The boys golf team finished fifth at the 4A Boys State Golf Sectionals on May 4 at Georgia National Golf Club. The Knights fell two strokes short of the top four, ending the team’s season. Senior captain Carter Klein and senior Jack Tobias both qualified individually and will compete in the 4A Boys State Golf Individual Championship at Savannah Golf Club on May 18-19.
Head Coach Issac Taylor said the team was in position to qualify heading into the back nine, but the pressure of other teams’ scores worked against them.
“When you’re coming in on the back nine and seeing teams finish their rounds, and you now know what you have to do to qualify, the pressure weighs in,” Taylor said. “Overall, we just need to capitalize on the lead we gained early on.”
Taylor said he expected the team to finish in second or third at sectionals, and that more participation in 18-hole matches is what the team needs to take the next step.
“Going into sectionals, I thought it was going to be a battle, I thought that we would be second or third,” Taylor said. “We probably need to play in more 18-hole matches just for us to get the experience we need to take our program another notch.”
Klein shot a 73 and finished second at sectionals. He said he was disappointed with his putting but content with how his game held up throughout the round.
“I played well and shot a 73,” Klein said. “I am mad the putts weren’t dropping, but I’m happy with the consistency of my game.”
Klein said his biggest disappointment was not being able to share the state experience with his teammates.
“I am upset, but more at the fact that I can’t spend my senior states with everyone on the team,” Klein said. “Those moments with my teammates are my favorite parts of the sport.”
Tobias shot a 77 and finished fifth at sectionals. He started the round with three straight bogeys, but was able to come back.
“I started with three bogeys in a row, which helped me let loose to get back-to-back birdies on the next two holes,” Tobias said. “I was still pleased with how I played, given that I felt like I did not have my best game going into sectionals.”
Taylor credited Tobias’s ability to qualify to the commitment he puts in away from the course and the steady improvement he has shown over his two years in the program.
“Jack has been grinding his way throughout these two years,” Taylor said. “For him, qualifying for states shows that if you’re a grinder and you’re willing to work at your game, this is what you can do.”
Klein said his mindset heading into states is unrestricted and competitive. His goal is to win, but he respects the competition.
“My mindset is honestly pretty free,” Klein said. “I don’t have to focus on performing for the team. I think I will just go for it and play aggressively. The competition is incredible with a lot of D1 commits, but I always want to put myself in the spot to win.”
Tobias said this tournament carries more weight knowing it’s his last for the Knights, but his mindset stays the same.
“State this year is a lot different than last year because I know this will probably be the last ever competitive golf tournament I ever play,” Tobias said. “My goal is to hopefully win Coach Taylor a state championship before I leave. I want to perform to the best extent.”
Taylor said both players will be free from pressure for the first time and expects that to work in their favor.
“For our seniors, they have nothing to lose,” Taylor said. “This is the first time they get to go out there and enjoy a golf course and just play their best game of golf. They graduate a day after the state, so there is no pressure on them at all. I think they’re actually going to score really well because they’re going to be free.”
