The Dorman Cavaliers were the pre-season pick to be the top team in the 5A D1 classification.

It has taken the Cavaliers a little time to put the pieces together, but at the Spartanburg County High School championship Dorman broke through for the win at Woodfin Ridge.

Led by medalist Casey Kosney the Cavs topped the defending champions from Spartanburg by a shot, 299-300.

Kosney, a future University of Colorado golfer, was the medalist after carding a 4-under par 68. He finished 4-shots in front of Spartanburg’s Ben Fullmer.

“My driver wasn’t very good today so I used an iron off the tee most of the day,” said Kosney. “This is a big win for our team when you see we beat Spartanburg and Gaffney those are really good teams,” he said.

At the start of the season the Cavalier line up included two future college golfers, Kosney and Will Ruth, along with three players who Coach Brad Kelly hoped would develop during the season.

“I think we are getting our group together,” said Kelly. “Our team is vibing together and they care about each other and it is good to see because happy players get good scores,” said the coach.

Ruth, the defending 5A DI individual champion, won the individual title at the Red Raider Invitational to start the season.

However, Ruth will miss some tournaments during the year due to a heavy academic load. It opens a spot in the lineup to develop another young player.

“We will get Ruth back later in the season, In the last few tournaments Moses Zikusooka has really come on and we are also getting some good rounds from Riley Register and Ian McPherson,” said the Cavalier’s coach.

While the 5A DII classification has the most top teams, the 5A DI field is not far behind in the number of very good teams and exceptional individual golfers.

When it comes time to play for a state title, the Cavs will not have to beat Hanna, Greenwood or Gaffney, but finishing in front of Spartanburg, Lexington, Mauldin and River Bluff for the championship will take all the players in the Cavalier’s lineup.

“They know golf its fun watching them play and being together. You still got to play the golf, but I think we have the caliber of player to get it done,” added Kelly.

The tournament produced a crowded All-County team. The event expected to honor the top-8 golfers as All-Spartanburg County, but five players tied for the last spot and all were honored.

The Spartanburg All County team included, Casey Kosney – Dorman 68, Ben Fulmer – Spartanburg 72, Ben Smith – 74 Gaffney 74, Emmett Walsh – Spartanburg 75, Luke Robertson – Gaffney 75, Daniel Price – Gaffney 75, Matthew Roff – Spartanburg Day 75, Riley Register – Dorman 76, Will McCraw – Chapman 76, Davis Petty – Spartanburg 76.