Vols card region golf title

The Andrew Jackson Volunteers golf team added another jewel to their Region IV-AA links crown.
The Vols notched their fourth straight region golf championship, posting a two-day 619 (300-319) to win the Region IV-AA golf tournament at the Lancaster Golf Club.
AJ senior Caleb Brown, who has signed to play golf at Spartanburg Methodist College, led the 37-3 Vols with a 148 (75-73) on Thursday.
“I’m so proud of Caleb,” AJ coach Heath Brewer said. “He played awesome over two days at the tournament.
“He chipped and putted well and his short game was solid on a tough course,” Brewer said. “The pin placement, especially on day two, was tough and the conditions were less than ideal with the weather, rainy and windy, but Caleb and his teammates plugged away and it worked out well for them.
“We faced a challenge, but we battled through it and got the region crown,” he said. “It was about determination and focus.”
Brown was joined on the all-region team by senior teammate Logan Sowell, who shot a 153 (71-82), and Emily Cox 156 (75-81) and Chandler Norville with a 162 (79-83).
AJ, for the season, including regular-season and region tournament play, is 16-0 in the league.
Buford, which finished with a 676 (327-349), was the region runner-up.
Jackets’ golfers “T” Sutton and Caleb Henson each earned all-region laurels.
Sutton shot a 155 (74-81) and Henson had a 161 (78-83).
Other BHS scores were Cannon Cato 175 (87-88), Chandler Long 177 (88-89), Kris Self (90-106), Jacob Tillman (121-130).
Buford is 10-4 on the season.
“I’m proud of our guys for battling it out in the tough weather conditions on day two,” BHS coach Patrick Marshall said. “We obviously wanted to make a run at AJ, but those guys played really well. I’m happy for ‘T’ Sutton and Caleb Henson for making the all-region team and I look forward for the chance to compete at the state tournament.”
Andrew Jackson and Buford, as the top finishers in the region tournament, will advance to the Class AA state tourney at the True Blue Golf Club at Pawleys Island on May 16-17.
Indian Land also had two individual state qualifiers, Lewis Lambert and Nick Shaheen qualified for the two individual spots in the Class AA state field.
Chesterfield posted a 747 (365-382) to finish third overall.
AJ’s Brewer tipped his hat to the LGC.
“Phil Small and his staff do a wonderful job and we appreciate having a great place to play,” Brewer said. “It was challenging, but that’s to be expected because it’s going to be a challenge when the postseason comes around.”
 

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The 2016 All-Region IV-AA golf team includes from left, Buford High’s “T” Sutton, AJ’s Logan Sowell, Buford’s Caleb Henson, AJ’s Caleb Brown, AJ’s Chandler Norville and AJ’s Emily Cox. AJ won the tourney and Buford finished second. Both county teams advance to the state tournament May 16-17.

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Gwynn Leaird

Andrew Jackson High senior golf star Logan Sowell blasts a shot to the green during play in the Region IV-AA golf tournament at the Lancaster Golf Club on Wednesday.

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