BLACKSHEAR — Pierce County’s four-year reign as a state golfing champion came to an end here at the Okefenokee Country Club Tuesday.
The Lady Bears, whose streak started in Class AAA in 2022 and followed with three consecutive AA titles from 2023-25 — the fourthlongest current streak, finished second behind Hart County in the twoday, 36-hole 12-team Class AA finals.
Class A DII power Lake Oconee Academy won their eighth consecutive title carving out an evenpar score of 284. The Lady Titans’ Lili Nelson was medalist, carding a seven-under-par score of 135 aided by a 65 in the first round.
Class 6A’s Lambert won a seventh consecutive title and 12th since 2013 shooting 481. The Lady Longhorns Grace Lee was medalist with an even-par 144 score.
Class 4A’s North Oconee won its sixth consecutive title shooting 488. Marist’s Ashlyn Taylor was medalist posting a 148.
Class 5A’s Johns Creek notched a third consecutive championship shooting 455. Gainesville’s Addison Peeples posted an eight-under-par score of 136 with a 67 on Day 2. Three others recorded scores of three-under or better.
Holy Innocent’s repeated as the Private School winner posting 289. Athens Academy’s Kathryn Deloach was medalist with a nineunder- par total of 135 including a 64 in the first round. Four others recorded scores of threeunder or better.
Calhoun was the Class 3A winner shooting 359 for its first title since 2017. Dawson County’s Pearl Hughes was medalist with a two-day score of 148.
Banks County claimed the Class A DI crown, the first in school history, shooting 350. Dade County’s Rylee Brown was medalist with a score of 165.
PCHS was three shots down to the Lady Bulldogs (165-168) following the Monday, May 18 first round. Hart County went one shot better (164) during Round 2 while the Lady Bears posted one shot higher (169) in losing by eight shots, 329-337.
“Any time you set a goal and fall short there is some disappointment,” said retiring head coach Stuart Stipe. “In the grand scheme of things, being state runner-up isn’t that bad of a consolation prize. I am proud of the Lady Bears! They worked hard all season, really all year and deserved to win.
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“We were young with only one senior. We were also able to play a fifth Lady Bear (Morgan Hull) as a marker. This was a big deal offering her some state championship experience. I expect these ladies to use this as motivation moving forward.”
There was a 12-shot gap between PCHS and thirdplace Columbus (172-177-349). Burke County (185-190) and Morgan County (188-204) rounded out the Top 5 teams.
Allie Nguyen of Columbus and Savannah Arts Academy’s Maya Lilja-Vazquez each posted rounds of 73-80-153 for a playoff for medalist honors in the field of 57 golfers. Nguyen won the playoff on the first hole.
Belle Sinclair, the lone senior for PCHS, led the Lady Bears with rounds of 82-86-168 for a tie for fourthplace. Sophomore Brooke Dixon posted 87-83-170 for a solo sixth-place finish.
Freshman Kadence Hale recorded a ninth-place showing with an 86-91-177 score. Junior Mollie Kate Dixon had a solo 10th-place finish with rounds of 8891-179. Hull shot 100-106-206 finishing in a four-way tie for 17th.
There were a total of 30 rounds under 100 over the two days with 16 in Round 1 and 14 in Round 2. Scores went from 73 to 147 over the course of the tournament with two withdrawals Tuesday.
“It was an honor to host the state tournament at Okefenokee Country Club,” said Stipe. “The OCC staff and the members were very welcoming to our in-state guests. The Okefenokee Ladies Golf Association (OLGA) and the Men's Golf Association (MGA) played a pivotal role in making sure everything was ready for competition.
“Volunteers from the high school made sure everything ran smoothly. It was exciting to see our “golf community” show up in support of our golfers. The PCHS golf program has a rich tradition and this year’s state championship results confirms what we know to be true.”
