Golf team prepares for state tournament

Panther golfers pose with a first place trophy at the West Hall Invitational in Chateau Elan. Starr’s Mill won six of the seven tournaments the team competed in, including the region championship.

Courtesy of Starr's Mill golf team

Panther golfers pose with a first place trophy at the West Hall Invitational in Chateau Elan. Starr’s Mill won six of the seven tournaments the team competed in, including the region championship.

John Webb, Staff Writer
May 19, 2017

After placing third overall at the state tournament last year, the Panthers went into this season with a drive to take home the ultimate prize, the state championship. Thanks to strong play across the board from a range of golfers, the team has had a very successful season, but the season is not over yet.

“This year we have had a bunch of guys step up at different times, especially the seniors,” freshman Luke Phillips said.

Recently the Panthers have been nearly unstoppable, tallying just one loss throughout the entire season of tournament play. This singular loss came at the Carrollton Invitational, which coincidentally is the same course the team will compete at during the state tournament early next week.

Led by a core of seniors, the team has already taken home a region championship as well as an individual first place by Utah commit Andrew Crockett. Other seniors include Hunter Hester, Trevor Monk, Palmer Wilson, Point University commit Will Tiller, Georgia College and State commit Ryan Robicheau, and Luke Ninneman who will play for Georgia Military College next fall. Although the loss of the majority of the team after the season ends will be detrimental to the team’s experience level, young talent led by Phillips shows hope for the Panthers’ future.

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“[Phillips] has been a huge addition to the team this year,” Crockett said. “Even though he is a freshman, he plays like an upperclassman.”

In recent weeks, preparation for the state tournament has ramped up. The Panthers tend to play well from the tee box, but can struggle on their irons and short game. With daily practices, the team has worked specifically on wedge distance control as well as proper technique. Head coach Burt Waller also has focused specifically on putting.

“Putting has always been one of the focuses of my game,” Hester said. “Waller really pushes for us to improve our weaknesses and the team in general needs to work on putts within five feet.”

Starr’s Mill will be sending six players to the final tournament of the year. Crockett, Hester, Wilson, Ninneman, and Monk will pair with Phillips in hopes of bringing back a championship.

“I think we have a great chance at state, I believe we have the best team. It is just important for us to show up and play our best both days.” Crockett said.

The girls’ team will also compete at the state tournament. The team has a deep roster that is necessary for a title run. Earlier this month, the girls, led by sophomore Ellie Camp and senior Jocelyn Gao, won the area tournament by 30 strokes.

The state tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday at 8 a.m. The boys team will be at Sunset Hills Country Club in Carrollton, while the girls play at Oak Mountain.