Centennial Open uses innovative approach
The second annual Centennial Open, which will be played Monday at the Country Club of Roswell, features an interesting twist on high school tournament golf.
The top eight boys from each team compete. Four play the front nine, the other four play the back nine. At the end of the match, all scores are combined to tally the team score. This puts the pressure on all players to keep grinding rather than give up if the round isn’t going their way.
“One of the reasons that I have this tournament formatted this way is to make each player accountable to their team,” coach Todd Kearney said.
A typical high school tournament has six players competing on each team, with the top four scores counting toward the team total.
“In the six-man events, if one person feels they are having a bad day, they just assume that somone else on their team will pick up their slack. In this event, if you are having a bad day, you better figure out how to turn it around, because your team is counting on you to finish at the lowest score possible.”
The girls play the same format, with the two players competing on the front and two competing on the back nine.
Joining Centennial in the boys competition is North Atlanta, Forsyth Central, Alpharetta and Hillgrove. The four girls teams in the field are from North Atlanta, Alpharetta, St. Pius and West Forsyth.
Gwinnett Open postponed
The 32-team Gwinnett Open for boys was postponed because of weather. The tournament will be played on May 2 at the Chimneys in Winder.
Milton defends at West Forsyth Invitational
Milton will defend its championship at the third annual West Forsyth Wolverine Invitational at the Polo Golf and Country Club in Cumming.
The field includes Cambridge, Creekview, Dunwoody, Greater Atlanta Christian, Holy Innocents’, Johns Creek, Lambert, South Forsyth, St. Francis and host West Forsyth, led by defending medalist Robert Shaw.
Richmond Academy hosts Musketeer Invitational
It took a little work, but the high school organizations in Georgia and South Carolina both signed off on the inaugural Musketeer CSRA Invitational Golf Tournament. The event will be played Saturday at the Mount Vintage Plantation in North Augusta, S.C.
“My idea for this tournament was to have an annual border bash type of competition between Georgia and South Carolina schools,” said Scott Guinn, the Richmond Academy coach and tournament host.
In addition to Richmond Academy, the field includes Westside-Augusta, Morgan County, Evans, Statesboro, Westminster and South Carolina schools North Augusta, Midland Valley and Fox Creek.
The medalist will receive a new TaylorMade driver.
LaFayette hosts 19-team invitational
Nineteen teams will compete in the LaFayette Invitational on Saturday at the LaFayette Golf Course.
In addition to the host school, the field includes Woodstock, Etowah, First Presbyterian Day, Dawson County and most of the schools in Northwest Georgia.
LaGrange defends Granger title
The Granger Invitational will be played Monday at Highland Country Club. Carrollton, Bowdon, Northside Columbus, Harris County and Brookstone are competing. LaGrange won last year’s event, with four players finishing within four shots of medalist P.T. Alford’s 79.
Gainesville wins Apple Mountain
Gainesville won the Apple Mountain Invitational in Clarkesville beating Greater Atlanta Christian by eight shots. The Red Elephants shot a 282 and were led by Spencer Ralston, who shot a 5-under 67. Gainesville also got a 70 from Lawson King and a 71 from Nathan Williams.
Lambert finished third thanks to a 66 from junior Brett Barron, which set a school record. Barron, the junior champion at the Atlanta Athletic Club, has committed to Georgia Southern.
Mill Creek finished fourth behind a 70 from Luka Karaulic. Brookwood’s Phillip Westberry also had a 66.
