Local pair soar above as Parker takes title

Former Augusta Prep standout Lee Knox came up just short in his bid to win the Georgia Junior Championship this past week at Augusta Country Club.

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The University of Alabama signee opened with 5-under-par 67 and followed that up with 2-under-par 70 to take a two-shot lead into Wednesday's final round.

Early on, it appeared Knox would claim top honors at the huge event. He carded 35 on his opening nine but faltered a bit on the back nine with 4-over-par 39.

That allowed Augustan and Westside High School rising senior Chase Parker to swoop in and claim the title at 7-under.

Knox played wonderfully, but he had to settle for second place at 5-under. The duo lapped the field, as the next closest competitor was 1-under.

The Georgia Junior Championship features the top 144 players ages 14-17 in the entire state, so for two local players to garner the top two spots is remarkable.

Knox and Parker were not the only local players to play well.

Below is a list of all of the Columbia County players who played in the event, as well as a quick look at several other players from the area who also fared well.

Columbia County players

Lee Knox, Augusta Prep, second place; 67-70-74, 5-under

Jacob Tilton, Evans, tied for 19th, 6-over

Brian Carter, Lakeside, tied for 39th, 10-over

Austin Vick, Greenbrier, tied for 42nd, 1-over

Tyler Duke, Lakeside, 72nd, 26-over

John Hardy, Lakeside, missed cut

Patrick Flake, Lakeside, missed cut

David Gibbs, Lakeside, missed cut

Jack Gibbs, Lakeside, missed cut

Kelby Burton, Lakeside, missed cut

Kyle Smith, Evans, missed cut

Other local

players of note

Chase Parker, Westside, champion; 69-70-70, 7-under

Dykes Harbin, Westside, tied for fifth, even-par

Clark Palmer, ARC, tied for fifth, even-par

John Keller, Burke County, tied for 11th, 3-over

Nick Edry, Aquinas, tied for 24th, 7-over

Hamilton Harbin, Westside, tied for 24th, 7-over

Wilkes Murray, Aquinas, tied for 39th, 10-over

William Sigg, ARC, tied for 39th, 10-over

Martin Manning, ARC, tied for 52nd, 13-over

Ryan Sather, Aquinas, tied for 63rd, 19-over

More golf coming in my next column, as I preview the Columbia County Junior Championship at Bartram Trail Golf Club next week.