By Stephen Smoot
The Pendleton County varsity golf squad has steadily continued its journey in recent years. Dedicated coaches and parents, a top flight facility, and the sheer love of the game have helped to build the foundation for success individually and collectively.
This year’s Potomac Valley Conference Tournament, held at Pendleton County’s own Fisher Mountain, saw the Wildcats surge into dominance.
“The key to golf is consistency,” shared Mike Eye. Pendleton County head coach, who added “we’ve been consistent all season.”
Eye explained that most smaller school squads rely on one or two key performers to buoy team scores, but that “we consistently had at least four players at each match who really performed well.”
“There’s something to be said for having a middle school program,” noted Eye. He explained that one can easily identify the schools that have a middle school option from those that do not. Schools with a team for sixth through eighth graders have high school players who mastered fundamentals of play and are ahead of those who lacked that opportunity or experience.
“We reap the benefit of that,” said Eye, who then explained that after three or four years of competition “they start to really hit their stride and play well.”
An interesting twist at the PVCs saw Petersburg joining the competition. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission had moved Petersburg to Class AA this year for all sports, including golf. Because golf is the sport of Kings and gentlemen, the PVCs allowed Petersburg the option to compete with the Class A teams this season.
Petersburg took the title with a score of 337, or 53 over par. Pendleton County came in second with 374 and scoring 90 over par. The Bulldogs of Tygarts Valley came close to the Wildcats with a 379 and 95 over par.
Tucker County, East Hardy, and Union rounded out the field.
“Petersburg had the option to stick around and play in our PVCs and not their new Class AA division. We came in second behind them,” Eye said.
From tournament results, the top six earn recognition as All Potomac Valley Conference. The top two placers, four total, came from the Viking team. Pendleton County’s Dylan Eye placed third with an 87, 16 over par.
Landon Davis also made the all PVC team with a 20 over par and a 91 overall.
Coach Eye shares credit for the team’s success with some of its most dedicated supporters. “I can’t say enough about what Fisher Mountain has done for us. I’m so grateful.” He added that they allow players to use the holes and driving ranges for practice.
“There’s no place like it. We’re very fortunate,” he said.
Looking ahead, the team has more regular season tournaments leading up to regional and state postseason play. Regionals take place on Oct. 6 on 18 holes at Canaan Valley
Those who advance from that will compete in Wheeling on Oct. 14 and 15.
