CLARKESVILLE — White County's Catie Craig and North Hall's Mikayla Dubnik, both from Area 3-3A, fired 1-under par 71s to share the lead after the opening day of the Class 3A girls golf championships on Monday at Apple Mountain Golf Course.
The two seniors also helped their teams sit first and second in the 12-team field. The Lady Warriors shot a 24-over 240 while the Lady Trojans fired a 39-over par 255.
North Hall holds a slim four-shot lead over third place Pierce County (259). Westminster is fourth (265) and Hart County fifth (277) after the first day’s action.
Dubnik had a two-shot lead after No. 13 before Craig, who edged Dubnik for the 3-3A title last month, birdied the final three holes to pull into a tie.
The pair will tee off together at 8 a.m. on Tuesday’s final round looking for the individual title and also trying to carry their team to a state title.
White County got unexpected help when its No. 3 player, Rylee Adams, shot a personal-best 83 to sit tied for seventh overall.
White County coach Darrell Dorsey said they will need some more magic on Tuesday to be able to hold on for their first-ever girls golf title.
“We started shaky but finished very strong,” Dorsey said. “Rylee has a fantastic day and that was a big key for us. It’ll be a dogfight for sure (on Tuesday). I expect North Hall to post some lower numbers than they did today.”
That is exactly what North Hall coach Rodney House is hoping for.
“White County played well today,” House said. “Mikayla (Dubnik) played really great. When she had a few bad shots, she hit great recovery shots.
“We didn't play our best today and missed some scoring opportunities. We have work to do. But I am confident that the girls will make a move tomorrow.”
In the Class 7A girls championship at Sunset Country Club in Moultrie, Gainesville Karina Collins is in 18th place with a 15-over 87 after the opening round. Collins is the only representative for the Lady Red Elephants.
LADY TIGERS 4TH AFTER OPENING ROUND IN CLASS A PUBLIC
GREENSBORO — Commerce sits fourth at 178 but is just four shots back of second place Drew Charter (174). Portal is in third after firing a 177.
Host Lake Oconee Academy leads the field after a smoking 8-over 152 on its home course.
Cameron Ford paced Commerce with a 12-over 84. She is also just four shots out of second.
Lake Oconee had three low rounds with Katie Scheck shooting a 1-over 73 to lead the way. Kelli Scheck is second at 7-over 79, and Georgia Bosart is third after a round of 11-over 83.
LADY FALCONS FIFTH AFTER OPENING ROUND IN 4A
ATHENS — Flowery Branch is fifth after the first day of the Class 4A championships at the University of Georgia Golf Course.
The Lady Falcons finished Monday’s action with a 75-over 291, which is well off the pace of first place North Oconee (242). Marist (262), Northwest Whitfield (263), and Columbus (264) round out the rest of the top five heading into Tuesday’s final round.
Emily Bergdoll paced Flowery Branch with a 22-over 94, good for a tie for 16th place.
GOING IS TOUGH FOR LADY RAIDERS IN TOUGH 6A FIELD
CARROLLTON — In a tough field on a tough Sunset Hills Country Club course, Habersham Central shot an 80-over 293 to sit ninth after the opening round in Class 6A.
Salah Anderson paced the Lady Raiders with a 23-over 94 and sits in a tie for 19th place.
Creekview paced the field on Monday firing a 24-over 237, which is 16 shots better than second place Johnson (253).
