BLACKSHEAR — Pierce County used three top seven individual scores to overcome a nineshot rally to win its first state golf championship since 2017 and fifth overall here at the Okefenokee Country Club.
The Bears, who also won titles in 1988-89 and 2009, trailed first round leader Thomson 321-330 following play Monday, May 18 in the 12-team event. PCHS posted a 317 in the second round, the best score by eight shots, to run away from the field.
Class 6A’s Lambert won its first title since 2015, giving the program a sweep of the titles. The Longhorns posted a 587 team score. North Paulding’s Luke Friend was medalist with a fiveunder-par score of 139.
Class 5A’s Lakeside-Evans captured its second title in three years with a blistering 20-under-par team score of 556 after shooting a 17-under-par score of 271 (65-66-68-72) in the second round. Hamilton Coleman and Newnan’s A.J. Salierno tied for medalist honors with eight-under-par scores of 136 with each shooting 65 on Day 2. Coleman won the honor in a playoff. Nine players posted two-day scores of one-under-par or better.
Cartersville was one of three schools to repeat winning Class 4A with a team score of 582. The Hurricanes’ Brodie Brumlow was medalist after posting an eight-underpar score of 134 with a 65 in the first round.
LaGrange captured its first-ever state title winning Class 3A with a score of 618. The Grangers were led by medalist Saxton Christian’s 147.
Elbert County defended its title in Class A DI shooting 643 on its home course. Swainsboro’s Colten Lewis was the medalist with a fourunder-par score of 140.
Lake Oconee Academy also repeated in Class A DII giving the program a sweep. The Titans won their fifth title in six years with a team score of 581. Seminole County’s Jake Palmer was medalist with a one-under-par score of 141.
Christian Heritage won the Private School division for the second time in three years with a 584 team score. Mt. Paran’s Brody McQueen carded a 10-under-par score of 134, which included a 65 on Day 2. Four other players shot two-under-par or better.
Pierce County’s 647 two-day team score was 12 shots better than runnerup Hart County’s 330-329659. Burke County (335325-660) was third, following first round leader Thomson (321-340-661). Defending champion Columbus (335-329-664) finished fifth.
Monty Thakur of Columbus captured medalist honors in the field of 76 golfers posting a 75-73-148 score of fourover- par. Teammate Ethan Pham (77-77-154) and Burke County’s Isaiah Price (79-75-154) tied for second.
Bennett Puryear bounced back from an opening round 84 to card a three-over-par 75 (159) to lead the second day charge. Puryear finished sixth in the field of 76 golfers.
Hardt Strickland followed a 79 in the opening round with a 78 (157) on Day 2 to place solo fourth. Barrett Moore posted consecutive rounds of 80 (160) to place seventh.
Will Higginson followed up an opening round 92 with an 84 (176) to round out the Day 2 team score. Higginson finished in a four-way tie for 36th which included teammate Beau Strickland (87-89-176).
Justin Smith finished in a three-way tie for 33rd with rounds of 87-88-175.
