FORE THE TROPHY
Bears claim first region championship on golf course
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

John Keller, right, received low medalist honors for Region 3- AAA with his 72.

The alligator that surfaced in the pond on the 16th didn't stop them.

After the Bears claimed their school's first region championship in golf, a few of them, including their coach Wade Marchman, couldn't resist a celebratory swim.

The Burke County High School boys' golf team shot 307 at the Region 3-AAA tournament last Tuesday to beat out 11 other schools for the title.

No other Burke County boys team has earned the honor since the school opened its doors 20 years ago.

Burke County junior John Keller's day was sweetened when he turned in a 72 to be named low medalist.

Junior Logan Fairley tied his best round of the year with his 76 to help the Bears win. Senior Buck Bell's 79 and junior Josh Phillips' 80 rounded out the team's total.

"I'm excited for the boys," Marchman said. "They worked hard and this was their goal going into the year."

He chalked up much of the team's progress to their participation in weekend tournaments, which the Bears consistently performed well in this year.

Below, the BCHS golf team, from left, Logan Fairley, Buck Bell, Mitch Mitchell, coach Wade Marchman, Josh Phillips, John Keller, Evans Horton, assistant coach Doug Moore and Omar Walden - Anne Marie Kyzer

"It's helped them learn what it takes to play tournament golf, to show up on a given day and make that day count," he said.

As for Keller's individual honor, Marchman wasn't a bit surprised.

"Basically, it's what I expect out of John. He has that ability," he said, adding that Keller has continually improved, both in his game and in his confidence level.

Marchman said that, depending on how well Keller plays in junior tournaments this summer,

he could catch the attention of some of the larger Division

One schools.

For now, the team is preparing for the state tournament to be held Monday, May 5, at Hawk's Ridge Golf Club near Atlanta.

The latest coaches poll ranked Burke County fifth going into the state tournament. The Bears were listed behind Columbus, West Laurens, Westminster of Atlanta and North Hall.

Benedictine Military School will also represent Region 3- AAA at state. They took home the region runner-up trophy with a 316.