Front-runners emerge after opening day of GHSA Golf Championships

The opening day of the GHSA Golf Championships set up a closely contested final day in some classifications while in others, storied programs have carved out a substantial lead heading into the final round.

Carrollton’s boys are nursing a two-shot lead in the Class 6A tournament after a cumulative score of +7, ahead of Lowndes (+9) and North Paulding (+9). On the girls side, Lambert has a commanding lead. The Longhorns shot even par as a team and lead second-placed Lowndes by 31 shot and North Gwinnett by 33 shots.

Creekview was -7 on the day and lead the Class 5A boys standings ahead of Lakeside-Evans (E) and Milton (+1). Johns Creek is atop the girls Class 5A standings after a +14 showing to lead McIntosh (+32) and Greenbrier (+34).

In Class 4A, North Oconee and Cartersville are tied at -4 with Benedictine at +3. On the girls side, St. Pius X shot +24 and is nursing a one-shot lead over North Oconee (+25). Cambridge (+42) is in third place.

West Laurens leads Class 3A after shooting +21 to lead LaGrange (+26) and Oconee County (+38). For the girls, four teams are within two shots of the lead with North Hall (+30), Jefferson (+31), Northwest Whitfield (+32) and White County (+32) chasing.

Columbus’ boys shot -2 to lead the Class 2A standings ahead of Pierce County (+20) and Thomson (+36). The Pierce County girls lead the 2A standings after shooting +18 with Hart County (+33) and Franklin County (+34).

In Class A-Division I, Bremen (+38) holds a one-stroke lead over Elbert County (+39) with Toombs County (+45) in third place. On the girls side, Gordon Lee shot +29 to lead Bremen (+33) and Elbert County (+34).

In Class A-Division II, Lake Oconee Academy’s boys hold a dominant lead after shooting +2 with Georgia Military (+42) and Schley County (+46) chasing. On the girls side, Lake Oconee Academy shot +4 to lead Metter (+37) and Charlton County (+53).

In Class 1A-3A Private, the Aquinas boys shot +2 and are tied with Mount Paran at the top. Three teams are tied at +10 behind the front-runners. On the girls side, Holy Innocents’ shot +5 and lead Wesleyan (+9) and Darlington (+10).