By: Adam Freeman
After qualifying two individuals for the 2025 WVSSAC State Golf Championship, the Tucker County Mountain Lions traveled to Wheeling this past week to compete in the prestigious two-day event held at the challenging Jones Course at Speidel Golf Club.
The golfers arrived on Monday for a practice round to prepare for what is widely considered one of the toughest courses in the state. The rolling terrain and unforgiving layout of the Jones Course would demand focus and resilience from all 160 competitors.
Junior Nate Davis was the first of the two Tucker County qualifiers to tee off as tournament play officially began on Tuesday. Davis struggled to find rhythm in the early stages of his round but found his footing over the final nine holes, shooting an impressive 42 on the back stretch and finishing the day with a solid score of 92.
Drew Simmons followed a similar path, working through early challenges before finding his groove on the back nine. Unfortunately, Simmons was unable to complete his round before darkness halted play, leaving him one hole short as the horn sounded to suspend action for the day. Simmons returned to the course early Wednesday morning at 7:50 a.m. to complete his final hole and officially carded a 106 for Round One.
With Round One completed for all players, Round Two began later that morning at 10:30 a.m. Unlike the first day, which featured assigned tee times off hole 1 or 10, Wednesday’s round used a shotgun start to ensure the tournament could be completed on time. All 160 golfers took the course simultaneously in groups of four or five, which created several slowdowns throughout the day.
Despite the delays and pressure, both Davis and Simmons fought through the difficult conditions once again. Davis showed consistency and resilience, improving slightly on his day-one performance with a 91, earning him an 11th-place overall finish, narrowly missing the top 8 needed for All-State Honors.
Simmons matched his first-round score with another 106, placing him 28th overall in the final standings. Both golfers demonstrated grit and determination throughout the tournament and proudly represented Tucker County on the state’s biggest stage.
Qualifying for the state tournament was a season-long goal for both Davis and Simmons, one they achieved through hard work, countless hours of practice, and strong mental preparation. Now with valuable state tournament experience under their belts, both athletes have shifted their focus to next season, where they aim to not only return to Wheeling but finish well within the top 8 and contend for individual honors.
Looking ahead, the Tucker County golf program is optimistic. With continued growth and development from younger players and a strong foundation built through the middle school program, the goal is clear: qualify an entire team for the state tournament and contend for both individual and team titles in the coming years.
