Albany golf places third at Sugar Tree tournament

Highland Park, Tolar finish ahead of Lions

The Albany Lions golf team traveled to Sugar Tree Golf Course on Wednesday, March 11 to compete in a tournament hosted by Millsap. The field included teams from across several classifications, ranging from 5A schools down to 2A.

Albany finished third overall with a team score of 333. The Lions were edged out by 3A Tolar, which finished with a 326, and 5A Dallas Highland Park, which won the tournament with a 317.

Head coach Tate Thompson said the course provided one of the biggest challenges the team has faced this season.

“This was arguably the toughest course we have played and will play all year, even if we were to make it to state,” Thompson said. “We shot a 333, which was good enough to get us third. Considering the toughness of the course, I was very pleased with our results. This was a great eye opener and challenge for our guys. Hopefully it will prepare us to make a run.”

Thompson also noted that internal competition among the players has helped push the team to improve.

“We’ve got some younger guys this year that are competing for a spot on the first team,” he said. “That pushes the other guys to compete, knowing that their spot could be taken. That friendly, interior competition amongst the team is what makes us competitive.”

The Lions sent 13 golfers to compete in the tournament.

Connor Smith posted the lowest round for Albany with an 81, which tied for the 10th best round of the tournament. Three Lions tied for 22nd place with rounds of 84, including Huffman Heatly, Clay Chapman and Aiden Vickers.

Albany individual results:

Connor Smith — 81 (10th)

Huffman Heatly — 84 (T-22nd)

Clay Chapman — 84 (T-22nd)

Aiden Vickers — 84 (T-22nd)

Ace Townson — 91 (41st)

Trevor Bellah — 92 (43rd)

Lyle Wheeler — 97 (57th)

Casey Estridge — 99 (63rd)

Dylan Paxton — 110 (78th)

Brody Oliver — 113 (83rd)

Ryan Turner — 114 (85th)

Braeten Street — 118 (93rd)

Adrian Wren — 120 (96th)

The Lions will return to action Monday, March 23 at a tournament in Stamford.