By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – Playing on their home course, the LaGrange High golfers swung and putted their way to a region championship on a misty Monday at Highland Country Club.

Teams from Region 5-AAAA and Region 7-AAAA combined to compete in the Area 4-AAAA tournament, with the top teams advancing to the state tournament on May 22.

LaGrange shot a team score of 340, which was the best among the Region 5-AAAA teams.

Monday’s top finisher was Region 7-AAAA member Lafayette, which had a team score of 304.

Lafayette was crowned the area champion, and LaGrange was second.

To qualify for state, a team had to shoot no worse than a 340, and LaGrange came in right on that number.

LaGrange was led by Preston Pelham, who had the low score among Region 5-AAAA golfers with a 77.

“I’m stoked,” Pelham said. “We’ve been through a lot. It’s pretty big considering we didn’t know who our sixth man was coming into today. It’s pretty big that we could come through and still shoot a 340.”

Pelham said the conditions on the course were fine, despite the rain.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Pelham said. “Lift, clean and place helped out a lot. It was a little soggy, but nothing too bad.”

Hudson Graham was next for LaGrange with an 80, and he placed second in the region.

TJ Ormsby shot an 89, and John Crawford carded a 94 to complete the team scoring. Juston Edmondson added a 102 for the Grangers.

Had the Grangers added one stroke to their team total, they would not have been eligible to compete at state.

“Every shot counts,” LaGrange coach Thomas Crocker said. “That really proves it. Hudson had to get up-and-down a bunch of times. And we needed every one of them. Even Preston, as good as he played, he had a four-putt on the back at 17. That’s why it’s so important, playing good or playing bad, it doesn’t matter. Every shot matters. Every putt, every shot matters.”

Crocker said it’s big for this team to get to reach the state tournament.

“They get to go state,” Crocker said. “They get to experience that. And every one of them is coming back. So we’re excited.”

Troup had a team score of 390, and JD Pleasants led the way with an 87.

Next for Troup was Cameron Byers with a 92, James Figiel shot a 104, and Chase Hewett carded a 107.