Chase Parker woke up Monday morning not sure whether he was going to play golf.
Nob North Golf Club in Cohutta had been saturated by rain, which Parker said threatened the Georgia High School Association's Class AAAA state championship.
The round that nearly wasn't played turned into a banner one for Parker and the rest of the Westside boys team. Not only did the Patriots win the Class AAAA state title, but Parker's 5-under-par 67 also earned him individual medalist honors.
The University of Kentucky recruit's bogey-free round included five birdies. Westside finished with a team score of 5-over 293.
"I was very relieved to find out we were going to play," Parker said. "It was a good feeling to know we were going to go out there, and I just had a good feeling all day."
The state title is the first for Westside since 1986. It's also the second consecutive Class AAAA title for Richmond County.
Richmond Academy won the crown last year at Bartram Trail. The Musketeers tied for second this year with Glynn Academy, four shots back of the Patriots.
Davis Parker shot 2-over 74 for Westside, and South Carolina recruit Dykes Harbin (76) and Will Carswell (76) rounded out the scoring.
Chase Parker's birdies came in bunches. He opened his round with back-to-back birdies and also made birdies on No. 14-16.
"It was one of the best rounds he's ever shot here," Westside coach Brian Hadden said. "He played great."
Burke County won its first state title, in Class AAA at Waynesboro Country Club.
The Bears (304) finished one shot better than Woodward Academy. John Keller and Evans Horton each shot 72 for the Bears.
Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
I want to take just a moment to thank you for the "oustanding" coverage of our 3 public area high schools winning state golf titles. Three out of five classifications won by these schools in your reading area, is unique and worthy of recognition, And, have no doubt, those of us associated with Burke County are thrilled to have two whole sentences, at the very end of the Westside article, devoted to our golfing Bears. I guess this was a need to fill space situation.
I firmly agree with you chenry. The people of Burke County were so proud of our Bears and their State Championship. This was the first State Golf Championship if Burke County history and the Augusta Chronicle showed their support with 2 sentences. How proud we are of you (AC) for your outstanding show of support for the rest of the CSRA. We aren't Westside but we don't have to be because we are State Champions. We are losing 4 seniors this year but we have an outstanding sophmore to lead them to the championship for 2 more years. Go Bears!
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