Polk County senior Will Ballard fired an even-par 71 Monday to sit in a tie for fourth place after the first round of the state 2A golf championship in Southern Pines.
Playing the 6,591-yard course at Longleaf Golf and Country Club, Ballard finished the day two shots behind leader Eric Edwards of Salisbury. Newton-Conover’s Trey Burton and Shelby’s Elliott Grayson shared second with scores of 70.
On Tuesday, Ballard closed with a 76 to finish in a tie for ninth place out of 84 players participating in the NCHSAA championship. His 147 total was eight shots behind champion Cole Jefferys of Southwest Edgecombe. Jefferys fired a three-under par 68 to finish at 139 and win the tournament by three shots. Jefferys and Providence Grove’s Justin Emmons, who had a 71, were the only two players to match or break par in the final round, unlike the first day when six players matched or bettered par.
Salisbury’s Eric Edwards finished second at 142. There was a three-way tie for third decided by a playoff after Elliott Grayson of Shelby, Stephen Abrams of Wilson Beddingfield and Emmons all finished at 145. Grayson took third and Abrams fourth.
Newton-Conover had a solid second day performance in the team race, recording a 306 to go with a first-day 304 for a total of 610, giving the Red Devils their second consecutive 2-A team championship.
Shelby placed second, seven shots back. The Golden Lions qualified for the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year and have not finished lower than sixth during that stretch.

– article submitted
by Trey Dusenbury