By Robert Morgan | Published Sunday, March 15, 2009
Both the boys' and girls' golf teams face a rebuilding season, but Bridgeport High School coach Jim Caldwell is pleased with the slow, but steady, progress of his young players.
Bridgeport traveled north on Monday and Tuesday to compete at Wichita Falls' Weeks Park where there was plenty of competition for the Wise putters. The Sissies faced all the teams from their district, except Decatur, and finished sixth out of nine teams, while the Bulls faced a much bigger challenge in a field of 14 teams, finishing 13th overall.
The Bridgeport girls got a glimpse of what to expect from District 5-3A and saw their biggest challenge for the league title will be in overcoming Burkburnett, which won first place with a score of 376. Wichita Falls was second at 386, and Rider was next at 401, just 10 strokes and three places ahead of Bridgeport at 411. District 5-3A competitors Vernon, Iowa Park and Hirschi were the next three behind the Sissies.
"This was a good tournament against our district teams," Caldwell said. "This team is improving in every tournament and is looking good at district now."
The top putter for Bridgeport was returning letterman Paige Walker who fired an 89 for the day. Brittany Smith of Petrolia ruled the roost as she won the tournament with a 72, just two strokes ahead of Brenna Moore of Burkburnett.
Ashley Lockhart had the second lowest score for the Sissies as she carded a 101, just two strokes in front of teammate Michelle Trickel at 103. Cassie Smith followed at 118, and Xynthe Williams came in at 122.
The Bridgeport boys, which include three freshmen and a sophomore, made huge strides this week by firing a team score of 382. However, it was well off the pace of first-place Rider with 318, runner-up Wichita Falls at 322 and fifth-place, and rival, Decatur at 355.
"We are ahead of where I thought we would be. To shoot under 400 for this team is a good score," Caldwell said. "These guys are hard workers and really love the game. All of our district teams were here, and only 34 strokes separated first from last place among our six teams."
The leader of the pack for Bridgeport was James Coffman who carded an 86 for the day, just seven strokes ahead of teammate Tyler Garner with 93. Jason Hand of Wichita Falls won the tournament with an even-par 72.
Kameron Brazier was third among the Bulls after he fired a 97 for the day. Blake Thompson was next with a 106, followed by Hayden Walker at 116 and Corey Henson at 118.
