CULLMAN COUNTY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Fairview’s McKelvy, Cold Springs’ Salley snag individual crowns; Aggies sweep team titles
Published 9:14 pm Thursday, April 19, 2018
- Fairview’s golf teams show off their respective hardware following the Cullman County Golf Tournament.
Hunter McKelvy is the top golfer in Cullman County.
The Fairview star fired an 83 during the final round of the Cullman County Golf Tournament at Cross Creek Golf Course on Thursday to erase a two-shot deficit and secure the individual crown following a solid two-day total of 165. McKelvy finished six shots ahead of Day 1 leader and teammate Hunter Yeager and Hanceville’s Hank Radcliff, both of whom procured two-day scores of 171.
West Point’s Graham Nelson (178), Fairview’s Devan Jennings (179) and Good Hope’s Ben Hunter (187) rounded out the All-Tournament Team.
Though it wasn’t a sublime round by any stretch for the left-hander, McKelvy was nonetheless excited to come out on top and join a recent group of exceptional golfers — Cole Pearson, Trey Hanvey and Eli Marty — as an individual county champion.
“Even though I struggled, I was glad to join some of those great players,” the senior said. “This is a big honor.”
Despite trailing by a couple of shots entering Thursday’s round, McKelvy’s plan was quite simple.
Don’t overthink it.
“I just wanted to play and have fun,” he said. “Things would take care of themselves. I got the lead and got a little confidence. I was a little nervous on the last hole, but it wasn’t toob
Fairview’s boys grabbed their fourth straight county crown with a two-day total of 706. Good Hope finished in second place with an 804. Carter Robertson (191) joined McKelvy, Yeager and Jennings as a counting score for the Purple and Gold.
Cold Springs’ freshman Katie Salley carded a two-day total of 171 to take home her second straight individual title. Fairview’s Brileigh Roberts (185), Good Hope’s Taryn Collins (187) and Fairview’s Hope Bowen (189) put together solid performances as well to snag spots on the All-Tournament Team.
“It felt good to come back and play better than I did last year,” Salley said. “It was a little easier on me today, because I knew what to expect. I wasn’t focused on anybody else. I was just focused on playing the absolute best that I could.”
The Lady Aggies — who also nabbed a 203 from Emmy Leigh Glover — hauled in their eighth straight county crown, beating the Lady Raiders 577 to 650.
Fairview’s junior varsity boys, meanwhile, bested Good Hope 816 to 840 to produce their ninth straight county championship. The Aggies were led by Brady Brooks, who racked up low-medalist honors following a two-day total of 192. Slade Ryan, Klay Knop and Connor Tipton also contributed counting scores.
“We stressed to them that every shot has a life of its own,” coach Kurt Knight said. “Good or bad, move on to the next shot. They did that. We are extremely proud of all our teams.”