Apple Mountain Golf Club was the final stop of the season for Gilmer High.
The GHS Bobcats and Lady Cats made the trip to Clarkesville last Monday for the 10-team area tournament. The Bobcats’ top-four scores tallied 380, while the Lady Cats finished with a 295 from their top-three golfers.
“I am extremely pleased with our performance at the area tournament this year,” said head coach James Speece. “Almost everyone who participated beat their season averages, which is phenomenal.”
Senior Lady Cat Clara Smith shot an 85 on the 5,550 yard par-72 course. The score was the best of her GHS career at the area tournament. Teammate Anna Waddell also turned in a sub-100 score with a 94.
Elly Callihan and Kiley Callihan rounded out the Cats’ scores with a 116 and 124, respectively.
The course was set up to be a par 72 at around 6,500 yards for the boys, and their qualifying scores all checked in at under 100. The Bobcats were closely bunched as Gabe Lifsey’s 93 was followed by Grant Ballew’s 94, Carson Bentley’s 96 and Hershel Defoor’s 97. Luke Janssen posted a 102 and Caden Stover shot a 106.
“A few of the players hadn’t even competed in a full 18-hole tournament before, and I was very proud of how all the players carried themselves,” Speece said. “Last year at area, our best score overall was a 111. This year, a majority of the players scored in the 90s and low 100s, which is a major improvement.”
Speece assessed the year and said, “I think that the season was overall a success. We were able to play a wide range of golf courses and did relatively well overall. The boys finished 2-5 and the girls finished 6-2.
“I think that the kids enjoyed themselves this season. I believe they learned a lot about golf in general, competing as a team and the preparation it takes to yield desired results on the golf course.”