The boys’ and girls’ golf teams were expected to win this year at the GHSA state tournament.  With both teams winning and each being awarded low scorer honors, they did not fall short of those expectations.

The Panthers held the home course advantage, with the boys playing at the Planterra Ridge Country Club and the girls playing at the Braelinn Golf Club. Sophomore Luke Phillips led the boys’, and junior Liza Eubanks paced the girls’ team.

Eubanks led the Lady Panthers finishing seven strokes ahead of second place Sutton Rollins from Ware County, while overall the team finished 28 shots ahead of Veterans High School.

“I was more proud of how we did the second day, because the team could have very easily relaxed and taken the lead for granted,” Eubanks said. “Instead, we all closed it out and extended the lead, proving that day one wasn’t just a lucky day.”

The boys completed the sweep, winning by eight strokes over Colquitt County. Phillips came out on top for the boys side, placing first by a mere one shot over Hogan Ingram from Rome High School and Isaac Samples from Walnut Grove High School.

“I’m most proud of how well the team played under pressure,” Phillips said. “Being as young as we are it was really impressive how well we kept our focus.”

The boys’ and the girls’ teams were young this year. Neither team started a senior at the state tournament, which allows them to compete together once again next year.

“We have a chance to do what no sport has done here,” head coach Burt Waller said. “That’s a three-peat, and that’s a good goal for us.”

These two wins keep the Mill in first place for the AAAAA Director’s Cup with Buford in second. For the first time in school history, Starr’s Mill could win both the boys’ and girls’ Director’s Cup along with the overall Director’s Cup.  Final standings will be released early next week.