CCHS golfers qualify for state

MOULTRIE -- The Colquitt County golf team came up eight shots short of a championship at the Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Douglas Country Club on Monday, but the Packers did come in second to qualify for the Class AAAAA state tournament.

Colquitt County's Lady Packers also placed second and will advance to the state girls tournament.

Region champions and runners-up only advance to the state tournaments.

The state tournaments will be held on May 9. The Class AAAAA boys will play 36 holes at the Oleander Golf Course at Jekyll Island.

The girls will play 18 holes at Jekyll Island's Pine Lakes Golf Course.

Tift County's won the region boys tournament title with a 308. The Packers shot a 316, to beat Houston County by five strokes.

Tournament host Coffee was fourth with a 323. Lowndes was fifth with a 329 and Valdosta brought up the rear with a 334.

Patrick O'Neal of Lowndes was the low medalist after winning a playoff over Jake Stewart of Tift County. Each shot a 74 over the first 18 holes.

Colquitt County's best score was a 77 turned in by Matt Smith.

Josh Dale and Aaron Elrod each shot 79, Ken Hall had an 81, Greg Johnson and 84 and James Keith a 91.

The Packers made a run on the back nine to make sure they finished in the top two.

"We didn't play that well," Colquitt County golf coach Donald Dale said. "But nobody played real well, except for the Tift County kids.

"But we battled on the back nine. Aaron really played well on the back nine. So did Matt. And we get to go to state. I'm real proud of them for that."

The Colquitt County girls team's second-place finish was a bit of a surprise.

As expected, Valdosta, led by low medalist Dorey Carter's 71, won the region girls championship with a 195.

Colquitt finished second with a 217. Lowndes was third with a 231 and Houston County placed fourth with a 245.

The Lady Packers were led by Lindsay Hargrove's 49-44 for a 93. Kelsey Croyle shot a 125.

"I'm so proud of them I can't stand it," Donald Dale said. "Lindsay played great. She played a really good back nine."