GAINESVILLE — The landscape of high school golf may have changed this season, but one thing remains the same: the Gainesville boys as region champions.
The Red Elephants claimed their program's 39th region crown on Monday, lapping the 8-AAAAAA field at Chattahoochee Golf Club.
But unlike many of those previous titles, this one did not clear a path to the state tournament. State qualification must now wait until the Area 2, Class AAAAAA tournament on May 5, also at Chattahoochee.
And after watching the fight his team displayed in carding a 305 on Monday, Gainesville coach Bryson Worley is looking forward to the challenge.
"We really didn't start well, but the guys pulled it together, and I'm proud of how they fought," said Worley, whose Red Elephants finished 20 strokes in front of second place Habersham Central (325). "We can definitely play better. But the guys turned it around today in some tough conditions. The winds kicked up there late, and the greens were realy tough today."
Ryan Hogan and Drew Lasseter each paced Gainesville on its home course, firing a pair of 75s, while AD Winston carded a 77 and Hunter Worley a 78. Davis Weaver's 79 did not count but was still inside the top 10 individual scores.
Lanier's Jackson Lyons walked away with low medalist honors, carding a 74. Habersham Central's Dawson Fricks also fired a 77, while teammate Cooper Rowland put up a 79.
Now Gainesville will look forward to the area and, hopefully, state tournaments to follow.
"The ara tournament is going to be our region plus (Region 3-AAAAAA), which includes Greenbrier and Lakeside, Evans -- some really good programs; Lakeside was a state runner-up last season," Worley said. "The top four finishers there will qualify for state, possibly top five."
Both area and state tournaments are slated for Chattahoochee.
