Gaffney golfers go for state title

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Sports Editor

The Gaffney golf team had some slip-ups this year, but they were hardly enough to stop the Indians from reaching their ultimate goal: the Class 4A state tournament.

“We deserve to be here,” first-year Gaffney golf coach Mark Ireton said. “We went down to the Southern Cross and finished among the top seven Class 4A teams. I feel like if we play like we are capable of, we’ll be in the hunt.”

That hunt starts today at the Furman University golf course. The state tournament is as much a test of endurance, especially on the first day, as skill. The golfers play 36 holes today before wrapping up with 18 more on Tuesday.

The Indians played a practice round on the course last Thursday - hardly enough time to learn every inch of the golf course. But the sloping, fast greens did make an impression on Ireton.

“The course is in very good condition,” he said. “The course will probably play tougher on Monday and Tuesday when they cut the greens to make them even faster.”

Ireton said the greens are similar to the ones at the Fort Mill golf course, the site of last month’s Region III-4A tournament.

“Who can handle the greens the best will likely be the state champion,” he said. “At Fort Mill, the greens were very tough.”

There’s also potential for trouble on the back nine, especially holes 13 and 17 - two long par 4s. But there are ample birdie opportunities on the front nine.

“The front nine tends to be a little easier,” he said.

The Indians captured the 2003 state championship but missed the tournament a year ago. This time around, perennial powers T.L. Hanna and Dutch Fork along with defending state champion South Aiken appear to be the teams to beat.

But the Indians’ depth could make them a factor. Most regular-season tournaments count only the top three scores, but the top four scores are used to determine the team totals at the state tournament.

“That should help us because we have quality depth,” Ireton said. “We have five golfers who can shoot a sub 80.

Junior Josh Gallman is one of those golfers.

“He’s been our best golfter the entire season,” Ireton said. “He’s very consistent. He just needs to make a few putts.”

Putting is also the key for Gaffney senior Andy Karns, who was named to the North-South All-Star event.

“If he’s playing well, he’s putting well,” Ireton said.

The Indians also need solid scores from seniors Gage Clary and Kyle Parker as well as junior Brandon Coggins.

Eighth-grader Matt Hopper, who had an impressive showing at the region tournament, rounds out the Indians’ team.

“Without (Hopper) him at the region, we aren’t talking about the state tournament,” he said. “Matt just needs to keep a positive attitude.”

A new player can be inserted after each round.

“Winning the state championship is our goal, but realistically a top five finish would be a good finish,” Ireton said.