FRONT ROYAL — The 25th annual Curly Licklider Memorial Golf Invitational saw Handley High School once again leave a strong impression.
After placing first in Monday’s season-opening Class 4 Northwestern District mini, the Judges led all five local teams by shooting a six-player score of 523 and placing 18th overall among 35 qualifying schools (38 total) during Wednesday’s tournament held at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.
Douglas Freeman placed first overall with a total score of 449 (Independence’s A team was second with a 454), while Loudoun County’s Jackson Quinn shot a 4-under par 68 to win the competition by one stroke over two golfers.
Additionally, Millbrook placed 20th after shooting 528, Sherando placed 28th with 564, Clarke County tied for 29th with a score of 565 and James Wood came in 31st after shooting 602. Millbrook junior Tyler Learn led all local golfers with a 4-over-par 76.
The Licklider Invitational is unique because all six golfers’ scores count toward their team’s total instead of the typical four. This year, each school’s top three golfers competed on the Titus Course, which is composed of Shenandoah Valley’s blue nine and nine additional holes at Bowling Green Country Club.
The additional three golfers competed on Shenandoah Valley’s red and white nines, now known as the “Old Course.” The Titus Course is a par-72 combination, while the Old Course is a par-71.
Although all six scores counted this time around, Handley head coach Troy Mezzatesta said he was most encouraged by the swift improvement of his top four competitors on Wednesday.
“We improved on Monday’s performance by seven strokes,” Mezzatesta said. “If we can keep doing that … and start to get a little more comfortable out there and not let the little things bother us, that’s what I’m trying to do. And I think they did that today.”
On Monday, Handley shot a 340 — its top four shot a 333 at the Licklider Invitational. A large reason for this was the productivity of senior Finn Slaughter and sophomore Hudson Slaughter, as the brothers both shot a 9-over-par 81 on Wednesday.
Mezzatesta said having teammates who are so familiar with one another benefits not just themselves, but the team as a whole.
“Each week those two are battling and getting the other guys to compete,” Mezzatesta said. “Feeding off each other is a big deal, and if they can set the standard up top and the rest of the guys follow, it’ll bode well for us down the stretch.”
The Slaughters weren’t the only siblings to find success on Wednesday, as Learn and his brother, Millbrook assistant coach Brendan Learn, helped lead the Pioneers to a solid day on the green.
Led by Tyler’s score of 76, Millbrook’s top four golfers totaled a score of 331. With the Pioneers rostering seven sophomores, Brendan said the team is heading in the right direction.
“We have a lot of competition and qualifiers to see who makes the cut for matches,” Brendan said. “[There’s] a lot of potential for the future.”
Brendan also noted how his brother’s hard work had prepared him for his hot start to his junior season. After shooting a 79 on Monday, Tyler said it was his familiarity with the Titus Course that prepared him for another impressive outing.
“I play here pretty often with friends so I know the course around,” Tyler said. “That really helped today, knowing yardages and how the greens were going to play.”
In addition to Learn, Trenton Conley also found success for Millbrook, shooting an 80 on the day.
Sherando was led by Daniel Hill (82) and Peyton Sullivan (89). Caleb Erickson (85) and Grace Trent (87) were Clarke County’s top scorers. James Wood’s top golfers were Connor Causby (97) and Jack Trumble (98).
Millbrook, along with the other three local Class 4 Northwestern District schools will return to Shenandoah Valley for another mini on Tuesday. Clarke County will be back in action on Aug. 14 for a match with Sherando and Page County at the Luray Caverns Golf Course.
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com