Walker Valley Mustangs gearing up for wet state golf tournament

Walker Valley's Katie Medley is one of four area girls' golfers who will be competing in the Class AAA state tournament today and tomorrow in Manchester, Tenn. The Walker Valley boys are participating as a team.
Walker Valley's Katie Medley is one of four area girls' golfers who will be competing in the Class AAA state tournament today and tomorrow in Manchester, Tenn. The Walker Valley boys are participating as a team.

Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade could make a dollar or two if they opened a mobile shop outside of Willowbrook Golf Club today.

Rain gear would by flying off their tables.

The forecast for the first round of the Class AAA state tournament today in Manchester can be summarized in one word - wet.

"Today was fine. It didn't rain at all and it barely started drizzling at the end of our practice round," Walker Valley coach Bob Williams said Monday. "Tomorrow will be different, I'm sure."

The National Weather Service is predicting showers, a possible thunderstorm and a 100 percent chance of rain today.

"All of us are keeping phones handy," Williams said. "We know it's going to be wet. I told the guys to bring all of their rain gear, umbrellas and towels and advised them to stay as dry as possible."

The Mustangs are one of eight teams who will be competing for the 2015 Class AAA state championship. They won Region 3 with a 309, which was the third best total reported to TSSAA from across the state on courses with difference ratings and difficulty slopes.

Williams' worry is that the tournament could be delayed - and in a worst-case situation cut to an 18-hole tournament.

"Hopefully we can get in both rounds," he said from a restaurant in Manchester. "I'm going to tell them to do the best they can and to stay as dry as possible, but I'm sure it's going to be difficult.

"It's not like they have a caddie out there keeping things dry. It's up to them."

Walker Valley senior Dylan Lillard, who is playing in the team's No. 4 hole after a forgettable round in the region tournament, said he's prepared for the rain and what it's done to the course.

"It's gettable now," he said. "I don't play in rain that often, but I don't mind it too much. I just don't want to stop and start all day."

Williams also will be checking in throughout the day on Katie Medley, who earned a spot in the tournament as an individual with Olivia Williams of Bradley Central, Jayla Sims of Soddy-Daisy and Rheagan Hall of Cleveland.

"Katie has had a good senior year," Williams said. "I hope she continues it for the next two days. Getting into the top 10 is a good goal for her."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

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