Foley, Ahing, Ray Finish 1-2-3 at Flyers Invitational

Scotty Foley of Sandhills Community College earned medalists honors with scores of 80-77-157, and teammates Trinity Ahing and Ava Ray finished second and third, at the Stitch Flyers Intercollegiate that was completed at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines on Tuesday.

Ahing, the medalist at the Lady Flyers previous two spring events, posted scores of 81-80-161.  Ray shot 84-82-166.  Maddy Key of Columbia College came in fourth after rounds of 91-82-173.

Foley, and Ray took first and second place at the inaugural NJCAA Division III Women's Championship last June in Chautauqua, NY.  Along with Ahing, a New Bern High School grad who played golf at Western Carolina as a freshman, they topped a field of 13 golfers at Longleaf.

None of the five teams that also included USC Sumter, Johnson and Wales and Southwest Virginia CC had the four players required to post a team score.

Foley, a product of Hickory Ridge High School, had been struggling with her driver this spring, that is, until this week.

"I always believe in having fun in what you're doing," she said afterward. "I told myself going into today that I was in the lead and just to stay calm.  I prayed to God before I got here just to keep me calm and relaxed.

"When you're getting off the tee well, when you trust your swing and relax and everything is working, playing the game you love, it's the best feeling because you've worked so hard to get there."

According to Coach Herb Pike, all three of his golfers played well.

"Trinity was happy for Scotty," he said. "It was a team thing and the team did well. Ava shot an 82 which was probably her second best score. I was real pleased with them."

The Lady Flyers will be back in action at the St. Andrews Invitational held at Deercroft Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday.

On a successful two days of golf for Sandhills Community College at Longleaf, freshman Ben Read was the medalist in the men's tournament and the Flyers A team finished in second place behind Methodist in the team competition.

C. Bergmann