Bryan County’s spring sports teams have had an excellent run: boys’ and girls’ soccer both made the Sweet 16 as did boys’ and girls’ tennis, baseball was in the state playoffs and this weekend the boys’ and girls’ track team will have its most state meet qualifiers in several years, perhaps ever, participating in the state meet.
Then there’s golf. Not exactly a sport that garners a lot of attention. Until now.
For what is possibly the first time in school history both the boys’ and girls’ teams under the direction of first year coach Cherard Freeman have qualified for the state tournament. GHSA records going back nearly two decades do not show any Redskins teams qualifying for the state tourney which will be held this year on May 19 at Bartram Trail Golf Club in Evans..
Having both teams qualify for state this year is a bit of surprise, even to the super optimistic Freeman.
“I thought we would have some individual qualifiers but I never thought we would have a team qualify,” Freeman said. “This is a continuation of the growth of our spring sports program.
“Our sports are moving in the right direction with the leadership and support of our administration and athletic director. They support what each sport is doing. I think it’s awesome and these kids (golf) have made some history.”
Freeman took over the program when Brent Anderson, who also coached basketball, took a job in Bulloch County after coaching at Bryan County for seven years. The Redskins practice and play home matches at Black Creek Golf Course.
“I honestly believe if we can keep these kids in the program and they put in the work and dedication in the off season we can win a state championship,” Freeman said. “I told them before the season I thought we could win state in two to three years.”
The Redskins have nine players on the boys team: three seniors, two juniors and four freshmen who Freeman believes have a ton of potential.
Trevor Lanier, a senior who played quarterback in football, is the low scorer on the golf team although he is in his first year of playing golf as is junior Brody Gunter. They are joined in the lineup – low four scores count – by senior Alex Asselin and freshmen Jacob Williams, Conner Fennel and Maddox Raulerson.
Rounding out the boys’ team are senior Logan Sehr, junior Cody Stewart and freshman Reid White.
For the first time in several years the school is fielding a full girls team led by junior Lacey Howell who is joined by freshmen Ava Conley, Makenna Reagan, Brooklyn Casson and Isabella Collins.
Howell is playing golf for the third year and last year she qualified for the state tournament as an individual.
With the top three teams in the sectional tournament held at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hawkinsville advancing, both Redskins teams finished third to punch their ticket to the state tournament.
Hawkinsville took first-place followed by Metter. Lanier led the way as he shot an 89. Metter took first among the girls – the two low scores count --followed by Hawkinsville. The Redskins who were led by Howell and Conley.
For many, making the state tournament in golf isn’t quite the same adrenalin rush as making the Final Four in football as Lanier did as a junior; he isn't about to brush it off.
“When you’re representing your school in a state tournament it’s huge,” Lanier said. “It doesn’t matter what the sport is. And to be playing for your school in what might be its first time ever in the state tournament it means a lot to me personally.
“Coming out here for the first year there were a lot of nerves for me,” Lanier said. “Coach Freeman has worked wonders. He’s helped me a lot, especially with my driver.”
Lanier, as has Gunter, took up golf in the last year and he did so at the urging of his brother, Trent, who is two years older.
“Trent and I would come out here (Black Creek) and play just for fun,” Lanier said. “We’re both super competitive. I didn’t have any clubs and would play out of his bag.
“He would hand me a club and say, ‘See what you can do.’ That was last summer and he told me I might be able to play. I wound up buying a set of clubs and decided to play for the school team this spring.”
Golf was never a part of Gunter’s thought process. He is the ultimate outdoorsman in that he’s a member of the school’s ROTC Raiders, is on the bass fishing team and on the shotgun shooting team. He also wrestled for one year.
Gunter’s goal is to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy and as a good student he will take a step toward meeting that goal when he attends a camp at the academy this summer.
“My Mom, Dad, my brother and I decided to come out here (Black Creek) one day and I used my Mom’s clubs and I thought it was pretty interesting,” Gunter said. “We got me some clubs and I joined the golf team.
“It’s a hard sport, a lot harder than it looks, but I really like it,” Gunter said. “The team has been very welcoming and Coach Freeman creates a great atmosphere.”
