Area golfers gear up for state tourney

The Georgia High School Association Class AAAA state tournament will be played Monday at Forest Hills Golf Club, and Lakeside High School is the host squad.

After missing the state tournament last season, the Panthers won the Region 3-AAAA championship last month, which earned them a ticket to their own party in 2002.

"It was a little extra incentive," Lakeside coach Jay Gilstrap said. "We had a meeting and I told them that I was going to be there at state, and I'd sure like to have them there with me."

The Evans Lady Knights also had some incentive - the Class AAAAA state tournament will be played Monday at Jekyll Island's Indian Mounds course. Kristen Bragg, Maria Hernandez and Casey Greene will post scores, and senior Emily Diggs will join her teammates at the beach.

The Lady Knights placed second in the Region 4-AAAAA tournament and are making a second straight trip to state. Last year, as a freshman, Bragg shot an 89 to place 15th.

"We're hoping Kristen can make the top 10 this year," Evans coach Mike Bibee said. "She's hitting the ball great right now."

The Lakeside girls golf team also qualified for state. Marie Sconyers and Lauren Stephan combined for a second-place finish at region, and will compete Monday in the Class AAAA state tournament at The University Course in Athens.

Lakeside players teeing off at Forest Hills are: Ryan Blackburn, a freshman who captured medalist honors at the Region 3-AAAA tournament; Brent Lake; Matt Howard; Andrew Mize; C.J. Blackman; and, Jordan Riner.

"We need our best round of the year. It's going to take a 296 or 297 to win, and we shot 306 in a practice round, so we're getting close," Gilstrap said. "The guys understand we need a couple of career rounds."