Published by Cory Smith, The Mount Airy News:
A historic performance from Pennson Badgett led East Surry to the NCHSAA 3A Men’s Golf State Championship.
East Surry won the team title with a five-stroke advantage over Pine Lake Prep at Longleaf Golf & Family Club on May 11-12.
East Surry 607 (+39)
Pine Lake Prep 612 (+44)
North Stanly 637 (+69)
Princeton 661 (+93)
Midway 682 (+114)
Badgett set two state records at the championship. His first-round score of 60 (11-under par) was the lowest 18-hole round in NCHSAA history, breaking the previous record of 63 set by Hickory’s J.T. Poston in 2011.
Badgett followed with a 67 (-4) in the second round for a 36-hole score of 127 (-15), the lowest 36-hole score ever recorded at an NCHSAA championship. Poston previously held that record as well after shooting 131 at Foxfire in 2011.
Badgett won the individual title ahead of West Wilkes’ Slater Meade, who finished at 136 (-6). Meade entered as the defending 2A state champion.
Badgett, who will continue his golf career at the University of Tennessee, finished his high school career with two individual state titles, two runner-up finishes and two team championships.
Corbin Mills was the Cardinals’ next-lowest scorer, finishing fifth at 147 (+5). Sawyer Simmons tied for 23rd at 165 (+23), while Braxton Davis placed 35th with a 176 (+34).
Stay tuned to mtairynews.com/sports for more on the NCHSAA Golf Championships.