Piedmont Golfers Win State
After finishing third at state a year ago, the Piedmont Academy golf team had a purpose for 2023.
The goal was a simple although a challenging one: win it all.
The Cougar golfers accomplished that goal on Monday winning the GIAA Class AA state title at Harbor Club on Lake Oconee in Greensboro. Piedmont had the low overall team round of 362 to hold off second place Thomas Jefferson (367).
“I am really happy for the kids,” coach Michael Wilson said. “Last year we finished third only two shots behind Thomas Jefferson and came back this year and played with a purpose. The conditions in the morning weren’t ideal. It was cold, windy and a little rainy and I think that caused some of the scores to be a little higher than everyone was expecting and what we would have liked but they did a great job of managing their games and for the most part limiting big numbers.”
The championship by Piedmont ended a three-year run by Rivers Academy.
Junior Ridge Stroud was named to the All State team for 2023. Stroud was sixth overall individually.
“”Winning the golf state championship is the greatest honor of my athletic career,” Stroud said. “After having lost state championships in other sports, winning the golf title has been the culmination of much hard work and determination. While it was a great team accomplishment, I was very honored to be named an All-State golfer. This championship has taught me that anyone can accomplish his goals through preservation and faith in God.”
Wilson had great praise for Stroud’s leadership this season.
“Ridge always does a great job of playing smart in big tournaments,” his coach said. “He didn’t shoot what he was capable of but given the weather and the magnitude of a state championship, I think he did great. He had the sixth lowest score and played the last four or five holes one under and that’s what wins these tournaments for teams, individuals keeping their round salvageable.”
Freshman Kolby Pounds was low medalist with a round of 82.
“The key in team golf is to just play the course and not do anything on one hole that inflates your score,” Wilson said. “Kolby played really well after the first four holes. He got off to a slow start. He was five over after three holes and played the last 15 five over par to win. He’s just a freshman and an excellent golfer. Sometimes he gets ahead of himself wanting to shoot a low score and he will struggle early but he’s definitely improved on that this year and moving forward he’s going to win a lot of tournaments outside of school and with Piedmont.”
Helping contribute to the overall team win was Sawyer Freeman.
“This was his first state tournament and he dealt with some struggles but was able to turn in a score that helped us win,” his coach said. “He’s just learning the game and I think by this time next year will have a chance at All-State.”
Barrett Downing and Avery McWhorter both worked all season and helped the Cougar golfers in matches throughout the season. Downing was able to play at state while McWhorter was an alternate. Wilson said both are freshmen and getting better.
“Everyone added to this title and helped the team win and that makes it special,” Wilson said.
Sophomore Marissa Holder seems to shine in whichever sports she competes in from basketball to softball to track to flag football. Since Piedmont did not have a girls golf team this spring, Holder competed with the boys. Wilson, who also coaches her in other sports, said she is simply a “winner.”
“Marissa is another one who is just learning the game of golf,” Wilson said.”She’s been at it a year and for her to come out and play a course like Harbor Club from the blue tees at 6,500 yards and to be a contributor is pretty amazing. I know she’s capable of a lower score but she is so inexperienced in tournament golf I think she should be proud to be where she is. She is so unbelievably talented in everything she does. She’s got a chance to be the most successful female athlete ever in the GIAA and watching her succeed is a lot of fun. She’s a winner. She’s won five state championships already and that kind of expectation she brings to the table gives everyone confidence.”
Piedmont’s golfers had their ultimate goal mapped out from the start of the season and have now reached the top of that mountain.
“The course was set up tough,” Wilson said. “The greens are very difficult and when you add the pressure of competing for a championship, scores are naturally gonna be higher, especially when you factor in that we don’t have a senior on the team.”
It’s never easy winning it all, regardless of sport, so Wilson said it was great seeing the student-athletes do so well.
“Winning a championship is not easy, no matter what level you are competing,” the coach said. “Being the best takes a lot of work and a little bit of luck and it’s an accomplishment we all will remember for a long time. It’s been a great year here with teams and their success. Hopefully baseball will provide a cherry on the top and give us momentum heading into next year.”