FRONT ROYAL — A season filled with success continued for Handley golf on Tuesday, as the Judges placed second in the Region 4D North sub-region tournament with a score of 319. This placed them four strokes behind first-place Charlottesville.
Additionally, Millbrook’s Trenton Conley took first place individually, shooting an even-par 72 to win by two strokes on Shenandoah Valley Golf Club’s Titus Course.
With these performances, the Black Knights and Judges advanced to the Region 4D Championship on Monday at Ivy Hill Golf Club in Forest. Conley, Liberty’s Eli Collins and Orange County’s Jackson Neeley and Seth Bryant also advanced to the championship, as the top six individuals from non-qualifying teams move on. Sherando’s Daniel Hill and Peyton Sullivan are alternates.
Handley built off its similar performance from last week, where it finished second in the Northwestern District Tournament with a score of 326. Handley coach Troy Mezzatesta said he was optimistic about his team’s improvement going forward.
“They just battled for each other, and that’s what they’ve been doing all year long,” Mezzatesta said. “I’ve always said we’re a sub-320 team, and today [we scored] 319. But I’d say we left about seven or eight on the table. So, we’re going to have to do better, and if we’re trending in this direction, we can.”
The Pioneers finished third with a score of 327, Sherando placed fourth at 336, Liberty was fifth with 339, Orange County sixth with 344 and James Wood seventh with 358.
Conley, a junior, said he’s seen himself grow throughout the season after an inconsistent beginning.
“I started really rough. I was in the high-80s,” Conley said. “I just came to practice and felt my swing out. Getting the extra practice in throughout the season really helped me lower my score and build confidence.”
Conley, who reached the region tournament last season, said he’d like to qualify for states after coming up short last season. He said he feels he has “the talent to do it” after his growth throughout 2025.
While Conley stood out individually, it was Handley’s balanced lineup that allowed it to advance collectively. Senior Finn Slaughter led his team on Tuesday, shooting a 2-over par 74 to take second overall behind Conley.
This came after Slaughter’s younger brother, Hudson Slaughter, was the team’s top scorer a week earlier. Finn said their ability to push one another has helped them both remain consistent this season.
“It’s been great. It’s hard sometimes out there because we’re brothers, but at the end of the day we go back to the same house and help each other out,” Slaughter said. “Feeding off each other and competing just makes us better and makes our team better, so it’s been fun.”
Slaughter also added that he’s been happy with this season’s results, as he “wasn’t expecting this kind of season” after the departure of several key seniors.
In addition to Finn’s 74, Handley’s other counting scores came from Cooper Phillips (79), Hudson (83) and Will Brubaker (83).
Along with Conley, Millbrook’s scorers were Anthony Gelormine (83), Tyler Learn (84) and Matt Alban (88).
Sherando’s top four were Sullivan (82), Hill (83), Lane Fisher (85) and Nick Sneddon (86).
James Wood’s counting scores came from Drew Longo (83), Connor Causby (89), Peyton Blair (92) and Jack Trumble (94).
With the stage now set for next week, Mezzatesta said he’s hoping his team will be able to adjust to a different environment as the competition becomes tougher.
“You’ve got to keep getting better each and every week because the teams get better,” Mezzatesta said. “It’s a tricky course. We’re going to have to go down and see it, and fall in love with it in a day, and believe we can [score] low.”
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com
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