Griffin Law, left, and Tucker Wick combined to win their Four-Ball match in the Tennessee Junior Cup
Griffin Law helped earn two points for the East squad Saturday in the Tennessee Junior Cup competition, a Ryder Cup format hosted by Nashville’s Hillwood Country Club.
Law and his East Hamilton High School teammate Tucker Wick combined to win their afternoon match, while McCallie School’s Thad Whitfield was also a winner in the Four-Ball portion of the event.
In the morning Foursomes (alternate shot) format, Law and Ethan Whitaker of Knoxville defeated Hil Thompson and Christian Pardue, 5 and 4, to post the first point for the East. The duo was 3 up after only six holes and closed out the match with a fifth birdie at the par 3 No. 14.
The pairing of Whitfield and Wick took on a difficult challenge out of the gates in facing two-time TSSAA Division II-AA state champion Blades Brown of Brentwood Academy partnered with Jackson Herrington of Dickson. Three birdies in four holes to start the back nine by the West tandem opened the lead to four, but an eagle by the East at the par 5 15th extended the match before losing, 3 and 2.
Team West led 4-3 following the Foursomes, before the East evened the score by capturing the afternoon Four-Ball matches as the teams are deadlocked 7-7 entering Sunday’s singles matches.
Law and Wick won their Four-Ball match against Will Pinson and Will Jackson, 5 and 4. The Council Fire Golf Club members didn’t lose a single hole while combining for eight birdies and an eagle. Wick’s eagle at the par 5 No. 3 jumpstarted their momentum before closing the match when Wick birdied No. 14. Law had birdies at to win holes 4, 8 and 11.
Whitfield teamed with Murfreesboro’s Phet Phothong to win their Four-Ball match, 3-up, over Andrew Sciortino and Jackson Whaley. Whitfield birdied three straight holes starting at No. 8 to put his team up by 4-up.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com