Baysden qualifies for state

GOLDSBORO - Bobby Baysden became the first-ever West Craven High School golfer to advance to the state finals on Tuesday.

At the Class 3-A regional tournament at Lane Creek Golf Course in Goldsboro, Baysden finished with a score of 72 to qualify for Monday and Tuesday's state tournament at Foxfire Golf and Country Club.

The top three individual golfers from non-advancing teams advanced out of Tuesday's regional. Baysden finished second overall, carding a round of 34 on the front-nine and 38 on the back-nine.

Baysden narrowly missed an opportunity to advance to the state as a sophomore last season. Head coach Clay Jordan was pleased to see his athlete come through this time around.

"He was tickled," Jordan said. "He missed it by one shot last year, so he really wanted to get there this year. He struck the ball really well today."

Havelock also participated as team in the Tuesday's regional. The Rams finished with a score of 344, which was well below their average total of 358.

"We didn't do well in comparison to the other teams, but we did well in comparison to how we were doing," Havelock coach Phil Buzzelli said.

Junior Jedediah Frazier led Havelock with a round of 76. Buzzelli said Frazier was 2-under after 10 holes, but suffered two straight double bogeys to put him out of contention to qualify.

"He played great, but he just had a couple bad breaks and shot himself out at the end," Buzzelli said.

Senior Aaron Finley ended his high school golf career with a round of 88 for the Rams, while sophomores Zach Miller and Erik Hale each finished with a score of 90.

With only one senior leaving the Havelock top-four, Buzzelli is already looking forward to what the Rams can accomplish next season.

"We've got a great guy to build around, and the potential is there," he said. "They just have to put it together."