ELKIN — Bishop McGuinness took the first conference match of the season, but several local golfers posted good numbers.

Surry Central hosted the match at Cedarbrook Country Club north of Elkin.

On the par-36 course, the Villains’ top four players combined for a 1-under-par 143.

Stanhope Johnson was medalist with a 2-under 34, followed closely by teammates Brian Sowinski at 35 and Tanner Owen at 36.

Mount Airy’s Cody Hodges tied Owen for third at 36, while North Surry’s Taylor Coalson and East Surry’s Drew Alley shot 37.

William Whitacre, Bishop, and Caleb Marsh, South Stokes, shot 38, while East’s Jordan Vogler and Keenan Denny, South Stokes, shot 39 to tie for ninth.

The Northwest Conference features some of the best golfers in the state. Johnson and Owen finished first and second in the 1A state tournament last year, while Coalson took home the 2A state title. Hodges was tied for second with Johnson last year before finishing 11th in the state.

Cody played really well, said Mount Airy Coach Frank Mayberry. He was solid all the way around. In the five previous outings, Hodges had only one off-day and looks to have a good season, the coach said.

While Surry Central finished far behind Bishop, Coach Daniel Broughton was encouraged by the results.

He said he set a goal for the team to get the top four finishers all with sub-50 scores. That didn’t happen in any conference match last year, but it did Wednesday.

Ryan High and Dylan Carter shot 45 each. Then Matt Snow shot 46 and Chase Graham 48 for a team score of 184.

After reaching that first goal, Broughton said he would like to see the top four reach 45 or less at some point this season.

As for the fifth and sixth spots, the coach said both players were out with injuries. Fifth-seed Nate Blevins was suffering from a sore back, and Hunter Hayes is recovering from a broken thumb. The coach said both are improving and possibly could play Monday at Cross Creek Country Club.

In their places, brothers Jake and Calvin Inman shot 62 and 63 respectively.

Behind Coalson, the Greyhounds finished second as a team, followed just two strokes behind by the Cardinals.

Reach Jeff Linville at jlinville@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1920.

Team Results

1. Bishop McGuinness 143

2. North Surry 158

3. East Surry 160

4. South Stokes 161

5. Mount Airy 180

6. West Stokes 181

7. Surry Central 184

8. North Stokes 208