For the first time in head coach Dock Ragland’s career, the Chapel Hill men’s golf team made regionals, sending six golfers to the tournament at Pinehurst Golf Course.
The qualifying golfers were freshmen Cage Williams, Cole Gwaltney and Caleb Wehr; juniors Matthew Hodges and Jonathan Kang; and sophomore Nick Na as an alternate.
Wehr and Kang were also named to the DC-6 all-conference team.
The team also placed first ahead of the conference powerhouse East Chapel Hill at a conference match at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham on April 8. As a team, Chapel Hill shot 161, beating East by just 5 points.
Two golfers shot sub-40 on the 9-hole course: Williams and Wehr, who each shot 39. Gwaltney finished with 41 strokes, while Kang shot a 42.
The Tigers also placed second twice and third another two times in conference matches, securing second place overall and qualifying the team for regionals.
Gwaltney had a nice day at Pinecrest on May 6, shooting an 80, just three strokes above the qualifying score for the state tournament.
“This year was great for us—my first opportunity as a coach for the team to make it to regionals was great,” Ragland said.
The Tigers featured a young team and look to return all six of their starters next year.
For his part, Na is eagerly anticipating what next season has in store.
“Even though I didn’t get to play at regionals, I was still super proud of the season the team had. We improved so much and I can’t wait for next year,” Na said.
