• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    High School Sports, PICTURE FLIPPER, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
     By  J.R. Tidwell Published 
    6:00 am Saturday, May 11, 2013

    RHS golf wins sub-state

    Contributed The Russellville Golden Tigers golf team won the sub-state tournament Tuesday at Teri Pines Country Club in Cullman. Pictured from a tournament earlier this year are: Will Bragwell, Blake Bendall, Aaron Jackson and Joshua Seal.

    Contributed
    The Russellville Golden Tigers golf team won the sub-state tournament Tuesday at Teri Pines Country Club in Cullman. Pictured from a tournament earlier this year are: Will Bragwell, Blake Bendall, Aaron Jackson and Joshua Seal.

    CULLMAN —The Russellville Golden Tigers golf team ran into quite a debacle when the original date of the sub-state tournament was mired by rain and poor playing conditions. After some indecision as to what steps to take next by the tournament hosts, Teri Pines Country Club and host Cullman decided to move the tournament back a day to Tuesday.

    “They had the course set up the exact same way as Monday,” Russellville head coach Jason Haithcock said.

    “It was an extremely tough setup or high school kids. They have a micro open there each year and they use the same setup as with the high school tournament.”

    Scores were not yet in by press time that day, but now the final outcome has become yet another chapter in the storied history of Golden Tiger athletics.

    The team won the sub-state tournament with a final score of 323. Rival Hartselle came in second at 331, and tourney host Cullman was the final team to qualify for state with a third-place finish at 335.

    “After nine holes we had a score of 165, which is the highest score we have had maybe in two years in a match, aside from the state championship last year,” Haithcock said.

    “That’s the highest we had shot in nine holes. I knew at that point the scores were going to be high because the other schools were having the same problems we were.

    “When we made the turn at nine, Hartselle and us were neck and neck. We were pretty much tied at that point.

    “We knew some of the other schools were doing somewhat worse than we were, so I felt good about us after nine. I thought we would probably qualify [for state], but I did not know we would win the tournament at that point in time.”

    The course played much better on Tuesday, but some of the problems caused by the rain were still apparent to coaches and competitors.

    “The greens were very nice. The fairways were still very muddy,” Haithcock said.

    “I would say the course was in good shape considering the amount of rain that poured down on the previous day. There was a lot of mud.

    “There were some shots that got chunked a little bit. I saw some players take shots, and their ball went five feet. That’s not typical at that level of play.

    “There were some wet conditions, but overall I was well pleased at how the course was after the rain.”

    The conditions slightly overshadowed Russellville’s win, but only for the day. From this point on all that will be remembered by the Russellville faithful is that the team won sub-state, a feat never accomplished before by the school.

    “I was excited,” Haithcock said. “It is the first sub-state win for a Russellville golf team.

    “The sub-state level tournament hasn’t been held for a long time. Last year we just wanted to be in the top three and qualify for state.

    “This year we had a goal at the beginning of the season to win sub-state, and to actually accomplish that, I was excited.

    “The guys had worked hard for it. We stressed out for 24-48 hours, and I’m just excited for the boys. It’s a great feeling.

    “When I came to Russellville I expected to play for state championships in football. I never dreamed of playing for a state championship in golf when I took the job.

    “It’s a great feeling to make it to this level no matter what sport you’re playing in. Making it to this level says a lot about your program and the kids that you have.

    “Hopefully we’ll fare a little bit better this time around than we did last year.”

    The sub-state win now qualifies the Golden Tigers for the state tournament to be held Monday at The Shoals, a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course in Muscle Shoals.

    Russellville should have a bit of an advantage given the proximity of the school to the host course for the tournament.

    “I feel that it does help out because in past years we’ve had to travel to sectionals, sub-state, state,” Haithcock said.

    “We’ve had to travel anywhere from one to five hours to play, so it’s not like we get to see those courses.

    “Last year in practice for state we only got to play 12 or 13 holes before getting rained out. We have seen this course a lot.

    “The kids go and play it, and they’re very familiar with it. This is as close to home-field advantage that we would ever have, so I do feel good about playing on the course.”

    Even though the Golden Tigers will have home-field advantage, that does not mean the course or competition will be any easier. The state tournament will be held on the “Fightin’ Joe” course, one of two that can be found at the Shoals, with the other being the “Schoolmaster.”

    “It plays tough,” Haithcock said. “If you miss the fairways you’re going to be in trouble.

    “Most of my boys understand that. I haven’t seen it in the last couple of weeks, but sometimes they let the grass in the rough grow up.

    “It makes it tough to find your ball sometimes, and it is extremely tough to putt out of. It will be a difficult a course.

    “I don’t think it will be as difficult as Grand National was last year. It will have obstacles we will have to overcome.”

    Coach Haithcock is well aware of what it will take to have a shot at winning the tournament, and he is sure of who his teams’ toughest competition will be on the day.

    “For us to have a shot at winning we will have to average around 305 both days.” he said. I think that’s what it’s going to take.

    “If I can have three guys shoot 75 or under, and one person shoot around 80, I think we will have a shot.

    “I think 305-306 have been what the winners shot over the past two or three years. We’re very capable of doing it. It may be a lower score than that, but around 305 is usually what wins 5A.

    St. Paul’s has been there a lot. They have a lot of state championship wins.

    “They have a player that just signed with Alabama.

    “They’re always the favorite; I can’t remember the last state championship held that St. Paul’s wasn’t the favorite to win it.

