Local coaches revive prep golf event

ASHEBORO — For more than two decades, boys golfers from the schools throughout Randolph County met for bragging rights at The Courier-Tribune Shootout, an 18-hole tournament hosted by various golf courses in the area.

The name will change and the venue will be out of the county, but Asheboro High School golf Coach Nick Goard and Randleman golf coach Terry Linthicum are bringing the concept back for local high school golfers.

A yet-to-be-named tournament will take place involving golfers from every school in Randolph County on April 2 at Colonial Country Club in Thomasville.

“Terry Linthicum and I started talking about it back in the girls’ season,” Gourd said. “Davidson County does the same thing and those guys pump a lot of energy into the thing. With all of us in different conferences now with realignment, we thought it was a good opportunity to start it again.”

Seven of the eight high schools in Randolph County have already committed to the tournament with Trinity holding out until coach Rodney Kirby is sure the Bulldogs will have a team this season. He said if they do, Trinity will be in.

The original Shootout ran from 1999 until 2019 with Asheboro winning 16 of the 21 team titles.

The idea came a bit late to reserve a golf course in Randolph County, so Goard said he was thrilled when Colonial agreed to host the event. Colonial is Wheatmore High School’s home course.

“We’re really thankful Colonial made it so easy,” Gourd said of the tournament, which will feature a 9 a.m. shotgun start with each team allowed to bring a maximum of five golfers. “This will allow the guys to compete in an 18-hole tournament.”

Awards will be given to the top individuals and the team with the lowest score. The scores for four golfers will be added together to determine the team champion.