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..Click here for a video from Monday's Class AA state golf championship.
Click here for a link to the GHSA state golf championships.
The new champs are actually the old champs.
Fueled by Layton Truax’s medal-winning performance, Savannah Christian golf team returned to the Class AA throne on Monday at Coosa Country Club by holding off two-time defending champion Lovett.
It was Savannah Christian’s eighth state title since 1998. The tremendous run has included five AA championships, and three in AAA.
The Raiders, of Region 2-AA, won Monday’s event with a team total 296. Lovett finished three shots back, and Darlington was third with a 301. Calhoun (321) was seventh.
“It’s nice to be back on top,” said Savannah Christian coach Doyle Kelley.
Truax, a sophomore, won the individual title in impressive fashion,
Calhoun’s Sam Curtis makes a putt on the No. 8 green. William T. Martin / Rome News-Tribune |
firing a 3-under 69. He was the lone player in the field to finish the one-day event under par.
“To be honest, I was scrambling everywhere today,” said Truax, who was two under on the back, “but I made a bunch of putts, and that saved me.”
Darlington senior Tim Kim, who won the state title as a sophomore, shot an even-par 72 and finished tied for second with Callaway’s Kyle Mimbs.
“I just didn’t make enough putts to win,” said Kim, “and the guy I was playing with (Truax) really made some bombs (long putts).”
Kim said he and his Tiger teammates, who were playing on their home course at Coosa CC, were
Darlington’s Will Jones tees off at the No. 9 hole Monday at Coosa Country Club. William T. Martin / Rome News-Tribune |
disappointed in their overall performance.
“We wanted to win, of course … and we (believe) we could have,” he said. “But we didn’t play as well as usual.”
Darlington’s Will Jones carded a 1-over 73 to complete a strong season that had included a 6-under 66 at last week’s region tourney. Hunter Brooks had a 76 for the Tigers, followed by Nash Nance’s 80 and Jack Yancey’s 81.
“Our kids know they can play better than they did today,” said Darlington coach Raymond Murray. “And I can tell they are disappointed about that. But, at the same time, coming in 3rd place in a very competitive tournament, is an (accomplishment) in itself.”
For Calhoun, Sam Curtis led the way a 77, and Tre Lamb shot a 79. They were followed by teammates Bo Gilbert (83) and Jarrett Ables (85).
For Savannah Christian, Jamie Ward and Ray Brinson each shot 75, and Drew Aimone carded a 77.
Their efforts, coupled with Truax’s strong performance, enabled the Raiders to hold off Lovett and Darlington.
“I felt like there were about six teams that could win today,” said Kelley, the Savannah Christian coach. “We knew it would come down to who played well. And everyone on our team played better on the back than they did on the front, and that was the difference.”
Darlington and Lovett were both in the hunt for much of the way, but neither squad put together the type of surge that would’ve put them over the top.
“Nobody on our team played as well today as they did during the practice rounds,” said Murray, “and I think that is what (bothers) them the most — just knowing they are capable of playing better.”
Murray said several of the Tigers were fighting their nerves while playing in the biggest event of the year.
“There is a lot of pressure out here,” he said. “You look around and you see guys carrying notepads and cameras, and you (realize) that this is not (like all the other tournaments).”
Truax, of course, was the day’s biggest winner. He walked away with two medals — one that he earned with his teammates, and one he earned on his own.
“This is awesome,” he said.
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