By ZACH SMITH, Hill Country News
For the second year in a row, the Vandegrift boys’ golf team is adding a second-place trophy to the case.
The Vipers finished second as a team at the 6A state golf tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown on Tuesday, shooting 8-over 296 in Round 1 and 1-over 289 in Round 2 for a two-day total of 9-over 585.
“To finish second in back-to-back years and feel like we’re one of the better teams in the state, we’re totally ok with that,” Vandegrift head coach Matt Wernecke said. “It was well below our scoring average for the year and it was under pressure. You can’t ask more of your players.”
Senior Luke Dossy and junior Cole Sherwood each finished at 1-over, good for a tie for 12th place.
Senior Wyatt Speaks finished 3-over in a tie for 19th and had a hole in 1. Junior Jack Wehman came in a tie for 19th at 4-over par and junior Colin Slater finished at 8-over par in a tie for 38th in the individual standings.
“As a team, we knew we are one of the best teams in the state,” Sherwood said. “For us to come out here and finish second, separate ourselves from some of the other teams and prove that it feels great.”
The two days of golf were vastly different, as Monday saw high winds that affected scoring and Tuesday’s final round was delayed by heavy rain that created a softer golf course more receptive to lower scores.
“The three-hour delay was a little different and we were all a little anxious just sitting in the car,” Dossey said. “There was a little more pressure (Tuesday), but I just kind of enjoyed it. I couldn’t get a putt to drop, but it was still a good day.”
The Vipers finished the first day seven shots behind leaders and eventual state champions from Westlake. Dossey shot 1-under 71 on Monday and Sherwood equaled that mark on Tuesday, the lowest individual rounds of the tournament for Vandegrift.
Sherwood said, despite the rain, the golf course was in the best condition he’s ever played it
“There were tough conditions yesterday and as we know from last year, it’s the first day that separates the teams,” Sherwood said. “It was really important to be smart since it was really windy and there are so many things that can go wrong on this golf course.”
It was the final rounds of high school golf for Dossey and Speaks.
Dossey will head to Baylor University later this summer and play golf for the Bears next season, re-joining his brother Cooper for one season. He said he’s excited to go from playing from, in his opinion, the best high school golf coach to the best college coach in Baylor head coach Mike McGraw.
“My best moments of high school have been with this golf team, whether it’s on the road or at a tournament or with Coach Wernecke,” Dossey said. “Playing for him was really special, so it was kind of sad walking down 18 with him. It’s been amazing.”
