Indians fall short in state title quest

Ledger photo by CODY SOSSAMON Gaffney's Josh Gallman watches a putt on hole No. 5 at Tuesday's final round of the Class 4A golf championship at Furman University. The Class 4A state championship was a rough one for the Gaffney golf team.

The Indians, who ran away with the prestigious Southern Cross Invitational last month, couldn't overcome blustery winds and lightning-quick greens at the Furman University golf course in finishing a disappointing sixth in the 16-team field.

"The first day we just didn't do a good job of handling the conditions," Gaffney coach Mark Ireton said. "The winds were blowing hard and the greens were hard and fast. It's not an excuse but the other teams did a better job in handling it."

The Indians were in seventh place after shooting a first-round 316. The team's struggles continued with a 320 in the second round on Monday.

The Indians didn't play any better on Tuesday, shooting a final round 314 for a 54-hole total 950.

Dutch Fork finished first with a 906. Defending champion Easley had a 922 to finish second. North Augusta placed third with a 933.

PUTTING AROUND Gaffney golfer Jody Martin puts his putter back in his golf bag during final round play of the Class 4A state championship at Furman University Tuesday. "Dutch Fork shoots a 906 and wins it this year and we shoot a 906 last year and finish third," Ireton said. "That shows how difficult the course was."

T.L. Hanna's Patrick Rata finished atop the individual leaderboard with a 217.

Josh Gallman, who has signed a golf scholarship with USC Upstate, was Gaffney's top finisher with a 75-76-77 228.

"Josh really couldn't get any putts to fall," the Gaffney coach said.

Gallman, who was the medalist at the Southern Cross, said the team couldn't overcome its first day's poor play.

"We came to finish first but we were hoping for a top three finish after the first day," he said. "I'm proud of my whole year, but it could have been better." Ireton said the Indians just couldn't catch any breaks on the first day of play - nor the second when putts glided over hole after hole and the dreaded 'cellophane bridge.'

Indicative of the way things went was evidenced on the third hole Tuesday when Matthew Hopper's drive landed in the center of the fairway but could not be found, leading to a quadruple bogey 8. He went one-under on the next five holes, but took a double bogey six on the ninth when what looked like a perfect chip rolled past the cup and off the green.

Jody Martin had a 78-81-78 231 for the Indians. Hopper shot a 78-81-82 241. Brandon Coggins, who will attend North Greenville on a golf scholarship next year, rounded out the Indians' scoring with an 84-84-78 246.

"Our play was disappointing," Ireton said. "But we just didn't hit enough good shots."

The Indians will return Martin, Hopper, Will Coggins and Adam Goins next season.

"We have some talent coming back. But they have to work at their games," Ireton said.