‘Great rivalry’ ends with Bishop boys’ golfers in second

The Bishop England High School boys’ golf team’s bid to win yet another state championship came up short as Oceanside Collegiate Academy posted a 579-592 victory over the Bishops on May 14 at Cheraw State Park.

 

But the Bishops did manage to keep their streak of impressive finishes at the state championship intact.

 

Since 2012, the Bishops have finished with either gold- or silver-medal performances, with the exception of 2020, when the South Carolina High School League shut down the spring sports season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

In that time frame, the Bishops won state titles from 2013-15, 2018-19, and last year.

 

“Like I tell everyone, I have the easiest job in sports,” BE coach Jeff Burton said. “Don’t wreck the bus, and get the kids to the first tee on time. The kids work hard, and they enjoy working hard.

 

“It’s not how you begin the season; it’s what you do on Mother’s Day weekend,” Burton added. “We beat Oceanside Collegiate a couple of times this year, and they beat us a couple of times. They just happened to win the last match. It’s a great rivalry.”

 

Overall, the Bishops own nine state championships, finishing second seven times.

 

The Landsharks took a seven-shot lead after the first day. The second round was interrupted by rain, and play concluded in the early evening.

 

The Bishops’ Matthew Teegardin earned the medalist honors, carding a two-day total of 138, which was 6-under-par. He recorded a 71 on the first day and was almost flawless on the second day with a 67, which was five under.

 

“Man, he was on fire,” Burton said of his talented senior. “He was so pure. He could have been eight or nine under if a couple of putts would have dropped.”

 

Teegardin was one of two Bishops to earn all-state honors. Daniel Donato also earned all-state status, finishing in 10th place with a two-day total of 149.

 

“Daniel Donato is a special player,” Burton said. “He’s a really, really solid ball striker and player. He’s a gentleman on and off the course.”

 

Teegardin and Donato were the only returning key players this spring as the Bishops suffered heavy graduation losses. The most notable player to graduate in 2023 was Matt Moloney, who matriculated to the University of Georgia.

 

Philip Simmons Boys’ Golf

Philip Simmons High School finished in fourth place in the Class AAA state championship, which was contested at the Hackler Course on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.

 

It was a match of close encounters as Wren and Blue Ridge high schools shared the state championship, both carding 603 in the two-day tournament. Gilbert High School was third with 622, and the Iron Horses were fourth with 623.

 

Hudson Hatch led the Iron Horses with a two-day total of 144. He carded a 71 on the first day and followed that up with a 73 to finish in fourth place in the individual standings and earn all-state honors.

 

Hatch finished at even par and finished four shots behind medalist Dawson Szabo of Blue Ridge.