Shady Spring trio competes at the 2025 WVGA Jr. Match Play Event

Parkersburg - Three members of the Shady Spring High School state champion golf team were among the top-16 players at the West Virginia Junior Match Play Championship over the weekend.

Rising seniors Tyler Beard and Cooper Ward were joined by rising sophomore Grant Winkler for the tournament at Parkersburg Country Club.

Unfortunately for Beard and Winkler, the two standouts had to play each other in the round of 16 Saturday morning to open the event.

Beard led most of the match, but when Winkler birdied the 17th hole, he was just 1-down going to the final hole. Both players made par, giving Beard a 1-up win.

Ward won his match over Carson Sergent who is a rising senior and played for the AAA state champion Cabell Midland team.

The match was all square through eight holes, but when the twosome reached the 16th, the Tiger standout had a 2-up lead. Ward then made eagle on hole 16 to win the match 3 and 2.

In the Round of eight, also played Saturday, Beard battled Marshall Creel from Millwood, WV.

Through 10 holes the match was all square before a pair of bogies from Creel gave Beard an opening and the AA state individual runner-up took full advantage.

Beard birdied the next three holes to take the match 5 and 3.

Ward was matched up with Class A All-stater Will Gruse from Charleston Catholic who had to go an extra hole in the opening round showdown for his win.

The battle was even through six holes before a string of bogies placed Ward 4-down after 10 holes. Two additional bogies ended the day for the Ward, dropping a 5 and 4 decision.

Sunday morning Beard was matched against another Cabell Midland star, Jack Michael who won the AAA individual state title last fall. Michael will also be attending West Virginia University to play golf.

Heading into Sunday, Michael had dominated his two matches winning 9 and 7 Saturday morning and 7 and 5 in the afternoon.

Beard stood toe-to-toe with Michael, holding a 2-up lead through 11 holes. However, when the match reached the 18th tee, it was all square.

The former Midland star then birdied hole 18 for the 1-up win.

Michael went on to win the 2025 West Virginia Junior Match Play Championship with a 5 and 4 victory over Cart Hinkle from Bluefield, Va.

Hinkle is an accomplished player from Graham High School and is the reigning Virginia High School League Class 2 individual state champion. His run to the title match included three dominant wins over Wyatt Maynard (6 and 5), Kellen Pauley (3 and 1) and Will Gruse (4 and 3).