Trion Golf Team wins back to back GHSA State Titles

Trion’s Golf Team are the State Champions for the second consecutive year. Also for the second year, one Trion golfer is the individual State Champion. Senior Dawson Day was the Low Medalist after shooting an incredible 73 on a very tough par 72 course, Goshen Plantation, in Augusta, GA.

All of the players contributed to the team’s victory with a final score 341, which was an unbelievable 24 strokes lower than the second team, Schley County, who shot a 365. Golf Coach Garrett Brown commented, “I thought the scores would be a lot tighter, but we did very well compared to everyone else.”

Sophomore Noah Hankins, who had Trion’s second-lowest score of 84, said, “I think we had a great season and worked hard to earn that second ring.” Hankins added, “The practice that Sunday was difficult because the field was in rough condition, but it just made us that more serious and determined to play through it and to pull out the win.”

The pressure was high for Day and the entire team to repeat last year’s success. Placing second in State last year behind another Trion player, Ben Huggins, Dawson stood a good chance and definitely had the skills to be this year’s low medalist.

Superintendent Phil Williams enjoyed watching the golfers compete and was impressed with Day’s performance: “Dawson played very consistent golf and made the tough shots when he needed to.” Day played in the top group, but they all had scores in the 80’s. Williams believes that Dawson was an intimidating presence in his group. He shot a 73 and was five shots ahead of the next golfer.

With a lot of sand, water, trees, and narrow fairways, the course played extremely difficult for all golfers. Trion’s other players were worried about their scores coming in until they saw that the scores of other teams were higher. Everybody was putting up high scores.

The Trion victory was the team effort of six good golfers compared to maybe one on the other teams. Williams commented, “That’s a testament to not getting down if you think you’re not doing well.  They didn’t give up. They kept working to get their best shots.  They didn’t quit.” Other Trion players were Tobey Deberry (89), Murphy Klouda (95), McCord Hood (96), and Braden Tucker (108).

Coach Garrett Brown, Superintendent Phil Williams, and Coach Steve Gladney shown with the seniors.

The girls’ golf team, who were Area Champs, also made it to state rounds and finished fourth place. Senior Aniston Smith led the THS girls with 103 and senior Sydney Thompson was behind her with 107. Gracie Murdoch shot 126 and Aubrey Smith shot 136.

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