Gilmer High golfers were in Athens to wrap up their 2023 season.
The GHS Bobcats and Lady Cats teed it up for the final time last Tuesday at the Area 7-3A tournament at the University of Georgia Course.
Golfers battled windy conditions, and the Lady Cats (336 strokes) landed in ninth place in the 12-team girls competition. Thirteen teams squared off on the boys side, and the Bobcats placed 11th (426) out of 13 teams.
“Area was tough this year,” said head coach James Speece.
“The gusts were 25-30 miles per hour, and our players fought hard and competed for all 18 holes on a difficult course. I’m very proud of them. Anna Waddell was our low medalist and placed in the top-20 overall, and Grant Ballew was our low medalist and placed in the top 50. Overall, it was a great season. We had a lot of fun, and I think the majority of the players got better from start to finish.”
Speece noted that the girls tees played around 5,500 yards, while the boys were 6,500. Par was 71 for both, and the top-three girls scores were used to tally the team score. Following Waddell with an 18-hole score of 104 were teammates Maddie Wright (108), Madison Stanley (124) and Arielle Smith (151).
The top-four individual scores were used to determine the boys area title, and not much separated the Bobcats. Ballew (103) was four strokes ahead of both Connor Wimpey (107) and Caden Stover (107). Lucas Janssen posted a 109 while Rhett McGregor and Hershel Defoor shot a 114 and 115, respectively.
Waddell, Wright, Stanley, Wimpey, Stover and Defoor made up this season’s seniors.
“We were very senior heavy this year so next year’s team will have big shoes to fill,” Speece said. “I wish all the seniors the best and thank them for being a part of the program. Their leadership this season was irreplaceable.
“As always, we want to thank Whitepath Golf Club and Mike Brumby for everything they do for our program. We also want to thank all of the parents and our school leaders for their support during the year as well. We’re excited to see what next season brings.”
The top four boys teams at the event were Wesleyan (302), Hebron Christian (316), Dawson County (332) and Hart County (345). White County (227) won the girls area title, while Oconee County (277), Pickens (278) and Franklin County (283) rounded out the top four.