    “I don’t know a lot about Spanish Fort and Homewood, but I know they had great seasons.  Both of those teams look like they are playing very close with St. Paul’s.

    “Hartselle is the best team coming out of the north other than us. I look for St. Paul’s and Spanish Fort to be the toughest competition.”

    Playing the final tournament of the year at a Robert Trent Jones facility comes with an inherent understanding of just what to expect about the course.

    “You expect the best,” Haithcock said. “The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses are some of the best in the south, and the kids love knowing they are going to play on one of those courses. It’s a good feeling for them.”

    Russellville ran into a problem last year when the state tournament was held at Grand National. The team was unfamiliar with the course, and as mentioned the Golden Tigers’ only practice session was cut short by the weather.

    This year the weather may be a factor, but likely less of one than last year thanks to Russellville’s familiarity with Fightin’ Joe.

    “The good thing about this is, we have played the course,” Haithcock said. “A rain out probably won’t affect us as much as it would if we were playing somewhere else.

    “I don’t think soggy conditions will be that big of a factor unless we get a whole lot of rain come Sunday or Monday.

    “I don’t think the weekend conditions will hurt us too much. The Robert Trent Jones courses are in such good shape they’re going to drain well.

    “They’re going to make sure the course is in good shape and it’s an experience the kids won’t forget.”

    Also on Franklin County Times
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    Franklin County, Galleries, Lifestyles
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    Griffin Traylor 
    July 9, 2025
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE -- The city has received what its auditor called a “clean opinion” on its fiscal year 2024 audit, meaning no significant deficiencies or ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    Franklin County, Main, News, ...
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    The Place of Grace has opened a new recovery home in Franklin County, offering women a structured, faith-based environment to continue their journey a...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
    July 9, 2025
    R U S S E L L V I L L E – Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton is concerned about the status of more than $6 billion in federal education gran...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Firefighters and city officials showed off the Fire Department’s new $2.2 million 100-foot platform fire truck in a safety demonstration ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Palmer certified for fourth term on Russellville Council
    News, Russellville, Z - News Main
    Palmer certified for fourth term on Russellville Council
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 9, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – The city council approved a certificate of election stating Councilman David Palmer was the only candidate to qualify for Council Distr...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Summer camps nurture faith, friendship and growth
    Columnists, Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    Summer camps nurture faith, friendship and growth
    July 9, 2025
    Susie Hovater Malone Columnist During the summer many Franklin County youths enjoy attending summer camps, where they engage in hiking, swimming, spor...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    The prosperity we enjoy depends on Sea Lanes of Communication
    Columnists, Opinion
    The prosperity we enjoy depends on Sea Lanes of Communication
    July 9, 2025
    The Pax Americana, the period since World War II when there have been no major world wars, has led to the greatest period of freedom the world has eve...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    PHOTO GALLERY: Jam at Sloss Lake
    July 9, 2025
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    Auditor says city’s financial health is very good
    RUSSELLVILLE -- The city has received what its auditor called a “clean opinion” on its fiscal year 2024 audit, meaning no significant deficiencies or ...
    July 9, 2025
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    Place of Grace opens recovery home in Franklin County
    The Place of Grace has opened a new recovery home in Franklin County, offering women a structured, faith-based environment to continue their journey a...
    July 9, 2025
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    Hamilton: Title II funding freeze is a concern
    R U S S E L L V I L L E – Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton is concerned about the status of more than $6 billion in federal education gran...
    July 9, 2025
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    Fire Department receives new $2.2M platform truck
    RUSSELLVILLE Firefighters and city officials showed off the Fire Department’s new $2.2 million 100-foot platform fire truck in a safety demonstration ...
    July 9, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Municipal elections: Let your voice be heard on Aug. 26
    Qualifying for municipal races across the state, including Franklin County, closed on June 24 leaving several contested races leading up to the Aug. 2...
    July 9, 2025
    TVA surcharge to raise August bills for customers
    RUSSELLVILLE Electricity customers should expect higher bills in August as TVA passes along a surcharge driven by high summer demand and a recent outa...
    July 9, 2025
    Hutcheson participates in CCHS program
    Hutcheson participates in CCHS program
    PHIL CAMPBELL — Rising Phil Campbell High School senior Hudson Hutcheson spent most of his summer at the University of Alabama. An aspiring dentist, h...
    July 9, 2025
    Being struck by lightning was ‘shocking experience’
    Being struck by lightning was ‘shocking experience’
    RUSSELLVILLE — Lisa Henderson was lying on her bed, scrolling through social media sites on her phone and enjoying a cozy, rainy Sunday afternoon with...
    July 9, 2025
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    RED BAY -- Tyler Jeffreys has been named the new head coach at Red Bay High School. Jeffreys is stepping in to replace Heath Childers, who recently re...
    July 9, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    RED BAY -- Tyler Jeffreys has been named the new head coach at Red Bay High School. Jeffreys is stepping in to replace Heath Childers, who recently re...
    July 9, 2025
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    RED BAY -- Red Bay High School’s Reed Hamilton has officially signed a scholarship to continue his education and baseball career at Blue Mountain Coll...
    July 9, 2025
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    PHIL CAMPBELL -- A familiar face will be leading the Phil Campbell High School Lady Bobcats softball program next season. Darby Allison, a 2007 gradua...
    July 2, 2025
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) has signed 6 Franklin County students to its 2025–26 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)...
    July 2, 2025
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A young generation of golfers teed off this summer at Twin Pines Country Club, thanks to a local effort to create opportunities for ch...
    July 2, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times