By LARRY HILLIARD
Ledger Sports Editor

The Gaffney High golf team will likely have to fend off a challenge from Fort Mill and Lancaster to win today’s Region III-4A tournament.

Fort Mill will host today’s 36-hole tournament, making the Yellow Jackets even more formidable. Fort Mill edged the Indians by a stroke during a regular season match on the same course.

“I feel good about our chances,” Gaffney coach Mark Ireton said. “I feel it’ll be us and Fort Mill. Lancaster can win it, too.”

The Indians and Bruins were among the teams which competed in a tournament in Columbia.

“Lancaster has a good team,” he said.

Ireton said the Fort Mill Golf Club won’t be an easy course to play.

“The greens will be key,” he said. “We have to putt well.”

The top two teams advance to the state tournament. Gaffney just missed their fourth straight trip to the state tournament a year ago.

“I’m sure the players remember that,” he said. “We have to go out and play more consistent. Hopefully, we’ll hit some good shots.”

Gaffney enters today’s tournament off a solid showing at the Southern Cross Tournament Friday and Saturday. The Indians tied with Sumter for ninth with a 231-235 - 466.

T.L. Hanna won the event.

“I was pleased,” Ireton said. “Finishing in the top 10 was a goal. The kids are a little disappointed because we couldn’t finish in the top five but we folded down the stretch.”

The Indians jumped from ninth after the first round to sixth after the first nine holes on Saturday.

Gaffney’s Josh Gallman exemplified the Indians’ tough final nine holes. Gallman was on his way to nearly equally his solid first-round 72 when he found the bunker and shot a 9 on the 18th on Saturday.

“Obviously, he was disappointed because he hit the ball so well for most of the day,” Ireton said.

Andy Karns had a 76-77 - 153 and Gage Clary posted an 83-80 - 163 to round out the Indians’ scoring.