Foley Leads Lady Flyers at Fall Golf Opener

Lindsay McCauley teed it up on Monday as a member of the Sandhills Community College women's golf team for the first time in 16 months, following an interruption by Covid and a one-year pause in the program.

The Green Hope High School grad is the only member of the 2019-20 team that participated in the Sandhills Flyers Fall Invitational held at Long Leaf Golf and Family Club although Katie Ochoa of that squad is expected to rejoin the team for the spring season.

"It felt really good," McCauley, a nursing major said, following the round against golfers from Meredith College and Methodist University. "I was nervous of course, it being the first tournament. It was better than I thought it would be. It was just hot."

The first day of the 36-hole event featured a five-under par round of 67 by Monika Vicario of Meredith College. Freshman Scotty Foley, a product of Hickory Ridge High School, led the Lady Flyers with an 80.

Freshman Ava Ray (Fuquay Varina High School) was next for Coach Herb Pike's squad with an 87. Freshman Aubrianna Bishop (Union Pines High School) posted a 93 and freshman Hayla Bryson (Holly Springs) shot a 96 to complete the Lady Flyers' team score.

"I'm pleased with all of the scores although I know they can all shoot better," said Pike, who is being assisted by Bonnie McGowan. "There were first round jitters for all of them.

"The main thing is to have a team again, to have the girls to work with, and to have Bonnie to help me."

The Methodist B team heads into Tuesday's play with a team score of 307 followed by Sandhills (356) and Meredith (398).

The 36-hole women's and men's tournaments both conclude on Tuesday with the golfers teeing off under a shotgun format at 9:30 am.

C. Bergmann