By Alex Floyd, Special to the News.
At four years old, most of us are mastering the ABC’s and 123’s but under the tutelage of his father and the support of both parents, Ledger Conley was swinging a golf club and it has paid off tremendously. The Richmond Hill High School sophomore has won a string of tournaments and accolades that deserve their own edition of this newspaper. Just this weekend, he became the Richmond Hill Club Champion complete with his own member parking space. Pretty impressive for a kid who hasn’t yet acquired a driver’s license.
At age 11, Conley won his first US Kids tournament. Now he is a current member of the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, the same tour current Open Championship winner Brian Harman played on. With two wins this season, three second place, two third-place finishes and multiple top 10's, he is a strong contender for SJGT’s Player of the Year. As a freshman, he finished sixth place at State Championship in 7A out of 50 schools and Low Medalist for his team.
Hard to believe with these accomplishments that Conley will only turn 16 on October 8. He is a true Bryan Countian, the son of Barry Conley of North Bryan and Tura Sandt of Richmond Hill. Both ends of the county can be extremely proud of this young man and should watch his unfolding career with great interest. Conley would like to attend Georgia Southern or University of Georgia, play golf at the collegiate level and dreams of turning pro upon graduation. Barry Conley sums it up well, “He’s a great kid with good grades and a very level head. All the credit is on him. He has definitely earned what he has accomplished so far.”
His mother Tura Sandt admires his work ethic and dedication, “In the summers, I drop him off at the course most days on the way to work and pick him up after work. He stays out there all day and the wonderful regulars have taken him under their wing. He enjoys playing golf with all ages and the more competition the better.”
Apart from his home course at Richmond Hill Golf Club, his favorite course is Kinderlou Forest in Valdosta. Conley admires golfers Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Victor Hovland but of course Conley has admirers of his own.
Steve Croy has accompanied the Conley’s at tournaments, “The only thing that impresses me more than Ledger’s natural talent, is the discipline he demonstrates on a daily basis to get better. I have watched him hit balls in rain, bitter cold and scorching heat for hours, four to five days a week. I look forward to watching him grow as a golfer and young man, his future is very bright.”