PINE GROVE – Not bad for a start.

Tuesday, August 14, 2001

PINE GROVE – Not bad for a start.

The Ironton Invitational kicked off the high school golf season Monday and the Ironton Fighting Tigers turned in an above par performance by finishing second behind Division I Logan.

A state tournament finalist last season missing three starters, Ironton still posted a 307 total on the day, just three strokes behind Logan’s 304 score.

Gallipolis "A" was third with a 324 followed by Russell, Ky., with a 327, Wheelersburg 329, Greenup County, Ky., 330, Athens 337, South Point 350, Logan "B" 373, Gallipolis "B" 398, and Portsmouth Clay 406.

Portsmouth had only three scores and did not qualify. Teams play five golfers and score the top four.

Individually, Ironton’s Zack Christian battled Paul Miller of Wheelersburg for medalist honors. Each shot a 69 with Miller winning a playoff for medalist honors.

Christian was the only Ironton golfer to finish among the top 10 individuals.

"We played pretty well for the first tournament," Ironton coach Bill Washburn said. "Zack Christian played exceptional. The other four are all capable of scoring better.

"We played four seniors and one junior (Jeff Parnell). Being a more mature team should help us get better."

Ironton’s Andy Brown had a solid effort with a 76 including a 36 on the back nine. Parnell shot an 80, Michael McGraw and 92, and Joe Crabtree had an 88.

Tyler Stapleton carded a 78 to lead South Point. Jared Enyart shot an 88, Adam Gaskin a 91, Andy Ray 93, and Colton Copley a 94.

Wheelersburg’s Mike Adkins had an 84, Ryan Noble an 85, Justin Clark a 91, and Kevin Wagner shot a 102.

Ironton plays in the Logan Elm Invitational at Cooks Creek on Thursday.