By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

NORWOOD — Elkin High School has had at least one representative in the state golf championships each year for the past decade.

That streak will continue in 2009 thanks for senior Ross Burgess.

Although the Buckin’ Elks didn’t compete as a team in Monday’s 1A Midwest Regional qualifier at Piney Point Golf Club in Norwood, Burgess earned an at-large bid to the event and made the most of it.

Burgess shot a 75 to finish in a tie for eighth place individually, grabbing an at-large spot in next week’s 1A state tournament as a reward.

Burgess finished just three strokes off the winning pace, set by Erik Benson of Gray Stone Day. Damon Goin of North Stokes shot at 73, and five others carded rounds of 74.

Piney Point is a par-72 course.

“Ross played a very solid round of golf,” long-time Elkin coach Zim Zimmerman said. “He hit a lot of fairways and hit a lot of greens. He accomplished what he wanted to do, and that was qualify for the state tournament. We feel like it was a very good day.”

Elkin qualified as a team for last year’s state tournament, and then-senior Taylor Zimmerman won the region. Burgess had one of the best cumulative scores in the Northwest 1A Conference this spring and earned a solo berth into the regional tournament.

Overall, Burgess said he was pleased with his regional round, though like any golfer he knows he could have gone a stroke or two lower.

“I left a few shots out there on the course,” he said. “But that’s golf.”

The 1A state tournament will be held Monday and Tuesday at the Siler City Country Club. The state event is 36 holes. Burgess said he has played the course a few times.

Burgess shot an 84 in last year’s region tournament and carded rounds of 83 and 79 in the 2008 state championship, held at Keith Hills in Buies Creek — the second best two-day total for the Buckin’ Elks behind Taylor Zimmerman.

Bishop McGuinness won the 1A Midwest Region team title on Monday, compiling a 302 score. Gray Stone was one shot back at 303, while North Stokes finished in 305.

Defending 1A state champion East Surry did not qualify its team into the regionals this year. But East Surry’s Seth Covington earned an individual spot at state with his round of 74 on Monday.

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Two golfers from Forbush and one from Surry Central played in Monday’s 2A Western Regional golf tournament at Cedarbrook Country Club.

Austin Pedry shot an 83 for the Falcons, while Josh Matthews fired an 84. Surry Central‘s Seth Thomas shot an 89. None of the three golfers qualified for the state tournament, which will be next week in Southern Pines.

West Henderson (322 total), Wilkes Central (324) and Shelby (326) led the team standings Monday, each qualifying for the state championships.

Kameron Buchanan of Smoky Mountain was the day’s medalist, carding a 72. Spencer Jones of Shelby was second in 73. Host North Surry had three golfers in the field: Justin Young 84, Taylor Coalson 88 and Carson Ramey 88.