the Wylie boys and girls golf teams find themselves in prime position after the first round of the Region I-3A golf tournament at Ratliff Ranch Golf Course.

The Wylie boys shot a 315 to lead the boys' division by six shots over Tulia while the Wylie girls are in second place after shooting a 354. Graham, which recorded a 349, leads the girls division. Tulia, at 377, is a distant third.

Wylie's boys were led by Jason Darby (76), Parker Briley (77) and Ty Adams (79).
In the girls' division, the Lady Bulldogs' Ashley Andress leads the medalist race with a 79 while teammate Natalie Porter is second at 81.

"It was pretty windy and the greens were really severely sloped," Andress said. "You had to keep the ball below the hole. This wasn't our best score - we can play better.

"I made mistakes, but I thought I played pretty well. I wouldn't take it back (the round). Crystal (Gregory) seemed satisfied, but I think Jordan (Bridwell) was a little disappointed. The important thing is that we've got a big lead (over third-place Tulia)."

Porter overcame an erratic start to post a respectable score.

"I worm-burned everything starting out," the Wylie senior said. "There was only one mesquite tree taller than two feet and I got under it and had to hit the ball left-handed.

"I'm not even thinking about second place. I want to beat Graham. I'm kinda frustrated with them taking us for granted. I'd like to do something about that.

"Hopefully, we can play better (today). Ashley seems a little more consistent than I am. We've already had a 331 this year, so hopefully we can all play well on the same day."

"Graham is pretty strong," Wylie head coach Terry Don Barrington said. "We'll have to play good golf (today). Our senior girls (Andress and Porter) played well - they're always nip and tuck. Crystal had a pretty good round (92), too."

Team totals - 1. Graham 349, 2. Wylie 354, 3. Tulia 377, 4. Brownfield 378, 5. (tie) Comanche, Denver City 384, 7. Bridgeport 386, 8. Alpine 394, 9. Sonora 402, 10. Friona 406, 11. Kermit 419, 12. Amarillo River Road 426, 13. Muleshoe 438, 14. Boyd 439, 15. Springtown 454, 16. Clint 459.
Medalists - 1. Ashley Andress, Wylie, 79; 2. Natalie Porter, Wylie, 81; 3. Murray, Graham, 81.
Wylie - Ashley Andress 79, Natalie Porter 81, Crystal Gregory 92, Jordan Bridwell 102, Julia Porter 114.
Comanche - Lindsey Newhouse 83, Shayla White 94, Stacy Harvick 100, Cie Seay 108, Honey Spence 107.
Graham - Neal 84, Parry 87, Murray 81, Dial 97, Rathmell 126.

Team totals - 1. Wylie 315; 2. Tulia 321; 3. Bridgeport 328; 4. Slaton 335; 5. Breckenridge 339; 6. Decatur 340; 7. (tie) Colorado City and Childress, 341; 9. Graham 347; 10. Springtown and Muleshoe 352; 12. Alpine A 356; 13. Sonora 358; 14. Seminole 362; 15. Alpine B 396.
Medalists - 1. Chapman, Decatur, 75; 2. (tie) Darby, Wylie, and Murry, Childress 76.
Wylie - Jason Darby 76; Parker Briley 77; Ty Adams 79; Wes Stockard 83; Brandon Howard 87.
Breckenridge - Anderson 80; Wolfe 82; Clegg 87; Blackerby 90; Arp 98.
Colorado City - Carpenter 79; Theibaud 80; Lindsay 90; Bolin 92; Finch 96.
Graham - Jeff Gray 84; Scotty Covington 84; Brent Gaylor 88; Matt Murray 91; Eric Scott 95.