Press Room

Walton finished 5th against strong competition from Milton, Roswell, Alpharetta and Centennial. Difficult course conditions and rain throughout the day challenged our players in a tough test of golf.
Sophomore David Yowell played consistently to post a team low score of 74 and finish 4th individually.
Senior Anthony Amodeo  (76/top-10) ended his golf career at Walton with a masterful stroke, draining a 30ft. eagle putt on the final hole that brought the crowd to their feet.
The weather and conditions took their toll on the rest of the team though. Sophomore, Tanner Landry shot 81and senior, Taylor Allen shot 82.
Juniors, Blake Yoder shot 83 and Stian Naustdal 90.

Fulton still has the edge on Cobb

by Adam Carrington
acarrington@mdjonline.com

April 21, 2010 12:00 AM | 167 views | 0  | 5  |  | 

Walton’s David Yowell shot a strong round of 74, but the Raiders struggled to find momentum among their north Fulton rivals.

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CANTON - Walton's boys golf team continues to have trouble overcoming their counterparts from north Fulton County.

The Raiders were denied a trip to the Class AAAAA state tournament for the second straight year, finishing fifth behind four north Fulton schools, Tuesday in the Region 6AAAAA tournament at BridgeMill Athletic Club.

Walton finished with a team score of 313, led by David Yowell's 74. Anthony Amodeo fired a 76 to keep the Raiders in it, but their four remaining starters failed to break 80. Tanner Landry shot 81, Tanner Allen scored an 82, Blake Yoder carded an 83 and Stian Naustdal settled for 90.

Yowell was the most consistent player in Walton's lineup, even-par after the first 15 holes, trading two birdies and two bogeys. But it was consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 which left him at 2-over.

"(Yowell) is just a sophomore. He did a good job," Walton coach Mike Davidson said. "I'm proud of the way we fought back, but we have good golfers who can play better than (they did Tuesday)."

Amodeo's 30-foot putt for eagle on the par-5 18th hole salvaged the back-nine after he made four bogeys on the first five holes.

Most of his struggles came from the tee box. Amodeo was more consistent on the front nine, where he was even through five holes before bogeys on the sixth and ninth holes put him at 2-over at the turn.

"I didn't have a lot of opportunities for birdies, but I hung in there and took the pars when I could get them," Amodeo said. "I thought I played alright."

Michael Hines shot 75 to lead Kell. He started strong with birdies on holes 1 and 3 before bogeys on 6 and 7 put him even at the turn. He held his own on the back nine until he double-bogeyed 16, a 183-yard par-3 where he had to tee off on an island green.

Milton and Roswell will be the ones making the trip to the state tournament this season, which will be held May 3 at the Landings Course of Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro.

Milton had four of its golfers shoot in the 70s as it won the tournament with a team score of 300. Tyler Gruca led the Eagles with an even-par 72, while Patrick Grahek recorded a 75.

Roswell was second at 306, led by Bryon Fox's 72 and Will McFarlin's 75.

Last year's region champion, Alpharetta, tied Centennial for third at 311, coming up short of a state tournament berth, but it will still have a representative in Tom Howard, who shot 2-under 70 to be the low medalist.

Following Walton in sixth was Kell (331) took sixth at 331, followed by Pope (348), Lassiter (349), Wheeler (426) and Campbell (450

Walton placed 12th in a field of 31 teams at this prestigious event, with a 2-day, four man, total score of 678.
Led by senior, Anthony Amodeo 72/74 - 146 (top 20) and sophomore stalwart David Yowell, who made a great second day comeback 82/71 - 153.
Junior, Blake Yoder 77/82 - 159, and Senior Taylor Allen 82/78 - 160 also contributed to Walton's success in this challenging format, which allows only four players per team and counts them all.
Coach Davidson was proud of their efforts and feels good about their chances for continued success in the Region Tournament at Bridge Mill Athletic Club Tuesday, 4/20.

Walton Fielded two teams comprised of their 6-10 & 11-15 ranked players.(contrary to the MDJ article Walton did not send their "A" team).
Both teams played well and enjoyed the event. Many players had their first competitive tournament experience.

Players 6-10 finished 4th and included seniors, Ryan McBride (77),
Michael Mattus (79), and Wes Bailey (86). Junior, Stian Naustdal (76) was low man for the team which also included sophomore Justin Cheurprakobkit (85).

Players 11-15 finished 9th. This team included Seniors Jeff Oxman (83), Andrew Holcomb (89) and Sean Moore (90). Junior, Colin McBride (82) was low man for this team which also included sophomore Zack Weld (90).

Walton placed third among ten teams in a one-day local tournament. Low man for Walton was sophomore David Yowell (74) followed by seniors Taylor Allen (78) and Anthony Amodeo (79). Blake Yoder's 80 also counted for the team total 311. These four players will represent Walton on the road in Columbus, GA for a two-day tournament this weekend.

Playing in wet, cold, windy conditions Walton's men placed 4th out of 9 teams at the Bridge Mill Invitational Golf Tournament this past Saturday (3/13).

Again led by sophomore David Yowell (78), along with seniors Taylor Allen (79) and Anthony Amodeo (79), all three finished in the top15 out of 53 total players.
Senior, Wes Bailey (80) also had a top 20 showing. Additional Walton players included, Justin Cheurprakobkit (87) and Tanner Landry (90).

Coach Davidson: "For the conditions, we didn't have a bad outing. I hope that our players can see that every shot is important because this is the course that we play for the Region and these are the teams. We need every shot to count."