Wil Huddleston and Hagan Law Share Medalist Honors in Opening Round of Schooldays Golf Tournament

Wil Huddleston approached the 102nd Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament with optimism, feeling well-prepared after a solid practice session at the McCabe Course. Despite initial worries about transitioning to a shorter course, Huddleston's extra time on the driving range proved beneficial, as he finished tied for the top spot alongside Hagan Law with a score of 1-over-par 71 on June 3.

“I kind of knew going into it that I had a pretty good shot of being at the top,” Huddleston remarked, acknowledging the challenge of adjusting from the longer Hermitage Golf Course, where he had just competed. The difference in course length—6,700 yards at Hermitage compared to nearly 6,000 yards at McCabe—required a shift in strategy. The rising senior at Maryville had previously placed tied for 18th at the Tennessee Junior PGA Championship, also at Hermitage.

“On the range beforehand, at McCabe, I really tried to focus on my wedges,” he explained, highlighting the need to recalibrate his approach to accommodate shorter distances. Law, who also faced a similar adjustment after competing at the longer Legacy course, shared his strategy: “I just really try to not swing out of my shoes at McCabe because it's a way easier miss with my driver.”

Huddleston's round included birdies on the 2nd and 7th holes, with bogeys on the 3rd and 4th, leaving him even on the front nine. He added another birdie on the 10th but stumbled with bogeys on the 15th and 16th to conclude his round at 1 over. Law maintained a steady score by paring the front nine, while also recording birdies on the 10th and 18th, though he faced a bogey on the 11th and a double bogey on the 15th.

In the 12-14 boys division, Aubrey Travis from Nashville emerged as the medalist with a score of 2 over, setting the stage for his quarterfinal match against George Armstrong from Franklin, who finished at 11 over. In the girls' competition, Clarksville's Lyla Payne claimed the medalist title with a score of 76, edging out Samantha Strothers, who also shot 76 but suffered a double bogey on the 12th hole. Payne is set to face Emma Elkins in the quarterfinals on June 4.

For complete results and match play pairings, visit snedstour.org.