With their most important event of the season ending today, the varsity golf team is hoping that their countless hours of practice will add up to a strong showing in the Patriot District Tournament.

“We’ve been practicing our putting a lot so we have improved,” senior Delwyn Molina said. The two-day tournament consists of the top six golfers from all eight schools in the district, with the top four scores from each school receiving ranks.

The team has enjoyed a successful season thus far and was hoping that its success would continue in the district tournament, which was held yesterday and today at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton, Virginia.

If the Atoms end the tournament as one of the top two teams in the district, they will move on to the next round, the regional tournament, which will begin on Oct. 3.

“My goal is to make it to regionals,” senior Ryan Miller said.

The Atoms won their match against Woodson on Sept. 14, winning by a score of 166 to 161 over the course of nine holes. The Atoms were led by senior Ryan Miller, who shot a 39. Junior Christian Wong finished a stroke behind, shooting a 40. Seniors Parker Gillcash and Willie Labarca rounded out the top four by shooting a 41 each.

The team also defeated Lake Braddock by two strokes in terrible weather in their most recent match on Sept. 17, putting their district record at 4-3.  After the rain subsided, the wind was a very big factor in the inflated scores of both teams.

“It was really cold and windy and it affected everyone,” Miller said.  The wind was calculated to be about 40 mph, which can make a significant difference in golf.  However, they were able overcome the obstacles as a team and pull through with the win.

The team did not take it easy after their recent success, however, as they hoped to continue their strong play in the district tournament. They also hoped that their countless hours of practice and final tweaks to their play would help them reach the top of their game.

“We have been really disciplined in our practicing and hopefully everyone will play well and we’ll make regionals as a team,” Miller said.