Most people dream of shooting their best round of golf, and that best round they dream of is in the mid-70's. Similarly, most people wish they could play a golf course at Pinehurst, but never have.
Knightdale High School's Brian Denton is far beyond the dreaming phase. He's in the zone.
Denton finished second in the Greater Neuse River Conference, only behind Thomas Bass of Holly Springs, with a par — yes, PAR — 72 scoring average on the season. He fired a three-down 69 at Devils Ridge on April 14, and a one-under 71 in the final match of the year at Reedy Creek.
That was all before he headed to Gates Four Golf and Country Club in Fayetteville this past Monday to play in the regional tournament, which, oh yeah, he won as well. Actually it was a 72-stroke tie with Jake Barge of Jack Britt, but when you par the next two playoff holes and your opponent doesn't, you've penned your name into the books — he is the 4A Eastern Regional Champion.
As if this doesn't make some of us turf hackers sick enough, his reward for his better-than-you play is a trip to the Village of Pinehurst this coming Monday. Denton will try his hand at Donald Ross' No. 4 course in the high school golf state tourney. Good for Denton: he spent time this week at Raleigh Country Club, another Donald Ross course. There's no better way to prepare for tight, pine-lined fairways and helmeted, undulating greens than to get out and practice on them first-hand.
I'll be keeping up with Denton as he finishes his high school season at states. The No. 1 Wingate University pick just might show up and surprise the field — his positive attitude has historically led him in that right direction.
