The Panthers went low to climb atop the mountain. The Starr’s Mill High boys won at the 2022 GHSA State Golf Championships at the Okefenokee Country Club in Blackshear, the third state championship in team history and sixth golf title overall for the school.
Four Panthers finished in the top 10 lowest scores: Kyle Bachkosky (2nd), Ian Humphrey (tied-7th), Thomas Reininger (tied-7th), and Will Sutton (10th).
At the state tournament, Reininger set a new school record for lowest single round score, breaking the record set by Sutton earlier this year. Bachkosky broke the school mark for lowest two-day score en route to state runner-up. As a team, they broke the Starr’s Mill record for lowest score for a round on a par-72 course.
“It always feels great to win a state championship. It is such a rare feat to accomplish,” said Starr’s Mill coach Burt Waller. “The boys did a great job of getting themselves ready to perform. They were all able to play great golf at the same time, and that is what it takes to win it.”
Ian Humphrey was especially pivotal for the Panthers. Teams enter 6 golfers with their best 4 scores counting, and he was the wild card who rose to the occasion to put them over the top.
“Your top scorer doesn't win the state tournament, the fourth scorer wins it, and Ian did that for us,” said Waller. “He's only been playing competitive golf for the last 20 months, and, to come as far as he has and perform that well in that moment, I am just so proud of him.”
The champion boys team is Kyle Bachkosky, Thomas Reininger, Will Sutton, Ian Humphrey, Thomas Stone, Austin Cummings, Luke Wiley, Parks Kleppe, Michael Cramer, Graham Boland, Bryce Richardson, Wesley Meyhoefer, and Jesse Elofson.
“This team is the most team-oriented bunch I've ever had. They love being around each other, they support each other, and they love being together,” said Waller. “We went down a couple of days early and played a practice round. They all took notes and shared them with each other, denoting tee shots, green shapes and slopes, and where to miss each hole. They were just so well-prepared, mentally and physically.”
It was also a strong showing for the Lady Panthers as the girls team finished 3rd place overall. Rachel Camp finished in 2nd place overall, with her teammate Ricki Davis in 13th. McIntosh’s Lana Spraley finished tied for 16th overall.
The Lady Panther team is Rachel Camp, Emily Stanek, Amani Mehta, Ricki Davis, Ava Dente, Grace Crockett, Abby Zeller, and Katie Rausch.
Both Starr’s Mill teams are coached by Burt Waller.
Posted 5/20/2022
