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Published: Tuesday, May. 01, 2012 / Updated: Monday, Apr. 30, 2012 10:46 AM

Season-best low of 144 ends Nation Ford’s regular season on high note

FORT MILL -- 

The Nation Ford High School Falcons boys’ golf team ended the 2012 regular season on a high note, scoring a new team low for the third time this season.

Nation Ford shot a record team low of 144, four shots under the previous record, set two other times this season, in beating South Pointe 144-156 last week.

The Falcons will enter the Region IV-AAA tournament this week with an 8-3 overall record and 4-2 in region play.

Nation Ford was led by junior Preston Dabney, who shot a two-under 33 at Pinetuck Golf Club where the record was set.

“I can’t be more proud of Preston,” said Nation Ford head coach Michael Matkovich. “He has come a long way this season. He is fun to watch, especially around the greens. His short game is phenomenal. He played very well and told me he thought he left a few shots out on the course. I will take a round like that any day.”

Following Dabney’s performance was senior Evan Mathis with a 36, junior John Neal with a 37 and junior Corey Verhage with a 38.

“Evan also had a great finishing nine-hole match of his high school career,” Matkovich said. “He is looking forward to Monday at Chester and has his goals for post-season play set pretty high. I could not have asked for a better ending to our regular season.”

The win against South Pointe was gratifying as the Stallions golfers gave Nation Ford just its third loss of the season a couple days earlier at Springfield Golf Course.

South Pointe had beaten Nation Ford 157-160 two days prior as the Falcons struggled some. Again, Dabney led the way shooting a 38, followed by sophomore Hunter Miller with a 40 and junior Tyler Welliver with a 41. Verhage rounded out the scoring with a 41 as well.

“Corey has been my most consistent golfer all year,” Matkovich said. “He is averaging a 37 for nine-hole matches. I know I can count on using his score each match. He is a competitor. When he finally gets his putter going I expect him to post some great scores.”

The week after the region tournament, which is at Chester Golf Club, Nation Ford will be playing at a place closer to home in the Upper State tournament at Fort Mill Golf Club. That tournament is scheduled for May 7.