FORESTVIEW HOLDS SLIM LEAD IN NCHSAA BOY’S 3-A GOLF; WEDDINGTON’S SIMPSON FIRES OPENING ROUND 69

FOXFIRE VILLAGE — In search of its third consecutive state team championship, Gastonia Forestview holds a slim lead after Monday’s action , the 29th annual North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A men’s golf championships at the Foxfire Golf and Country Club.

Forestview tallied a 301 as a team on Monday to hold a slim one-stroke advantage over Burlington Williams. Waxhaw Marvin Ridge and Weddington are tied for third at 310 and Rockingham County recorded a 312. The best four of six individual scores count toward the team total.

The championship is being held on a par 72 layout set at 6,669 yards for the NCHSAA event.

In the medalist race, Weddington’s Alex Simpson opened up a three-shot lead over the field with a three-under par 69. Forestview teammates Will Blalock and Harrison Frye each had even par 72 along with William Register of Burlington Williams. Blalock was fifth last year in the state tournament while Register finished in sixth.

Prior to 1986, all NCHSAA schools competed for a single title in an open tournament. Play went to three classifications in 1986 and then to four classes beginning with the 1998 tournaments.

A total of 84 golfers began play in the two-day event. Action will resume at eight o’clock on Tuesday morning.