News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Freshmen to seniors contributing to the Cookeville Cavaliers Golf Team to start the season.
The Cavs placed second at the WillowBrook Invitational Thursday with a score of 302, six shots behind the winner. Head coach Larry Pitts said he thought going into the tournament his team could compete for the title.
“We knew going in that it’s always a good tournament,” Pitts said. “The golf course is always in great condition. It’s a really good golf course as far as testing you because it has some easier holes, and it also has some really tough holes. You know, going in that means you can score in some spots, but you have to pick and choose and you still have to execute.”
Freshman Sean Montgomery had his best round of the year with a one under round of 71, good for second place in the boys division. Pitts said Montgomery struggled early in the year with his confidence after an off day at the Early Bird tournament pushed him out of the starting rotation. But with 15 pars, two birdies, and just a single bogey, Pitts said this round showed Montgomery that he can compete as a freshman.
“He’s very confident because he knows he does the right things, he knows he’s got the game,” Pitts said. “So, I think it’s just going to really help boost him along the rest of the way and we’ll see. You can’t expect a guy to turn around and follow it up every time with a good round but if he’s somewhere in the mid 70’s consistently, I’m good with that.”
Senior Posten Bost came in third in the invitational, continuing his run of good scores this season.
After winning the state championship in 2022, the girl’s team has been in a rebuilding phase the last two seasons. With four girls on the team, Pitts said he is tinkering with the lineup, but is pleased with where the girls are now.
“The girls are improving as we go,” Pitts said. “That was our goal and that’s what we talked abut earlier in the year. You know, we’re probably not going to make any waves at the region tournament, although we could. We can have a couple of good days, anybody can win. But, our realistic expectations are by the end of the year be highly competitive in the district and then go from there.”
With just a month until the district tournament, Pitts said his golfers are focused on limiting mistakes and playing smart golf.
“It’s starting to get towards the end of the season now and everybody’s starting to battle for positions,” Pitts said. “I got three or four guys battling for a couple spots. A little internal competition is good, they push each other. And, when they get out there in practice we’re working on something. We’re not just going out and messing around. We’ve got something in mind that we’re trying to accomplish.”
