The 2-A eastern regional champion Washington golf team won the First Annual Beaufort County Cup on Wednesday, completing what’s been one of the most successful regular season runs in school history.

The inaugural countywide event, held at the Washington Yacht and Country Club, came at a fitting time for the three competing high schools, as Washington, Northside and, as of Wednesday night, Pungo have all qualified for the state championships.

Playing nine-hole golf, Washington took home the cup with an overall score of 156, while Northside came in second (179) and Pungo in third (197).

Individually, Northside’s Riley Van Staalduinen and Washington’s Peter Birdsong and Tony Lovenberg tied for first place with a score of 37, while Washington’s Eric Lovenberg and William Page tied for second place with a score of 41. Pungo No. 1 Samuel Patti, Northside No. 1 Tucker Mooring and Washington’s Simon Amaxopolous battled it out and tied for third place, each shooting a 42.

Other notable scores were Blake Parker (WHS, 45), Evan Cornelius (NHS, 48), Landen Adams (PCA, 49), Ethan Jones (PCA, 52) and Allen Benson (54, PCA).

“I’m very proud of the kids, freshmen to sixth graders, some of whom have played only a few years. They have done an excellent job,” said Pungo head coach Dwayne Woolard,

“I think, personally, (the cup) is a great thing because the kids are going to build relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime, especially on the golf course and being competitive. The kids were very receptive. It’s about the competitiveness and knowing their fellow golfers. I think it was a grand slam home run.”

Unlike Washington and Northside, which locked up a state tournament bid with a third-place finish at the 1-A eastern regional tournament on Monday, Pungo’s postseason fate had not yet been sealed. But the Raiders were informed by the NCISAA Committee Monday night that the team would, in fact, play in the state championships.

Pungo won the Tarheel Independent Conference regular season and tournament championship, while Northside finished second in the Coastal Plains Conference and Washington easily took first in the Eastern Plains Conference.

The Beaufort County Cup served as a timely sendoff for the county’s top three high school golf teams.

The state championships will take place of Monday and Tuesday. Pungo will travel to the Mid Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines for the NCISAA 1-A playoffs, Northside will compete at the Foxfire Resort and Golf Club in Jackson Springs for the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs and Washington will take the links at the Country Club of Whispering Pines for the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs.