Albany golfers medal for 2nd straight year
For the second year in a row, the Albany Lions are coming home from the state golf tournament with a team trophy.
Albany repeated its third place finish of a year ago at the Class 2Astate tournament, played Monday-Tuesday, April 29-30 at Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin. Albany shot 320-315–636, moving up a spot from the opening round and narrowly missed catching New Home (314-321–635) for second place.
Sonora (307-319–626) claimed the team title. Albany moved past two-time defending champion Lindsay, which topped the Lions at the Region II-2A tournament two weeks ago, to earn a team award.
Lions coach Tate Thompson said it might not have been the prize the Lions were looking for, but still was a fitting end to the season.
“I know our guys were disappointed we didn't win, but take a look at Lindsay,”hesaid.“They won it last year, and they went home this time without medals. We need to be thankful for the opportunity to improve our score from Day 1 to Day 2 and get in the medals.”
The finish added to a run that has seen Albany claim football state titles, advance in the basketball and baseball playoffs and claim individual state medals in tennis and track over the past two years.
“We’ve been kind of conditioned inAlbany that not finishing first is a disappointment,” Thompson said. “But we’re really fortunate to have gone down there the last two years and get in the medals. A lot of people would like to be in that position.”
Albany shot the low score Tuesday and made up five strokes on New Home. The Lions Were Among four teams to better their first-round score. In addition to passing Lindsay, the Lions stayed ahead of district rival Haskell on both days for the first time this spring.
All five Albany golfers finished in the top 30 in the field of 72. Houston Heatly tied for 16th, Huffman Heatly finished 20th, Luke Marshall tied for 23rd,Lute Wheelertied for 25th, andAyden Balliew tied for 28th.
All five played on last year’s team, and four were at state for the third year in a row.
“Watching Them mature over the years and watching them compete at the highest level has been a blessing,” Thompson said. “This year and last year both, they’ve played phenomenal team golf. It seemed like every tournament, it was somebody different leading the charge for us.”
Such was the case this week, with Balliew posting Monday’s low score, and Huffman Heatly leading Tuesday after being fifth in the first round.
“They’re always picking up each other’s slack,” Thompson said. “If things aren’t going good for somebody, somebody else steps up and keeps in it with a good team score.”
CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT Team totals – 1. Sonora, 307-319– 626; 2. New Home, 314-321–635; 3. Albany, 320-316–636; 4. Lindsay, 319-324–643; 5. Haskell, 329328–657; 6. Mason, 332-334–666; 7. Sundown, 340-340–680; 8. Crawford, 338-352–690; 9. Schulenburg, 354-338–692; 10. San Saba, 359-349–708; 11. Grapeland, 360-369–729; 12. Ore City, 363391–754. Individual leaders – 1. Walt Thompson, Goldthwaite, 70-74– 144; 2. (won on third playoffhole) Ty Chrisman, Centerville, 72-73–145; 3.IsaiahIgo,Sundown,74-71–145;4. CooperNichols,Farwell,74-72–146; 5. Zack Armes, New Home, 7572–147; 6. (tie) Dylan Ford, Sonora, 74-75–149; Weston Fisher, Sonora, 76-73–149; Owen Morris, New Home, 72-77–149; Landry Rogers, Lindsay, 73-76–149; Danner Price, Sanford-Fritch, 72-77–149.
Albany results – T16. Houston Heatly, 79-78–157; 20. Huffman Heatly, 83-77–160; T24. Luke Marshall, 82-80–162; T25. Lute Wheeler, 82-81–163; T28. Ayden Balliew, 77-88–165.
