GAINESVILLE — Not long before taking the tee on the final round of the 2017 Hall County Championships Tuesday afternoon, recent Brenau University-signee Macie Hurst watched her future team win the Golden Tigers Spring Invitational at the Chattahoochee Golf Course.
She gave Brenau something to look forward too as the Flowery Branch senior captured her second Hall County individual title firing a two-day total 79 to hold off Johnson’s Madison Stewart by seven strokes. She won the tournament two years ago at Royal Lakes as a sophomore.
Meanwhile, the Gainesville girls brought home their third straight team title, and 15th overall, shooting a 293 and pulling away from second place West Hall, who carded a 306.
Hurst, who helped the Lady Falcons to a fourth-place finish, said it was a good way to finish her final Hall County event.
“This being the last year it was fun,” Hurst said. “The first day was kind of rocky but I thought I hit the ball better (Tuesday) and I was able to win it. But I was real happy with how our team played overall. It also was fun watching the Brenau girls win before we got going."
Gainesville girls coach Clay McDonald was more than pleased with how his inexperienced group was able to hold up under the pressure. The Lady Red Elephants took an eight-stroke lead into Tuesday’s action and was able to extend its lead behind Morgan Nichol (93) and Vivian Robinson (97) who both finished in the top five.
“Only Vivian returned from last year so for us to pull this out was really one of most pleasant surprise wins,” McDonald said. “I thought this was a toss-up coming in with two or three teams having a legitimate chance to win it. This was a very satisfying win for us.”
The ghosts of teams-past also may have played a part.
“I don’t think the girls wanted to let down the teams that came before them,” McDonald said. “They see the trophy in our office every day and I think that helps motivate them to work hard and get better.”
2017 GIRLS HALL COUNTY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Day Two Results
Tuesday, March 21
Chattahoochee Golf Club, Gainesville
Team
1. Gainesville, 293
2. West Hall, 306
3. Johnson, 320
4. Flowery Branch, 324
5. North Hall, 355
6. Chestatee, 381
Individual Top 5
1. Macie Hurst, Flowery Branch, 79
2. Madison Stewart, Johnson, 86
3. Olivia Young, West Hall, 87
4. Morgan Nichol, Gainesville, 93
5. Vivian Robinson, Gainesville, 97
