Local duo leads Wake to regional victory; UNC, Duke advance; N.C. State loses

         Morgan Ketchum shot 6-under-par 66 Wednesday at Seminole Legacy Golf Club to lead Wake Forest to the Tallahassee, Florida, Regional team championship. With an 8-under 838 total, Wake beat Florida State by four strokes. Ketchum, a Winston-Salem native and transfer from Virginia Tech, tied Sophia Fullbrook of Florida State for medalist honors at 7-under…

Summerlin wins 8A medal, but Broughton falls one short against Pinecrest; Oak Grove’s Newton sets record

        Led by medalist Smth Summerlin, Broughton came within one shot of knocking off perennial power Pinecrest on its home turf Tuesday at the Class 8A State Championship at Pinehurst No. 8. Pinecrest posted 3-over-par 579. Broughton shot 290 in each round, gaining six shots in the final round. Summerlin fired 71 for a 5-under 139…

East Surry’s Badgett smashes Poston’s NCHSAA record

        Pennson Badgett is concluding his high school golf career in record-breaking fashion. The East Surry senior shot 12-under-par 60 in Monday’s first round of the state Class 3A Boys’ Championship at Longleaf Golf Club in Southern Pines. Badgett broke the former single-round record for an N.C. state championship round of 63 set by PGA Tour…

Where I played this week: Holly Ridge offers great conditions, amenities, value within an hour of Triangle

        There’s often something new at Holly Ridge Golf Links, where I found another new project in the works during a round this past week. More about that later. What’s innovative at Holly Ridge, only an hour from Chapel Hill off Interstate 85? A few examples: –Golfers buy tee times online — the price is the…

Reitan holds off Fowler at Quail Hollow; Snedeker wins in Myrtle Beach

        Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan shot 69 Sunday and beat Ricky Fowler and Nicolai Højgaard by two strokes to win the $3.6-millon first prize at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, one of the PGA Tour’s Signature events. Reitan, who posted 15-under for 72 holes, came from behind on the back nine to overtake…

Scheffler’s absence at Quail Hollow more evidence that Tour should scrap ‘Signature’ tier

        The world’s No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, isn’t there. If you bought tickets to this weekend’s Truist Championship, knowing it was a “Signature Event” and believing the world’s top player would be at Quail Hollow, you’re wrong. Let the righteous brothers on the PGA Tour continue to vilify former colleagues who accepted guaranteed millions to…

Tar Heels draws No. 2 seed at Texas A&M regional; Wolfpack going to Bermuda Run

        The Triangle’s Big 3 ACC golf programs received their May 11-13 NCAA regional assignments Wednesday with North Carolina and Duke required to make long journeys. The Tar Heels are the No. 2 seed behind Texas at the Texas A&M Regional at Traditions Club. The Blue Devils will go to Arizona as the No. 5 seed…

Smith leads Broughton in 8A; Heritage, Terry Sanford, Princeton win regional tourneys

        Broughton, Willow Spring and Apex qualified for the Class 8A state high school championship next week by finishing 1-2-3 Tuesday in the 8A East Regional at Bentwinds Country Club. Broughton shot 301, Willow Spring 307 and Apex 312, beating Wakefield by one shot for the final spot at Pinehurst No. 8. Summerlin Smith of Broughton…