Khoen Courson of Fort Frye putts on hole No. 18 during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

BEVERLY — The weather was colder than usual at the girls’ Waterford Invitational Friday at Lakeside Golf Club. Fort Frye head coach Ryan Layton watched his Cadet team put on a dominant performance.

Fort Frye, led by medalist Khoen Courson’s 2-over par 72, beat the host Wildcats 428-432 with a team score of 326 to tie second-place Warren.

Student Denay Layton, who admitted to being on too many greens and having too many birdie opportunities, finished with a 76.

Joining the Cadet duo from all teams in the tournament were Federal Hocking’s Addison Jackson with a 78, Athens’ Ellie Beck-Aden with a 79 and Logan’s Macie Mauck with a 81 in 11 overs.

“All seven men set personal records from top to bottom,” “The other two counting efforts that contributed to the team score were Faith Treadway (86) and Adeline Willey (92) with top laps recorded by Kenna McCrudy (101), Mary Kesselring (102) and Kallie Boley (115),” said a delighted coach Layton.

Marina Johnson of Warren putts her ball during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“We played well today. We’re getting better every time. We’re just working harder on our hitting and chipping.

“That’s what’s helped us. That’s basically what we’ve been practicing. If we can all stay together, we have the potential to do pretty well. I don’t know what the record is for Fort Frye. I mean, I’d guess it’s probably that. I know we threw .373 here last year. We’ve definitely done a lot better. We’re trying to go all the way. I think we can get out of regional pretty easily, but regional is going to be tough.”

Courson, who played a key role in FFHS’s small school division title at the Waterford Invitational last summer, finished the first nine holes in even par and entered the par-3 16th hole at 1-under.

“I played pretty solidly until 16 and doubled,” Courson agreed. “I hit it even on the front. I made bogey on two and birdie on nine. I made birdie on 10. (On the 16th) I hit my tee shot a little off the toe and then hit it over the green and made three putts.”

Despite making a double bogey, Cadet made par on the 17th hole and then made another bogey on the 18th hole to cap off his 2-over performance.

Gwen Lang of Waterford putts a putt during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medalist Award. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“If I hadn’t had that double-hit, I probably would still have been 1-under.” Courson added: “I think we’re going to do pretty well. We have a pretty good team.

“I worked a lot on my chip shot and my putt shot because that’s where I struggle the most, but I did a pretty good job today with my chip shot and my putt shot.”

Layton’s only birdie came on the 275-yard, par-4 13th hole, where he hit a shot that came in too close to the green and hit a bumpy drive.

Warren’s composing quartet consisted of Marina Johnson (98), Eryn Gillam (106), Emma Fouty (110), and Hailey Metz (114).

“A lot of them are multi-sport athletes and they’re picking up golf clubs again.” Terry Reiter, head coach of the Warriors, who got a 121 from Madison Biehl, agreed. “I’m back in coaching right now and trying to figure out where they’re at. They’re working hard and doing the best they can.

Denay Layton of Fort Frye putts a putt during the Waterford Invitational Tournament held Friday at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“We need a foundation and we see where we need to improve and that’s what they’re doing. They’re doing great. I’ll tell you, the girls are buying into that. They understand that Coach Reiter can teach a little bit and coach a little bit. We have a good relationship with them as teachers. I think they trust me and they know that I can trust them.”

The host Wildcats were led by Allison Huck (101) and McKenzi Farmer (105). Head coach Curry Ryan also got 112 points from Adie Mitchell, 114 from Gwen Lang and 115 from Avery Wagner.

“It was a really good day for it and I think all the girls did well despite the challenges they faced, but the course was beautiful, the weather was beautiful and the girls did the best they could.” Coach Ryan said, “We played some good golf at the top and had some really good scores. I have two girls who just started playing golf in the last three weeks.

“I have a daughter who played in middle school four years ago, so I call them starters. We’re on the right track. They were coachable, and I’m proud of the way they stepped up and did the best they could today. I’m proud of my two daughters, Gwen Lang and McKenzie Farmer, who have been with me for four years, and how they’ve been leaders for me.”

Along with Beck-Aden, other names competing for the Bulldogs were Maelle Newton (115), Vera Kiryukhin (118) and Mia Szewczyk (135).

Macie Mauck of Logan putts a putt during the Waterford Invitational Tournament held Friday at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medalist Award. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Mauck was followed in scoring for the Chieftains by Mallory Cassady (95) and Allison DeLong (135).

The only golfer competing for the Lancers was Maddie Kneer with a score of 124.

Contact Jay Bennett at [email protected]

Faith Treadway of Fort Frye putts a putt during the Waterford Invitational Tournament held Friday at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly. Courson shot a 72 to earn Medalist honors. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Federal Hocking’s Addison Jackson putts his ball during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Denay Layton of Fort Frye putts his ball during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Khoen Courson of Fort Frye putts on hole No. 18 during the Waterford Invitational Tournament at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly on Friday. Courson shot a 72 to win the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)