South pontotoc cougarS golf

SOUTH PONTOTOC

2022 cougarS golf

2022 South pontotoc cougarS golf team

This year’s South Pontotoc Cougars golf team includes (front row, left to right) Carson Deaton, Zac Moore, Sawyer Nix, Sheff White, Jordan Montgomery, (back row) John Bryan Waldo, Sam Tutor, Tanner Davis, Landon Bishop, Cooper Bishop, Rylan Roberts.

Courtesy photo

2022 South pontotoc lady cougarS golf team

This year’s South Pontotoc Lady Cougars golf team includes (left to right) Alana Corder, Anna Brooke Sullivan, Caroline Cook, Liz Pennington

Courtesy photo

SOUTH GOLF HAS CROP OF SENIOR PLAYERS

Galen Holley

Sports Editor

The pendulum has swung in favor of South Pontotoc having seasoned, veteran golfers this year, and Coach Cage Mills has high expectations.

“This is the first year I’ve had mostly upperclassmen,” said Mills. “From the time we restarted the golf program, about six years ago, I’ve usually had one or two seniors. This year I’ve got Cooper Bishop, Landon Bishop, and Rylan Roberts as guys I’ll really be depending upon to lead us.”

Underclassmen will, of course, play significant roles as well, including Tanner Davis and John Bryan Waldo.

“Tanner has been here for a while, and John Bryan, even though it’s his first year, I”m really looking for him to contribute. I was also impressed, in our first match, with Sam Tutor’s play. So, altogether, we’ve got some older guys, and it’s time to see what we can do this year.”

Seventh grader Shep White has shown early signs of high quality play.

“I’m really encouraged by the way he played last week (Feb. 15),” said Mills. “I’ve got four or five middle schoolers who all have potential, and if they stick with it, I’m excited about what they will look like in three or four years.”

The South Pontotoc boys qualified for state last year.

“We had our best season in recent history, and qualifying for state was one of our goals,” said Mills. “We went down there and got some experience, although we didn’t quite play up to our potential.” The team finished 11th in the state.

On the ladies’ side senior Caroline Cook shot her personal best, 44 through 9 holes, in the season opening match at the Pontotoc Country Club on Feb. 15 and Mills said she should provide an experienced hand and leadership.

“We’re looking for Caroline to have a really good year, and her start was really promising,” said Mills. Fellow senior Anna Brooke Sullivan is new to the team, but, like Cook, the basketball standout has athleticism that should translate well to the links, Mills said.

Underclassmen Liz Penningtom and Alana Corder are up-and-coming, promising players, according to Mills.

“They both have really good swings and, if they stick with it, and put in the work, they can be really good in the years to come,” said Mills.

The Lady Cougars will look to fill the shoes of graduates Maddie Washington and Maggie Gaspard, who solidified the girls team, along with Cook, last season.

2022 South pontotoc cougarS golf Schedule

MARCH 21 @ PCC

MARCH 22

@ TCC

MARCH 28

Host Nettleton (could change)

MARCH 29

@ TCC

APRIL 5 @ TCC 18 Holes

APRIL 7 @ Riverbirch 18 Holes

MARCH 24

Host 18 Hole Match (Amory, New Albany, North Pontotoc, Choctaw County)

APRIL 4

Host (Pontotoc, North Pontotoc, Mooreville, Ingomar)

APRIL 11 Host Girls Region APRIL 19 Boys Region @ Pontotoc