Gaffney golfers rebound strong after sluggish start
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

First-year Gaffney High golf coach Todd Coggins knew just what to say after the Indians shot a disappointing score during the first round of the Patriot Invitational.

"On the first day they weren't used to playing on that type of tight and narrow course, so I told them to just go out there (on the second day) and shoot like they normally do," Coggins said.

The calming remarks worked as the Indians trimmed their first day total of 348 by 30 strokes to finish with a 666.

The Indians finished 17th in the 24 team field.

Dorman and A.C. Flora finished in regulation tied at 604 before the Cavaliers won the tournament with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

Gaffney's Phillip Rogers shot an 85 in the first round but picked up his game on day two with six birdies, including three in a row to finish with a 77 for a 36-hole total of 162.

"He made those three birdies after a quadruple bogey. That showed he didn't give up," Coggins said.

Gaffney's Daniel Whisenant also enjoyed a solid second round after struggling on the first day. Whisenant fired a second round 78 to better his first round score by 10 strokes.

Adam Goins had an 85-80 - 165 and seventh grader Trey Taylor shot a 90-83 - 173 to round out the scoring for Gaffney.

Cayci Ruppe had a 92-89 - 181 but only the top four scores from each school were counted.

North Charleston's Coosah Creek hosted the preseason tournament's first round. Round two was played at Legend Oaks.

Coggins said the tournament showed his team has some work to do before the start of the season on March 3.

"Now we know what to work on," he said.