TIFTON — Nine golfers are within three shots of the lead after the opening round of the Class 7A boys state golf championships at Springhill Country Club.
Gainesville’s Ryan Davidson is among that group after shooting a 3-over 75, which has him tied for fifth. That also helped put the Red Elephants in third place after Monday’s action.
Gainesville fired a 34-over 322, which is just 20 shots off the pace set by round one leader Milton (302). Lambert is second at 311. Walton (323) and West Forsyth (324) round out the top five after Day 1.
Sam Patterson, Brigham Ralston, and Wiley Hickerson also scored for the Red Elephants. Patterson fired a 7-over 79, Ralston had an 83, and Hickerson shot an 85.
Three golfers -- North Cobb's Cooper Tendick, Craig Long of Milton, and Lambert's Myles Jones -- all are tied for the lead at 1-over 72. Milton's Will Jones is fourth at 74, one shot ahead of Davidson.
DRAGONS 3RD AFTER FIRST ROUND IN 4A
ATHENS — The Jefferson boys are in third place after the opening round of the Class 4A championships being held at the University of Georgia Golf Course.
The Dragons fired a 20-over par 304 and is just one shot back of second place Marist (303). Fellow Area 4-4A foe and host North Oconee sits in first over shooting a solid 1-over 285.
The Titans placed all four counting golfers in the top five. North Oconee’s Luke Koenig leads the way with a 2-under 69 while teammate Luke Jarvis is a shot back at -1-under 70.
Jefferson’s Micah Webb is alone in third after shooting a 1-over 72. North Oconee’s Eli Rogers and Freddy Chappell are tied for fourth at 2-over 73. The Dragons second score came from Tanner Bronnum, who shot a 4-over 75 and is tied for eighth.
WILDCATS IN 2ND PLACE IN CLASS 2A
COCHRAN — The Rabun County boys sit second after the first day of the Class 2A golf championships at Southern Hills Golf Course.
The Wildcats shot a 25-over 313, which is 14 shots behind leader Lovett (299). They are nine shots ahead of third place Pace Academy (322). Jeff Davis is in fourth (323) and Dodge County is fifth at 324 in a crowded leaderboard.
Rabun County's Connor Horton is tied for fourth after firing a 2-over par 74. He is seven strokes behind leader Brycen Jones of Thomasville, who shot a blistering 5-under 67 in the opening round.
TIGERS 3RD, TROJANS 8TH IN 3A
HARTWELL — Dawson County is in third place in the Class 3A golf championships after Monday’s first round at Cateechee Golf Course.
The Tigers (324) are a distant 29 shots behind leader Westminster (285) but are just four shots behind second place Richmond Academy (320).
Dawson County was paced by Alex Hughes, who is tied for ninth with North Hall's Colin Henderson and Jacob Adams of White County after all three shot 5-over 76s. The Tigers’ Will Howard is 12th at 6-over 77 and Andrew Hughes is in 13th after carding an 8-over 79.
Meanwhile, North Hall stands eighth (349) but is just shots behind fifth-place Pierce County (344). Morgan County is fourth with a 341.
BUFORD IN STRIKING DISTANCE OF TOP FINISH IN 6A
CARROLLTON — Jackson Buchanan fired an even-par 71 to help Buford pull into a tie for sixth after the opening day of the Class 6A championships at Sunset Hills Country Club.
Buchanan had three birdies and three bogeys on the and sits just three shots behind leader Brantley Baker of Lee County, who carded a 3-under 68.
The Wolves are tied with Lee County at 26-over 310, but are just 19 shots back of first round leader Johns Creek (291). Cambridge is second at 298, Dalton third (301), host Carrollton is fourth (303), and Creekview is fifth (306) just four shots ahead of Buford.
COMMERCE A DISTANT 6TH IN CLASS A PUBLIC
GREENSBORO — Commerce is sixth after the first day of the Class A Public championships being held at The National Course at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro.
The Tigers shot a 386, paced by Henry Sharpton, who fired a 15-over 87 to sit in 22nd position.
Host Lake Oconee Academy sits in first after shooting a 27-over 315 for a narrow lead over second Social Circle (318) and third place Metter (324).
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