Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 7-13, 2018 UCW 11 Playing the 50th Cumberland County Golf Championship on his home course at Gates Four Golf and Country Club, Jack Britt High School senior Spencer Oxendine wasn't lack- ing for confidence. "I told my mom if I didn't win this thing I'm going to be pretty upset,'' the North Carolina State University golf commit said. He had little reason to be upset Sun- day after turning in a 74-72-146 that led him to the title over previous champi- ons Billy West and Gary Robinson. Robinson and omas Owen tied for second, Robinson shooting 79- 72-151 and Owen 74-77-151. West, the defending champion, recorded a 75-77-152. Oxendine apparently made history in the process, becoming the first CCGC champion in the tournament's 50-year history to win the event while still attending high school. In 1984, Pine Forest product Mitch- ell Perry won the title after graduating the previous June. e tournament was held in September that year. Oxendine just began his senior year at Jack Britt this fall. Oxendine, who blistered the Gates Four course with a 62 this summer that was one shot off the course re- cord of another Cumberland County high school star, South View's Todd Gleaton, said his effort over the course this weekend was "nothing stellar.'' He felt he drove the ball well and kept it in play for the most part. "I played the course how I always do,'' he said. "I play this course very aggres- sive. is is not a golf course where you can hit it off line, because if you start to hit it off line, you can make some big numbers.'' Oxendine's goal was to keep the ball in play and get it on the green. e first day he recorded four bogeys and only three birdies. He finished Sunday's round with three birdies and three bogeys. His near-course record 62 over the summer featured nine birdies, an eagle and one bogey. He called the win a great confidence boost going into his senior season of golf next spring at Jack Britt and look- ing ahead to his freshman season with the N.C. State team a year from now. "Winning is always good no matter what it is,'' he said. Oxendine said he was looking for- ward to playing the full three days of the tournament and was disappointed when bad weather forced cancellation of Friday's first round. "I was kind of upset, but there was nothing we could do about it,'' he said. "We didn't want to tear up Stryker.'' e tournament had been scheduled to open on Fort Bragg's Stryker Golf Course, which would have been a first for the event. "It didn't change my approach,'' he said. "My approach was I was prob- ably going to shoot par on Stryker, maybe one or two under, then I would kind of tear it up on Gates Four. at was my mindset.'' Oxendine makes history in win- ning 50th annual CCGC title by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Spencer Oxendine and his mother, Mary Ellen Oxendine. EVENTS EARL VAUGHAN JR., Sports Editor. COMMENTS? EarlUCWSports@gmail.com. 910-364-6638. Fayetteville's Destination For arts + entertainment | unique shops | galleries | restaurants | concerts | coffeehouses | tea shops | wine bars | brewpubs Veterans Day Parade, Fayetteville Veterans Day Proclamation Inaugural Hometown Hero Award Celebration Honoring General Lindsay Heroes Homecoming Speaker Series | Saturday, November 10 Carriage Tours of Olde Fayetteville | Saturday, November 10 The Magical World of Wizardry | Friday, November 16th & Saturday, November 17th A Dickens Holiday | Friday, November 23 Downtown Candlelight Loft Tours | Thursday, December 6 FREE PARKING after 5pm and all weekend Parking deck on Franklin St. | City parking lots downtownfayetteville For our full calendar of Downtown events, visit our Facebook page. CSDD is supported through funding provided by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Advertising Grow Your Business For effective advertising, Call 910.484.6200 today! www.upandcomingweekly.com