Moyers repeats as state champ

With a six-stroke lead on the competition, Mikey Moyers took the first tee box in the final round of the Group AA championship knowing that an even-par round would more than likely be enough to defend his title.

But rather than take his well earned victory lap, Moyers put on another golfing clinic by shooting a staggering 9-under 62 to win by 18 strokes.

“It was definitely nice to repeat,” Moyers said. “I don’t know if I was more nervous on the first two holes or the last two holes, but it was a lot of fun.”

Considering that he birdied six of the first nine holes he played, Moyers nerves didn’t manage to get the best of him.

His two-day score of 15-under 127 shattered the Group AA record of 134 set in 1968 by Blacksburg’s Mark Long.

“To win it like this is better than good,” Moyers said. “I’ve never played a tournament with no bogeys. That’s a big deal for me.”

Last year, Moyers won the individual title when the final round of tournament was called after nine holes because of weather. This year, Moyers’ run to the championship was much more definitive.

Moyers credited his putting for Monday’s 6-under 65, and it wasn’t any different on Tuesday.

“This was definitely about the putting,” Moyers said. “I made a 40-footer on the second hole and probably a 30-footer on the sixth hole. I guess I was just in the right mindset today and [Monday].”

Western Albemarle’s Patrick Leisure placed second in the tournament after he won a two-hole playoff against George Perkovich.

“Hopefully, one of these days I’ll be in a playoff for first,” Leisure said.

Leisure shot a three-over 74 on Monday but followed it up with an even-par 71 on Tuesday.

“I was pretty proud,” Leisure said. “Even though I didn’t exactly play my best, I was still able to keep plugging along.”

After a rocky start to the tournament on Monday, Leisure managed to shake it off and get things back on track.

“Even after bad holes I just managed to keep my focus and make pars and birdies after them,” Leisure said. “That was a big help because you don’t want to sink yourself into a hole that you can’t get out of.”

The Western Albemarle junior was the only player other than Moyers to make par in the final round.

Warriors finish second in team competition

With five of six players playing in their first year with the team, it seemed unlikely that the Western Albemarle golf team would find a way to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish in the Group AA team championship.

Yet despite the losses, the Warriors managed to do so by placing second behind Blacksburg, which won its third straight state championship.

“We try and build on our tradition here every year, but I’m really thrilled that we were able to do this this year,” said Western coach Darren Maynard. “We gave Blacksburg a little scare and to finish runner-up, I think that’s quite an achievement for this group.”

With Patrick Leisure leading the way, the Warriors got a key performance out of one of their youngest players on the team — 14-year-old freshman Landon Weis, who placed ninth overall with rounds of 71 and 78. Fellow freshman Alex O’Dell also helped the cause in the last round by putting up a score of 76.

“Our final two kids are freshmen, and they both scored for us today,” Maynard said. “To come in on the final day of the state tournament and be a score that really counts is important to the team and I’m sure it’ll be some experience that will help them become better golfers.”

Western came into the final round trailing by six and made things close by cutting into the Bruins’ lead after nine holes. However, just as soon as Blacksburg let the Warriors with reach, strong finishes by George Perkovich and Courtney Ellenbogen put Blacksburg on top for the third straight year.

The Warriors will return four of their top six next year and will have Leisure — this year’s Jefferson District champion — back for his senior year.

“Blacksburg finally graduates a few people, so maybe someone will finally have a chance,” Maynard laughed.

Leisure likes his team’s chances in 2009.

“I think we’ve great shot at winning states next year,” Leisure said.  “We’ve got a deep team that goes beyond just our top six.”