Gainesville High's Grant Lasseter led the way for area standouts in Monday's opening round of the three-day tournament, being played at Doublegate Country Club in Albany, firing an even-par 72.
The round was good enough to tie Lasseter, a junior with the Red Elephants, for 11th place. He was joined by five other high school teammates, while representatives from four other area schools also took part.
The group has an impressive opening round number to chase, after Duluth's Andy Shim burned up Albany with a 6-under 66. Macon's Seth Sanders and Marietta's Adam Wright are tied for second after each carding a 2-under 70.
Jackson Bishop posted the second best round of the day for area representatives, as the Gainesville High junior fired a 1-over 73 to tie for 18th. Teammate Reeves Bell also posted a 3-over 75, tying for 33rd. Gainesville's Nathan Williams was one shot further back with a 4-over 76, tied for 45th. Lawson King also finished with a 77, while Pep Brown fired a 79.
Meanwhile Dahlonega's Joseph Jarrard also finished amongst the top half of the field, firing a 76, while Cleveland's Wilton Rowland carded a 78. Clarkesville's Jared Brooks was just behind with a 79, while North Hall's Hunter Young posted an 85.
Players face a cut after Tuesday's second round, with the final 18 holes scheduled for Wednesday.
Gainesville's Nathan WIlliams, right, shakes hands with a fellow competitor at a tournament played this spring.
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