BCHS golfers shoot best round
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

Omar Walden's 43 helped the junior varsity Bears claim wins over Hephzibah and Emanuel County Institute. Staff - Anne Marie Kyzer

It was their best tournament showing yet this season.

The Burke County High School varsity boys golf team (68-17) placed fourth in a field of 24 teams last weekend at the Warner Robins Invitational.

The event was the Bears' last tournament of the season, and coach Wade Marchman said he was pleased with their final performance.

"This was the first time we've had all four people shoot below 80, and we broke our team goal by shooting below 310," he said.

The Bears scored 304, with John Keller leading the way with his 70. His score was low enough to tie him for third place out of some 120 golfers.

Logan Fairley, Josh Phillips and Buck Bell each recorded a 78 to round out the team's total.

Marchman said the team had a good showing against some of their stiffest competition in AAA golf.

The Bears tied West Laurens High School, which was ranked ahead of them in the polls, and beat North Hall High School. North Hall was also ranked ahead of Burke County and beat them in the TaylorMade-Adidas Invitational the previous weekend.

"This is the most consistent we've played," Marchman said. "At the past three tournaments, we've shot lower than we did last year. This shows that the kids have improved, but we have to continue to work hard."

The junior varsity boys (5- 0) also had a good week, beating Hephzibah High School and Emanuel County Institute last Thursday.

The team scored 180 with Jesse James' 41, Omar Walden's 43, Patrick Mobley's 47 and Mitch Mitchell's 49. The match was their last of the season.

The Lady Bears (3-3) didn't fare so well, losing narrowly to Hephzibah 113-115. Burke County's Mallorie Shaw shot 56 in the match, and Jorie Marchman recorded a 59.