Many of the state’s top golfers will assemble on Monday for two of the most desirable tournaments in Georgia -- the 13th annual High School Invitational and the fifth annual Girls Invitational at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
The boys will compete on the Highlands Course, which has hosted the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. The girls will compete on the Riverside Course, which hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
The boys field is led by defending champion Marist and includes reigning Class AAAAAAA champion Mill Creek, reigning Class AAAAAA champion Johns Creek and reigning Class A Private champion First Presbyterian Day from Macon.
Other teams in the field are Brookstone, Westminster, Harrison, Greater Atlanta Christian, Holy Innocents’, Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic and Mt Bethel, a first-year program from Marietta loaded with freshmen talent.
Some of the top players in the field include Nic Cassidy and Andy Mao of Johns Creek, Luka Kraulic of Mill Creek and Walter Jones of Wilson Hall (S.C.).
The girls field is the largest yet, with 45 players. They include Skylar Thompson of Buford (a South Carolina commit), Morgan Collins of Central Carroll (Berry College), South Forsyth’s Kelly Strickland (Kansas), Lexie Dawson of Etowah (UAB), Emma Bell of Mill Creek (Georgia Southern) and Emmy King of Holy Innocents’ (Wofford).
In addition to the competition, the event is offering a $1,000 scholarship in the boys and girls division. The award is based on an essay question and other criteria.
Mill Creek starts strong: Defending Class AAAAAAA champion Mill Creek is at it again. The Hawks won the annual Apple Mountain Invitational in Clarkesville. The Hawks shot an 11-under 277, beating Gainesville's 281 and Dalton's 283. Mill Creek's Luka Karaulic, a Georgia Tech signee, was medalist with a 65. Jordan Rodriguez shot 69, Brandon Yau shot 70 and J.T. Smith carded a 73. Ryan Hogan and Davis Weaver each shot 69s for Gainesville.
Woodward wins Lady Cat Invitational: The Woodward Academy girls won the team championship with a 258 at Dalton Golf and Country Club. Calhoun was second at 260 and Dalton finished third with a 263. Dalton's Katelyn Skiffen was medalist with a 6-over 78, beating Cahoun's Katie Mashburn by one shot.
Gainesville boys take Athens Classic: Ryan Hogan shot 71 and Davis Weaver had a 73 to help Gainesville win the Athens Classic at the University of Georgia Golf Course. Peachtree Ridge finished second, nine shots behind. The Red Elephants shot 294, with A.D. Winston adding a 74 and Zayne Hilderbrand shooting 76.
Host LaFayette comes out on top: The LaFayette boys shot a 298 to capture the LaFayette Invitational by five shots over First Presbyterian Day. The Ramblers, who had finished second the last two years, got a 72 from Gage Smith and a 73 from Cole Ingram. Harrison Davis of Fort Payne, Ala., was medalist with a 71.
Etcetera: The Metter girls won the Burke County Invitational: The girls got a 77 from medalist Kristin Crooms and won by six shots. … The Mill Creek girls won the Gwinnett Girls Open. Tess Davenport was medalist for the Hawks. They had earlier finished second in the North Gwinnett Invitational.
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