The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS, Va. (VR) – It took a double playoff to determine the fifth-best individual score at Monday’s match, and the drama stretched nearly seven hours before East Montgomery’s Cyrus Underwood finally claimed it.
Underwood edged Bath County’s Ryan Ratcliffe on the second sudden-death playoff hole at the par-5 opener. After both players posted sevens on their first attempt, they headed back to the tee. Eight strokes later, both were on the green, completely drained after a long day. Ratcliffe narrowly missed his final putt for 10, while Underwood buried his for 9 to secure the last top-five spot.
Ratcliffe wasn’t alone in the playoff. BCHS golfers Atticus Stauffer and Dylan “The Bomber” Hicklin also tied for fifth in regulation before bowing out in the first round. For Hicklin, simply being in that moment capped a remarkable late-season rise.
Just last week, Hicklin earned his first crack at the top six in a qualifier at The Hill in Blacksburg against Narrows and East Montgomery. Tuesday, he not only secured the No. 6 seed for BCHS but also matched Ratcliffe and Stauffer for the team’s low score in regulation play.
What made it more impressive? Hicklin had never broken 60 this year for nine holes. He carded a 55 on the front and a 51 on the back, both career-bests. Ratcliffe also had a milestone round, posting his first sub-50 nine with a 48 on the back. And for the first time this season, every BCHS golfer shot in the 50s or better—no 60s on the card.
As a team, Bath County is moving on to the Region tournament, which will be played at home on the Old Course at The Omni Homestead Resort. Date is still to be set.
Tuesday was also Senior Day for Ratcliffe, who wrapped up his final regular season in style. The Chargers honored him alongside head coach and athletic director Jake Phillips after the round. Another senior—one of the team’s top players this year—had to step away just days ago due to work obligations, but his contributions were felt throughout the season.
For Bath County, the day was about more than just numbers on the scorecard. It was about growth, resilience, and a playoff that won’t soon be forgotten.
