MIDLAND, Ga. — Columbus High School claimed its 14th state golf title denying Pierce County its first title since 2017 here in the two-day GHSA state finals played at Bull Creek Golf Course - East Course.
The Blue Devils posted rounds of 286-301-587 Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20 to win its first championship since three-peating from 201618 — the last two in Class 4A following a 5A crown. Columbus is the first public school to win the AA title this decade after both The Lovett School and Mt. Paran won consecutive titles apiece.
The first six championships for Columbus were in the highest classification (1945-48 Class A, 1955 Class AA, 1958, Class AAA). The Blue Devils also claimed Class 3A (second highest class) titles in 1967, 1972 and 2010-11.
PCHS, which fielded two seniors, three sophomores and a freshman, recorded rounds of 308295-603 to finish 16 shots behind Columbus and 49 shots clear of third-place Thomson’s 324-328-652.
“This was a great group of young men,” said outgoing Head Coach Swane Morris. “Their leader was Ethan Arnold, who finished second overall. We shot our best round of the year on the last day of the tournament. I’m immensely proud of their effort throughout the year and during the tournament.”
The runner-up finish was the seventh (1984, 1987, 1990, 2015-16, 2018, 2025) for the Bears’ program, which has won four state titles (1988-89, 2009, 2017).
Four of the runner-up finishes were to private schools (1987 Darlington - 11 shots, 2015 Blessed Trinity - five shots, 2016 Westminster - six shots and 2018 Westminster - 14 shots). The Bears were edged out in 1984 by Vidalia (two shots) and 1990 by Cartersville in a playoff.
PCHS senior Ethan Arnold was one of two linksters to post a red number during the two-day event carding rounds of 74-69-143 to finish one-under and six shots behind first. Arnold recorded 10 birdies, seven in the second round, over the 6,482yard layout.
Pierce County has had four state medalist and two runners-up. Ben Bennett won twice in 1988 and 1990. Garrett Pohl was first in 2009 and Zac Thornton won the 2016 title. Scott Allen finished second in 1984.
Columbus sophomore Brooks Urquhart fired a seven-under total of 64-73-137 for medalist honors in the field of 79 players. He collected eight birdies in the opening round finishing with 12 total.
Trailing Columbus, PCHS and Thomson in the 12-team tournament were Burke County (338-316654), Hart County (336-325-661), Rockmart (336328-664), Union County (325-340-665), Franklin County (339-332-671), Drew Charter (337-334671), Sonoraville (337-338-675), Pike County (359343-702) and Jackson (354-379-729).
All six players for the Bears finished 18th or better in the field.
Freshman Bennett Puryear placed solo fourth with a score of 79-71-150 (seven birdies). Puryear carded a 34 on his front nine in the second round.
Senior Samuel Ricketson shot 78-76-154 (three birdies) tying for seventh with Crisp County’s Will Gordon.
Sophomore Hardt Strickland recorded rounds of 79-79-158 (four birdies) to finish in a four-way tie for 12th. He was joined by Ethan Pham of Columbus, Thomson’s Charlie Ducey and Ringgold’s Elijah Stidham.
Sophomore Griffin Hull posted a solo 17th-place showing with a 77-83-160 (three birdies) score.
Sophomore Justin Smith finished 80-81-161 tying for 18th with Sonoraville’s Clay Worley and Franklin County’s Wyatt Richt.
