On April 27, the boys golf team will compete in area play at Governors Towne Club, seeking qualification for the Region 4-AAAA state championships, which are scheduled to be hosted by Savannah Golf Club on May 18-19. Head Coach Issac Taylor believes the team is beginning to peak at exactly the right time heading into the postseason.
“As of right now, we are in good standing,” Taylor said. “Everybody’s coming around and sharpening up their game at the right time, and it just comes down to locking in. Now it’s time to grind and finish out their high school golf careers on a good note.”
The Knights have qualified for states for the past four years, and to continue this streak, the team will have to finish in the top two at area play or place in the top four at sectionals. Taylor said the team is in a good place to qualify through the area pathway, but powerhouse programs stand in the way.
“One of our goals is to be one of the top two teams,” Taylor said ”I think it’s very doable, but I think that this year, when you look at who we have in our region, it’s really us and Cartersville.”
Taylor outlined his approach to ensure the Knights are placed within the primary field, competing alongside the top programs rather than being separated into secondary grouping.
“I’m actually going to push for us to play with those guys,” Taylor said. “ We need to be in that top group. We’re playing Alatuna at their home course, which is the Governor’s Town Club. This is our fourth time playing it in two years. So, we know it just like they know it, and we just gotta swing. I think we can really be in the top two, if not the number one, and compete with Cartersville and go ahead and take this thing home.”
Senior co-captain Carter Klein has led the Knights throughout the past two seasons. He is the team’s top player, and on April 1, he shot even par in his best round of the season against Whitefield Academy. Klein said he looks to carry this momentum into area play and state play.
“For me personally, having confidence going to the playoffs will take me a long way, especially with parts of my game that I have been struggling really badly as of late,” Klein said. “I think we have the guys, and I think I have the skill and mental ability to keep it up and expand upon it going into the playoffs.”
Senior co-captain Davis Fenger has been a key contributor for the Knights all season. Fenger had his best performance of the season on March 26 against North Atlanta at Bobby Jones Golf Course, shooting two plus. Fenger said the round gave him confidence and he thinks the team is in good shape heading into the postseason.
“That North Atlanta round was big for me personally,” Fenger said. “I was hitting the ball well, and everything was clicking. I think the team is ready for areas and hopefully qualify for a spot in Savannah.”
Taylor said Klein and Fenger have made a major impact on the golf program. The two have played since their freshman season and have been committed to the program since their freshman year. Taylor expects them to end their high school careers on a high note.
“I will say that Davis and Carter, after meeting them their freshman year and seeing how serious they were about the game, I knew they would be great,” Taylor said. “They will leave a tremendous legacy behind for some of their younger classmates. So now it’s time to grind, finish out their high school golf careers on a good note.”
Taylor highlighted sophomore Dean Kirk and his work ethic, leading him to climb the ranks in the team. Kirk spent the summer perfecting his game, leading to the success he has had this year.
“He’s done a really good job of being a kid who really took advantage of the minutes that he was able to get last year,” Taylor said. He’s worked his tail off in the summer, and he’s now snuck into our four spot.”
Kirk has performed consistently in the top six throughout the season. On March 23, Kirk and junior Liam Walsh played in a two man scramble match at The Country Club of Gwinnett. They shot -nine, placing fifth out of 29 teams and beating out Klein and Fenger by three strokes. Kirk hopes to continue that level of play going into the postseason.
“Liam and I were just locked in that day, honestly,” Kirk said. “Every shot, we were on the same page, and our games just fit really well together. Hopefully, the play I saw that day between Liam and I can continue into areas and states.”
According to Taylor, the postseason field will be the toughest test the team has faced this season. He said that if they want to make a run in the postseason, they will have to continue to compete at a high level and defeat strong programs.
“I think what people don’t understand is once we make it to state, we have to see the two best golf teams, not only in the state, but in the nation,” Taylor said. “You have North Oconee, who is 25th in the nation, who did really well in states, and then you have Cartersville.If we want to go far this year, the team really needs to start locking in. Our top guys need to be at their best if we want to be in the running.”
