Golfers open season with match at The Links

The varsity golf teams opened the season on Tuesday at The Links in Toccoa against Stephens County. The girls and boys both won their match.

"This match was less about competing against Stephens County and more about competing against the golf course itself," says coach CJ Stockel. "The Links at Lake Toccoa is a challenging layout with postage-stamp greens. Many of the greens have significant slope, which makes putting especially demanding. I was eager to see how we would respond to that challenge."

Most of the large boys team shot in the 40s, led by Tate Turpin's and Owen Earp's 42. Rylee Smith and Ryder Cantrell each had a 43, while Max Pulliam recorded a 44. Kalvin Ngov and Jayden Hangbo both had a 45, and Emmitt Likins carded a 53. Wyatt Dorsey followed with a 54, and Liam Burke turned in a 60.

The boys scored a 173 against Stephens County's 177.

"More than anything, I wanted to see our composure — the ability to play each shot on its own, without carrying over frustration or emotion from the previous one," adds Stockel. "As Bobby Jones once said, 'The game of golf is played on a 5-inch course — the distance between your ears.' For our first match of the season, I thought we responded well to the test. I am proud of the way both teams competed and, more importantly, how they represented the Tribe."

The Lady Indians won their match 91-99.

Maeva Hatcher carded a 43 to lead the girls, while Handley James scored a 48. Alex Rokoska and Kathi Ishaque competed as well, with a 59 and 61, respectively.