Big day for Granger golfers
Published 12:21 am Tuesday, March 13, 2018
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
For so many players participating in the Granger Invitational on a frigid and breezy Monday afternoon, making their way around the 18 holes of Highland Country Club was a struggle.
Two men who handled the conditions just fine were LaGrange High teammates TJ Ormsby and Hudson Graham.
Graham and Ormsby each shot a 2-over par 74, and they finished tied with Northside’s Cole Kirkland for low-medalist honors.
Since there wasn’t time for a playoff, the tournament champion was determined by the player who had the best score on the 18th hole, and that was Ormsby.
So while Ormsby was awarded first place, Graham finished as the tournament runner-up, and Kirkland was third.
Team-wise, LaGrange posted a score of 322 to finish third behind tournament champion Brookstone (315) and runner-up Northside (321).
Ormbsy knew it was going to be a challenging day, and he strived to remain mentally tough.
“I tried to stay focused through the cold weather,” he said. “It was difficult out there, and the wind started blowing. It got chilly. So you just stay focused.”
Ormsby knew that the scores were likely going to be a bit higher than normal because of the conditions, so his mindset was that “par’s your friend, and the birdies will come.”
For Ormsby, winning at Highland Country Club was meaningful.
He grew up playing golf at the course, and his father Todd Ormsby is the head professional at Highland Country Club.
“It means a lot (winning at Highland),” Ormsby said. “The members out here are so great with supporting us.”
LaGrange coach Thomas Crocker said Ormsby has been a reliable player throughout the season.
“TJ’s made big strides,” Crocker said. “He really worked hard this fall to get himself ready. And he’s been real consistent in our first few tournaments and matches. He’s played well. He’s made a big step last year.”
Graham is a senior, and he has struggled in previous years during the Granger Invitational.
“I’ve shot very high scores every year I’ve played the Granger,” Graham said.
That wasn’t the case on Monday, though.
Graham was steady throughout, and with the help of a short game that was superb, he came through with a strong effort in his final Granger Invitational.
“I didn’t hit many greens at the start, but I got up-and-down for par,” Graham said. “Off the tee, I was a little scratchy, but my short game was there.”
Graham added that “I knew that if I made a bunch of pars, I’d be up there. That was my plan.”
Three other LaGrange players, John Crawford, Juston Edmondson and Preston Pelham shot an 87, and Trent Smith carded a 99.
TEAM SCORES
Brookstone – 315; Northside – 321; LaGrange – 322; Carrollton – 346; Smiths Station – 349; Harris County – 351; Bremen – 359; Northgate – 364; Newnan – 364; East Coweta – 362; Central-Phenix City 368; Mary Persons – 370
