Battlefield gets the best of Culpeper golf team

Mark O'Connell, Sports Correspondent
Published: September 18, 2008

GAINESVILLE — Were it not for district rival Loudoun Valley, Battlefield’s golf team might be considered in a league of its own. Last year’s winners of both the regular season and the Cedar Run District tournament, the Bobcats easily stroked their way to a convincing tri-match victory over Osbourn and Culpeper at Wednesday’s match played at the Virginia Oaks Golf Course.

Battlefield shot a 163, which was 21 strokes better than second-place Osbourn (184) and 35 strokes better than Culpeper, which came in third with a 198.

“Battlefield is a very talented team,” Culpeper coach Shirley Gray said. “They dominated both teams and they have lots of experience.”

Individually, the match’s top medalists were Battlefield’s Andrew Lister and Nick White, who both shot a 40, which was 4-over-par. Teammates Blake Forst (41) and John Willliams (42) were close behind.

For the Blue Devils, who are now 3-7 in dual matches this season, Derek Orshoski paced the team for the fourth time this season with a team-best round of 46. Tommy Jocz carded a 48 and Shane Griffin and Brad Johnson both shot a 52. Tim Jocz (53) and Trevor Bates (59) played but their scores were not counted in the team’s total.

Peter Desing led Osbourn with a team-best round of 42 followed by Monica Carlson (43), Im Moo Son (47) and Mason Smith (52).

“The Virginia Oaks Golf Course was a real challenge for our golfers,” Gray siad. “Their inexperience was quite clear. Our scores were high but not that much different than the host team, Osbourn. Battlefield, on the other hand, dominated both teams. Orshoski and Tommy Jocz are our most skillful golfers but did not play to their potential. When they don’t play well the team score is going to be high. They are the key factors to our success.”

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